Affect Project Performance Research Articles

Factors Affecting Project Performance of IS Development: Evidence from Japanese IT Vendors

Factors Affecting Project Performance of IS Development: Evidence from Japanese IT Vendors

Combining Multicriteria Decision‐Making Tools to Identify Critical Success Factors that Affect the Performance of Training Course Projects

This paper combines two multicriteria decision‐making (MCDM) tools to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) that impact the performance of personnel training course projects in the semiconductor industry in Taiwan. The study collected the factors that influence performance by interviewing experts and constructed a hierarchical factor table. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process was used to determine the weight of each factor, and the acceptance advantage concept of VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje was used to objectively identify the CSFs. The study found four CSFs that affect project performance and proposed five practical implications. This paper verified that combining two MCDM tools can help training institutions to allocate their resources appropriately by focusing on the CSFs, identified by their weights, and thus, promote their training courses at lower cost and with greater efficiency. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Improving the Project Performance Based on Continuous Workflow and Reliable Planning

Lean Construction attracts widespread attention since it was formally proposed in 1993, which have made far-reaching development both in the theory and practice. Construction projects seldom happen as ideally as planned because of constructions nature uncertainty and variability, which always spoil plans and become major factors that affect project performance and productivity. The goal of the construction industry is to increase the planning-reliability, to impact the productivity of workflow and hence the project performance. The attention on improve the workflow will be a practical way to avoid these bad affections. This paper, through focusing the measurement of workflow and the methods to maintain the continuous workflow, introduces all-round methods called Last Planner System and Buffer Management two key indexes for keeping continuous workflow within giving reasonable improvements for better performance in construction industry.

Effects of Procurement Related Factors on Construction Project Performance in Nigeria

Several Literatures in construction management support the view that procurements have impacts on project performance. Aim of this study is to investigate the effects of procurement related factors of procurement selection criteria, tendering methods and variation orders on project performance. Purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of procurement related factors on project performance. Snowballing sampling technique was used in selecting forty (40) construction organizations in Lagos metropolitan city that participated in the study and thirty-one (31) responses were secured from Architects, Builders, Engineers and Quantity Surveyors. Results of the study indicate that procurement selection criteria of cost, time, quality, project characteristics and external environmental factors have effects on project performance. Competitive, open and selective tendering methods have high impacts on project performance. No significant difference was found between the impacts of tendering methods on project performance. Variation orders impact project performance with time, cost overruns and disputes and it have effects on project performance. Conclusions are that procurement selection criteria, tendering methods and variation orders have impacts on project performance. Cost, time, quality related factors, tendering methods and variation orders strongly affect project performance. Recommendations to clients, stakeholders, practitioners and consultants are on the onset to consider tendering methods, use selective, open and competitive tendering approaches and discourage excessive variation orders during construction. Policy makers in government, clients, and private developers into housing projects should give adequate attention for selecting appropriate procurement and tendering methods for better management of future projects in Nigeria and other developing countries.Key words: Procurement, Construction project, Performance, Nigeria

Stakeholders' Perception of the Causes and Effects of Construction Delays on Project Delivery

ABSTRACT: The growing rate of delays is adversely affecting the timely delivery of construction projects. This study therefore assesses construction stakeholders’ perception of the causes of delays and its effects on project delivery in a bid to proffer solution in minimizing the occurrences of delays. Questionnaire was used to elicit responses from construction stakeholders; a total of thirty three causes of delays, seventeen resultant effects of delays and fifteen methods of minimizing construction delays were identified for the study based on literature reviews. The results suggest that client’s cash flow related problems are the ma in causes of delays while time and cost overruns are the major identifiable effects of delays in construction projects. However, adequate project planning and budgeting were suggested as possible ways of minimizing the occurrences of delays. Keywords: Cost; Delay; Project delivery; Stakeholders; Time I. I NTRODUCTION EVIEWDelay is a pervasive phenomenon in construction project delivery. It is branded as the most common, costly and risky problem encountered in construction project with a debilitating effect on the parties to a contract [1]. It creates adversarial relationships, distrust, litigation, cash-flow problems, project abandonment and general feeling of apprehension towards each other [2]; [3]. Delays frequently occur in all phases of construction projects and have been seen as inevitable [4]; [5] which consequently results in cost and time overruns [6]. It is seen as the most prolific factor affecting project performance [7]. The demand of construction clients for the timely delivery of construction projects and the susceptibility of projects to delays and cost overruns has attracted the attention of researchers all over the world, most of who tried to identify the immediate as well as the root causes of project delay. However, despite the various study and investigation into the causes of delays, it has continued to be a deadly monster which plagues the construction industry. The objective of this paper is therefore to evaluate construction stakeholders’ perception of the major factors that causes delay in construction projects, evaluate the effects of delays on construction project delivery and to devise a method by which these effects on delays on construction project delivery could be minimized in stakeholder’s perception. This is envisioned to help the stakeholders: construction clients, contractors and consultants to understand the dynamics of delays associated with construction projects. II. L

