LAUSR

Abstract The construction process is so dependent on supply chain partners that selecting the best ones has an impact on its performance. The literature on supplier selection in the construction industry is little explored and its proposals are complex using techniques that industry managers are unfamiliar. This work’s purpose was to study a construction organization’s needs and, thus, develop a method of supplier qualification, capable of matching best practices while responding to the company’s specific needs, according to its context. Thereby, a case study was used in the metal construction industry. The paper describes the development of a simple and fast supply chain partner pre-qualification method, which corresponds to a questionnaire, an automatic assessment, and a classification method. The study’ main conclusions are the managers’ lack of familiarity with analysis and improvement techniques, the difficulty of defining “quality” in this industry and the need for further studies in this area.