Project Management Professionals Research Articles

Investigating the Impact of Smartphones on Blended Learning Effectiveness for Project Management Certifications: Case Study in Bahrain

This paper examines the impact of smartphones through integration and enhancing the effectiveness of blended learning activities for project management training programs in Bahrain. Building on previous research, this study report on how smartphones can improve real-time communication, boosting engagement, and provide trainees’ continuous access to learning materials. Smartphones served as real-time tools for trainers by facilitating group chats, organizing meetings, and sharing educational content, such as YouTube videos and training PowerPoint slides, thus ensuring the fulfillment of training objectives. The case study demonstrates how smartphones contributed to a more dynamic, flexible, and collaborative learning environment, optimizing the blended learning model for professional project management programs in Bahrain. Additionally, since smartphones enabled real-time updates and notifications, they supported trainers to stay organized and engaged with the trainees while tracking their tasks throughout the course. Hence, this tool for sure supported the trainer role as project manager, encompassing the initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and control phases of activities, all in real-time, to ensure the successful completion of the training program.

Likelihood of early contractor involvement (ECI) benefits in infrastructure versus building projects: the client’s perception

Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) is a feature that has been used in many construction projects to onboard contractor competence early in the project lifecycle. Recently, there has been a growing interest in testing whether ECI can also be useful for building projects. Following a systematic literature review approach, a comprehensive list of potential benefits of ECI was identified. This study utilizes empirical data collected from 91 respondents from three client organizations to explore the likelihood of these benefits in a project. In general, the results show that improved innovation, enhanced constructability, and greater collaboration are perceived to be the most likely benefits of ECI. The likelihood of ECI benefits is moderated by the type of project, with building projects more likely to benefit from ECI. Regarding job roles, project management professionals are the most optimistic about the likelihood of these benefits. The results also indicate that there is no significant difference in the likelihood of the benefits based on the respondents’ experience with collaborative projects. However, respondents having prior experience with ECI have a different outlook than those without ECI experience for the better quality of solution and reduction in project cost dimensions.

Preparing Project Management Professionals for Construction Careers: Australian Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Educators’ Role

ABSTRACT Work-ready professionals serve as valuable organizational and industry resources. In the face of skills shortages in construction, it is imperative that graduates emerge well equipped for their careers in the industry. This study explores the role of educators in fostering work readiness in graduating project management (PM) professionals embarking on careers in construction. Seventy-five semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with five key stakeholder groups including PM students, early-career PM professionals, construction employers, PM professional body representatives, and PM university educators. In interviewing five key stakeholder groups, this study adopts a holistic approach to investigate the role of educators in preparing a work-ready next generation of construction PM professionals. Thematic analysis revealed that the stakeholders considered that educators’ responsibilities entailed: i) teaching content relevant to industry; ii) providing career education; iii) facilitating work experience; iv) refreshing curriculum; v) engaging in open dialogue with alumni; vi) possessing industry experience; and vii) engaging with industry. The findings contribute insights into the role of educators in preparing graduates for the industry. Educators delivering PM courses for graduates planning to work in construction may use the results of this research as a guide to assist them in fostering work readiness of future construction professionals.

Deploying Value Engineering Strategies for Ameliorating Construction Project Management Performance: A Delphi-SWARA Study Approach

This study was carried out to rank and prioritize the aspects that have been shown to have an impact on the improvement of construction project management (CPM) performance based on value engineering. This analysis was carried out with the Iranian construction industry’s current situation in mind. The respondents and the Delphi panel were chosen from among Iranian managers and project management professionals with a focus on building projects. These professionals had more than 20 years of experience working on international projects, and in addition to their expertise in project management, they also understood the principles of earned value analysis and value engineering. Thus, the components extracted from the literature review were used as the basis for designing a structured interview based on 39 important effective components previously determined as identified factors. The questionnaires were distributed among the experts, and the returned questionnaires were analysed using the SWARA technique to rank the weight and importance of the factors. Using the SWARA method, the opinions of the expert panel members consisting of 20 engineers and a semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather expertise in project management and managers, with a focus on Iranian CPM. As shown by the results, stakeholder management, time value of money, and worth, allocated the first to the third rank to themselves with respective weights of 0.104, 0.103, and 0.087. The sub-criteria of cost objective, function objective, and value objective were in the 37th to 39th ranks with respective weights of 0.00050, 0.00033, and 0.00021.

