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A case study of project management maturity within a banking project office

  • Authors: Dorfling, Martin F.
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Bank management - Case studies , Banks and banking - South Africa - Management , Project management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters Thesis
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/57364 , uj:16382
  • Description: Abstract: The purpose of this minor dissertation is to assess the maturity level of project management within a banking sector project office. The investigation has been narrowed to the author’s own division of work within the banking organisation in order to help with devising means to assist with the project management office. This project management office was setup in late 2009 and is thus a relatively new addition to the division. This banking sector project office has never been reviewed in terms of its project management maturity. An understanding of the operational aspects of the banking sector project management office is required in order to ascertain the level of project management maturity. A brief description is given, within this document, of the banking sector project office team, as well as the associated roles and responsibilities. An overview is also given with regards to the project sizes, project lifecycles, as well as the required documentation. There are various methods available to determine the project management maturity level, such as: Capability Maturity Model Integration, Portfolio, Programme and Project Management Maturity Model, and Kerzner Project Management Maturity Model. The mentioned project management maturity models will be investigated and discussed. The PRINCE2 method is chosen as the method to determine the project management maturity level of the project management office. This method is broken down into assessable sections, where each section is then dealt with in terms of a questionnaire. The results of the questionnaire are combined and analysed. The statistical data is then utilised to determine the level of project management maturity of the banking sector project office. The outcome of the study concluded that the project management office achieved a level 2 of project management maturity, according to the PRINCE2 methodology. , M.Ing. (Engineering Management)
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A case study on project initiation, implementation and termination in a heavy industry

  • Authors: Cathey, Steve William
  • Date: 2011-11-21
  • Subjects: Project management , Industrial management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:1705 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4049
  • Description: M.Ing. , The emphasis in this dissertation will thus be to apply a case study to project initiation, implementation and termination theoretical steps and practically apply these steps to a brick making plant environment so as to guide project managers in systematic steps of nmning their own heavy industry project. To familiarise the reader with the following issues is the main objective. Vital components include project planning of works, project time and cost control, monitoring and control of designed work, monitoring and control of on and off-site work, quality control and expediting operational commissioning. These issues will be discussed under the abovementioned headings of project initiation, implementation and tennination. The appendices contain a practical application and set format that could be used to run a project of small scale and adjusted to suite larger projects. The format and plmming tools of the case study has been developed by the author and is free to be used if so needed.
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A comparative analysis between outsourced and insourced public infrastructure projects’ performance in a Provincial Department of Public Works

  • Authors: Mcwari, Zwelinzima Peter
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) , Project management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/417726 , uj:35389
  • Description: Abstract: Procurement and subsequent delivery of infrastructure projects by a Provincial Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (PDPWI) can be achieved through two ways, namely: outsourcing or insourcing (in-house). Outsourcing is a widely used method for transferring non-core activities of the firm to external service providers. It is used across different industries in both public and private sectors globally. Conversely, insourcing is regarded as the opposite of outsourcing. The delivery of PDPWI projects is always late, incurring extra costs and often of average quality. The purpose of this paper is to investigate reasons behind the decision to either outsource or insource public infrastructure projects and to subsequently propose a comparative analysis for outsourcing versus insourcing in Department of Public Works and Infrastructure at a Provincial level. A Grounded Theory research design will be deployed for data collection. Accordingly, relevant project-centric documents spanning a duration of five (5) years was reviewed whilst semi-structured interviews were conducted concurrently, with a purposively selected sample of interviewees. The data emerging from the deployment of both data collection techniques enabled an understanding of the attributes of projects which were either outsourced or insourced and the performance of such projects thereof. The data was analysed according to the procedures associated with the grounded theory method research design. As such, open coding, axial coding and pattern matching were carried out at several intervals to develop categories and themes. Besides highlighting the usefulness of the grounded theory methodology for such study, the study’s findings established the absence of a properly structured approach to decision making within the PDPWI as it pertained to the choice of either outsourcing or insourcing construction projects. Yet, it was furthermore observed that the nature of outsourced projects differed from insourced projects. On performance of these projects, the study found both the procurement pathways yielded the same poor results, and the study indicated that outsourced projects performed slightly better in comparison to insourced projects in terms of cost certainty. These findings culminated in the evolution of a comparative analysis which is expected to guide effective decision making within PDPWI on which projects to be outsourced or insourced. The proposed comparative analysis of performance of in-house versus outsourced can be used as a guideline in future for procurement of public infrastructure projects by decision makers in public sector. , M.Tech. (Construction Management)
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A conceptual framework for information technology project management auditing

