A project is an organized endeavor aimed at accomplishing a specific nonroutine or low-volume task (Shtub, Barb, & Globerson, 2005). Natural hazards particularly hurricanes and flooding do not exactly match this definition, but the recovery from them does. Recovery is not only about restoration of structures, systems and services – although they are critical. A successful recovery is also about the individuals and families being able to rebound from their losses, and sustain their physical, social and economic well-being (Department of Homeland Security, 2010). To be able to do this requires a comprehensive disaster recovery plan comprised of consistent action to be taken before, during and after a disaster. Flooding and wind related damages from hurricanes and tropical storms create the most widespread natural hazard disasters resulting in billions of dollars in property losses each year. Southeast Texas is vulnerable to flooding because of its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and its flat terrain. 2004, 2005, and especially the 2008 hurricane season have highlighted the need for additional guidance, structure and support specifically oriented to long-term disaster recovery. The 2008 hurricane season was particularly active for Texas with a tropical storm and three named hurricanes. Hurricane Ike was the largest to hit the Texas coast in history and the third most destructive in the nation’s history. An estimated total damage of $29 billion for the 2008 hurricane season devastated Texas (Office of the Governor of the State of Texas, 2008). Luckily, the recovery efforts for Hurricane Ike have been marked by positive outcomes when compared to previous responses to events, but more work could have been done in the pre-disaster planning of an event. This thesis will outline a process that will look at ways to mitigate the hazard by planning long-term to lessen the recovery time and lead to a more sustainable community by hardening infrastructure and strengthening residential building codes in anticipation of future disasters. / text

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Traditional project management has been implemented by most of the companies in today’s business world in order to monitor and control the projects (Tonnquist, 2008). Project management techniques have been proven for decades and its performance has been maximized (Heldman, 2011). We think that the PM techniques have gradually reached its limits. For today’s companies, it is vital to find a more effective and innovative method which can be integrated into the project management in order to maintain their competitive advantages (Pyzdek, 2003).   As a relatively new business management approach and strategy, Six Sigma seeks to improve the quality of the product and process by using some quantitative methods and tools (Michalski, 2003). Actually, Six Sigma has been broadly implemented in many companies and received a positive effect (Pande et al., 2000). However, most of the Six Sigma usage happens just in the Six Sigma projects and these projects need the great support from the top-management level and require plenty of resources for training and maintain (Pande et al., 2002).   The purpose of this thesis is to suggest an approach/methodology for how simple Six Sigma tools and methods can be combined with the traditional project management. In this case, those non-Six Sigma projects can still use some easy Six Sigma techniques to maximize the benefits. In order to achieve this purpose, the following methodologies are implemented: literature review to identify relative factors including quality, time, cost, communication and customer satisfaction, surveys and interviews to find out the current situations and problems in Siemens Industrial Turbo machinery (SIT) project management, empirical studies to develop some models and methods in which Six Sigma tools are integrated in the project management in SIT.   In this thesis, based on the empirical research of the case company of SIT, we are going to suggest some Six Sigma tools to be integrated into project management. The research questions include:   How can the selected Six Sigma tools improve the project management? The Pros and Cons of implementing Six Sigma methods and tools in the project management. What tools of Six Sigma are suitable to increase the performance of the project management in SIT   As the result of this thesis work, once it is testified it is feasible and fit in the SIT project management process, we think that there is a great chance it should be amplified and spread to many more business areas.

