Project Work Research Articles

Accelerated life in academic capitalism: PhD student’s time experience in project work

AbstractIn the context of accelerated knowledge production, projectification is a typical form of work under academic capitalism, profoundly reshaping the practice and conditions of academic research. The doctoral students’ experience of time in research projects contributes to understand the consequences of the extension of the time system within projectification to the doctoral student in academic capitalism. Based on semi-structured interviews with 12 doctoral students, this article explores what kind of discomforts and difficulties pose for doctoral students caused by time constraints in projects and how they cope with the challenges. Employing 4C (Compress, Commodification, Control, Colonisation) model of project time, four patterns of negative effects caused by time conflicts are summarised. By the lens of value orientation, considering four modes of strategies to time tension depending on whether achievement-oriented or self-care-oriented, students are identified as Balancers, Realists, the Resilient, and Avoiders. This article develops the application of the 4C model in doctoral students’ academic time regimes and the four modes of their strategies, which contributes to an understanding of doctoral students’ perceptions of temporal tension in projectification and their initiative embedded in structural conditions of the academic capitalism.

A joint work package sizing and scheduling problem considering resource constraints with a look-ahead heterogeneous reinforcement learning method

Effective work package sizing and project scheduling are crucial for construction project management. However, existing studies often address them as separate optimisation problems, neglecting the interactive nature of these processes. In practical scenarios with limited resources, there is an increasing demand for integrating work package sizing and project scheduling to enhance project management efficiency. This research aims to bridge this gap by developing an integer non-linear programming model that incorporates work package sizing and project scheduling while considering their interaction within a resource-constrained environment. Moreover, we introduce a novel look-ahead heterogeneous reinforcement learning approach that dynamically adjusts work package sizes and project schedules based on observed information at each decision step. A look-ahead sequential decision mechanism is proposed to effectively address the interdependencies and constraints inherent in the joint model. We extend the heterogeneous agent mirror learning technique to our problem to improve sample efficiency and ensure progressive enhancement of the joint policy. To evaluate our approach's effectiveness, we conduct experiments using datasets of 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 tasks from Rangen and PSPLIB and validate our method in a real-world modular integrated construction project. The experimental results reveal that a joint model integrating work package sizing and project scheduling offers a more comprehensive understanding of their interplay, leading to better resource utilisation and improved project schedules. A comparative analysis against existing state-of-the-art reinforcement learning and priority rule-based methods further substantiates the superior effectiveness of our proposed approach, yielding an approximate 5% reduction in total project cost.

Generative AI and its Impact on Activities and Assessment in Higher Education: Some Recommendations from Master's Students

The rapid development of generative AI (GenAI) raises new questions in higher education such as: What should be the university policy regarding GenAI? How ought courses be redesigned for fair and resilient assessment? What the added pedagogical and didactical values when involving GenAI in teaching and learning activities? Different universities have rapidly created and presented contradictory standpoints and draft policies, and teachers show different opinions regarding the pros and cons of GenAI. This study has been carried out with a student perspective, where 16 students have been examining their own Master's programme on sustainable information provision. Students have assessed the assessment in their previous courses in the Master's programme. The aim of the study is to investigate how sustainable course activities and assignment are, and to explore how GenAI tools might support and facilitate teaching and learning activities. Moreover, the students were given the task to test detection software on GenAI generated solutions to assignments in chosen Master's courses. Students conducted these tasks as a part of a 7.5 ECTS project course in the same Master's programme as the investigated courses are a part of. For inspiration and for background information on artificial intelligence to the project work students participated in the first Symposium on AI Opportunities and Challenges (SAIOC) in December 2023. Data have been gathered from reports of 3 group projects where 16 students have investigated 5 freely chosen courses in the programme in each group work. Beside from testing GenAI tools in existing activities and assignments students also interviewed the subject matter experts that are responsible for the chosen courses. Results were firstly analysed and presented in group reports, combined with 16 individual reflection essays. Regarding the individual essays students were instructed to bring up ethical perspectives on GenAI in higher education, and also to present and discuss suggestions for how the current course design and assignments better could be redesigned for improved sustainability and fairness. Finally, all the group reports and the individual reflection essays were thematically analysed by the author, who also is the subject matter expert and main teacher for the project course. Findings show that many of the existing assignments in the Master's programme could be partly solved with different GenAI tools. The AI generated solutions showed different levels of quality and correctness for different types of activities and assignments. An ethical concern that many student essays brought up was the relatively poor quality of the tested detection software. A question in one of the essays was if teachers should use detection software with an accuracy rate just above 50% to evaluate student submissions. The recommendations from both the students and the author are to provide clear instructions about when GenAI is allowed and not in course activities, and to redesign the course structure for continuous assessment. With or without GenAI tools, a continuous assessment where the whole study path through a course is assessed, and not only isolated submissions, would strengthen fairness and sustainability. Finally, several students suggest oral examinations as a complement to the existing assessment methods, even if their findings showed that GenAI tools can be used to prepare oral presentations.