  • Authors: Muka, Jean-Paul Mbuyamba
  • Date: 2012-11-06
  • Subjects: Information technology management , Project management , Electronic data procesing - Auditing , Information audits
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:7356 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8112
  • Description: M.Tech. , In this age of ever-increasing competition, organisations are facing unprecedented pressure to meet the combined obligations of showing returns to shareholders, and staying ahead of the competition. To meet these obligations, organisations have become increasingly dependent on technology, as an enabler. This dependency suggests that technology projects have become strategically more important than ever for organisations; yet the success of technology projects remains questionable. Furthermore, organisations do not have simple mechanisms to allow them to quickly and accurately trace the causes of IT project management failures. One of the causes of project management failures is the inability and/or unwillingness of project managers to adhere to project management best practices adopted by their organisations. This research proposes a simple and repeatable model to help organisations determine whether they are indeed following the project management best practices which they purport to follow. The research methods consisted firstly of a wide review of relevant literature on auditing, project management, and IT governance. Secondly, empirical data was collected and analysed. Thirdly, modelling was used to develop a conceptual model for auditing IT project management. The empirical study is based on a semi-structured interview, involving ten project managers in charge of IT projects. The findings from this research confirm that project managers do not adhere to project management best practices which they purport to follow. Consequently, this dissertation concludes that IT project managers must adhere to best practices adopted by their organisations, regardless of how impractical or inconvenient that may seem; the proposed model for auditing IT project management helps them achieve just that.
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A conceptual framework for IT programme management governance: an integrated view

  • Authors: Nyandongo, Kwete Mwana
  • Date: 2012-06-05
  • Subjects: Project management , Information technology , Information technology. Management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:2453 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4910
  • Description: M.Tech. , Project and programme management have become important organisational developments in today’s business environment. The growth in projects across different sectors and industries, and their capability to enable organisations to cope with change in order to remain in business has emphasised the importance of project, programme and portfolio activities. Although project management has provided a means of achieving goals that could not be achieved in traditional ways, the single project model has failed to address issues that arise when multiple and related projects are undertaken within an organisation. Programme management has then provided a means through which organisations achieve almost everything they undertake. It has been perceived as the strategy implementation vehicle that links the overall strategy of the organisation with the portfolio of projects. While the use of programmes and programme management has grown in organisations, its capability to secure the investment of corporation has not been proven. Numerous failure stories with dramatic consequences for the corporation as a whole have been reported. With the pace of new regulations that require the appropriate and responsible management of company affairs, considering the huge investment that corporations place in programmes, it has become important to devise an efficient and effective mechanism of overseeing these investments. This research addresses the need to improve programme performance and ensure compliance with corporate policies. It focus on the governance side to determine how IT programmes can be governed while making sure that there is enough established control responsibility and accountability to ensure the achievement of the programme strategic objectives. This has been addressed by identifying corporate, information technology and project governance requirements that have implications for IT programme management. This had led to the consolidation of implications identified from the Sarbanes Oxley Act, Control Objective for Information and Related Technology and the Guide to Governance of Project Management in order to provide an integrated view of overseeing the management of programmes. The value of the research is that it has devised a conceptual framework for IT programme management governance that provides a means to ensure both programme performance and compliance to governance requirements that pertain to corporations. The value of the framework is that it contains governance requirements that ensure an efficient and effective decision-making and delivery management, focused on achieving programme goals in a consistent manner while addressing appropriate risks, issues and events that can impede the programme outcome.
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A conceptual information technology project management assurance framework

