The Role of Smart Heuristics in Decision-Making Under Uncertainty: Migitating Rework and Its Consequences

Decision-making under risk in construction is typically aligned with the classical rationalist view. Here, statistical methods and formal logic are applied to select the best possible solution from a series of alternatives drawn from credible information to determine their risks. However, in the case of rework—one of the most expensive problems facing construction organizations—its risks cannot be determined due to the absence of information about its determinants. Rework is characterized by uncertainty, and thus, the use of mathematical prescriptions to predict its occurrence is highly questionable. In contrast to the classical view of rationality, we suggest in this article that smart heuristics framed within the bounds of ecological rationality provide an effective decision strategy to accommodate the uncertainty of rework in construction. Using an illustrative case study approach, we demonstrate how fast-and-frugal trees (FFT), a smart heuristic, can be retrospectively constructed from real-world rework events where major safety incidents also occurred and were used as a reference source for decision-making. The research and practical implications of adopting the conceptual lens of smart heuristics to accommodate rework in construction are then discussed.