The construction industry is a fundamental, integral part of economic development. It is organised around individual projects. The effectiveness of the industry is largely determined by the collective performance of projects and the effectiveness of the project manager. This thesis investigates the following issues: the major characteristics of construction projects and the variables affecting the construction industry; the education, training and experience of construction project managers; major skills and knowledge required for the construction project managers; comparisons of the general education policies in other countries; performance in construction and the factors affecting the successful completion of construction projects. The investigation of the education, training and experience of project managers, plus the major skills and knowledge required for the project managers was carried out by mailed questionnaires, followed by face to face interviews. This was organised with the co-operation of the European Construction Institute, which represents major international contractors. The number of completed questionnaires received was 120 out of 170 mailed questionnaires. This is a response rate of 70.5%. The responding project managers were clearly successful and working for successful companies. The majority of these project managers are engineering graduates. They are of very strong technical background, but of shallow or very shallow managerial background. The top priority of the required knowledge and skills was given to management related subjects. The importance of technical knowledge is not diminished by the attendant need for management, legal and other personal skills. projects in order to identify the factors affecting the successful completion of construction projects and achieving a clearer picture of the required skills and knowledge for effective project managers. This thesis identifies the following: the education background of project managers; the effectiveness of the major sources of knowledge in contributing to skills and knowledge of the project managers; the top 20 skills required for the job of the project manager; the required actions by all the parties concerned to enhance the effectiveness of construction project managers; the link between the required skills and the factors affecting the successful completion of projects. In general this thesis contributes to the policies for developing effective construction project managers.

No description available.

The construction industry plays a key role in both the Australian and Chinese economies. Given this importance, the factors that contribute to effective construction project management are clearly valuable. As a project based industry, the construction industry needs more insights on the cultural issues at the project level. This study intended to answer the following questions: what is project culture? and How does project culture affect the performance of construction projects? / Thesis (PhDBuilding)--University of South Australia, 2008.

I started the research in a small way by involving my functional group, i.e. group 2, in the research process. Within my functional group, I sought the consent of one of my section heads and his team members to be my collaborators. They are referred to in my thesis as the 'core team'. / As action research was a methodology recommended by University of South Australia, I started off reading action research and the associated action learning literature. As the research progressed, the participation expanded to include all other groups in the organisation as well as our customers. With each successive action research cycle, my understanding of the breadth of the issues became clearer. Therefore, I broadened my reading into the literature on socio-technical systems, soft system methodology, search conferences, stakeholder analysis and other areas as the events unfolded in a dynamic way. As the research developed further, I saw the need to camouflage action research with the use of culturally appropriate terminology to achieve an effective change process. / In my thesis, I show how the learning, participation and level of involvement expanded from my core team to my functional group and subsequently to other groups. When the research reached the Lset 3 phase, it had expanded to the project team and finally to all other projects teams as well. / I also claim the following original contribution to knowledge in a structured engineering organisation in Singapore and in a slatemated situation. I have demonstrated that action learning and action research can be an effective methodology to change processes, and enhance system implementation, work practices and management outcomes. I have called this process “collaborative engineering”. My model reflects an integrated interpretive model of change that incorporates every successful parameter of change that has been tested for previously. I was trying to change a situation of which I was a part. Therefore the very model on which the research is based is innovative and there is little organised work in this area. / Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 1999.

Thesis (DBA(DoctorateofBusinessAdministration))--University of South Australia, 2004.

Thesis (MProjectManagement)--University of South Australia, 2003.

Project management has been formally introduced into Chinese construction industry for more than 10 years. It has been playing an essential role in various construction projects. While in the process of implementation of project management principles and techniques, some differences exist between Chinese approach in project management and maturely developed countries. / This research attempts to investigate the chrematistics of Chinese construction project management approach. Some management principles of the key project elements, including time, cost, quality and risk in general construction projects are firstly examined. Also, the specific management approaches in developed countries and China are highlighted and thoroughly compared. / Based on the findings from literature review, the practical management features of the key project elements and project management techniques applications in Chinese construction industry are further investigated through case studies and a questionnaire survey. / The findings of this research indicate that Chinese construction project management approach is still not mature enough and the shortcomings of current Chinese construction project management practices are included in this research. The recommendations for improvement are accordingly given. / Thesis (MProjectManagement)--University of South Australia, 2004.

Thesis (MProjMgmt)--University of South Australia, 2002.

Thesis (M Project Management)--University of South Australia, 1997

Thesis (MProjMgmt)--University of South Australia, 1999