Project Lessons Research Articles

Research on Financial Risk Management in the S Water Conservancy Project and Its Implications for Similar Projects

As a vital infrastructure initiative with significant impacts on national development and public welfare, water conservancy projects play an essential role in advancing agricultural development and mitigating losses caused by flooding. However, these projects often require substantial investments and extended construction periods, leading to the inevitable emergence of various financial risks during implementation. This paper aims to explore the current challenges in financial risk management of the S water conservancy project, offering practical management strategies and solutions to address these financial difficulties. Through a detailed assessment and analysis of the S water conservancy project, the study seeks to provide valuable references and insights for similar projects to better manage financial risks, ensuring their smooth progression and successful completion. The proposed control measures are designed not only to effectively mitigate the financial risks specific to the S water conservancy project but also to offer actionable lessons for other similar projects. By promoting and applying these measures, the overall financial management capabilities of the industry can be enhanced, providing robust support for the sustainable development of water conservancy projects.

Corrosion resistance in LNG plant design: Engineering lessons for future energy projects

Corrosion resistance is a critical consideration in the design and operation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants, where harsh environmental conditions and aggressive chemicals can significantly impact asset integrity and safety. This paper explores engineering lessons learned from past LNG projects, emphasizing the importance of corrosion management strategies to enhance the longevity and reliability of energy infrastructure. The study highlights key factors contributing to corrosion in LNG facilities, including materials selection, environmental exposure, and operational practices. By employing advanced materials such as corrosion-resistant alloys and coatings, engineers can mitigate corrosion risks, leading to reduced maintenance costs and extended equipment lifespan. The paper examines successful case studies where proactive corrosion management has been implemented, showcasing innovative engineering solutions such as cathodic protection, corrosion monitoring systems, and design modifications that enhance resistance to corrosion-related failures. Furthermore, it addresses the role of regular inspections, predictive maintenance, and risk-based approaches in identifying potential corrosion issues before they escalate into significant problems. As LNG plants continue to proliferate globally, the integration of corrosion resistance into design and operational frameworks becomes increasingly vital. This paper also discusses emerging technologies and materials that hold promise for improving corrosion resistance, including nanotechnology and smart coatings that provide real-time monitoring capabilities. By learning from past projects and embracing a proactive approach to corrosion management, future energy projects can enhance safety, reduce operational risks, and achieve greater sustainability in their operations. Ultimately, the lessons derived from this research will contribute to developing best practices for designing and operating LNG plants and other energy facilities, ensuring that they meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Patient and public involvement in an evidence synthesis project: description of and reflection on involvement.

We conducted an NIHR-funded evidence synthesis project, reviewing evidence relating to interventions for perceptual disorders following stroke. This related paper describes how people with lived experience of stroke-related perceptual disorders contributed to and influenced the project, and identifies lessons for future review projects. We planned our patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) activities within a study protocol, described according to the domains of the ACTIVE framework; these were founded on principles for good practice in PPIE. Activities occurred across the lifespan of the project, consisting primarily of group discussions and voting to determine if there was consensus. To assess impact and individual experiences, we sought feedback using an evaluation form after each discussion, and conducted an online meeting at the end of the project to allow further reflection. We recruited five people to a Lived Experience Group, including two stroke survivors and three carers. Members attended one face-to-face meeting during the development of the review. Subsequent activities were all held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic; with six online meetings, plus email interactions. Positive impacts of the Lived Experience Group on the reviews included clear definitions of key terms, selection of outcome measures, agreement on implications of review findings, and identification of research recommendations. Key challenges identified related to the complexity of the topic and challenges in the use of new online technology as a consequence of the COVID-pandemic. A number of lessons were learned during this project. Specific recommendations for future PPIE are to ensure that those involved have an opportunity to get to know one another, and to provide optional sessions to increase familiarity with online meeting software, clear explanations of the purpose of involvement and specific feedback after each activity. These lessons should be considered when planning the PPIE within future reviews.