What influences the on-site recycling behaviour of C&D plastic waste in Australia? An action determination model approach

While the recycling of construction waste has received widespread attention, plastic waste generated at construction sites has been overlooked. At the same time, existing studies on pro-environmental behaviour have only considered practical knowledge of implementing recycling, while ignoring the possible impact of circular economy knowledge on recycling behaviour. This study investigates on-site personnel's behaviour regarding C&D plastic waste recycling through the lens of the comprehensive action determination model (CADM), which uniquely incorporates behaviour as a key variable and extends with moderating effect of knowledge of the circular economy. Utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), results indicate that perceived behavioural control is the most substantial factor influencing recycling behaviour of plastic waste on construction sites rather than intention. This is in stark contrast to existing pro-environmental behaviours research and reflects the importance of providing resources and encouragement to increase personnel's confidence in performing recycling behaviours on site, contributing more to actual behaviours than intention. Key areas for improvement were identified, including management encouragement, resource allocation (site area, timeline, budget), and recycling training. Contrary to expectations, awareness of the circular economy did not statistically significantly moderate the predictors of recycling behaviour and intentions, perhaps because participants had limited knowledge of plastic consumption and recycling rates in the construction industry. As construction personnel become more familiar with the circular economy, future research should re-evaluate these moderating effects and consider conducting categorical moderation analyses with larger sample sizes, incorporating variables such as work experience, project type, and project phase.

Soundings: views from the urban forest: eulogy for urban trees

ABSTRACT Around the world trees are being removed unnecessarily for urban development works. At a recent protest rally against the removal of thousands of trees for a major road work project in Melbourne, Australia, local community groups and citizens gathered to protest and mourn the loss of over 20,000 trees. The protest took the form of a funeral service for the trees lost and as customary, a eulogy was delivered.

Factors Influencing the Quality of Undergraduate Students' Degree Projects: From Student and Supervisor Perspectives.

Degree projects are part of most professional study programmes and correspond to professional and academic requirements. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate factors that influence the quality of student degree projects from a supervisor and student perspective. Semi-structured interviews were performed with eight supervisors from the study programme in dentistry at Karolinska Institutet. The interviews were transcribed. The first part was summarised and described, and the second part was analysed thematically. Also, a questionnaire was completed by 45 students in their 7th and 9th semesters of the study programme. Student responses were summarised and described. The main findings indicate a convergence of expectations and perspectives between supervisors and students regarding the factors that influence the quality of the degree project. They emphasise the importance of realistic expectations, feasibility and adherence to academic standards for a high-quality outcome. Effective supervision involves the supervisor being readily available, responsive to student inquiries and supportive in time-management. Conversely, students are expected to demonstrate motivation, engagement and increasing autonomy. Additionally, both agree that the project should be engaging, relevant to the supervisor's expertise and the student's interests, contribute to personal and academic growth and ideally result in a publication. Taken together, supervisors and students share grounds for the degree project work, which is an important condition for ensuring a qualitatively sound degree project. Sharing expectations and perspectives in the beginning and having a continuously open dialogue concerning this issue during the degree project work benefits a sustainable collaboration and ensures quality.