Communication of project risk assessment information through visuals

Risk assessment is aimed at providing necessary risk-related information to decision-makers for formulating risk mitigation strategies. Poor communication of its context and outputs may lead to misperceptions and wrong judgements. In this research, the role of visualization as an enabler of better communication of risk assessment information is explored using a design science approach. A questionnaire was carried out with project management professionals using the risk report of a case project to understand challenges in interpretation of risk assessment outputs, information and visualization requirements for making better sense of project risk. Based on the findings from the questionnaire, a visual representation, the Risk Box was developed and further tested by semi-structured interviews. Findings reveal that visuals are not only needed for better understanding of probabilistic information but also the context of risk assessment such as relations between individual risks, risk-prone variables, assumptions, scenarios and mitigation strategies.

Project management education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a multi-method approach

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to assess the current state and demand of the project management education. Project management has gained increasing importance as a critical discipline for achieving successful project outcomes in various industries and sectors. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the demand for skilled project management professionals has increased due to different developmental projects and ambitious initiatives like NEOM.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a qualitative multi-method approach to comprehend the objective in depth. In the first round, a systematic literature review (SRL) was applied to explore the state of project management education (PME) in KSA. In the second, structured interviews with professionals were arranged to explore the phenomenon of interest in more detail. Moreover, three case studies were also included to support, comprehend and generalize the findings.FindingsThe study highlights the strengths and gaps in PME. The study also provides an insight to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the PME in KSA. Besides these, the research recommends exploring different avenues for the promotion of PME in the country.Originality/valueThe study offers a pioneering exploration of PME in KSA. It uses a multi-method approach to unveil unique insights into the country's educational landscape and its alignment with global industry standards.

Proposal for A Model Based on Elements and Digital Transformation Project Management Practices to Support Business Agility

Objective: The objective of this article is to present a conceptual model that includes the elements and practices of Digital Transformation project management to support Business Agility, as the adoption of project management practices and digital technologies allows organizations to adapt flexibly to the business environment in which they operate. Method/design/approach: To achieve the objective, field research was carried out using interviews and focus groups. Results and conclusions: Based on the results, it was possible to present a conceptual model that represents the elements and practices of managing Digital Transformation projects to support Business Agility in organizations. Research Contributions: In relation to theoretical contributions, the results obtained from the literature review compared with empirical research allowed discussions to advance on the phenomenon of Digital Transformation and Business Agility. Originality/Value: A practical model capable of supporting project management professionals during the life cycle of Digital Transformation projects stands out.

Measuring Culture in Projects: Scale Development and Validation in a Sample of Turkish Professionals

The purpose of this study is to develop a reliable and valid instrument that can be used in organizations to measure project culture and its effects. Since a project culture is formed within the scope of project goals and activities, the organizational culture also affects this culture. For this purpose, a scale has been developed to determine the level of project culture in organizations and to benefit both academia and practitioners. With Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) of the data obtained at the end of the pilot study, a structure consisting of 38 questions in 5 dimensions (1) Project Value and Awareness, (2) Organization and Systems, (3) Process and Method, (4) Stakeholder and Communication, and (5) Strategy Alignment) was created. As a result of the data received from a sample of 311 Turkish project management professionals, the analyzes were completed with SPSS22 package using factor analyses, confidence analysis and Cronbach Alpha analyses. Additionally, AMOS version 19 was used for confirmatory factor analysis and Structural Equation Modeling. At the end of all these studies, a project culture scale consisting of 22 questions in 5 dimensions was created.

