Engineering Project Management Research Articles

Leveraging Contemporary Project Management Techniques and Technology for Sustainable Telecommunications Advancement in Yemen

The digital techniques and technology have transformed formal project management field dramatically by enhancing communication, resource management and efficiency. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of contemporary project management methodologies in promoting and facilitating sustainable development within the telecommunications sector in Yemen. Situated within the broader discourse on achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the research employs a mixed methods approach to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data was collected through a survey of 150 professionals across major telecommunications firms in Yemen. The survey examined familiarity and application of techniques and technology such as waterfall, agile, six sigma, and lean. Qualitative insights were derived from 22 in-depth interviews with project managers and stakeholders. The findings of the study indicate that there is a narrow scope for integrating sustainability in Yemen’s telecommunications sector projects. Despite the research indicating a considerable level of awareness and utilization of contemporary methodologies, the integration of sustainability objectives varies considerably between projects. While numerous projects adopt environmental sustainability strategies, such as enhancing energy efficiency to reduce environmental impact and minimize carbon emissions, they lack comprehensive sustainability strategies that encompass economic, social, and environmental aspects in an integrated manner. The qualitative interviews yielded insights into the significant challenges to sustainable implementation, including insufficient training, organizational obstacles, and the effects of the ongoing conflict. In light of these findings, the paper addresses these challenges and provides recommendations and effective strategies to overcome them.

Using kanban board for forming social time management skills of future IT specialists

For the professional development of students studying in information technology areas, it is important to develop social time management skills, i.e. skills in organizing well-coordinated teamwork and optimal distribution of responsibilities between team members with minimal time to achieve a common goal. The article aims to substantiate and elaborate methodological recommendations for developing social time management skills using kanban technology in organizing team activities of future IT specialists. Criteria for assessing the development of social time management skills are proposed. The article points out the necessity of including kanban project management technology not only as training content but also as a way to optimize time resources when performing team training projects.The article describes an experiment on teamwork organization of Nizhny Tagil State Socio-Pedagogical Institute (branch) of Russian State Vocational Pedagogical University students. At the initial stage, the determination of the level of formation of social time management skills among 2nd year students in the process of completing a project assignment on software product development was carried out within the discipline “High-level methods of informatics and programming” without the use of time management technologies. The results of this stage showed the need to develop time management skills of future IT specialists in the process of teamwork. Recommendations for organizing student teamwork when using project time management technologies using a kanban board were formulated, which will allow students to develop social time management skills.The next stage of the experiment was the organization of students’ teamwork using flexible project management methodology (kanban technology): taking into account the proposed recommendations in the experimental group, without the use of time management technologies in the control group. The results of the pedagogical experiment showed the expediency of following the proposed methodological recommendations.

Development and implementation of cost control strategies in oil and gas engineering projects

This review delves into the development and implementation of cost control strategies in oil and gas engineering projects, an area critical for maintaining project viability and profitability amidst fluctuating market conditions. Effective cost control is essential in the oil and gas sector, where projects are often capital-intensive and subject to economic and operational uncertainties. This review examines various cost control methodologies and their application throughout the project lifecycle, from initial planning and budgeting to execution and closure. The paper highlights key cost control strategies, including detailed project cost estimation, budget forecasting, and variance analysis. It discusses the use of advanced project management tools and technologies, such as software for real-time cost tracking and predictive analytics, which enhance decision-making and financial oversight. The review also covers the importance of risk management practices in identifying and mitigating potential cost overruns, emphasizing the role of contingency planning and risk assessment in maintaining financial control. Case studies demonstrate how successful implementation of these strategies can lead to significant cost savings, improved project efficiency, and enhanced financial performance. The challenges associated with cost control, including dealing with unexpected price fluctuations, scope changes, and regulatory compliance issues, are also addressed. Solutions to these challenges, such as adopting flexible budgeting techniques and leveraging data-driven insights, are discussed. The review concludes with recommendations for refining cost control practices in oil and gas engineering projects, including the need for continuous monitoring and adjustment of cost control measures, integrating cost management with overall project strategy, and fostering collaboration among project stakeholders to ensure alignment and accountability.

