The evaluation of communication management practices relationship with project outcome in Eswatini (Swaziland) construction industry

  • Authors: Khanyile, Nokulunga S. M.
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Construction projects - Management , Construction industry - Management , Construction industry - Communication systems
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/437395 , uj:37977
  • Description: Abstract: Communication management has long been acknowledged in the construction industry, as one of the essential knowledge areas of project management that influence the success of a project. However, there dearth consensus on the management of communication practices that are associated with effective communication management. Furthermore, the undertaking of communication management practices in construction projects are not given much priority. Therefore, the intention of this research was to establish the communication management practices that influence project outcome in Eswatini (Swaziland) and propose a relationship model amongst the two. To achieve the study purpose, a critical analysis of literature on the challenges of implementing communication management practices and the benefits of using communication management practices was conducted. Further, evaluation was carried out on the communication management practices as well as the communication management practices relationship with project outcome. .. , M.Tech. (Construction Management)
  • Full Text:

Critical factors that influence project success in the infrastructural project

  • Authors: Mohale, Nkwetsi Rosina
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Project management , Construction projects - Management , Infrastructure (Economics) , Construction industry - Management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/293869 , uj:31963
  • Description: M.Ing. (Engineering Management) , Abstract: Organizations are increasingly using project management practices as their way of arranging work to achieve the objectives set within their organisation, and these enforces organisations to view success as the combination of both project management success and projects. Ever since project management has been acknowledged as an effective and competent method of managing projects, almost all kinds of organizations, such as municipalities, engineering companies, Government, Industries, construction, etc., have implemented project management as a tool to reduce project delay and improve project success within their organizations. It is well known and common belief, that a project failure is when the project did not satisfy or meet the cost, time and quality requirement of an organization. While the word “success” is not always easily measured and defined due to different meanings from different people. Therefore this research attempts to establish and understand the literature review based on project success, the main aim is to understand the meaning of project success in depth. The second objective is to determine the critical success factors that influence project success in both construction and infrastructural projects. Project management was initiated in the early 1950s by military; however, it embedded from the early 19th century. Since then project management has been known as a distinct and advanced notion of management used to drive the goals and objectives of an organization, as well as agendas at economic development. The initial motivation was based on the benefits that project management offer in co-ordinating and allocating work to different departments and professions, organizing jobs around different projects and ensuring the critical necessity for communication. Since then project management has been recognized as an effective and competent method to handle projects. However, even though project management has been recognized as a competent and efficient method to facilitate projects that do not rule out the failure of projects. According to literature reviews, it is clearly recognized that there are different kinds of projects with different demands, different characteristics and different needs upon them. This research indicates that there are many reasons why a project fails in the infrastructure projects and construction. Research data was collected in the form of questionnaires, data gathered from a literature reviews was used to formulate the basis of developing the research questionnaire which was distributed and completed by the engineers, project managers, consultants and personnel working within infrastructural project across South Africa...
  • Full Text:

Improving construction projects delivery through project management system

  • Authors: Sepotokele, Mpho Abram
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Construction industry - Management , Construction projects - Management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/293770 , uj:31950
  • Description: M.Phil. (Engineering Management) , Abstract: The main aim of this study was to assess the procedures of a project management system in order to benefit service delivery within the North West Department Public Works & Roads. The literature review provided the essentials of construction project management which are inter alia project constraints, time and costs. These essentials were discussed together with the responsibility for control and coordination of the activities of consultants, main sub-contractors, processes and procedures. Furthermore, the literature review touched on organisational structures and how they influence project management systems. The study was conducted by means of a mixed approach, namely qualitative and quantitative. The researcher made use of questionnaires, interviews and document analysis to collect and analyse data. Of the 70 questionnaires emailed to construction stakeholders in the North West Province, forty were retrieved. The major findings of the study  Poor design capacity and frequent designs impact negatively on quality and hence lead to failure. Clearly, poor contract management causes project failures.  There are complicated projects which failed in the past and are still continuing.  The client does not work according to the original plan but initiates variation in orders along the project life cycle, which is time consuming.  The designers do not have the capacity to design a perfect project and for that reason they keep on changing what they design.  Late awarding of contracts by the client has a negative impact on the delivery of projects. An assumption would be that the contractor does not have enough time to analyse the details of the contract and rather tries to beat the deadlines and compromise quality.  Planning processes and planning of the projects are disregarded, hence lead to failures.  The consultants have the capacity to implement poor decisions which ultimately has negative bearings on the projects.  Contractors poorly manage either their resources or their processes and this impacts negatively on the projects allocated to them by clients.  It implies that the contractors carrying out projects have inadequate experience...
  • Full Text:

