Critical project success factors affecting building handover from construction to facility management

Purpose A crucial stage in a building's life cycle is the transition from construction to facility management (FM). Despite its significance, there is limited agreement on the factors that influence successful handover. This study identifies and synthesizes handover factors reported in the literature and evaluates their importance to determine the critical success factors (CSFs) influencing successful construction-to-FM handover from both construction and operational perspectives. Design/methodology/approach Twenty CSFs were initially identified through a structured literature review and grouped into five thematic categories. Following expert assessment, one additional factor was incorporated, resulting in 21 CSFs. A structured survey was conducted among construction and FM professionals, with 120 valid responses obtained from various project stakeholders, including contractors, consultants, facility managers and owners. Approximately 70% of respondents were working in Qatar, while the respondents had professional experience across several international contexts. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships among the CSFs and their categories and to assess their relative importance. Findings Among the most significant groups were “Testing, commissioning and training / document submission and verification,” “Technology and database integration,” “Defect rectification” and “Early handover planning.” The integration of FM software with BIM/BMS platforms was the most highly ranked individual factor, highlighting the growing significance of digital tools in guaranteeing operational readiness and long-term performance. Originality/value This study is one of the firsts to provide a comprehensive approach for determining and ranking CSFs unique to the handover phase between FM and construction teams. The findings also lay the groundwork for future scholarly investigations and the development of digital instruments, guidelines and regulations to improve sustainability and lifecycle management in built settings.