Management of the Portfolio of Works For A Public Hospital Complex

Objectives: The main objective of this research is to develop a decision-making support model for prioritizing works projects in a public hospital complex, establishing criteria for characterizing and evaluating these projects. Theoretical reference: Strategic management; management control; project portfolio management; multi-criteria analysis; hospital works projects. Method: This is a quantitative exploratory research based on the Multi-Criterion Decision Support Methodology (MCDA), whose primary data are derived from semi-structured questionnaires. This methodology makes it possible to carry out a multi-criterion analysis of a large quantity of information, involving conflicting interests amongst themselves in decision-making contexts of high uncertainty and high complexity. Results and Discussion: A model for evaluating demands was developed, consisting of 16 criteria for analysis (descriptors), grouped into four thematic groups, whose measurement scales, once transformed into cardinal quantities, present the performance of each characteristic under study and make possible the construction of a global model for evaluating demands. These criteria are based on the decision-makers' perceptions of the institutional needs of works projects, revealing their concerns about the infrastructure problems in the body's buildings. Implications of Research: The implementation of this model leads to the creation of a service queue for the demands of works projects that materializes the priority actions in the area of infrastructure from the objectives, expectations and preferences of the decision makers. In the end, the model developed makes it possible, starting from the attribution and weighting of values, to define institutional priorities. Originality/Value: The research points to a path for overcoming major challenges in the decision-making on the prioritization of works projects in a public hospital, highlighting the high volume of demands, conflicts of interest, resource constraint and obsolescence of buildings and equipment.

SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS ON AGILE PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN PUBLIC SECTOR

The public sector is transforming by adopting an agile approach to overcome bureaucratic rigidity and lagging the private sector. The aim is to overcome the limitations of traditional approaches by encouraging flexibility in planning, operations, and service delivery. In the face of diverse, agile characteristics, further research is required on the challenges and best practices other public sector organizations can adopt. This research identifies key challenges in agile implementation within the PMBOK 7th edition project performance domains with the most issues: Development Approach and Life Cycle and Project Work Domain. Using a systematic literature review (SLR), 35 of 680 reviewed papers were selected as references. The biggest challenges were in the Project Work Domain, dominated by the context of monitoring new work and changes, project processes, and procurement processes. Best practices were identified to address these challenges and guide other public sectors in supporting more flexible and responsive public service delivery.

Quantification of Facial Geometrical Dimension for Student Attendance Tracking

The traditional method of manual attendance-taking has been used in educational institutions for decades which have consumed one-sixth amount of class time for attendance marking. Great research on attendance systems has come up with techniques like biometrics, NFC’s and QR codes. Moreover, with advancements in technology, this research project can provide a more efficient and effective solution. This research project utilizes image processing, computer vision and facial recognition technology to mark the attendance of the students in class. The objectives of the system are registration of facial image, perform landmarking of the facial image and develop automated attendance system. As a result, this project works by installing a camera on top of the board which detects the student faces and performs attendance marking. Now is the time to implement this system in schools, institutions, colleges, and universities to streamline the attendance-taking process. This automated system will not only save time and effort but will also provide accurate attendance records, which will benefit both management and students.

Exploring the effective reuse rate of materials and elements in the construction sector

In North-West European countries, the uptake of reusing construction elements following their first use in a building is still low. Although a large number of elements are technically reusable, they end up being recycled by crushing ormelting, or simply disposed of. This results in a high environmental impact and a net loss of economic value. This study aims to define a framework that can guide project managers, public and local authorities, as well as other organisations in setting, measuring, and reporting rates of material reuse in construction and renovation projects. To support this, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 32 construction and renovation projects that have incorporated reclaimed elements. To quantify the effective reuse rates, the data are categorised according to the types of work, functional layers, and type of projects. In summary, achievable reused targets can be determined for the structural layer (1–5% in mass), skin layer 5–15 % in mass), space plan layer (10–25 % in mass), and for outdoor surfaces (0–50 % in mass). Results confirm the contextual nature of reuse practices, emphasising that the achieved rates of reuse are linked to project types in specific layers, and depend on the overall quantity of materials in a project. It also underscores the importance of integrating reuse rate calculations proactively at the beginning of the project, particularly during the preparation of the bill of quantities. This can be accomplished by utilising appropriate procurement strategies, as-built documentation, monitoring material flows during works, and establishing a detailed record of reclaimed building elements.

Metadata for Everyone: Identifying Metadata Quality Issues Across Cultures

Metadata is crucial to the dissemination and communication of research. Quality metadata facilitates discovery and access and provides contextual, technical, and administrative information in a standard form. Yet metadata are also sites of tension between sociocultural representations, resource constraints, and standardized systems. Formal and informal interventions may be interpreted as metadata quality issues, political acts to assert identity, or strategic curatorial choices to maximize discoverability and visibility. This presentation documents the work of Public Knowledge Project (PKP) and Crossref on the Metadata for Everyone project to understand how metadata quality, consistency, and completeness impact individuals and communities. Working from a sample of records known to have erroneous, incomplete, or otherwise imperfect metadata, we set out to identify and classify issues stemming from how metadata and communities press up against each other to intentionally reflect (or not) cultural meanings.