Evaluating the influence of risk management practices on project success of small and medium construction enterprises in the South African construction industry

  • Authors: Yembi Renault, Berenger
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Construction industry - Management , Construction projects - Management , Project management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/262958 , uj:27793
  • Description: M.Tech. (Construction Management) , Abstract: Risk management is acknowledged as a key activity in project management in order to deliver successful construction projects. However, the complexity and the risk environment in which construction projects are undertaken leads to poor project performance, especially among small and medium construction enterprises (SMEs) whose contribution to the economy is substantial. The main objective of this study was to establish the risk management practices that are tailored for the successful delivery of construction projects undertaken by SMEs. Therefore, develop a construction risk management model at project level for SMEs. A critical review of relevant literature was conducted which was used to develop a structured questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was first pilot tested with four construction SMEs before its dissemination to construction SMEs who were conveniently sampled in the Gauteng province of South Africa. A total of 225 questionnaires were sent out, 187 were returned of which 181 were deemed usable representing approximately 80% response rate. Descriptive and inferential statistics using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 23 were used to empirically analyse the data. The validity and reliability of the nine factors of the risk management model were determined using Oblimin with Kaiser Normalisation rotation. Furthermore, Kaiser’s criterion and parallel analysis were also used as measures of the nine factors as well as the forty-two variables. Multiple regression analysis (MRA) was used to establish the relationships of the risk management factors and the project performance outcome. Empirical findings established that variations by the client, design variations, incomplete approval and inadequate program scheduling were deemed to have a high impact on project time outcome. It was further revealed that design variations had a high impact on project cost outcome followed by variations by the client, occurrence of dispute and incomplete or inaccurate cost estimates. Furthermore, project quality outcome was highly impacted by the lack of coordination between project participants, low management competency of subcontractors, design variations, and incomplete or inaccurate cost estimates. In addition, accidents due to poor safety procedure, the absence of fire safety systems on site, equipment damage and labour injuries were deemed to have a high impact on project health and safety outcome. Further exploration of the empirical findings revealed that variation by the client, design variation, incomplete approval, and unsuitable construction program planning can...
  • Full Text:

The use of collaborative models to improve the performance of construction supply chains in South Africa

  • Authors: Masemeni, Neo Malose
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Construction industry - Management , Construction projects - Management , Business logistics
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/213426 , uj:21151
  • Description: Abstract: Construction supply chains around the world are known for their fragmented and adversarial methods, sometimes making contracting relationships very difficult to administer. The study intended to evaluate collaborative project management techniques to improve the overall performance of construction supply chains in South Africa. Secondary data on the subject matter was attained from articles in research journals, research books and other academic publications. A quantitative research method was adopted for the study. The research made use of primary data solicited from self-administered, open-ended questionnaires. These questionnaire were completed by industry professionals namely; contractors, consultants and clients that are or have been involved in large construction projects. To round up the research, case studies were used to shed light on some undertakings with collaborative models. Some of the challenges faced in construction supply chains are corruption, price-oriented selection methods, lack of commitment from other parties, unrealistic deadlines, selection of contract and pricing strategy, high stress levels, complex nature of projects, adversarial (aggressive) relationships, lack of trust, and the unpredictable nature of projects. The study revealed that for the project to be deemed a success, commonly practitioners focus on the time taken, the quality of workmanship of the finished commodity and the overall cost of the project compared to the planned cost. For the collaboration to work, practitioners need be mindful of the dynamics in the construction supply chain. These dynamics need to be nurtured through the duration of the project. In this study the most important factors for facilitating successful collaborative models were identified as good leadership, effective communication, top management support, adequate resources and a knowledgeable client. Selection of the correct team is also important. The quality of previous work, the ability to deliver on time, experience with similar work, technical ability and effective and efficient decision making should be the parameters used in the selection of the ideal partner. A paradigm shift to more innovative means of undertaking construction projects is desperately needed. Compared to the fragmented style of construction supply chains, a paradigm shift in the direction of more collaboratively structured construction supply chains will ensure that overall success is achieved. The study recommends that collaborative models and the philosophies associated with them be incorporated across all forms of construction supply chains. , M.Tech. (Construction Management)
  • Full Text:

Causes of delay and cost overruns in EPCM (Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management) projects in South Africa

  • 1
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Contact