Effective project management practices in construction industry: quantitative study

Abstract

This study delves into the crucial elements of project management influencing the outcomes of construction projects, focusing on risk management, stakeholder management, and people management. It underscores the importance of meticulous risk management indicators in gauging risk and designing strategic plans at the project and organisational levels. Furthermore, the study illuminates how adept project management factors, including stakeholder and people management, contribute to minimising delays, controlling costs, and increasing construction quality. The critical role of people management is highlighted in addressing the scarcity of skilled labour, thus increasing productivity and safety. Due to the large number of stakeholders and the need to identify and reduce potential risks, the research also emphasises the importance of stakeholder and risk management practices in construction projects. In this study, a quantitative method was employed. The quantitative data comprises the statistical analysis of the construction industry using graphically presented data from the analysis of the inferential statistics (mean, frequencies) of the data set obtained from survey of project managers. The study concludes with recommendations to improve project management procedures and project outcomes in construction projects, focussing on formulating stakeholder management plans, fostering open communication, nurturing relationships with stakeholders, employing stakeholder engagement tools and imparting effective stakeholder management techniques to the project team. These insights provide actionable guidance to enhance the success of construction projects in the market. The findings indicate a notable gender imbalance among project managers and highlight the importance of effective conflict management and incentives in fostering a productive environment. Stakeholder communication emerged as paramount, while risk management was identified as the most critical component for successful project outcomes. Furthermore, a negative correlation between stakeholder management and project output suggests the need for balanced strategies to mitigate adverse impacts on project efficiency. This study underscores the significance of proactive risk management and strategic stakeholder engagement in navigating the complexities of construction projects.