172 research outputs found
Managing project complexity: A study into adapting early project phases to improve project performance in large engineering projects
No full textEngineering projects become increasingly more complex and project complexity is assumed to be one of the causes for projects being delivered late and over budget. However, what this project complexity actually comprised of was unclear. To improve the overall project performance, this study focuses on identifying the potential causes of complexity in projects. Moreover, it is investigated how the early project phase could be adapted to the complexity of the project. The research is performed with companies of the NAP network, which brings together companies from the entire value chain in the Dutch process industry. The study is structured in four phases and included exploratory case studies, a quantitative survey, explanatory case studies and an evaluative survey. By combining qualitative and quantitative work, this study is an example of successfully applying a mixed methods approach in project management research. The main results of this study are the TOE (Technical, Organizational, External) framework to grasp project complexity and recommendations on managing project complexity in the early project phase. To improve project performance the role of integrated teams (joint owner / contractor teams) as well as thorough application of risk management is shown to be crucial.TSETechnology, Policy and Managemen
Opportunity Management in Complex Infrastructure Projects: An Attempt at Exploiting Complexity
No full textOne of the reasons for the failure of large infrastructure projects is the increasing complexity of such projects. Complexity is considered a source of risks. These risks can be negative, called threats, or positive, called opportunities. The current risk management process implemented in practice mainly deals with threats, and opportunities are almost not considered. This research aims to study how individuals involved in complex infrastructure projects can better set the scene for opportunity management and capitalize on the opportunities that complexities offer. First, a literature study was conducted to define the relevant concepts such as project complexity and opportunity management. Next, to understand the current approach of identifying opportunities in practice, interviews with practitioners in the field of infrastructure were conducted. After that, the aim was to study the possibility of exploiting complexities. This was achieved by organizing a workshop session, where four Project Managers collaborated to identify opportunities, in four infrastructure projects, that result from the technical (T), organizational (O) and external (E) complexity elements of the TOE framework developed by Bosch-Rekveldt et al. (2011). As a result, a technique that aims particularly at identifying the opportunities that emerge from the complexities was developed: the Complexity-Driven Opportunity Identification Technique (CDOIT). Finally, this technique was integrated in a roadmap that aims for the effective implementation of opportunity management in complex infrastructure projects. This study suggests having a common understanding among the project team of the concept of opportunity as a positive risk and how it is linked to the project objectives. These objectives should be clearly stated from the beginning of the project. Also, if the team is determined to identify and manage opportunities, and even more, the opportunities that result from the complexity of the project, this should be clear from the start and included in the risk management plan (RMP). Another important factor is to determine the people who should be involved in identifying opportunities. Furthermore, the techniques that can facilitate the identification of opportunities and how these will be assessed, handled and monitored should be determined. Also, individuals looking for opportunities should be equipped with the right positive mindset. This will help in switching from a threat-focused mindset to a mindset that focuses on the positive side of risk. This study also proposed five possibilities into how complexities can be exploited. This can be done using internal strengths, taking advantage of external weaknesses combined with internal strengths, aiming to turn internal weaknesses to strengths, through a better use of available resources, and by increasing the scope of the project
How can Early Warning Signs contribute to the predictability of potential cost overruns in public infrastructure road works under integrated contracts, so that costs can be reduced for the contractor?
No full textCivil Engineering and GeosciencesStructural Engineerin
Organizing for project complexity: Better insight in relevant factors for Dutch clients of construction projects
No full textCivil Engineering and GeosciencesStructural EngineeringConstruction Management and Engineerin
Project management maturity of the Dutch Water Boards: An exploratory research in maturity models
No full textCivil Engineering and GeosciencesStructural EngineeringConstruction Management and Engineerin
Erosion problem at Piçarras Beach: The cause of the erosion and possible counter measures
No full textOver the last three decades the beach area of Piçarras has undergone large changes. The river Piçarras was fixed which caused severe erosion problems. With large nourishment projects the municipality tried to create a sustainable beach area. However, these nourishments did not form a long term solution, which means that, until the present day, the beach still suffers from a retreating coastline causing various hazardous circumstances from time to time. The objective of this report is to reveal the most suitable solution to the erosion problem that enables the development of a sustainable beach area. The most suitable solution should be technically feasible but also has to be economically and socially realizable. The report is intended to provide an insight in the current phenomena causing the erosion. It provides an elaboration on economical, social and technical aspects to take into account when composing a plan to resolve the erosion problem. And it proposes various feasible solutions that could help in obtaining a sustainable beach area, these are tested against these aspects to define the most suitable one. Feasible measures that were given more detailed investigation, were placement of a breakwater to elongate the headland, placing a submerged breakwater, doing an alternative nourishment and creating a long- or short-term maintenance plan. Technically, the elongation of the headland with a breakwater appeared to be the most effective measure. However, in combination with other criteria that were taken into account like finances, politics and logistics, the submerged breakwater turned out to be most suitable. Eventually, this report gives an advice to the municipality of Piçarras about what measure(s) to take to protect the beach area at Piçarras.Civil Engineering and GeosciencesHydraulic Engineerin
Scope Change: Embrace, Delay or rather Avoid?: An Investigation to Scope Change Management in the Design, Build and Maintenance Phases in projects with UAV-GC 2005 contracts
No full textCivil Engineering and GeosciencesStructural EngineeringConstruction Management and Engineerin
Analysis of the refinery project execution strategy from an organizational effectiveness perspective: Studying the impacts of concurrent execution on taskforce satisfaction in the EPC phase of a refinery project
No full textCivil Engineering and GeosciencesStructural EngineeringConstruction Management and Engineerin
A database for Dutch infrastructure projects and their results
No full textConstruction, Management and EngineeringStructural EngineeringCivil Engineering and Geoscience
Stakeholder Engagement in a Shale Exploration Project: Supporting Societal Embedding
No full textIn managing local energy projects, conventional, top-down approaches to project implementation with low stakeholder participation are ineffective and have a high chance of leading to societal unrest and project delays. Contemporary project management of local energy project development need inclusion of proper processes to facilitate societal dynamics. A final goal in these kinds of projects should be to create a situation in which the technology is embedded in the surrounding society. This research is conducted during early phases of the first natural gas from shale exploration project in The Netherlands. The main aim of this research is to research how this stakeholder engagement can be organized to support societal embedding of E&P projects in The Netherlands. Perspectives, expectations and roles of key stakeholders in the exploration project grant insight in this process. Recommendations on how best to organize a democratic approach to stakeholder engagement for the E&P industry, EBN BV. and the Ministry of Economics, Agriculture and Innovation are outcomes of this research.Technology Dynamics and Sustainable DevelopmentTechnology, Policy and Managemen
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