To bridge or to bond? Diverse social connections in an IS project team

Although research has shown that knowledge sharing among project team members is crucial for project performance, achieving knowledge sharing is still challenging. This problem is especially salient in IS project teams. Such teams are temporary organizations that may not progress through the necessary team formation cycle, yet are expected to produce intangible outcomes in a limited time. In this paper, we investigate how bonding and bridging social capital influence knowledge sharing and project performance. Bonding could facilitate cohesiveness within a team and lead a team to achieve project goals. Bridging could facilitate access to various beneficial resources beyond the boundary of a project team, increasing creativity and innovation. However, bridging is costly and can obstruct project performance. Our findings suggest that team members with high bonding social capital are more likely to share their knowledge with their team. Bonding and intention to share knowledge also positively affect project performance. Conversely, bridging social capital can contribute to project performance only through the mediating effect of bonding. This research contributes to theory by empirically examining the two types of social capital and their interdependence, as predictors of knowledge sharing and subsequently project performance. Project managers should form teams composed of members with diverse social connections and consider the balance between bonding and bridging within a team to control the potential disadvantageous effects of bridging social capital.

Effects of interpersonal relations on public sector construction contracts in Vietnam

Public owners and private contractors and consultants are expected to maintain arm’s length relationships with each other to avoid any accusation of corruption. In the context of public construction projects in Vietnam, this study examines: the relational contracting (RC) related behavioural patterns that lead to better interpersonal relations during the construction stage and at the end of the project among public project owners, and private contractors and consultants; and the extent to which better interpersonal relations affect project performance. Using a questionnaire survey, data were collected from public owners and private contractors and consultants in Vietnam. Correlation analysis shows that there exist several behavioural patterns that significantly affect interpersonal relations among project team members during the construction stage and at the end of the project, and the general harmony during the construction stage. It was also found that cost performance is significantly correlated with project harmony level. Schedule performance is significantly correlated with interpersonal relations between project team members during the construction stage, and at the end of the project. The findings indicate the important role that interpersonal relations play in project outcomes and vice versa. The behavioural patterns that are found to be significantly correlated with harmony during the construction stage and/or relationships among project team members suggest that concrete actions may be taken by owners, consultants and contractors to improve relationships, and thereby improve cost and schedule outcomes. It is recommended that owners, consultants and contractors adopt some of the behavioural patterns identified.

Outstanding knowledge competences and web 2.0 practices for developing successful e-learning project management

The article deals with the knowledge competences that a project manager has to develop to succeed when using the new web 2.0 environments. In order to achieve this, a literature review of the main leading e-learning models is carried out, along with a study of the key factors that affect project performance positively. The new Web 2.0 environments invite us to an alternative reality where the use of its tools can offer new possibilities in the development of e-learning projects, identifying under what conditions value is added: efficiency, innovation, complementarity and loyalty. As a guide of new researches, we conclude that the project manager must modify the existing key competencies (Pedagogical, Management, Technical and Social ones) and to develop new ones based on knowledge management to be successful in managing this web 2.0 e-learning project.

Think different? An investigation of network antecedents and performance consequences of creativity as deviation

In this study, the authors investigate how network relations affect project performance through creativity. They challenge previous conceptualizations of creativity by proposing the idea that creative outcomes in project industries can be conceptualized as deviation from past projects and deviation from partners’ projects. While previous research has mostly assumed that network relations are beneficial to performance because they increase innovation and creativity, this conceptualization of creativity reveals different empirical regularities. The authors show that network relations are likely to exercise both positive and negative effects on creativity and that creativity is also likely to exercise both positive and negative effects on performance. In addition, networks show both convergent and divergent effects on the two dimensions of creativity. The findings show that network relations activate important trade-offs that organizations must consider in their strategic choices and open up research on the social side of creativity.