Research on Refined Management and Project Risk Control Strategies in Whole Process Engineering Consultation

Whole Process Engineering Consultation (WPEC) plays an increasingly vital role in modern engineering project management. It not only encompasses the entire project lifecycle from planning and design to implementation and operation but also significantly enhances project efficiency, reduces costs, and mitigates risks. As the complexity of engineering projects grows, refined management emerges as a crucial method for achieving efficient project management. This paper explores the application of refined management in WPEC and analyzes its role in project risk control through real-case studies. By delving into the principles of refined management, management tools, and risk control strategies, this study proposes an integrated approach to optimize project management processes and improve project success rates. Additionally, it discusses the impact of emerging technologies on refined management and risk control, providing insights into future development trends. The aim is to offer theoretical support and practical guidance for engineering project management, ensuring efficient management and risk control.

Assessing the Impact of Climate Comfort on Labor Productivity in Hydropower Engineering Construction in Southwest China

Labor productivity exerts a significant influence on the construction cycle and investment in hydropower projects. Consequently, it is a crucial factor in the estimation of the cost of hydropower project construction. The mechanisms that are modulated by subjective factors have been extensively studied. However, the assessment of labor productivity in objective environments with regular changes is usually considered using a single factor, especially in special environments where the influence of environmental factors is of greater concern. As the most extensive region of China’s water-energy resources, the Southwest region has a lengthy tradition of using altitude or oxygen as an inherent criterion for the assessment of labor productivity. However, the applicability of inherent standards is limited. Therefore, we tried to assess the spatial and temporal changes in labor productivity based on the changes in meteorological conditions in Southwest China, employing climate comfort indicators in this study. The result identified five distinct regions of climate change in Southwest China (R-I to R-V). In particular, there is minimal variation in labor productivity as assessed by climate comfort indicators and the elevation between R-I and R-II. R-III and R-IV are influenced by oxygen, temperature, and humidity, while R-V is affected by a multitude of factors. Our findings indicate that temporal and spatial variations in meteorological conditions can result in up to a threefold difference in productivity at the same altitude in different regions. Importantly, our study provides valuable theoretical insights for engineering project management. In particular, it can be concluded that altitude is not a reliable indicator for evaluating labor productivity in high-altitude construction.

Exploring the Mitigation Actions of the Epidemic Impacts on Construction Projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background The construction industry has an important role in the economy of countries, as the construction industry represents 6.1 percent of the gross domestic product in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A global disaster such as an epidemic causes long-term damage to society, the economy, and related industries. The recent COVID-19 epidemic is one of such disasters. The construction industry was greatly affected by the epidemic globally, as well as in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods This research aims to determine the impact of the epidemic on construction projects and shed light on the actions taken to mitigate the impact of the epidemic through a multiple case study of three construction projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview were conducted with professionals in these projects. Descriptive analysis and the Relative Importance Index (RII) were used. Results The impact was of high importance on the project time throughout all projects, especially on the project schedule; the RII value was the maximum. Secondly for material delivery within time ranged from 0.8 – 0.91 for RII value and in terms of the mitigation actions taken, communication between project management and employees witnessed maximum effectiveness reached to 83% of participants reported a very effective response, with the help of modern technologies. Most factors ranged from limited effectiveness to ineffective. Conclusion This research contributes to determine the effects of the epidemic and the actions taken to mitigate it, which benefits the organizations and stakeholders in the field of construction and engineering project management, to develop and improve actions, and to prepare and plan for similar circumstances in the future.

Role of Engineering Project Management in Successful Project Completion Globally

In the globalization era, the radical progress in technical and digital system are causing rapid progress of public and private organizations as well as the structural complexity of managing projects in the engineering field. The present study focuses to review the role of engineering project management skills in managing a project for successful completion. Various literature related to the study topic has been reviewed systematically. The various factors responsible for successful completion of a project are framed as a model which would be useful for the engineers as well as other project managers or leaders as well as other stakeholders for understanding the systematic way of project management practices with the aim to successfully complete a project. The model highlighted the top three factors were project planning with stakeholders, time, budget and quality and leadership style and practices.

