Chapter 7: Delphi Method for Validating Sustainable Maintenance Strategies

The Delphi Method was used in this current research to determine constructs and measurement indicators that predict sustainable maintenance for government office buildings and to examine whether the constructs and indicators in other geographical areas are the same as in emerging economies. Briedenhann and Wickens (2005, p. 87) define the Delphi Method as ‘an iterative process of data collection and analysis designed to search for consensus among anonymous experts using a series of intensive questionnaires interspersed with controlled feedback’ (Sackman, 1974; Shariff, 2015). The Delphi method in this current research also used expert opinions to ascertain and verify key constructs and measurement indicators which are influential and significant to the sustainable maintenance of government office buildings in emerging economies. The method was preferred for this current study because it was feasible to undertake and has not been used in the same area of study in emerging economies.