Transaction-related issues and construction project performance

Transaction cost economics deals with costs incurred at the pre-contract phase such as the costs of conducting market research, exploring financial opportunities, conducting a feasibility study, organizing a bidding/negotiation and managing design; and with costs incurred in the post-contract phase such as the costs of administering the contract, administering change orders and claims, resolving disputes and managing incentives. Many researchers have investigated the factors that affect project performance over the years, but neglected to consider transaction-related issues. The effects of transaction-related issues on project performance are investigated in this study. Project performance is measured on the basis of completion within budget and on schedule, compliance with quality standards, and satisfaction of the owner. Transaction-related issues include the magnitude of transaction costs, the uncertainty in the transaction environment, and the owner’s and the contractor’s roles in the transaction. Hypotheses are tested by using a structural equation model using data collected from a survey administered to construction owners. The findings indicate that project performance can be stronger if the uncertainty in the transaction environment is minimized, transaction costs are kept low, and owners and contractors are sensitive to transaction-related issues.

Performance analysis of public funded irrigation projects in Tanzania

Application of indicator-based management tools to evaluate performance and taking measures to mitigate the negative effects on project performance contributes to improvement. This research paper presents the findings of the analysis of performance of public funded smallholder irrigation projects in Tanzania with the aim to inform improvement actions. Through opinion survey of a sample of policy or decision makers and implementers of projects, and a case study of 16 smallholder irrigation projects, conceptual and physical data were collected and analyzed. The findings show that performance assessment in irrigation sub-sector in Tanzania is ad hoc, fragmented and done mainly during the construction phase, in donor funded projects. Seventy percent of 20 highly ranking performance indicators considered suitable in Tanzania also have high potential to improve project performance in the Tanzanian irrigation industry. These indicators constitute the key performance determinants. Forty percent of performance indicators currently used in Tanzania, which include the traditional time and cost indicators, are considered not significant in improving performance. Time and cost overrun of 16 investigated projects was in the tune of 50% and 8% respectively. The factors affecting project performance are diverse but interrelated, with possible common root causes, and effects cutting across various project processes. The mitigation measures are also interrelated and cut across project processes, and therefore, require integrative approaches.

Performance and practice use comparisons: Public vs. Private owner projects

Does the source of project ownership, public vs. private sectors make a difference in project performance? Do public agencies implement to some degree of management practices as private companies when executing capital facility projects? Using the data from 341 projects submitted to the Construction Industry Institute (CII) for benchmarking, this study aims to identify differences in project cost, schedule, and change performance under different delivery systems. Furthermore, utilization of best practices is analyzed in search of plausible explanation of differences in management approach, ultimately bridging the gap in that if ownerships differentiate use of best practices and their performance. The results of the analyses establish that in general, projects of private industry companies outperform those of public agencies with statistical significance in most cases. Derived from this study, significant difference of use of best practices between both sectors may be the important indicators affecting project performance. Lastly, according to analysis results, recommendations are made for both sectors for potential improvement in performance.

Factors Relating to Labor Productivity Affecting the Project Schedule Performance in Indonesia

Construction industry faces challenges with regard to problems associated with productivity and the problems are usually associated with performance of labor. The performance of labor is affected by many factors and is usually linked to the performance of time, cost, and quality. Meanwhile identification and evaluating factors affecting construction labor productivity have been done in the last decade; however, a deeper understanding is still needed to improve the labor productivity. This study conducted with the aim to get the latest information on key factors that affect project performance in terms of project completion time and this is part of major research to model the interaction relationships between key factors affecting productivity. This paper reports on a survey made on respondents who involve in managing various types of projects in wide area in Indonesia. Respondents were required to rate using their experience how 113 factors identified from past researches, which grouped into 15 groups, affecting project schedule performance and then measured their level of affect. The result show that the groups of factors that give high effect are: supervision factors, material factors, execution plan factors, and design factors. In addition to these factors, for large companies equipment factors have also high effect. While in small and medium companies, owner/consultant factors also need special attention because it has high effect too. Research findings also show that health and safety factors has not been a concern of small and medium companies and only has some effect, while in large companies are better, although not as major concern and has average effect. The results will become worthwhile information in determining the major steps to improve the performance of project completion time and also as part of further research in modeling the interaction relationship between the key factors affecting productivity to improve the labor productivity in Indonesian construction industry.