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The research focused using System Dynamics to model and simulate an engineering project with the main aim of understanding: - Why change orders are notorious for negatively impacting on project execution; - The root cause(s) of the behavior in order to find ways to better manage change orders in future projects; The research was carried out at a leading KZN-based engineering consultancy using data from a recently completed project as a basis for the model. The research took the following approach and sequence: Introduction: In this section I present the dominant school of thought, the reductionist scientific perspective and its strengths. I then highlight the weakness of the school and present systems thinking as an alternative way of viewing life issues. I then propose system dynamics as one of the better methodologies that can help us understand a dynamic and non-linear system. Literature Survey: In this section I review literature on project management with the primary aim of highlighting that projects, regardless of size, are complex non-linear systems. I then cover literature on system dynamics with the aim of justifying my perspective, that it is suitable for application in the project management context. Research Methodology and Results Analysis: This section presents the methodology I followed in executing the research. The research process started off with extensive data reviewing from a recently completed project. It also covered conversations with the research participants in order to help me fully understand the project that was to be modelled. The data reviewing and interviews culminated in a group model building exercise where a number of “what if” scenarios were explored and discussed with the participants. The final stage of the research was to get the participants to respond to a post-modelling questionnaire. The outcomes from these processes were then used to answer the original research questions and to draw any additional insights. The resultant model can now be used as a learning tool for teaching clients of the unintended consequences that can result from issuing change orders. Conclusion: I then close off the research by concluding that change orders do have a non-linear impact on project execution and they require careful management. I then suggest that the best way to manage this is by educating all the project participants, especially the client of how their well meaning requests can be detrimental to the project if not well managed. Additionally it was surprising to all participants that for some reason, exploration of change orders that are not approved is rarely ever charged for. This “work for no pay” can negatively impact on the financial situation of the service provider which may have a knock-on effect to other areas of the project. Value: This research eventually revealed itself to be about learning to effectively lead a group modeling exercise and what pitfalls to look out for when creating models. There is great value for people interested in finding progressive and well informed ways for model building and managing change orders in projects. This system dynamics in project management research is grounded on the concepts of the learning organization and systems thinking as the core drivers. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.

Is it possible to improve project management practice by incorporating systems thinking techniques and tools in the process? This is the simple premise on which this study is based. It is a premise that is not particularly ambitious, but one which potentially may assist project management in certain environments to become more effective in practice. Why is it that project management needs to become more effective in practice? This is owing to a growing body of knowledge that points to the difficulties encountered by the practice of project management in complex environments. In simple terms, the literature has it that since project management is a 'hard' approach to problem solving, it cannot respond adequately to change and/or unexpected phenomena thrown at it by an unsympathetic environment. The incorporation, therefore, of a 'soft' approach in project management practice, like for instance, systems thinking techniques and tools, should make project management as an approach more robust and effective in difficult and problematic environments. The testing of a hybrid project management/systems thinking model, therefore, is what is attempted in this study. In what way does this study seek to apportion value on this hybrid model? This study makes use of meta-learning to the degree that it tests its own hypothesis in the process of its writing. The idea here is that the study itself be treated as a 'project' and that it be completed by utilising this hybrid model which incorporates both traditional project management methodologies, and systems thinking techniques and tools. This may be viewed as a curious conceit, but it is hoped that the reader will not find it untenable, and thus an invalid assessment of how this hybrid approach can function. The outcomes should speak for themselves, whether positive or negative. Clearly, to pursue this line of questioning requires a working knowledge of both project management practice and systems thinking. These two approaches to problem solving are discussed at length in this study, with pointers to their strengths and weaknesses, and to their potential for useful interaction, and a hybrid model is mooted which, it is envisaged, should prove useful to project managers. How does one assess the success of the new hybrid model? There are various ways that one can check the hypothesis, but ideally one would need to closely observe the life-cycle of an actual project, a project that is implemented and completed using the hybrid model mooted earlier. This kind of project is not always particularly easy to come by, nor is it a simple procedure to convince a project manager to adopt such a hybrid approach. It is for this reason, therefore, that this study is treated as a 'project' and its efficacy as a project commented on during the course of and at the conclusion of the study. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

The key challenge for organisations today is to ensure that they continue to strive in a rapid changing, competitive and global environment. Privatisation in the public sector has lead to effectiveness and efficiency becoming essential to satisfy the client department's needs and requirements. This means that it is essential for NPWD to understand their client's needs and requirements, and be able to position itself to deliver the desired end product. The question is, why does NPWD need to become more effective and efficient, whilst strategic planning in considered to be the overriding objective to achieve its goals? The simple premise of this paper is to improve the project management strategic planning by incorporating system thinking tools and techniques in the process. Systems thinking is a way of helping a person to view the world, including its organisations, from a broad perspective that includes structures, patterns and events, rather than just the events themselves. This broad view helps one to identify the real causes of issues and know where to work to address them. The research problem addressed in this study is to identify project management strategies, activities and principles that will enhance the ability of National Public Works Department (NPWD) of the Eastern Cape to ensure continuous successful project delivery. In order to identify these project management strategies, activities and principles, a multi-methodology consisting of a system thinking approach as well as a questionnaire were used. The findings of this exercise clearly highlight the specific areas where attention is required for improvements. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

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