  • Authors: Mkoba, Elizabeth Sylvester
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Information technology - Management , Project management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/282548 , uj:30441
  • Description: Ph.D. , Abstract: Most organisations continue to align project activities with their business strategy to achieve strategic objectives and create business value. Most of these organisations have adopted information technology (IT) to increase performance and productivity, improve service delivery to customers and create competitive advantage in the market. Some of these initiatives are managed as IT projects. Despite this investment in IT, IT projects still fail at an alarming rate. These failed IT projects resulted in organisations wasting huge amounts of money and not realising a return on their IT investments. The purpose of this study was fourfold. Firstly, it explored the reasons why information technology (IT) projects are still failing. Secondly, it determined the factors influencing project success. Thirdly, it determined whether a positive relationship between project auditing and project success exists. Fourthly, it examined how project assurance can effectively mitigate IT project failure. These focus areas were addressed by developing a conceptual information technology project management assurance framework to successfully deliver IT projects in organisations. The research methodology employed a mixed-methods design which combined both qualitative and quantitative research methods. First, the qualitative research method was used to validate the conceptual framework through focus group discussion which was composed of IT project managers from South Africa. The results of qualitative data analysis were used to build an instrument to collect data in the follow-up quantitative research. The quantitative research method used survey questionnaires to validate the conceptual framework amongst IT project managers from Africa. The data were analysed using Atlas.ti 7.0 and SPSS 24.0. Factor analysis was conducted to determine possible correlations between the variables and factors as well as to determine how the conceptual information technology project management assurance framework fits the data. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to construct the conceptual framework. The key findings of this research are that project assurance can effectively mitigate IT project failure and the following factors influence IT project success: project auditing, top management involvement, project management methodology adherence, secure project deliverables, support and maintenance, and benefits realisation. The research also reveals that there is a strong correlation between the identified factors that influence IT project success. These factors were important in the development of a conceptual information technology project management assurance framework...
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A framework for assessing enterprise resource planning systems.

  • Authors: Steyn, Etienne Ashley
  • Date: 2008-04-24T12:37:11Z
  • Subjects: Reengineering (Management) , Project management , Business planning
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6727 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/312
  • Description: The aim of this study is to understand the definition of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP), explore the most distinct phases and steps used during the implementation life cycle and the different elements of project management. All the fundamental concepts are evaluated during the various stages of the implementation and there is a highlighted detailed discussion on the implementation life cycle or the phases that a project needs to go through. This content will concentrate on providing an overall understanding of ERP systems, the benefits that a company can achieve by implementing an ERP system, a clear understanding of the role and use of these systems and an understanding of the various approaches to implement ERP systems. Before the start of any implementation or engagement a clear understanding of the approach or the order of the implementation steps needs to be understood. This allows transparency and provides the entity, that is about to implement the ERP system a clear framework description of the steps in the implementation process towards a successful ERP implementation. The methodology that would be under the magnifying glass is one from SAP known as the Accelerated ASAP methodology. This methodology is usually customized by all the different implementers or consulting houses. However there would be specific reference made to the ASAP implementation methodology steps. The successful implementation by using structured project management methodologies and reporting has become increasingly important and implementers always strive to refine and make changes to the standard methodology to fit to the needs of the implementation at hand. These elements where changes are made will be highlighted and discussed. The assessment of the ERP system can be done from various perspectives and at different stages both during and after the implementation has been completed. There should be a clear understanding with regards to when the effectiveness of the system is being judged. The assessment for this study will be conducted from both the process owners as well as the consultants doing the actual implementation during the different stages of the implementation and after the implementation. The focus will be on actual benefits and successes instead of costs involved with the implementation of the ERP Systems. Benefits will be discussed from an operational, strategic, infrastructure, managerial and organizational level. ERP project implementations yield substantial benefits to the entities that adopt them and these benefits will clearly be indicated. , Mr. Cor Scheepers
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A framework for delivering projects on target in the gas industry in South Africa