Navigating role identity tensions — IT project managers’ identity work in agile information systems development

ABSTRACT While the management of traditional, plan-based information systems development (ISD) projects lies with the information technology project manager (ITPM), this role is challenged in agile ISD team settings, characterised by self-managed and autonomous teams. Driven by the potential for individual, project, and organisational benefits through a deeper comprehension of these challenges, our study draws upon role identity theories to uncover identity tensions that this role creates and ways in which ITPMs engage in identity work to resolve these tensions. We conducted an in-depth, qualitative study involving interviews with ITPMs operating within agile ISD teams embedded in traditionally-managed organisations. A central contribution of our paper lies in the development of a theoretical model that unpacks how ITPMs navigate identity work tensions by engaging in specific identity work activities. By revealing the interplay between ITPMs’ role identity tensions, identity work activities, and contextual factors, our study moves beyond purely descriptive accounts and offers a nuanced understanding of the emotional and behavioural dimensions of ITPMs in their liminal position. Additionally, our work underscores the pivotal role of ITPMs as boundary spanners, bridging the gap between traditional and agile governance structures to drive digital transformation. For practitioners, we provide agile ISD team design recommendations.

The Convergence of COSYSMO Parametric Cost Estimation with Model‐Based Systems Engineering

AbstractThe promise of Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and its advertised benefits hinge on the ability of our profession to integrate engineering disciplines and project management across the system life cycle. In particular, connecting system architecture and design decisions to the economics of the system's development is a critically important topic, but has often been overlooked by the system engineering community. Achieving such integration requires two key elements: (1) the standardization of multidisciplinary terms and functions, and (2) the establishment of rules governing relationships between cross‐functional models and modeling environments. This paper contributes to these areas by (1) establishing common terminology describing systems engineering and cost estimating, and (2) proposing specific cost drivers and counting rules within an MBSE environment that can be applied to estimating systems engineering effort using the COSYSMO cost model. COSYSMO is a systems engineering cost model, originally developed in 2005, and was grounded on document‐based systems engineering methods. This paper facilitates the convergence of COSYSMO and MBSE by updating the COSYSMO counting rules to specifically address size driver selection and assessment in a SysML model. It illustrates how advanced modeling tool features streamline and automate cost estimation activities, while queries and crosscutting views offered by modern MBSE tools enhance the completeness, quality, and consistency of parametric cost estimation process. Additionally, it provides guidelines for identifying system model content and level of detail for cost estimating, and proposes an approach to link attributes and properties in a system model to the variables in the COSYSMO cost estimating relationship.

Analysis of the Relationship Between Engineering Project Management and Engineering Product Development: A Review

This study explores the two distinct parts of engineering management: engineering product management and engineering project management. A qualitative systematic review method was employed, using purposively sampled literature and a desk-based research approach. Using thematic analysis, the researchers produced significant data findings. The findings suggest that Engineering Project Management and Engineering Product Development play a vital role in achieving success in engineering projects. While they possess distinct principles, practices, and concepts, they share important management techniques in the business realm. The findings also indicate significant disparities in methods, utility and resource allocation, and quality assurance while highlighting the absence of administrative functions in Engineering Product Development compared to Engineering Project Management. Furthermore, the study notes that greater creativity and efficiency in both management practices are enabled by current technology and methodology. The study's limitations include an extensive use of literature review data and a focus on a broad target area. Consequently, this suggests a need for empirical data to enhance experience-based research and focus on a specific industry for more precise outcomes.

The Innovative Potential Of Social Media In Green World Engineering And Technology And Project Management Institutions For Leadership Development And Learning The English Language

The Innovative Potential Of Social Media In Green World Engineering And Technology And Project Management Institutions For Leadership Development And Learning The English Language

Influence of transformational and transactional leadership on agile project success

This study investigates the influence of Transformational and Transactional Leadership contribution in project accomplishment. It specifically evaluates the mediating role of Leadership for Agile project methodology. The data was collected from cross-sectional professionals such as Information Technology project Managers of various fields, Civil and Construction, Pharmaceuticals, Telecommunication, Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in Oman that comprised 384 valid samples. We used conformity factor analysis for reliability and validity of our measurement and it was valid and reliable. Partial Least-Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the theoretical framework. The results confirmed leadership enhances agile project methodology through the project excellence, improves end user satisfaction, value addition by achieving triple constraints. It was observed that leadership improves project performance in which team building, management commitment, unobstructed vision, daily standup meeting eases the influence of leadership on Agile methodologies.