Corporate Technology for the Implementation of an Automated System: Functional, Technological and Methodological Aspects

The purpose of the study is to form a methodological justification for the pedagogical model of the individual trajectory of professional development of bachelors and masters for the implementation of the stages of creating an automated system based on the principles of continuity and experimental verification of its application in the educational process of the university in accordance with the requirements of IT departments, vendors and employers. It is shown that there is a gap between the socio-economic order for the training of IT specialists with high professional competence in the field of information systems and the insufficient level of targeted formation of their readiness to implement the stages of creating automated systems. In addition, the lack of methods and practical recommendations for the implementation of such systems in the context of maximum preservation of corporate standards and taking into account the requirements of Russian legislation, as well as specialists competent in these matters, determined the feasibility of conducting the study in two aspects - functional-technological and pedagogical.Methods and materials. The key methods are structural-functional and process modeling, interactive methods of organizing the educational process (project method, etc.). The research materials include a functional model for developing a corporate technology for implementing an automated system in the form of a function tree.Results. The results present a model of causes and factors determining the success of the projects for the implementation of the automatization systems. The role of the factor “qualification of the performing team” and the possibilities of the educational environment of the university to influence this factor are considered. The pedagogical aspect of the research problem is determined by the methodological justification for conducting students’ project work within a number of disciplines for training bachelors and masters in the field of “Applied Informatics”. The description of the structure and requirements for students’ projects gives an idea of the level of formed competencies, their consistency with the work functions of specialists in the field of information systems.Conclusion. At this stage of work on the research problem, its dual nature was determined. On the one hand, modern IT projects require their own technologies and management methodologies, which should change from project to project, so it is important to have practical recommendations for the development of corporate technology for the implementation of an automated system. On the other hand, one of the success factors of the project for the implementation of an automated system is the “Project Implementation Team”, its level of qualification. This factor is successfully determined and influenced by educational institutions responsible for training specialists in this field. In this direction, the project method plays a key role. It ensures the development of communication skills, the ability to independently pose a problem and develop a way to solve it together. Methodological aspects and practical results, generalizing the pedagogical model for training bachelors in the field of creating automated systems presented in the paper, as well as the development of corporate technology for the implementation of information systems, were reflected in three electronic multimedia educational publications: “Portfolio of Software Engineering Projects”, “Theory and Practice of IS Implementation”, “Theory and Practice of IS Maintenance”.

Automation in Greenhouse using IoT

This work provides an IoT-based plant monitoring system for avoiding over-exploitation of resources, ensuring compact design with easy installation and the best environment for the plants to grow. This type of agricultural monitoring system provides environmental monitoring services that help the crop grow in good shape. The system offers the service of storing a database about the environment and soil information acquired from a wireless sensor network deployed in the planted area. Furthermore, it enables users to track environmental data regarding planted crops in real-time using any Internet-enabled device. Our project introduces automatic sunlight prevention and soil moisture control based on data received from the moisture and temperature sensors. The proposed work is implemented using a microcontroller, programmed accordingly to measure the temperature and moisture using respective sensors. It is well capable of controlling temperature by operating a fan, controlling a shade for blocking excess sunlight and controlling moisture by operating a watering device through a motor. The potential outcome of the project work can be used for greenhouse

Younger Generations Want To Change Jobs: Here’s How Employers Can Keep Them

This article examines the research showing differences in career expectations between younger Millennial and Generation Z workers versus older generations, with younger workers prioritizing opportunities for growth, learning new skills, flexibility in work arrangements, and finding meaning and purpose through social impact, valuing recognition and being less satisfied with static roles in contrast to older generations' focus on job stability and employer loyalty. If left unaddressed, this generational gap could lead to higher turnover as organizations struggle to adapt, but some companies are proactively implementing strategies aligned with younger worker needs, like Deloitte focusing on development through rotations and mentorship to increase retention, and Anthropic focusing on flexible work and social impact projects to attract engineers. The article then proposes specific actions in human resources, leadership development, and culture that companies can take to better engage younger talent, including offering learning opportunities, flexibility, conducting stay interviews, rewarding growth, and promoting diversity, demonstrating how companies like Deloitte, Kickstarter, and Chobani operationalize these strategies through a focus on learning, flexibility, social purpose, and inclusion to strengthen retention of younger generations entering the workforce.