  • Authors: Dube, Joseph
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Project management , Gas industry - South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/437379 , uj:37975
  • Description: Abstract: Project success has always been a topical discussion within organizations. Though the success measures are varied, there is consensus on what constitutes a successful project. The litmus test lies in executing projects whose outcome meets and satisfies the triple constraints and the multi-dimensional success criteria. The research study proposes the development of a framework for project execution that is designed at delivering projects successfully within the gas industry in South Africa. It focuses on the execution phase as the epicentre of the project activities which influences and contributes to the project outcome. The framework elements are iteratively built using a “systems engineering” approach of Analyse, Design, Develop and Deploy. Furthermore, quality refinements are implemented at each stage of execution to advance quality checks and help make project decisions. Existing project frameworks are explored through literature reviews and analysed to draw synergies. Though most of the frameworks take a cradle to grave approach to the project life cycle, the framework for execution focuses on the execution phase of the project life cycle. It describes the elements and attributes of the framework and concludes by testing the framework in two case studies applications. , M.Phil. (Engineering Management)
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A framework for managing interface and change control in a multi-discipline project environment

  • Authors: Feuth, Johan
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Project managers , Project management , Organizational change , Creative ability in business
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/269286 , uj:28606
  • Description: M.Phil. (Engineering Management) , Abstract: Design, engineering and construction projects are inherently complex by nature, let alone when multiple disciplines and organisations are involved. The rapid development of technology, size of projects and speed to market are all factors to consider to remain competitive, efficient and profitable in a global market. Engineering managers are finding it increasingly more important to be equipped with additional administrative and commercial skills to adapt to continuously changing environments. Organisations are forced to be innovative and creative by developing effective management and planning strategies with sound decision making processes. All stakeholders are required to pay more attention to the difficulties and problems experienced with interfacing and change control than ever before. This study presents the problems experienced with interface and change control management and the benefits of implementing effective interface and change control processes. Interface and change control management frameworks are proposed to mitigate the impact of problems by encouraging meaningful communication between all stakeholders to focus on the objectives to complete projects successfully within time, budget and to performance requirements.
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A holistic approach to information technology project management auditing

  • Authors: Mukendi, John Nyabadi
  • Date: 2012-10-25
  • Subjects: Project management , Information technology projects - Management , Corporate governance
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:10446 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7911
  • Description: M.Tech. (Information Technology) , Increasingly, more now than before, the corporate world has been paying more attention to the prominent topic of “governance”. The absence of governance in an organisation or ineffective governance has become synonymous with all that is wrong. It is regarded to be the root cause of all evils – not only in the corporate environment, but also in society. Following corporate scandals of recent years that have exposed corporate malpractices and mismanagement, corporate governance is increasingly being recognised worldwide as a best practice and an effective mechanism that not only promotes corporate efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability, but is also a tool for combating corporate corruption. The audit function is considered one of the main supporting pillars of corporate governance, as it plays an important role in helping management attain its business goals and strategic objectives. This is realised through a systematic and disciplined approach to evaluating and improving the effectiveness of the organisation’s system of internal control, risk management and governance processes. The failure of the audit function is said to have been one of the critical contributors to recent global corporate scandals. Robust auditing is believed to be the cornerstone of modern corporate governance. The use of auditing in project management processes increases the probability of project success. Using corporate governance as a best practice and audit as one of its sub-sets, this research study deals with the topical issue of failures in Information Technology (IT) projects. The study strives to address this problem by adopting a holistic approach to IT project management auditing that includes corporate governance principles over and above the traditional principles and processes for auditing IT projects. Over the past 15 to 20 years, the rate of failure of IT projects has changed little in continual surveys, showing that more than half of all IT projects overrun their schedules and budgets. This situation has continued in spite of new technologies, innovative methods, tools and different management methods. Although most organisations heavily rely on IT-enabled projects for competitive advantage, it is estimated that worldwide over $6.2 trillion is being wasted annually on IT project failures. One of the reasons for this situation has allegedly been the failure of project governance. Thus, the importance and added value of this research study lies in adopting a holistic approach to IT project management auditing. The study involves corporations and not government agencies or other institutions. The study adopts a qualitative research approach and uses semi-structured face-to-face interviews as the primary method for data collection. It is intended that this study fills a gap in the research literature on the topic.
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A predictive model for information technology project success