건설 프로젝트 특성과 프로젝트 성과 난이도 도출에 관한 연구

건설 프로젝트의 대형화, 복잡화에 따라 경쟁력 확보를 위하여 비효율성을 제거하고 합리적인 관리전략 수립을 위한 프로젝트 성과측정의 중요성이 부각되고 있다. 따라서 프로젝트의 성공에 영향을 미치는 요인에 대한 연구가 지속적으로 진행되었으나 이러한 성공요인은 프로젝트 시공자가 성과 증진을 위하여 실행하는 관리방법과 개선할 수 없이 받아 들어야 하는 프로젝트 고유의 특성이 혼재되어 있어 측정된 성과 자료를 벤치마킹하는데 어려움이 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 프로젝트의 성과에는 영향을 미치지만 시공자가 개선할 수 없는 요인을 프로젝트 특성으로 정의, 분류하였으며, 특성에 따른 성과증진에 어려움 정도를 프로젝트 관리 실무자 조사를 통하여 정량적으로 평가하였다. 본 연구에서 도출한 프로젝트 성과 난이도 지수로 프로젝트 초기단계의 프로젝트 특성 정보를 활용한 프로젝트 수행의 어려움 정도를 예측할 수 있으며, 프로젝트 시공자의 효율적인 프로젝트 관리를 가능하게 할 것이다. Since the larger and complex construction projects are performed, project performance measurement is highlighting the importance to eliminate inefficiencies and plan to reasonable management practices. So many researchers are conducting research about the project critical sucess factor. But, these factors are mixed both management practices to improve performance and native project characteristics. Therefore performance measurement data couldn't apply to another project successfully. And the project characteristics affect project performance. But contractor couldn't change characteristics. This study provides a project characteristics's definition and classification. This study provides a quantitative level of performance improvement difficulty through out project manager survey. The contractor can estimate a level of performance difficulty through initial project information. With this, project contractor can more efficiently manage project.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN THE GAZA STRIP

Construction projects located in the Gaza Strip, Palestine suffer from many problems and complex issues. Consequently, the objective of this paper is to identify the factors affecting the performance of local construction projects; and to elicit perceptions of their relative importance. A comprehensive literature review was deployed to generate a set of factors believed to affect project performance. A total of 120 questionnaires were distributed to 3 key groups of project participants; namely owners, consultants and contractors. The survey findings indicate that all 3 groups agree that the most important factors affecting project performance are: delays because of borders/roads closure leading to materials shortage; unavailability of resources; low level of project leadership skills; escalation of material prices; unavailability of highly experienced and qualified personnel; and poor quality of available equipment and raw materials. Based on these findings, the paper recommends that: 1) project owners must work collaboratively with contractors and facilitate regular payments in order to overcome delays, disputes and claims; 2) project participants should actively have their input in the process of decision‐making; and 3) continuous coordination and relationship between project participants are required through the project life cycle in order to solve problems and develop project performance. Santrauka Statybos projektai Gazos Ruože, Palestinoje, kenčia nuo daugelio problemų ir sudėtingų klausimų. Todėl pagrindinis šio straipsnio tikslas yra nustatyti veiksnius, darančius įtaką vietos statybos projektams įgyvendinti, ugdyti suvokimą apie jų santykinę svarbą. Iš viso 120 respondentų buvo suskirstyti į tris pagrindines projektų dalyvių grupes: savininkai, konsultantai ir rangovai. Apklausa parodė, kad visos trys grupės sutinka, kad svarbiausi veiksniai, lemiantys projekto įgyvendinimą, yra: atidėliojimas, susijęs su sienų (kelių) uždarymu ir lemiantis medžiagų stygių; negaunamos atsargos; menki vadovavimo projektams įgūdžiai; nepagrįsta medžiagų kaina; patyrusio ir kvalifikuoto personalo stoka ir prasta įrankių ir žaliavos kokybė. Pasitelkiant šias išvadas, straipsnyje rekomenduojama: 1) projektų savininkai turi dirbti kartu su rangovais ir reguliariai atsiskaityti norėdami išvengti atidėliojimų, ginčų ir pretenzijų; 2) projekto dalyviai turėtų aktyviai dalyvauti priimant spendimus; 3) nuolatinė projekto dalyvių kontrolė ir jų tarpusavio santykis yra reikalingi per visą projekto įgyvendinimo ciklą norint išspręsti iškilusias problemas ir įgyvendinti projektą.