Application of Particle Swarm Optimisation in Multi-Objective Cost Optimisation of Engineering Enterprises under the Background of Digital Economy

Engineering projects must meet quality and schedule requirements during construction. This is a typical multi-objective problem and a difficult point in the management of engineering enterprises. To address these issues, a research study proposes an intelligent multi-objective optimisation technique. First, analyse the optimisation objectives of the enterprise in the context of digitalisation. Then, construct a multi-objective cost optimisation model for engineering enterprises. Second, the Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimisation (MOPSO) algorithm is introduced to solve multi- objective problems. To improve the multi-objective optimisation effect of the model, the inertia weight parameters and particle learning behaviour are optimised and adjusted, as the model is prone to getting stuck in local optima. In the performance test of the algorithm model, the optimised MOPSO model can accurately search for the minimum value of 0 at the position (0, 0) under the Rastrig in function, and at the same time, the number of iteration convergence is the least. The GA, ACOM, and traditional MOPSO models have more iterative convergence times, and the optimisation results are 0.10, 0.15, and 0.14, respectively. It can be seen that the performance of the optimised MOPSO model is better. In the specific example analysis, using the optimised MOPSO solution, the project cost was reduced from 31 million yuan in the contract to 30.52 million yuan, and the construction period was shortened from 588 days to 540 days, and met the environmental protection and quality requirements. The research content can provide important decision support for engineering project managers.

Da sobrevivência à resiliência: práticas de gestão nas academias em período de crise pandêmica

The study deals with how fitness centers are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim was to investigate the management practices most used to deal with the pandemic crisis. To this end, a qualitative, descriptive study was carried out using a literature review (GERHARDT; SILVEIRA, 2009). Searches were carried out in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and in the journal ACAD, due to their outstanding relevance in the fitness field. The selection criteria were based on the relevance of the texts found, which were analyzed using the following criteria: a) central discussion relating gyms to the context of the pandemic crisis; b) content related to management in gyms; c) real contributions to the development of gym management. Bardin's (2011) content analysis was used to gain a deeper understanding of the data obtained. As a result, were found 2661 scientific articles. Of these, 24 were pre-selected, of which 14 participated in the discussion of this work. The findings suggested that academies were significantly impacted by the decrees that ordered their closure. The lack of preparation and infrastructure to deal with crises, as well as the excessive reliance on face-to-face activities and the lack of diversification of the services offered, contributed to the sector's vulnerability. It was clear that some gyms were unable to overcome the reduction in revenue and ended up closing down, while others invested in live or recorded classes and outdoor classes in order to keep customers engaged and generate revenue, overcoming the adversity. The management practices most present in this context were: strategic planning; safety, risk and hygiene management; financial management; crisis management; people management; human resources management; partnership management and digital marketing; project management and information technology; and innovation management. As final considerations, the study revealed the significant impact of the pandemic on Brazilian academies. In addition to the total closure phase, gyms were also affected by the public's negative perception of the risks of contamination in closed environments and with crowds. Those that managed to stay in business had to reorganize their spaces to ensure social distancing, implement hygiene and safety measures and look for innovative ways to generate revenue. The management practices identified not only enabled them to survive, but also showed the way to the gyms' resilience and ability to reinvent themselves.

The Application of Game Theory in Engineering Project Management

The coexistence of conflict of interest and cooperation are two of the most significant characteristics in the process of construction project management. To maximize their interests, all parties involve and restrict each other in the process of management, resulting in the phenomenon of information asymmetry between Party A and Party B, passive slacking of contractors, project quality defects, and project claims in the process of project management. By applying game theory to the construction of engineering projects, it can facilitate managers from all parties to choose better decisions, thereby further improving the level of engineering management and expanding their own profits. Starting from the basic concepts of game theory and engineering project management, this article focuses on three perspectives: project bidding stage, construction stage, and engineering claim stage. It analyzes the game between owners and contractors under incomplete information conditions and concludes that both parties should realize the sharing of information resources and strictly abide by the principle of engineering contract equality. Several suggestions related to engineering project management are also proposed.

Extended IFC-based information exchange for construction management of roller-compacted concrete dam

Building Information Modeling (BIM) plays a pivotal role in the construction management of dam engineering projects, which face challenges in data interoperability due to the absence of standardized data formats. While Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) offer a standardized digital representation of the built environment, it lacks the capability to accurately model the semantics of roller-compacted concrete dams. Therefore, this paper presents an extended IFC-based information exchange for the construction management of roller-compacted concrete dams, incorporating the development and validation of a prototype through a case study. The results indicate a significant enhancement in standardized information exchange for construction management compared to traditional practices. The approach facilitates BIM-assisted information exchange automation among stakeholders involved in roller-compacted concrete dam construction projects. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into dam construction management system prototyping and cross-platform collaboration.

