Project implementation appears to be one the most difficult aspects of a manager’s job. The purpose of project management is to forecast or anticipate potential dangers and problems that may jeopardise the success of a project and then to plan, organise and control activities that will lead to the successful completion of projects in spite of all the envisaged risks. It is estimated that more than 80% of projects run late or over budget. Such failure often sinks small firms and erodes profits of larger organisations. Project implementation is therefore critical to the success of both small and big firms. The primary objective of this study is to improve project management in firms by investigating the variables that influence project implementation. More specifically, the study investigates the influence of organisational communication, leadership, business process management and resistance to change on project implementation. The sample consisted of 170 employees in a cross-section of industries. The sample was stratified to include senior managers, managers, supervisors and lower level employees. The empirical results show that organisational communication, participatory leadership, retention of the status quo and goal-oriented leadership increase project implementation, while resistance to change decreases project implementation.

The aim of this research is to develop a conceptual framework for the establishment and operation of effective PMO in the South African Municipal Environment. In pursuit of this aim, the theory and practice of the PMOs were investigated and analysed from both literature perspective and field work leading to findings being reported in the thesis. In addition, the municipal PMOs were investigated to determine the extent to which their attributes match those of the proposed conceptual framework. A specific research philosophy and approach were adopted by utilising the case study strategy using interviews, document reviews and observation. A questionnaire guideline was developed for the interviews. The sampling frame from which the participants were obtained was from the three municipalities (cases). A total of 27 interviews were conducted. Data was analysed in line with Table 3.6 which prescribes the process for case study analysis using NVIVO 11 software for coding, clustering and pattern matching. The findings confirmed the original expectations of the researcher and all the objectives were sufficiently addressed. The first objective, which was to identify and analyse factors considered in establishing PMOs in the three municipalities, was adequately dealt with by identifying, listing and analysing all the key factors considered in establishing the PMOs. In merging these factors with the best practices outlined through the theory and practice in chapter two, gaps were identified which indicates that the process followed by the department of local government was flawed when developing the MIG guidelines. The identified factors were brought into consideration in building the proposed framework. The second objective was to analyse the level of fitness for purpose of the PMOs in the three selected municipalities. In order to deal with this objective, the adequacy of PMOs to carry out their mandates was scrutinised. This was done through identifying the key drivers of municipal PMO mandates, their achievements and challenges and whether they adhere to project management best practices. Most challenges, failures and negative perceptions that the PMOs faced were as a result of internal disablers that could be dealt with by identifying and dealing with the internal system deficiencies that were a result of procedural wrongs that could be traced from the establishment stage. This analogy or approach assisted in finally formulating a framework that would deal with these system deficiencies. The third objective was to analyse patterns of municipal dependent factors that dictate the type of PMO that is suitable for the municipalities. This was approached in terms of grouping the factors that can be classified as common denominators across municipalities. There were also few internal unique factors in each municipality. The new proposed framework deals with these aspects holistically. Ultimately, the aim which was to develop a conceptual framework for the establishment and operation of PMOs in the South African municipal environment was sufficiently answered through the proposed model and framework as presented in Figure 5.2 and Figure 5.5 respectively. This was achieved by merging the identified gaps and by proposing a conceptual model which ultimately let to the proposed framework that can be used to establish an effective PMO for the municipalities. The main gap that was found was that there is no model and framework for establishing PMOs and therefore the department of local government in developing a guideline, did not have an appropriate foundation from which they could have drawn a relevant model and framework that could have properly guided the formation of these units in the municipalities. It was recommended that a PMO will be more effective as a stand-alone directorate whose mandate should be considered beyond the MIG, in order to gain more authority and improved performance. This is demonstrated by the developed framework which indicates the role of the PMOs and their expected performance outcomes. / Business Management / D.B.L.

M. Tech. Business Administration / This study was undertaken to establish the critical success factors from the literature that are present in success of projects and to identify the positive impact in project management. The study was quantitative in nature and primary data was collected using an online structured questionnaire as a research instrument to the target population following a survey method. Bar-charts were used to present the results and t-test was used for the analysis of the data in view of the objectives of the research. For t-test, a significance level was set at a = 0.05. In the South African context, the findings showed that communication, scope management and a project team in project success; planning, top management support and commitment and risk management in project management success were found to be the important critical success factors as they were ranked top 3 respectively.

Thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Science in Building (Project Management in Construction) to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Construction Economics and Management at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2017 / The prevalence and persistence of problems of late project delivery, cost overruns, poor quality and many others, coupled with the lack of concrete solutions to eliminate the causes of these problems over many years have driven construction industries around the world to reconsider their design and construction processes that are used to deliver projects. A government led study in the UK recommended re-thinking the design and construction process; learning from the manufacturing industry. The process protocol was developed as a result, in order to bring about a common and agreed project delivery process. Other construction industries around the world have considered adopting similar models, believing change intended to introduce process-thinking for consistency and standardisation is required to improve project delivery. In South Africa, the existence of a common and agreed project delivery process is not clear. This study has endeavoured to explore the current phenomenon among professional councils and bodies on the existence of a common and agreed design and construction process. The research is a general opinion survey without the need for a statistical analysis. Therefore, utilising the qualitative research method was deemed to be most appropriate at this high level stage. From the research findings, it has been concluded that while there are six stages recognised by all professional councils and associations, these stages are not used as a project delivery process. The six stages are only applied to the measurement of the professional fees due at a given stage though not applied the same way by all professional disciplines. The underlying details in the stages overlap between disciplines in some instances and are inconsistent as well. The general consensus, from the research participants, is that a more defined and agreed process is required. The government has already taken the lead with the initiative of developing the Infrastructure Delivery Management System (IDMS) for public infrastructure projects. There is unanimous agreement among the research participants that the IDMS would be appropriate to be applied throughout the industry as a starting point for process standardisation. / XL2018

A research proposal submitted to the School of Construction Economics and Management, University of the Witswatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a Master of Science in Building (Project management), 2016. / The adoption rate of BIM (Building information Modelling) in South Africa is substantially lower than many other countries both developed and developing, which is surprising given BIM’s significant advantages particularly in automating clash detection within design information, which has been a significant challenge for designers and project managers. Such clashes between inter alia different building services and systems are frequently a major cause of cost overruns and delays on South African construction projects. The benefits of such BIM functionality may well be the necessary driving force behind BIM adoption. However, in adopting change, the industry is often slow and often requires clients and end users to drive change in a fragmented industry as they are often the parties that stands to benefit the most, and this is arguably true of BIM. This study focuses on private sector clients of the South African construction industry, and whether they have identified the potential of using BIM to minimise clashes between building services on their projects. The study reviewed literature on the current state of BIM adoption internationally and in South Africa along with the benefits of using BIM on projects in South Africa and abroad. The benefits of BIM adoption were summarised and were distributed to several pre-selected interviewees to read. Interviews were conducted based on a questionnaire that was set up drawn from client organisations in the private sector. The data was represented graphically and the outcomes of the interviews analysed. The interviewees were generally of the mind that they should not be the driving force behind BIM adoption. They all agreed that their consultants should implement any cost or time saving technology as a value added service to them. Keywords: BIM, Building Information Modelling, Clashes, Clash Detection, Property developers, Designers, Developers, Variations, / EM2017

A research project submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Building. / A Systematic Approach for Managing Design Changes on Global Collaborative Projects: A Case Study Analysis of Medupi Structural Steel Z Myeko The complexity of construction work means that it is hardly possible to complete a project without changes to the plans or the construction process. The complex construction projects are characterized by its schedule slip. Every project is liable to variations ranging from changes of the mind on the part of the client, or their consultant, to unforeseen problems raised by the main contractor or sub-contractor. The effects of frequent changes in design include difficulties in settling variation claims, disruption in the flow of production, dispute resolution and regrettably litigation which have their negative effects on the project’s completion time and cost. To ameliorate these negative effects on the execution of global collaborative projects, there is the need to implement a functional and effective design change management system. The effects of design changes on structural steel connection design, detailing and fabrication is conducted. Concrete works and other works are outside of the scope of this study. The research study is an applied research since its objective is to select and recommend the most appropriate design management tool or method, to solve an existing problem of a global collaborative project. The research involved collection of data from project managers, engineers, detailers and draftsmen involved in the design of the structural steel component of the project, therefore qualitative research was undertaken. The quota sampling method was chosen. The qualitative method consisted of a literature review and questionnaire. Relevant literature was reviewed in order to explore existing design management tools/methods. A mathematical tool for analysis of the data collected through the questionnaire was required in order to increase the validity and integrity of the data. This tool allowed for an analysis into the level of agreement or concordance between the respondents due to the fact that they were all from the same organization. The coefficient of concordance provided a reliable tool for measuring agreement or concordance between ranks in a rank structure. This further scientifically ascertained the reliability of the respondents. From the empirical and theoretical findings of the study, it was found that there is a need for a design management tool/method which would lead to less claims and disputes. It was found that global collaboration had a big impact on the magnitude of design changes. Through the research, a design management tool which most likely to manage design changes on global collaborative projects is determined.

Thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Science in Building to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Construction Economics and Management at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2017 / This study examines the lack of application of ethical values by construction project managers towards work activities under their control. At the same time, this study also examines the barriers preventing construction project managers from acting ethically. The non-application of ethical values by the construction project managers is resulting in an increase in the amount of rework during the construction process which is in turn impacting on the timeous completion of construction projects. Interpretivist and positivist research methodology was applied to this study through a single case study which was tested through a later set of interview questions. The case study took place at the Medupi Power Station construction project and composed of interviews and questionnaires distributed to construction project managers working on the Medupi Power Station site. The further interview questions took place in Johannesburg. The further interviews were undertaken to determine supporting evidence for the previous findings established through the initial data collected in the study. The findings of the study established that a failure of the construction project manager’s ethical values is resulting in an increase in the amount of rework occurring on a construction project which is having a negative impact on the successful timeous completion of these construction projects. The findings from this study further established that although there are current barriers in place to prevent construction project managers from acting unethically, the implementation of an ethical code of conduct would have a positive influence on the amount of rework that is currently occurring during the construction phase of construction projects. / XL2018

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Building, 2016. / This study aims to determine the barriers to effective risk management on small construction projects that exist within the South African construction industry. This was based on the realisation that few studies exist on risk management for small construction projects. This study sets out to fill this gap in the existing literatures with specific reference to the South African construction industry particularly for small projects. The research methodology was based on cross-sectional survey of registered industry practitioners with the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) using a semi-structured questionnaire administered online. From 325 practitioners that viewed the online questionnaire, 57 responded, this translates to a response rate of 17.5%. The respondents rated the identified barriers to effective risk management, the perception that risk management implementation will impact on project performance and provided qualitative feedback on contractual and attitudinal issues pertaining to risk management implementation. The barriers identified as inhibiting effective risk management the most were lack of knowledge, complexity of analytical tools and lack of time. The research revealed that perception of key decision makers pertaining to risk management, impact on risk management implementation. The consensus from the participants was that implementing risk management would positively impact on project performance, especially quality performance. The results revealed that in the South African construction industry Sixty-nine percent of the practitioners indicated SMMEs lack the required skill to implement risk management effectively. Sixtynine percent of the practitioners indicated that risk is not allocated to the party best equipped to manage the risks. Lastly fifty-six percent of respondents noted that construction partnering and shared risk management may assist in overcoming the barriers to effective risk management implementation as presented in the current research. / EM2017

M.Com. (Business Management) / In the literature on industrial projects, very little attention is given to the administrative and project accounting aspects of project management. The emphasis falls on technical aspects and project management as a whole, and not specifically on the administrative duties as they are normally executed by a project accountant or project administrator. The purpose of this study is to investigate the administrative duties and the organisation and planning of- procedures as applicable to an industrial project, with particular reference to the professional project managing company in South Africa. In so doing, the more important aspects of project administration will be highlighted, so that the study could serve as a guide to interested parties. The motivation for the study is the importance of cost control, accurate records and accurate forecasting. These aspects are of prime importance if management is to maintain adequate and proper control over the project. The study is aimed at placing these tasks of the project accountant into perspective, in relation to project management as a whole. The study takes the form of a study of the available literature on the subject of project administration. Only the more important and relevant aspects of project administration will be discussed, as the scope of the study does not allow for all aspects to be discussed in detail and at great length...

In many organisations, project management is no longer a separately identified function, but is entrenched in the overall management of the business. The typical project management environment has become multi-project. Most of the project decisions require consideration of schedule, resource and cost concerns on other project work, necessitating the review and evaluation of multi-project data. Resource management is at least as important as schedule (time) management. Functional managers, supporting multiple projects with shared and limited resources, need to know the demands on their resources and the impact of new project loads and changing priorities. This means that the effectiveness of project management is not only influenced by the function itself, but it permeates throughout the entire organisation, for which the overriding goal is to survive and prosper in a competitive environment. The research problem of this study is to assess how effective project management practices in the South African communications’ industry are, by using Telkom SA as the selected target group. The research method employed was to first identify the best practices of project management, by focusing on generally accepted standards and practices, that is those which are particularly effective in helping an organisation to achieve its objectives. The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) which is considered to be the international standard for project management, was used as the framework for identifying the best practices. The identified best practices were used as an assessment tool to determine to what extent these practices are applied in Telkom SA.