Responses of teachers in Scotland to the reintroduction of the practical project in the advanced higher chemistry curriculum

Abstract Many pupils who study chemistry in Scotland and intend to progress to university undertake a final capstone practical research project as part of their Advanced Higher chemistry qualification. This project work was suspended for several years due to COVID-19, then reintroduced in 2023/24. We surveyed 47 Scottish teachers during this first project year using a mixed-methods survey, and found that resource availability had the biggest impact on projects, with over half of respondents reporting that they asked pupils to buy materials and a third committing their own money. Technician support was seen as critical to success, but project selection was heavily curtailed by the availability of existing equipment or chemicals, even as teachers made good use of available professional development and other forms of support. We finally make recommendations around the resourcing of project work and teacher/technician CPD provision.

Assessing the effectiveness of implementing immersive technologies within university sustainable development systems

The subject of this study is the processes of assessing the effectiveness of the implementation of immersive technologies in the systems of sustainable development at universities. The problem that determined the purpose of the work is the lack of methodological tools for assessing the level of efficiency in the implementation of immersive technologies on the basis of sustainable development (using an example of Lviv Polytechnic National University). The authors’ toolkit includes a system of indicators, a methodological approach to the use of software for their evaluation, and a matrix for interpreting the results. The choice of the efficiency assessment method is based on the theory of fuzzy sets. The study of the factors influencing the effectiveness of the implementation of immersive technologies in the educational process has made it possible to form a system of integrated indicators, including indicators designed to comprehensively identify its level in the student and teaching environments. The indicator of effectiveness of immersive technologies implemented by students contributes to a thorough analysis of their ability to generate innovations based on such technologies. This indicator allows lecturers to determine the level of effectiveness of the use of immersive technologies in teaching. Taking into account the ideology embedded in the sustainable development systems of universities, the authors' indicators reflect the principles of sustainability. The GE/McKinsey matrix was adapted for the purpose of economic interpretation of mathematical results. The designed methodological tools were tested for courses at the Lviv Polytechnic. The following levels of student performance were obtained: 83.5, 61.5, and 69.8 units, lecturers – 91.2, 78.4, and 82.7 units, which indicates the productivity of lecturer training and a high level of students' understanding of project work tasks. This proved the validity and possibility of using the tools in university practice

Best practices in creating partnerships for transformative engaged learning experiences at a small, liberal arts, Lasallian institution

AbstractAll undergraduate students at Saint Mary's College of California, a small, private institution, are required to complete an engaged learning (EL) course or experience for graduation. This graduation requirement was established to provide students with the opportunity to learn in and from the community; an important value from the principles of the Liberal Arts and Catholic Lasallian traditions that inform the College's pedagogy. The social justice and community engagement center on campus called the Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action (CILSA), establishes EL partnerships with nonprofit organizations, school districts, campus departments, and other higher education institutions throughout California for EL courses, internships, place‐based work, and research projects. We value the expertise of our partners and view them as co‐educators in creating transformative learning experiences for nearly 600 students annually. In this article, we will share our process in sustaining community partnerships, our scaffolding engagement efforts, and best practices for collaborating with partners.

In development intervention, professionals aim to enhance working practices and interaction

Abstract Background The social services and healthcare professions are experiencing a global labor shortage. Enhancing the appeal and retention requires the development of work and processes through community-level interventions that reduce workload and bolster resources. Further research into such interventions is necessary. This study focuses on a systematic community-based practice development model (Breakthrough Collaboratives) to evaluate the change in alignment with the development intervention’s objectives and the prerequisites for change. The evaluation will utilize the process evaluation model for well-being at work projects and health promotion interventions. Methods This qualitative process evaluation employs a multi-case study approach to depict the changes occurring during the development intervention. It assesses the development processes of fifteen workplaces across Finland. The research material includes recorded group discussions from the initial workshop, where professionals establish goals and development targets for their work. The qualitative data are analyzed using content analysis. The analysis is guided by questions such as: What goals and development objectives do participants set for their work? What workplace-specific characteristics inform these objectives? Results Preliminary findings indicate that the work units’ development objectives concentrate on updating the unit’s common rules, enhancing the induction process for new employees, improving work behavior, and refining meeting practices. Workplace-specific characteristics differ based on the work unit’s sector, the level of trust among professionals, and their willingness to critically evaluate management. Additionally, competence and professionalism emerge as prominent themes in group discussions. Conclusions In a workplace development intervention, professionals aim to enhance common working practices and interaction, with the goal of improving well-being at work. Key messages • Enhancing operational practices and promoting positive interpersonal conduct among colleagues constitutes a pivotal goal in advancing social and health care work units. • The Community based intervention provides workplaces with concrete models to support co-creation and permanent changes in working practices.