Actor-networks in sustainable transport transformation: the case of the Catharijnesingel restoration

As cities evolve, navigating the complex interplay between social and technical elements is crucial for achieving sustainable urban development. This paper uses a case-study approach and applies actor-network theory (ANT) to understand the sociotechnical complexities of urban transformation, with a specific focus on transport projects at the municipal level. ANT serves as a qualitative analytical framework to investigate the successful restoration of Catharijnesingel in Utrecht. Interviews with ten field experts have provided valuable insights into the transformation process, revealing the underlying paradigms at play. Specifically, this study used Michel Callon’s ( 1984 ) concept of translation to analyze how agency is enacted in decision-making processes. By focusing this research on actor-networks related to the theme of sustainable transport, the study has identified five transformation mechanisms involved in removing the 20th-century city highway and restoring the original canal, offering valuable lessons for similar projects in various contexts. This study contributes to the existing ANT literature by presenting a robust framework for analyzing actor-networks in transport infrastructure transformation projects, thereby opening new avenues for future research and practical applications in urban planning.

IMPLEMENTASI PRINSIP PARETO PADA PEKERJAAN PERBAIKAN DI PROYEK PERUMAHAN

Rework in construction refers to the activity of repairing or redoing work that does not meet quality standards, causing delays and increased costs. The aim of this research is to identify the causes of rework in building structures, with a case study of four types of houses in one of the housing complexes in South Tangerang City. This research focuses on the use of quality improvement tools such as Pareto Charts. Pareto diagrams, based on the Pareto principle which states that most consequences come from a small number of causes, are used to identify and prioritize the causes of rework. The types of work that most frequently result in rework will be monitored more closely to minimize future errors. Data collection through field observations by calculating the frequency of repair work. The results of the analysis show that most rework is caused by some type of repeated error. The implementation of Pareto resulted in 75% of rework resulting from 50% of the causes. There were 5 causes of rework occurring which were analyzed, namely inappropriate dimensions, elevation differences, slanted formwork, ends of reinforcement that were not connected, and reinforcement that needed cleaning. This implementation helps in solving these 5 problems and provides lessons for other similar projects

E-Learning berbasis Moodle Mata Pelajaran Informatika dengan Pendekatan Project Based Learning

The ppt learning delivery method for explaining lessons is considered less interesting and sometimes boring, plus project lessons are still conventional which can only be done in class. This research aims to create e-learning media with a project-based learning (PJBL) model for informatics lessons in vocational schools at Sukoharjo student park. This type of research is development by building or creating Moodle-based learning media. The method used in this research is the R&D method using the ADDIE model with only the Analysis, Design, and Implementation stages. Observations and questionnaires were used for the data collection process. The data analysis technique used is descriptive analysis in the form of percentage validity tests. The results of our findings are to produce e-learning to support students in implementing the PJBL learning approach in the classroom. Test results show that all system functionality functions well. This system makes the learning process using PJBL in the classroom more flexible and can be accessed from anywhere, increases collaboration between students virtually, and utilizes technology to present more interactive and interesting learning material.

Demographic assessment of reintroduced bearded vultures in the Alps: Success in the core, challenges in the periphery

Abstract Regular assessment of reintroduced populations is essential to guide management and provide lessons for other reintroduction projects. Bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus reintroduction in the Alps began in 1986 with the release of the first fledglings, the first successful reproduction was recorded in 1997, and the population has grown steadily since. A previous assessment suggested that no further releases would be required to establish a self‐sustaining population from a demographic point of view. However, this conclusion was based on a small sample size and spatially homogeneous demographic rates of released individuals, which may differ from and be spatially variable among wild‐hatched individuals. Using longitudinal data and breeding site survey data, we constructed an integrated population model to examine the demography of the entire Alpine population, spatially stratified into a core and a periphery. We performed retrospective population analyses to identify demographic reasons for spatial differences in population growth and conducted population viability analyses to assess the impact of future threats and reintroduction options. In 2021, an estimated 172 (CRI: 147–198) females were present in the Alps, of which 65 (CRI: 63–67) were breeders. Adult survival and productivity were higher in the core than in the periphery, so the population grew more strongly in the core than in the periphery. Differences in adult survival contributed most to the differences in population growth between the two areas. The population viability analysis predicts that the Alpine population will double in 10 years but that an increase in the mortality hazard above 0.055 will lead to a population decline. Unlike the population in the core, the population in the periphery is dependent on further releases at this stage. Bearded vulture reintroductions in the Alps have succeeded in creating a self‐sustaining population with higher reproductive success and similar survival probabilities to the autochthonous Pyrenean population. In general, management should focus on preventing further mortality risks. In the periphery, reducing current mortality and increasing reproductive success are essential to make the population independent of releases.

