The thesis concerns with the topic of project management. General foundations of the project management and a comprehensive description of the selected organisation and its approach to the project management are both discussed in the thesis. The main objective of the thesis is to introduce project management methodology of the selected organisation and to compare it with the PRINCE2 methodology. Based on the analysis of both methodologies, there are several company's methodology enhancements proposed to drive company's effectiveness improvements.

The PH.D. thesis deals with the concept of diversity management in the field of IT project management. It is based on the extensive empirical research. The findings and conclusions enable to adapt and implement concrete actions in the organizational context.

[pt] Nos últimos quarenta anos, o Método do Quadro Lógico (MQL) vem sendo utilizado como modelo para o planejamento, execução e avaliação de projetos de desenvolvimento, por agências bilaterais, multilaterais, organizações governamentais e não governamentais. A condução de projetos com o apoio do método forneceu subsídios para a evolução do conceito original, ramificando-se em novos modelos e instrumentos, mas seu instrumento principal, o Quadro Lógico, permaneceu sendo empregado, apesar de algumas pequenas alterações. Durante seu período de maior evolução, os anos 1990, algumas fortes críticas questionaram a efetividade do método, mas não chegaram a abalar seu uso, pois a quantidade de usuários continuou a crescer. As críticas serviram para reflexão. Com a criação e evolução de outras ferramentas de gerenciamento de projetos, foi possível a assimilação do uso de componentes desses modelos para, em conjunto com o MQL, proporcionar melhorias no seu uso, tornando-o ainda mais consistente. O propósito desse trabalho foi, após diferenciar as características de projetos empresariais de projetos de desenvolvimento, considerando o largo uso do Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) nas Américas, avaliar as potenciais contribuições que esse conjunto de ferramentas, mais utilizado para projetos empresariais, pode proporcionar ao MQL, abordando diretamente seus pontos fracos e desvantagens e demonstrando as maneiras como o PMBOK pode contribuir para minimizar suas fraquezas e vulnerabilidades. / [en] In the last forty years, the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) has been used as a model for the planning, implementation and evaluation of development projects by bilateral and multilateral agencies, governmental and nongovernmental organizations. Conducting projects with the support of the approach provided subsidies for the evolution of the original concept, branching into new models and tools, but its main instrument, the Logical Framework, remained running, despite some little changes. During its period of greatest development, the 1990s, some strong criticism questioned the effectiveness of the method, but failed to affect its use, since the number of users continued to grow. The criticisms served to reflection. With the creation and evolution of other project management tools, it was possible to assimilate the use of components of these models, in conjunction with the LFA, providing improvements in its use, and making it more consistent. The purpose of this study was, after contrasting the characteristics of business projects and development projects, and considering the wide use of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) in the Americas, to evaluate the potential contributions that this set of tools can provide to the LFA, directly addressing its weaknesses and drawbacks and demonstrating the ways in which PMBOK can help to reduce its vulnerabilities.

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the establishment of a Project Management Office and project performance. Particularly, whether or not the establishment of a Project Management Office leads to enhanced project performance in project based organizations.   Framework - The framework developed for the purpose of this study is made out of the different categories of Project Management Office services and functions on the one side and the different dimensions of project performance on the other. The model created tests the individual relationships between the constructs on each side.   Methodology- The study employs a quantitative research design. Project Management Offices in organizations from across the globe and operating in a range of industries and industry segments are investigated. The data for the study is collected using an online questionnaire.   Findings - The findings of this study lead to the belief that the establishment of a Project Management Office and the implementation of a certain set of its services and function will indeed lead to enhanced project performance   Managerial Implications - Managers are made aware of the impact of the Project Management Office on project performance. Moreover, they are given guidelines as to what services and functions to adopt if there were only interested in seeing results on the project level. Limitations - The approach to exploring the subject in hand, the choice of participating organizations, the size of the sample tested, and the framework chosen for the evaluation of project performance are all seen as limitations for this study.

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 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 Masters of Science, Industrial Engineering, 31 March 2015 / The purpose of this research was to determine whether principles promoted by a programme management discipline be defined as critical success factors (CSFs) for the realisation of post-implementation benefits from an ERP investment in an organisation. The research method consists of a single case study with three embedded cases. The main source of data was the use of semi-structured interviews, and business documentation was used to corroborate findings. It was concluded that of the eleven CSFs proposed, three were highly likely CSFs, seven were likely but had certain conditions attached, and one is most likely not a CSF. It was also discovered that four additional CSFs proposed in interviews conducted may be relevant, and that four themes exist within the case data analysed. These may form part of future work.

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