Development and demonstration of a social sustainability assessment tool for the construction project life cycle

PurposeThis research paper aims to address the scarcity of social sustainability (SS) in construction by developing a Social Sustainability Assessment Tool (SocSAT), further demonstrating the tool's applicability in measuring SS practices across the construction project life cycle.Design/methodology/approachVarious research methods were used to establish the assessment criteria, including literature review, focused group discussions and structured interviews. Subsequently, the SocSAT was developed using proprietary spreadsheet software, which was further demonstrated its applicability and validity using ten project case studies.FindingsThe SocSAT was built on 19 indicators for pre-construction, 25 indicators for construction, and 4 indicators for post-construction phases. The SocSAT offers a comprehensive means for practitioners to assess and monitor SS practices across project phases. The findings indicate that the SocSAT is a straightforward and user-friendly assessment tool that enables practitioners to self-diagnose and better comprehend the present SS practices across the project life cycle.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations include the context-specific nature of validating the SocSAT.Practical implicationsSocSAT enables construction practitioners to monitor and improve their SS practices effectively, facilitating informed decision-making and promoting sustainable construction. The tool is a valuable guide for stakeholders to incorporate SS considerations, ensuring transparent communication and project success.Originality/valueThis research fills a gap in SS research within the construction industry. The SocSAT offers theoretical advancements with practical value, providing a standardized approach to objectively measure the SS dimension across construction project life cycles.