Application Of Neuroleadership Relish Model (Six Social Cognitive Needs) As Team Development Tool By Project Managers In Bulgaria

Project Management is one of the main supply chains today. The project manager’s responsibility is to develop a project team but he is focused on the application of methods and tools and doesn’t take into consideration the fact that the human factor has a 70% impact on project success. On the other hand, Neuroleadership is a powerful tool that can be used by Project Management Professionals to understand better the human factors that impact on the project lifecycle. The purpose of that paper is to explore the application of the RELISH Model as team development tool by Project Managers in Bulgaria. The research is done among project management professionals in Bulgaria, project managers and project team members. The survey method with questions for quantitative analysis is used and the primary data is obtained directly from the respondents by a web-based questionnaire created in Google Forms and distributed by the Researcher’s LinkedIn and Facebook personal profiles, and PMI Bulgaria Chapter communication channels. This study reports Seeing the facts as the most satisfied need with mean 3.8, followed by Leading the pack (3.76) and Hope for the future (3.66). Relatedness and Interpersonal Connection means are almost equal around 3.5. Expression is the need with the lowest mean level of 3.33.

THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON E-LEARNING DELIVERY AS AN APPLICATION PROJECT IN RWANDAN HIGH SCHOOLS

The study adopted descriptive research design using quantitative and qualitative approaches. Agent theory of E-Learning projects planning, and Project management theory of change were used in this study. The population involved in this was staff from NU Vision High School. The total population for this study was therefore composed by 214 persons. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample 139 respondents taken as sample size. Descriptive statistics with frequency distribution and correlation and regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Frequency tables were used to present the data to facilitate understanding and interpretation. The qualitative data was consolidated, analysed in terms of content and a narrative report was produced presenting the respondents' views on explore effect of COVID-19 on E-learning delivery: As an application of project based at NU Vision High School. The study will be a great important to the existing knowledge in E-Learning delivery and will contribute to increasing E-Learning projects planning standards amongst the project management professionals and the entire project industry. Findings indicated that of Access point, internet security database have an effect on E-Learning delivery in NU Vision High School. Besides, findings also revealed the coefficient of correlation equal to r= 0.802, p value=0.000. In this regard, regression analysis was used to conclude the results of the undertaken study and to provide some recommendations. This study recommends that prevent issues regarding the session security, NU Vision High School, should use session ID which is adequately long and unpredictable.

Integration of Project Management Professional (PMP) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the Construction Industry: Systematic Review

Integration of Project Management Professional (PMP) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the Construction Industry: Systematic Review

Investigating the use of Drone Technology for Effective Project Management

This study investigates the pivotal role of drones in enhancing project management within the construction industry, focusing on their applications and impact. The study addresses the prevalent productivity and efficiency challenges in the construction sector. Key areas of inquiry encompass the utilization of drones for aerial surveys, real-time data collection, and safety enhancement in construction projects. The study aspires to furnish comprehensive insights into the benefits, challenges, and best practices associated with the integration of drone technology. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the study combines a thorough ten-year retrospective analysis from 2013 to 2023 with quantitative data collected through surveys distributed to construction companies and professionals involved in project management. Additionally, qualitative data is obtained through interviews with key stakeholders to explore factors influencing the use of drones for effective project management in construction. The findings of this study show drone technology improves site surveying and mapping, enhances progress monitoring and documentation, quality control and defect detection, enables safety monitoring and risk management but it also faces adoption challenges. The conclusion underscores the potential of drones to enhance cost efficiency, time savings, quality, and safety in construction projects. Recommendations advocate for strategic investments in drone technology by construction companies, the establishment of standardized procedures and protocols for its use, provision of comprehensive training programs, development of project management professionals' skills, and collaborative efforts with stakeholders. These recommendations collectively contribute to the optimized incorporation of drones into project management practices within the construction sector.

INVESTIGATING STRATEGIES, METHODOLOGIES, AND TOOLS FOR EFFECTIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT: ANALYSIS OF SUCCESSFUL PRACTICES

This research paper examines the experience of successful professionals in the field of project management with the aim of identifying key strategies, methodologies, and tools that contribute to effective project management. The work emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and professional development for adapting to changing requirements and trends in this field. The study also provides valuable advice and recommendations for aspiring project management professionals seeking success in their careers. Key aspects of the research include analyzing various approaches to project management, applying modern tools to enhance project efficiency, and examining the core competencies and skills required for a successful project manager.