A Kotlin and Firebase Based Project Discovery Platform with Cosine Similarity-Based Recommendation

Abstract: In today's interconnected world, mobile applications have become integral to our daily lives, revolutionizing how we communicate, work, and collaborate. we present an Android application utilizing Kotlin, Firebase, and a cosine-based recommendation system to address the challenge of project collaboration and discovery. The application aims to provide users with a seamless and personalized experience, empowering them to discover, collaborate on, and contribute to projects aligned with their interests and expertise. By integrating Firebase, the application ensures real-time data synchronization, secure authentication, and cloud storage capabilities, enhancing user experience. The implementation of a cosine-based recommendation system further enhances project discovery by analyzing user profiles and project data to generate personalized recommendations. This paper offers insights into the architecture, methodology, and implementation details of the Android application, highlighting its innovative features and technologies for collaborative project management.

Risk Management in Agile Al/Ml Projects: Identifying and Mitigating Data and Model Risks

Purpose: This study addresses the crucial challenge of managing risks associated with data and models in Agile Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) projects. It aims to develop a systematic framework for effective risk control utilizing agile methodologies. Methodology: The research is grounded in an interpretivist approach and utilizes a deductive method. It constructs a comprehensive framework for identifying and mitigating risks, integrating risk management seamlessly into Agile processes for AI and ML development. Findings: The study introduces four technological themes critical for risk mitigation: dynamic distribution of resources, model robustness, risk integration, and quality assessment of information. These themes provide actionable strategies for reducing risks throughout the Agile AI/ML development lifecycle, ensuring that risk assessment and mitigation are integral to project planning and execution. Unique contribution to theory, practice, and policy: The study contributes to both theory and practice by offering a detailed, actionable framework for risk management in Agile AI/ML projects. It advocates for the adoption of adaptive technologies and tools, continuous stakeholder engagement, and adherence to ethical standards. Recommendations include validation of the framework through empirical research and ongoing longitudinal evaluations to adapt and refine risk management practices. This approach aims to enhance the reliability and efficiency of project outputs in dynamic environments, providing a significant foundation for policy development in technology project management.

Construction Management in the Amazon: Analysis of Performance Indicators and Impacts of COVID-19

Management failures in public construction projects result in significant resource wastage and delays in social development goals. This research aims to evaluate the management of contracts for public school construction projects using cost, schedule, and scope performance indicators, as well as investigate the influence of the characteristics of the Amazon region and the COVID-19 pandemic on project execution. The methodology involved document analysis of selected samples, describing the projects, geographical locations, contractual changes, and statistical correlation tests. Subsequently, the study surveyed the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the analyzed projects, along with an analysis of performance indicators. The results revealed that all projects experienced cost increases, with an average percentage of 24.36%. Regarding schedule extensions, 92.30% of the projects underwent contractual changes, with an average increase in time of 142.19%. Scope changes were present in all projects, with an average modification percentage of 61.84%. It is believed that this study contributes to a critical analysis of the management of public engineering projects, enabling the identification of problems and improvement opportunities.

Tools for monitoring software quality in information systems development and maintenance: five key challenges and a design proposal

As software grows in size and complexity, organizations increasingly apply tools to automatically assess software quality of information systems during development and maintenance. Software quality assessment tools (SWQAT) promise fast and actionable insights into the technical state of software through various quality characteristics, such as maintainability, reliability, or security. These tools have been used to support a wide variety of Information Technology (IT) project management decisions related to system development, contract negotiations, project terminations, and even settling legal disputes between suppliers and clients. However, despite their rising importance, questions regarding how they function and how reliable they are to support decision-making have so far escaped scholarly attention. This paper conducts an evaluation of widely used SWQATs and analyzes how they rate the quality of software systems of varying sizes, functionalities, and programming languages. Our results reveal five key challenges for using SWQATs in IT projects. To address these challenges, we propose a design for tailorable SWQATs that allows for more conscious and prudent software quality assessments that better reflect the socio-technical aspect of software systems and the context-specific nature of software quality.