An operational windmill in an open-air museum as a conservation challenge: Lessons from projects recently implemented in Poland

The article discusses the methods of protecting historic windmills and recognising them as valuable objects of industrial heritage. Therefore, examples of attempts to restore windmills as working mills after 2010 are discussed. Translocation combined with comprehensive renovation can be an effective and desirable method of conservation for historic windmills with a wooden structure, as it enables the restitution of these facilities as operating mills. However, one should be aware of the risks associated with this type of activity: primarily the risk of losing the historic, original substance of the mill and changing its landscape context. An important problem is the safety of the dynamic exhibition and the lack of professionals – millers specialised in the field of drive mills, who would be able to not only set up the technological process but also maintain the machines included in it on an ongoing basis. The following part of the article discusses 12 examples of attempts to restart historic windmills. These examples are divided into two categories of objects: windmills with an alternative, modern electric drive; windmills with the ability to work using only wind power. The analysed examples of windmill conservation and reactivation provide the basis for formulating lessons for future projects in Poland and abroad.

Adaptive Risk Management in Road Construction: Oyon-Ambo Highway Insights, El Niño 2019 Case Study

This research provides an in-depth analysis of the challenges faced during the construction of the Oyon-Ambo highway in Peru, particularly during the extreme rainfall events associated with the 2019 El Niño phenomenon. Situated in the high Andean area of the Pasco region, this rigid pavement road project encountered significant disruptions due to the extraordinary weather conditions. The adjacent Chaupihuaranga River experienced increased flow rates, causing extensive damage to the road and necessitating substantial modifications to the engineering plans. Focusing on 14 critical sectors identified in the project's technical file as prone to instability, the study details the accelerated degradation and eventual destruction of these sectors due to the intense rainfall. Emphasizing the importance of adaptive risk management in road construction, especially in regions susceptible to natural phenomena like El Niño, the paper underscores the need for responsive reengineering approaches based on specific damage types. It also highlights the critical role of continuous monitoring and evaluation in adapting to environmental changes. The insights from the Oyon-Ambo highway case offer valuable lessons for future road construction projects, underscoring the importance of proactive and adaptive risk management strategies to minimize the impacts of extraordinary natural events.

Lean/IPD in action – MSU business college pavilion case study

Michigan State University (MSU) is an educational institution that owns one of the largest on-campus housing systems in the US. As part of its operation, MSU is interested in improving the performance of its capital projects. To do so, it has adopted the integrated project delivery (IDP) approach. This article describes some of the key features used by MSU to implement an IPD agreement for building its new MSU Business College Pavilion.As a result, MSU delivered a successful project, both on cost and on time, an outcome that involved the use of several tools, such as an IPD multi-party agreement, the Lean Execution Plan, Target Cost, and A3, among others. The use of IPD maximizes value, leadership, and innovation while using agreements for sharing risks and rewards. This case´s learned lessons for future projects involve the foster of aspects such as value alignment, collaboration, waste reduction, and periodic review of the effectiveness.

Design bid build to integrated project delivery: Strategic formulation to increase partnering

COVID-19 pandemic has caused many design bid build projects to suffer losses. Design bid build or DBB has the disadvantage of depth partnering. The research purpose is to reveal the depth of partnering of DBB, the characteristics of existing partnering in DBB through detection in each project life cycle in DBB, then efforts to increase DBB partnering to partnering in integrated project delivery (IPD). The methodology used is secondary data from three project DBB, then validation using focused group discussions (FGD) with expert judgment, then the Delphi method to analyse and propose recommendations. This project recommends that DBB project can improve the project performance so stakeholder can increase partnering toward integrated project delivery (IPD) partnering. This research can be used for increasing partnering in DBB projects towards partnering in IPD. This research will produce strategic recommendations that can be utilized by stakeholders (owner, contractor, designer) in improving project performance to generate great value for the project, will result in long-term project sustainability, improve relationships, and learn valuable lessons for future projects. DBB projects usually experience many problems due to the competitive nature of partnering for owners, contractors, and designers, so it is necessary to develop an overall strategy as an option to improve partnering in DBB project contracts. This research will help create a sustainable project by the owner, contractor, and designer.

