The purpose of the study was to gain broader understanding of project complexity, how these complexities affects project delivery time and the tools and measures used in scheduling projects. The specific aspects explored were the challenges associated with complex projects, practices used in scheduling projects, and the relationship existing
between project complexity and project delivery time.
The study utilized both a positivist and social constructionist perspective that utilized the Modified Delphi technique. Accordingly, the epistemological motive underlying the Modified Delphi method chosen under the research favors both the positivist and social constructionist perspective. In accordance with the positivist design, the researcher is seen as an objective and uninvolved observer. Three rounds of questions would be asked of the participants. There would be initial pre-selection criteria which would seek to identify the level of expertise of the participants in relation to the research problem under consideration. After the selection of the panel, the three rounds of questions, comprised of qualitative and quantitative questions, were asked sequentially.
Participants selected for the study could collude outside of the study, especially when they were from the same department. To minimize this problem, personal contact between the respective participants was not permitted and their identity was not disclosed with other participants. In addition, some terms may have a different interpretation, which could influence the ability of the respondents to give a fair assessment of the problems. Based on this, the terms used in the study focused on the technical jargons used within the field of project management.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Overview
Problem Statement
Purpose of Research
Significance of Study
Research Design
Research Questions
Assumptions and Limitations
Operational Definition
Summary
Chapter 2 Literature Review
Project Management
Project Life Cycle
Project Management Tools
Project Complexity
Definition of Project Complexity
Complexity Theory and Project management
Types of Project Complexity
Project Scheduling
Project Scheduling Risk
Project Risk Management
Chapter 3 Methodology
Research Design
Participants Selection Criteria and Justification
Participants Identification Question
Analysis of Expert Identification information
Sample Selected and technique
Round One
Round Two
Round Three
Data Sources and Number of Participants
Legal Issues
Chapter 4 Analysis and Presentation of Results
Part A Challenges of Scheduling Complex Projects
Part B Practices Used in Project Scheduling
Part C Relationship between Complexity and Project Delivery Time
Summary of Findings
Chapter 5 Conclusions and Recommendations
Conclusions
Recommendations
Research Objective and Focus
The research aims to investigate the challenges associated with scheduling complex projects in Ghana, the specific practices employed by project managers to handle these complexities, and the underlying relationship between project complexity and project delivery timelines. By analyzing these factors, the study seeks to improve project outcomes and provide insights into effective scheduling strategies in dynamic, uncertain environments.
- Analysis of challenges encountered in scheduling complex projects.
- Evaluation of current project management and scheduling practices in Ghana.
- Investigation into the impact of project complexity on delivery time.
- Identification of effective tools and strategies for managing complexity.
- Proposals for optimizing project schedules and resource allocation.
Excerpt from the Book
Chapter 1: Overview
Project management is concerned with applying effective management practices and strategies to ensure effective execution of the projects within each of the life cycle process. Accordingly, the project life cycle encompasses the activities of initiation, planning, execution and closure, which have been recognized by Kerzner (2003) to comprise of a series of activities and task that have been assigned specific objectives to be completed within a definite or specific time.
Simple projects can be defined as projects exhibiting similarity with previous projects and utilizing standardized practices in the process of designing and funding the project (Rapaport and Ireland, 2012). On the other hand, complex projects exhibit high level of uncertainty and dynamic interaction between the various component parts.
The success and sustainability of projects are highly dependent on the effective management of time, budget and quality (Westerveld, 2003), and this becomes significantly tedious in the case of complex projects. Thus, project scheduling provides an opportunity for project managers to assign specific time to the activities, in order to match the resources throughout the project life cycle.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1 Overview: This chapter introduces the core subject of project management and the specific focus on the challenges of scheduling complex projects, establishing the research questions and the significance of the study within the Ghanaian context.
Chapter 2 Literature Review: This section provides a comprehensive overview of existing academic research on project management, complexity theory, project life cycles, and various scheduling techniques used in complex environments.
Chapter 3 Methodology: The chapter describes the research design, detailing the use of a modified Delphi technique, participant selection criteria, and the multi-round process used to collect expert data.
Chapter 4 Analysis and Presentation of Results: This chapter presents the data gathered from the three rounds of the Delphi study, categorized into challenges, scheduling practices, and the relationship between complexity and delivery time.
Chapter 5 Conclusions and Recommendations: The final chapter summarizes the findings of the study and provides strategic recommendations for project managers and municipal authorities to minimize time overruns in complex projects.
Keywords
complex projects, Gantt chart, modified Delphi technique, value engineered technique, project life cycle, Microsoft spreadsheet, milestone dates, project scheduling, project risk management, technical complexity, organizational complexity, project delivery, time management, Ghana, municipal projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this dissertation?
The dissertation investigates the challenges and practices involved in managing and scheduling complex projects within the Ghanaian context, with a primary focus on how complexity impacts project delivery timelines.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers project management fundamentals, the definition and types of project complexity, various scheduling techniques, project risk management, and the empirical analysis of construction project practices in Ghana.
What is the core research objective?
The primary objective is to gain a deeper understanding of how project complexity influences delivery time and to identify which scheduling tools and strategies are most effective in addressing these complexities.
Which methodology does the author employ?
The study employs a modified Delphi technique, which involves a three-round iterative survey process with selected experts from the field of engineering, architecture, planning, and quantity surveying to reach consensus.
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body integrates a review of relevant literature on project scheduling and complexity with a detailed presentation of results derived from the Delphi survey rounds conducted with project managers.
Which keywords characterize this research?
The research is characterized by terms such as project complexity, Gantt charts, modified Delphi technique, value engineering, project life cycle, and time management in the context of construction and municipal projects.
How do power outages influence project schedules in Ghana?
The findings indicate that frequent power outages are a major factor contributing to project delays; they damage essential electrical equipment and disrupt hiring decisions, significantly affecting the overall project progress.
What role does Value Engineering play in this study?
Participants identified Value Engineering as a critical technique for minimizing the impact of complexity, as it helps in reducing rework and ensuring that resources are available to maintain the project schedule.
Why is the "Multiple Design-Build" system preferred by respondents?
The study highlights that this delivery system is preferred because it provides greater clarity regarding the project scope and offers a more comprehensive view of the project requirements compared to other methods.
What are the practical recommendations for mitigating time overruns?
The author recommends the acquisition of alternative power sources, the implementation of cross-functional team training, and a stronger focus on value creation to ensure that projects remain on track despite complex environmental factors.
- Citation du texte
- Stephen Kingsley Nkatia (Auteur), 2022, Practices in Ghana for Managing Time on Complex Projects, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1189475