Modelling iterative compound optimisation using a self-avoiding walk

The optimisation phase is a crucial step in the process of drug development, yet the mechanics of the projects that make it up are poorly understood. Weak documentation of failed projects makes statistical analysis of the factors affecting project performance challenging, so a better approach may be the development of an underlying theory of how projects work. We present a model based on a modified random walk in a relevant chemical space and use it to produce simulations of projects and portfolios of projects. Simulation is used to explore parameters that might affect the performance of a project and shows that they fall into two groups--target and process--that affect the overall performance in distinct ways.

TIMING AND EXTENT OF SUPPLIER INTEGRATION IN NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: A CONTINGENCY APPROACH

While research on internal integration in new product development (NPD) has progressed to the examination of contingency factors that assess adequate levels of integration, contingency models examining the appropriate timing and level of integration with suppliers in NPD have yet to be empirically tested. The purpose of this study is to explore how contingency factors affect the timing and level of supplier integration into NPD, and how varying levels of integration affect project performance. The study uses structural equation modeling to analyze data on 116 NPD projects employing supplier integration sampled from international organizations representing a wide variety of industries. Results suggest that newer products signify the need for earlier supplier integration, while positive prior experience with the supplier and the procurement of highly strategic items indicate the need for tighter integration. When employed, these patterns of activity result in high levels of perceived NPD performance.

Key project management practices affecting Singaporean firms’ project performance in China

Foreign (non-mainland Chinese) architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) firms may face difficulties managing construction projects in China because they are unfamiliar with this new operating environment. This study investigates project management (PM) practices adopted by Singaporean AEC firms in China. It determines the performance level of their projects in China; identifies PM practices that led to better performance; and recommends key PM practices that could be adopted by foreign AEC firms in China to achieve project success. A structured questionnaire was designed and data were collected via a self-administered postal and email survey, targeting Singaporean AEC firms that had undertaken and managed projects in China. The study finds that certain PM practices do indeed affect project performance. The most important of these are practices relating to scope management, such as controlling the quality of the contract document, quality of response to perceived variations and extent of changes to the contract. It is recommended that foreign firms adopt some of the PM practices highlighted in this study to help them achieve better project performance in China.

Designing Quality Into Project Organizations Through Computational Organizational Simulation

This article shifts the focus of quality management from measuring and controlling the quality of work processes to the next level upstream—measuring and controlling the quality of the organizations that execute work processes. Starting from an organizational information-processing perspective, we have developed the Virtual Team Alliance, a computational model of project participants' information-processing behavior. The model produces 2 measures of efficiency—project duration and cost—and 3 measures of work process quality—problem-solving quality, coordination quality, and decision-making quality. In addition to providing a project manager with measures to support specific and detailed organizational design decisions involving trade-offs between efficiency and work process quality, our model predicts organizational risks that might adversely affect project performance. Users can identify and test feasible and useful interventions to mitigate organizational risks contingently. We prospectively applied our model early in the development process of an industrial project team within the aerospace industry. Our model forecasted backlogs arising from extra coordination and rework and the resulting problems that might occur without organizational change. Based on simulations and analysis of our model, we made specific recommendations to the project manager for improving work process performance. After considering our recommendations, the cooperating manager intervened in the engineering process to reduce some of the organizational risks that we predicted might adversely affect project performance. In our subsequent observations of the project, the potential organizational risks that our model had initially identified as being likely to affect project performance adversely were avoided by the manager's intervention.

Understanding and managing iterative error and change cycles in construction

AbstractErrors and changes in construction often result in significant schedule and cost overruns affecting project performance. To understand the nature of these errors and changes and to ultimately reduce their detrimental impacts on project performance, this paper presents a system dynamics‐based construction model, which focuses on the dynamics of error and change management in construction, including quality management, scope management, the request for information process, and the decision‐making process for the approval of changes, and their consequent detrimental impacts on project performance. In particular, the developed model integrates several concepts in traditional network‐based tools to enhance the applicability of the model. Describing the dynamic behaviors generated by the developed model and applying the model to a couple of real‐world construction projects, this paper concludes that: (1) realism should be added to schedule planning; (2) an efficient coordination process is needed; (3) proactive contingency plans need to be taken into consideration; and (4) integration of network‐based tools and system dynamics‐based models can contribute to management of errors and changes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.