Codesigning community networking literacies with rural/remote Northern Indigenous communities in Northwest Territories, Canada

AbstractDigital literacy research and practice typically presume certain conditions, such as an urban orientation and adequate, affordable access to connectivity and devices. But these conditions are not universal; for example, people in small, rural/remote Indigenous communities may seek to balance connectivity challenges and digital innovations with land-based living specific to place and community. Drawing on efforts to broaden critical digital literacies to support Indigenous sovereignty, we consider how overlapping contexts of places, communities, and infrastructures intersect in the cocreation of appropriate digital literacy. Specifically, we discuss a series of virtually facilitated, participatory workshops that utilize “hacker literacies” and “infrastructure literacy” to reimagine connectivity infrastructure and demonstrate the potential of community networking in, with, and by rural/remote Indigenous communities. We also reflect on limitations of this work and identify lessons for future projects.

Linking prison health care data to other health data: A novel data linkage study in Northern Ireland

ObjectivesWe describe the progress made in the development of a novel linked database designed to improve understanding about the health, mental health, health service use and mortality risk of people following their release from prison in Northern Ireland (NI).
 MethodsThis is a collaborative project between the ADRC-NI and the NI Healthcare in Prisons service (HIPS) - South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT). Data about the health of all adult prisoners between 2012 and 2021 (HIPS) will be linked to a healthcare population spine (National Health Application and Infrastructure Services - NHAIS) via a Health and Care Number (HCN), a unique health identifier for each patient in the NHS in Northern Ireland. Data will subsequently be linked to prescribing data (Enhanced Prescribing Database - EPD), in-patient services data (mental health) and mortality data (General Register Office - GRO).
 ResultsEthical and governance approvals have been obtained. A stepwise approach to the development of this novel health database will be presented. Data cleaning has been undertaken by the HIPS team and records with missing HCNs have been identified and updated. Extraction of prison health data is underway for N=14,898 individuals and N=34,213 custodial episodes. Individuals may have more than one prison episode during the study period. Electronic and manual modes were used to extract 25 health-related variables from prison records. Data will be transferred to the Honest Broker Service (HBS), the trusted research environment for health and social care in NI, for data de-identification and linkage, and data access for analysis. Preliminary results and lessons for other related data-linkage projects will be presented and discussed.
 ConclusionWe will describe our progress regarding the development of a novel health dataset comprising routinely collected administrative data and our work about prisoner health. We will report about our experience of assessing data access, cleaning, extracting, and analysing data and the linkage possibilities with respect to the prison health dataset.

Technological Solutions for Digital Identity

Digital transformation of enterprises is driving the need for a digital identity to recognize people for delivering services. The implementation of digital identity is complex, requiring several technological solutions and much coordination. Capturing and processing data is challenging because biometric issues may arise due to imaging errors. This article addresses this issue and proposes a computer vision-based framework for contactless recognition process using a focus group discussion approach for inputs from experts. The proposed framework enhances image capturing process, extraction of high-quality features from captured images, image processing, contactless face detection, and authentication. The study also derives lessons for other biometric-based identity projects based on image analysis. The proposed framework can be used as a reference for understanding multidimensional perspectives, scalability, and adoption of technological solutions in other similar projects in developing countries in future.