Uncovering the hidden gem: The role of the undervalued quality in projects

Abstract In project management, the conventional focus on time and cost often overshadows quality’s undervalued, yet pivotal role. This study explores the nuanced dimensions of project success, centering on the Iron Triangle components: time, cost and quality (TCQ). Although quality is acknowledged in theoretical definitions, its economic significance and precise impact remain underexplored. This research addresses this gap by scrutinising the interplay between traditional success factors and project economic outcomes. By comparing projects with and without economic benefits, the study examines potential variations in TCQ influence. Furthermore, the research identifies specific traditional success factors associated with economic benefits and probes for a dominant factor with superior impact. A novel Project Unified Index (PUI) is introduced, enabling comprehensive economic performance assessment through TCQ analysis and statistical techniques. Intriguingly, the exploratory analysis reveals that time and quality possess more significant influence despite the apparent correlation between cost and profit. Quality emerges as a potential determinant, its significance often masked by meticulous measurement. This study underscores the paramount importance of quality, necessitating its redefinition across industries in a customer-centric manner. By repositioning quality as a decisive factor, this research reshapes perspectives on project management, steering future investigations towards a comprehensive understanding of quality’s pivotal role. The data for analysis were collected with the participation of a prominent professional project management association and a business master’s program in Hungary.

Success and Risks Related to Housing Projects in Pakistan: A Moderating Role of Project Management Risk Management

This study investigates the critical success factors (CSFs) and their interplay with project risks in determining the success of housing projects in Karachi, Pakistan, while considering the moderating role of risk management. Analyzing data from 432 project management professionals within Karachi-based housing societies, the study establishes significant relationships between CSFs and various project success dimensions, including time, cost, quality, project profile objectives, impact, stakeholder satisfaction, and preparation for the future. Additionally, the research reveals that project risks exert substantial influence on these success dimensions. Risk management is a strong moderator, increasing risk variable’s influence on project results. The findings provide insightful information for decision-makers, recommending the creation of sector-specific rules that place a strong emphasis on the highest standards in risk management and project execution. The construction industry benefits from this since it encourages long-term development and leads to better results for projects.

Competence of project management professionals according to type of project: a systematic literature review

Globalization and economic volatility changed the dynamics of production chains, which required new organizational arrangements from companies, leading them to projectization. Additionally, project professionals are managing increasingly complex projects, which demand an extensive and specific set of competences. In this context, this paper aims to identify the competences of project professionals by project type. A systematic literature review was carried out using the Scopus and Web of Sciences academic databases. The research corpus consisted of 209 articles published between 1989 and 2022. As a result, this research identified 173 competences distributed in 14 different project types; some competences have a greater significance for a given project type. As a contribution, when dealing specifically with projects and competences, project professionals, companies, and educational institutions can learn about the fundamental competences by type of project, improve the processes of selection and diagnosis of the professional, adapt educational programs, or even establish plans for project professionals career.

Big textual data research for operations management: topic modelling with grounded theory

PurposeThere is a growing need for methodological plurality in advancing operations management (OM), especially with the emergence of machine learning (ML) techniques for analysing extensive textual data. To bridge this knowledge gap, this paper introduces a new methodology that combines ML techniques with traditional qualitative approaches, aiming to reconstruct knowledge from existing publications.Design/methodology/approachIn this pragmatist-rooted abductive method where human-machine interactions analyse big data, the authors employ topic modelling (TM), an ML technique, to enable constructivist grounded theory (CGT). A four-step coding process (Raw coding, expert coding, focused coding and theory building) is deployed to strive for procedural and interpretive rigour. To demonstrate the approach, the authors collected data from an open-source professional project management (PM) website and illustrated their research design and data analysis leading to theory development.FindingsThe results show that TM significantly improves the ability of researchers to systematically investigate and interpret codes generated from large textual data, thus contributing to theory building.Originality/valueThis paper presents a novel approach that integrates an ML-based technique with human hermeneutic methods for empirical studies in OM. Using grounded theory, this method reconstructs latent knowledge from massive textual data and uncovers management phenomena hidden from published data, offering a new way for academics to develop potential theories for business and management studies.

