Identifying the best project alternative is a critical challenge facing major transportation projects (MTPs) at the front-end phase. The increasing complexity and dynamism of MTPs have imposed substantial uncertainties and subjectivities in the decision-making process. Despite the efforts made in previous studies, a stochastic framework to facilitate the comprehensive assessment is still missing. In this research, a stochastic decision support framework has been developed to cope with the considerable uncertainties in MTPs. The features of the proposed decision support framework are achieved by using the Bayesian belief network modeling technique to provide a comprehensive registry of the relevant decision factors, establish the interrelationships between these decision factors, and consequently quantify uncertainties of decision indicators. The calculated probabilities for decision indicators have been interpreted to a satisfaction level of stakeholders based on their constraints as a multi-criteria decision model. A Monte Carlo simulation has been conducted to simulate a real condition using the decision indicators probability as input. Finally, MTP alternatives prioritized according to the anticipated satisfactory gained among various stakeholders. The created framework is used in a preliminary alternative assessment for case study related to Detroit River International Crossing project. The case study investigates the decision-making of key stakeholders related to prioritization of alternative projects for a new access between Detroit, US and Winsdor, Canada. The project team verified applicability of the model. The developed framework and the case study highlight the significance of identification of a stochastic project alternative assessment method. The proposed framework provides decision-makers with a decision support tool to facilitate front-end phase of MTPs.

The main key to any innovation is the idea management process which is also known as the front-end phase of the innovation. An idea management is a systematic process of searching, collecting, developing and implementing of ideas. This study focuses on idea management process within the energy sector of Sweden, as there is no well-defined process within the area that captures the voice of the employee. The solution is present in the form of newly designed process that takes into consideration the voice of the employees, technology for supporting and delivering the shared responsibilities. The main purpose of this study is that the energy sector of Sweden is being less explored that leaves out the sector from adapting to the idea management process. This sector lacks in considering the different tools, techniques and methods to be used that will help in searching, capturing, evaluating and selecting ideas. In order to explore the energy sector within Sweden a single case study on business unit Vattenfall heat, Uppsala, a Swedish multinational national energy company has been selected. To reach the bottom line of exploration ten semi-structured interviews were used to collect data and were grounded using “Gioia methodology”. The grounded theory model designed can be used by energy sector to design an idea management process for idea capturing, idea screening, idea selecting an idea implementing. The outcomes were recorded to be four main aggregate dimensions in designing the idea management process for the energy sector of Sweden. It was discovered that the four-aggregate dimension “people”, “process” and “workspace culture” are interconnected and to manage the overall process there is a requirement of strong “policy”. Considering these outcomes as main important drivers a new design is created which streamlines for searching, capturing, evaluation and implementing of ideas for the energy sector of Sweden. This study can further be elaborated and can be an important source of information for an organization willing to have a digital platform for the idea management process. The study can also be used in creating a central platform involving the different actors into an idea management process.