Pasteurella multocida Bacteremia in a Large Community Teaching Hospital, 2011–2020: A Quality Improvement Project—Lessons Learned Regarding Immunizations

Abstract Introduction Pasteurella multocida is a small, pleomorphic, nonflagellated, gram-negative coccobacillus found as a commensal of the upper respiratory tract of mammals and birds. Human infections are linked primarily to dog and cat bites, scratches, and licks. As part of an institutional review board–approved quality improvement project, we reviewed 10 years of experience (2011–2020) with P. multocida bacteremia (PMB) at our institution. Materials and Methods We identified all episodes of PMB at our institution from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2020, from computerized blood culture records. We recorded information regarding epidemiology, source of bacteremia, comorbid medical conditions, laboratory data, radiographic data, antimicrobial treatment, and patient outcomes as well as information regarding providers' inquiries about animal contact, animal rabies vaccine status, and patient tetanus immunization status. Results During the 10-year study period, we identified 21 patients with 20 episodes of PMB. One patient experienced 2 episodes of PMB 1 year apart. The mean/median ages of patients with PMB were 71/68 years, respectively. Of the 21 PMB episodes, 17 (81%) occurred in women. Notably, 8 of 21 episodes (38%) occurred in patients with underlying liver dysfunction: 5 with severe alcohol use disorder (AUD), 1 with chronic hepatitis C virus infection, and 2 with nonalcoholic cirrhosis. Three of 21 patients (14%) died because of complications of PMB despite appropriate antimicrobial therapy. All 3 fatal cases were women who met criteria for severe AUD. In 14 of 21 episodes (65%), the patient was asked about pet exposure: 12 of 14 exposures (86%) involved a cat. Rabies vaccination status of the pet was documented in 3 of 21 episodes (14%). Tetanus vaccination status of the patient was explored in 7 of 21 PMB episodes (33%). Conclusions There were 21 episodes of PMB in 20 patients during the 10-year study period. Pasteurella multocida bacteremia was associated with female sex (81%), multiple comorbid conditions, and, notably, with liver dysfunction resulting from severe AUD, hepatitis C virus infection, or cirrhosis from other causes. Mortality was 3/21 (14%) and all 3 patients who died had underlying liver disease. Opportunities for improvement in patients with PMB were identified including routine inquiries about patient's animal exposure, rabies vaccination status of involved animal, and tetanus verification/administration of patients with PMB. In addition, women with cirrhosis/AUD are at high risk for severe, fatal PMB when it occurs.

Solutions for the commercialization challenges of Horizon Europe and earth observation consortia: co-creation, innovation, decision-making, tech-transfer, and sustainability actions

European Community (EC) Horizon-funded projects and Earth Observation-based Consortia aim to create sustainable value for Space, Land, and Oceans. They typically focus on addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Many of these projects (e.g. Commercialization and Innovation Actions) have an ambitious challenge to ensure that partners share core competencies to simultaneously achieve technological and commercial success and sustainability after the end of the EC funds. To achieve this ambitious challenge, Horizon projects must have a proper governance model and a systematized process that can manage the existing paradoxical tensions involving numerous European partners and their respective agendas and stakeholders. This article presents the VCW-Value Creation Wheel (Lages in J Bus Res 69: 4849–4855, 2016), as a framework that has its roots back in 1995 and has been used since 2015 in the context of numerous Space Business, Earth Observation, and European Community (EC) projects, to address complex problems and paradoxical tensions. In this article, we discuss six of these paradoxical tensions that large Horizon Consortia face in commercialization, namely when managing innovation ecosystems, co-creating, taking digitalization, decision-making, tech-transfer, and sustainability actions. We discuss and evaluate how alliance partners could find the optimal balance between (1) cooperation, competition, and coopetition perspectives; (2) financial, environmental, and social value creation; (3) tech-push and market-pull orientations; (4) global and local market solutions; (5) functionality driven and human-centered design (UX/UI); (6) centralized and decentralized online store approaches. We discuss these challenges within the case of the EC H2020 NextLand project answering the call for greening the economy in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We analyze NextLand Online Store, and its Business and Innovation Ecosystem while considering the input of its different stakeholders, such as NextLand’s commercial team, service providers, users, advisors, EC referees, and internal and external stakeholders. Preliminary insights from a twin project in the field of Blue Economy (EC H2020 NextOcean), are also used to support our arguments. Partners, referees, and EC officers should address the tensions mentioned in this article during the referee and approval processes in the pre-grant and post-grant agreement stages. Moreover, we propose using the Value Creation Wheel (VCW) method and the VCW meta-framework as a systematized process that allows us to co-create and manage the innovation ecosystem while engaging all the stakeholders and presenting solutions to address these tensions. The article concludes with theoretical implications and limitations, managerial and public policy implications, and lessons for Horizon Europe, earth observation, remote sensing, and space business projects.

