Linking project health to project performance indicators: Multiple case studies of construction projects in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This research presents an empirical study of the relationship between project health and project performance in the project delivery context. Based on an existing Project Health Check (PHC) framework, the relationship has been tested in terms of a set of predefined indicators through the use of case study approach. The Swiss Cheese model was employed as a guiding principle to represent the links between PHC indicators and project Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Three cases of construction projects in Saudi Arabia were investigated through a comprehensive review of the project performance history, using current performance indicators to establish the first slice of the Swiss Cheese model. PHC assessments were then conducted to shape the second slice of the model, which represent the maturity level of the project management. The relationships between the two slices were obtained from semi-structured interviews with the project managers. These relationships were analysed qualitatively by tracking patterns across the three cases. The result was used to develop the Swiss Cheese Performance Management Framework, which can potentially serve to help project managers identify the root causes of any shortcomings at the early stage in the project delivery process. This in turn can assist project managers in managing the overall project performance more effectively.