Disability-adjusted life years 19 former socialist economies in the European region, 1990-2019

Abstract Background Within the Western Balkan Strategic Partnership Project (Work Package 4: Use of Population Health Metrics for Enhanced Surveillance), we conducted a study to describe health progress in 19 former socialist economies (FSEs) in Europe from 1990 to 2019. Our metric of choice was age and sex-standardized rates per 100,000 population of total disability-adjusted life years (ASR-DALY). Methods We applied joinpoint regression with extracted ASR-DALY data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation result tool. The annual per cent change (APC) and average annual per cent change (AAPC) from 1990 to 2019 were analyzed in 19 former socialist economies (FSEs) in Europe, including Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH), Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. Results The ASR-DALY decreased in Estonia (APC1994-1997= -5.2%, p = 0.034; APC2013-2019= -0.7%, p = 0.07), Latvia (APC1994-1997= -6.3%, p = 0.03; APC1997-2007= -1%, p = 0.001; APC2007-2011= -3.9%, p = 0.01), BH (APC1995-1998= -13.3%, p = 0.041; APC1998-2019= -0.5%, p = 0.004), Bulgaria (APC1997-2000= -2.5%, p = 0.022), Lithuania (APC2007-2010= -4.9%, p = 0.018), North Macedonia (APC2007-2011= -1.9%, p = 0.023, APC2011-2019= -0.5%, p = 0.005), Czechia (APC2014-2019= -0.6%, p = 0.014), Moldavia (APC1998-2007= -0.6%, p = 0.06), and Ukraine (APC1995-2008= -0.5%, p = 0.035). Slovenia performed the best amongst the FSEs (ASR-DALY2019: 16677.51 for women, 21985.95 for men and 19134.73 for both sexes), Ukraine the worst (ASR-DALY2019: 26154.88 for women, 47983.60 for men and 35852.17 for both sexes). Conclusions Except for Ukraine, all FSEs in the European region achieved health improvement. The most common was a three-year decline in ASR-DALY. Health policy changes, investments in health care, and harmonization with EU regulations were among the factors contributing to improved population health in the FSEs. Key messages • Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only FSE in Europe with a continuous 24-year decline in total ASR-DALY. • Reducing total ASR-DALY significantly in a three-year time frame is possible.

The impact of garbage codes on the quality of death coding in Belgrade in 2010, 2015, and 2020

Abstract Background Accurate data on the causes of death (CoDs) is the foundation for analyzing the health situation and developing health policy in various countries. The percentage of garbage codes (GCs) indicates the quality of the CoDs data. Within the Western Balkan Strategic Partnership Project (Work Package 4: Use of Population Health Metrics for Improved Surveillance), we evaluated the impact of the four levels of GCs on the quality of mortality data of Belgrade. Methods In a retrospective study, we examined the underlying CoDs of Belgrade residents by age and sex and the change in GCs’ share in the CoDs in 2010, 2015, and 2020. We used anonymous individual mortality data and population age and sex annual data from the electronic databases of the City Institute of Public Health of Belgrade, as well as the list of GS levels 1-4 from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study. Results Over the observed years, the percentage of all GCs in underlying CoDs was approximately 20%. The GCs with profound policy implications level 1 accounted for 52% of all GCs in 2020, higher than those recorded in previous years - 46.3% in 2010 and 45.1% in 2015. The total number of GCs per 100,000 inhabitants in Belgrade was the highest in 2020, with a rate of 325.2/100,000 (males: 374.4, females: 301.3). This rate has increased by about one-third since 2010 (both sexes: 245.4, males: 269.2, females: 221.1) and by about two-fifths since 2015 (both sexes: 235.8, males: 262.7, females: 211.8). Conclusions This research has revealed a significant decline in the quality of data related to the causes of death in Belgrade. One-fifth of the recorded causes of death are inaccurate or unreliable. The study highlights the importance of maintaining strict protocols for data collection, analysis, and management to ensure the accuracy and reliability of CoDs data in developing effective public health policies. Key messages • The rate of total garbage codes per 100,000 inhabitants of Belgrade has increased by about two-fifths since 2015. • Failure in quality, accuracy, and reliability of causes of death can lead to suboptimal health policymaking.