Improving health information system for malaria program management: Malaria Frontline Project lessons learned from Kano and Zamfara States, Nigeria, 2016-2019.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Program and the African Field Epidemiology Network established the Malaria Frontline Project to provide innovative approaches to improve the malaria program implementation in Kano and Zamfara States, Nigeria. Innovative approaches such as malaria bulletin, malaria monitoring wall chart, conduct of ward level data validation meetings and malaria dashboard have helped improve the use of data for decision making at all levels. Innovative approaches deployed during the project implementation facilitated data analysis and a better understanding of malaria program performance and data utilization for decision making at all levels. These innovative approaches may improve malaria control program performance in Nigeria and other resource limited countries.

Opening the black box of project team members’ competencies improvement in a public sector organization for a successful transition to the project society

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the project team member's skill developmental activities within the context of a public organization, as to suggest both a theoretical understanding and a procedure adapted for this development, which is based on a reflective approach. The methodology used is based on a qualitative inductive approach subject to a single case study. For an organization with a lightweight project matrix structure to efficiently decentralize the various HR practices related to skill development, the skills evaluation must be self-administered, the development plan and training activities are integrated into the project's lessons learned sessions and support is offered to the project team by an external party (coach). The developmental approach through learning in an occupational environment also enables the organization to adapt to the project society with collaborative and qualified management. This original research stems from its descriptive and comprehensive approach to adapt project management and HRM theories to inform public management.

An Outreach/Learning Activity for STEAM Education via the Design and 3D Printing of an Accessible Periodic Table

Through K-12 student workshops in 3D-printing technology at the Michigan State St. Andrews 3D-printing lab, a collaborative STEAM outreach project was initiated with the Committee on Chemists with Disabilities of the American Chemical Society to design and build an accessible Periodic Table of the Elements to celebrate the 2019 International Year of the Periodic Table. This project supported the education of students in 3D-printing technology and promoted their interests in learning about science while bringing awareness to the obstacles faced by individuals with disabilities. The project lessons, which included tile designs using CAD software, conformed to both the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards by defining problems, developing models, carrying out investigations, and designing solutions. Students acquired basic skills in 3D modeling and broad general knowledge of the Periodic Table. In Fall 2019, this Periodic Table, which included ASL hand-signing and Braille on each element tile, was displayed at the National American Chemical Society Meeting in San Diego.

Hazards from lakes and reservoirs: new interpretation of the Vaiont disaster

Hazards in reservoirs and lakes arising from subaerial landslides causing impact waves (or ‘lake tsunamis’) are now well known, with several recent examples having been investigated in detail. The potential scale of such hazards was not widely known at the time of the Vaiont dam project in the 1950s and early 1960s, although a small wave triggered by a landslide at another new reservoir nearby in the Dolomites (northern Italy) drew the possible hazard to the attention of the Vaiont project’s managers. The Vaiont disaster in 1963 arose from a combination of disparate and seemingly unrelated factors and circumstances that led to an occurrence that could not have been imagined at that time. The ultimate cause was a very large landslide moving very rapidly into a reservoir and displacing the water. The resulting wave overtopped the dam to a height of around 175 m and around 2000 people were killed. This paper identifies and examines all of the issues surrounding the Vaiont dam and landslide in order to identify causal factors, contributory factors (including aggravating factors) and underlying factors. In doing so, it demonstrates that the disaster arose from the Vaiont dam project and cannot be attributed simply to the landslide. Underlying geological factors gave rise to the high speed of the landslide, which would have occurred anyway at some time. However, without the contributory factors that account for the presence of the reservoir, i.e. the choice of location for the project and management of the project with respect to a possible landslide hazard, there would have been no disaster. Indeed, the disaster could have been avoided if the reservoir could have been emptied pending further ground investigations. Understanding of this case provides many lessons for future dam projects in mountainous locations but also highlights an ongoing and perhaps under-appreciated risk from similar events involving other water bodies including geologically recent lakes formed behind natural landslide dams.