Contemporary Issues in Project Management: The Burj Khalifa Project

This research delves into the pivotal analysis of diverse, globally dispersed project teams operating remotely, presenting a comprehensive examination of the evolving landscape of project management. In the contemporary era of remote work, project managers and team members face unprecedented challenges necessitating a reassessment of skill sets. The paradigm shift towards remote collaboration underscores the significance of understanding cultural nuances, communication technologies, and virtual team dynamics. Drawing on research by Dinsmore and Cabanis-Brewin (2019), the paper highlights the critical role of navigating cultural diversity and fostering effective virtual communication for project success in globally dispersed teams. Furthermore, the study explores the evolving requirements for project managers and team members, emphasizing skills beyond traditional project management. Referencing the work of Hidalgo (2019), the paper accentuates the importance of adaptability, digital literacy, and proficiency in collaborative technologies. As remote work becomes standard practice, project professionals must cultivate skills in virtual leadership, conflict resolution in virtual settings, and leveraging technology for seamless collaboration. This academic exploration underscores the imperative for project management professionals to continually develop a diverse skill set aligned with the demands of contemporary, globally dispersed project teams operating in remote environments.

Accessing the factors that affect the implementation of successful project management for TETFUND-sponsored projects in the South East, Nigeria (2011–2021)

As important as the knowledge acquired via the teaching and learning process in tertiary institutions is the infrastructure in tertiary education. This is the case since infrastructure is one of the facilities that primarily supports the teaching and learning process. In Nigeria, tertiary education has faced and continues to face a number of difficulties throughout the years, one of which is the deterioration of the infrastructure necessary for professional and National University Commission (NUC) accreditation. The improper implementation of project management and the absence of integration of the services of the professional project manager in various TETFund Intervention Projects are two of the biggest difficulties experienced in the implementation of TETFund-Sponsored Projects. The upshot of this is that TETFund-Sponsored Projects have been delivered unsuccessfully. For this study project, the quantitative research method was used. For this study, official documentation of Annual Intervention Projects in 10 public recipient universities in South-East Nigeria was obtained. This study indicates that all the parameters indicated are drivers of successful project management with mean ratings over 2.5 based on the results it has received and assessed. The overall rating was 2.9, which is also higher than the benchmark norm. We reject the null hypothesis and come to the conclusion that there is no significant relationship between the variables of completed within time, not completed within time, completed but delayed, and not completed yet behind schedule. Hypothesis testing revealed that the value of the t-statistics (0.049) was below 0.05. Keywords: Determinants, Implementation, Infrastructure, Project, Management.

Project performance and the effects of human activity: a case study of the University of Salford

Conflict is common in the project management industry. Project performance may be impacted negatively or favourably by human activities such as competing interests among stakeholders, project team members, and project managers, as well as by the intimidating methodology and structure of the project management process. This case study at the University of Salford looked into how human activity affects project management and performance. The mixed methodology used in this study allowed for a deeper understanding of the real-world experiences of the subjects and project teams. Project management students and professionals from the University of Salford provided the data, which was collected. The survey generated a sample size of 40 responses, of which 37 were reliable enough for analysis. At the University of Salford, it was discovered that relationships among team members were a crucial human activity that promoted cooperation, trust, and the extension of trust to others, thereby reducing conflict and ties of trust between stakeholders and project managers. However, positive team dynamics and strong group cohesion are required to actively and purposefully encourage conflict in order to achieve the project's aim, goals, and deliverables. Conflict in project performance and project management productivity, for example, may be reversed. Therefore, to achieve high performance and productivity, the project management process needs strong communication, positive team dynamics, and an understanding of scope. Conflict can have a negative effect on the process, lowering productivity and performance. Project managers should develop their communication skills to avoid this because it is a soft skill that can be learned and enhanced. This guarantees proper coordination, awareness of all stakeholders, and a decrease in conflict.