  • Authors: Joseph, Nazeer
  • Date: 2014-05-05
  • Subjects: Information technology , Project management , Organizational effectiveness , Creative ability in business
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:10916 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10490
  • Description: M.Com. (Information Technology Management) , Information and communication technology (ICT) project success is considered the Holy Grail within many organisations. Over the past decade organisations have begun to realise the increasing importance and the potential of exploiting ICT to gain competitive advantage in their particular realm. Organisations have consequently pushed for the implementation of robust ICT solutions not only to facilitate and augment crucial decision-making processes, but to improve overall organisational efficiency and effectiveness as well. These ICT solutions are deployed via ICT projects. However, extensive research has revealed that ICT projects are continuing to fail at a disturbing rate nationally as well as internationally. ICT projects therefore have an infamous reputation within organisations and the project management domain. This research focused on determining what drives ICT project success by systematically investigating how ICT project success is perceived and measured as well as the factors which influence it. The quantitative research paradigm was implemented through the use of a survey in the form of a structured questionnaire. Although this research was cross-sectional in nature, it employed an element of longitudinal analysis as the results were scrutinised and compared with previous research conducted within the same research area. ICT project team members were randomly sampled to acquire an objective view of ICT project success. Moreover, this research revolved around the philosophy that if the significance of each influencing factor is understood, it should be possible to predict whether an ICT project will succeed or fail. A predictive modelling approach was adopted. This predictive model presented within this dissertation was constructed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The predictive model indicated that ICT project success is predicted by means of stakeholder management, communication and methodology. The model also indicated that these three factors are interrelated and are dependent on one another. It was established that overall project success is dependent on project management success and project product success. This research employed a technique which is rarely used within the project management or ICT project management domain, viz. SEM. Two key recommendations emerged from this research. Firstly, this research suggests that it may be time to re-evaluate how ICT projects are measured as well as the influencing factors, as traditional approaches are yet to accommodate ICT projects in particular. Secondly, this research suggests that researchers should start to explore the underlying constructs of communication as this could assist in addressing a fundamental flaw not only in ICT project management, but project management in general.
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A project management methodology for a mining stope

  • Authors: Nelwamondo, Ntediseng Priscilla
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Project management - Methodology , Mine management , Project management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/263005 , uj:27795
  • Description: M.Phil. (Engineering Management) , Abstract: Although South Africa possesses more than 80% of the world’s platinum reserves, its reliability in supplying platinum to global markets is under threat. This is due to the decrease in output per worker of 49% (1999-2014), while the domestic cost have risen too quickly by more than 10% annually for the past 5 years. In addition, the continued decline in the commodity price by 38.3% (2012-2016) which has led a significant portion of the sector to mine at a loss in 2015. The chamber of mines has suggested that solutions to improve productivity and reduce cost pressures are required. This research aims to increase productivity by providing operational excellence through the improvement of efficiency by applying a project management methodology to a mining stope. The selected methodology for application was the Event Chain Project Management methodology, which should manage the inherent risks, which affect the mining stope schedule, improve the efficiency of operations by reducing the time spent in each activity, improve productivity by reducing the duration of the project, and reduce operational costs in the process. A case study used to carry out the research in platinum mines; data collected using a motion time study to measure the current efficiency of operations in each mining stope through actual activity durations. The results indicate that through the application of the Event Chain Project Management methodology, risks affecting the mining stope schedule were properly managed, the efficiency of operations was improved through the reduction of time spent in each activity, productivity was increased by reducing the project duration, and operational costs were reduced in the process.
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A qualitative study of leaders’ work identity in outsourced projects

  • Authors: Lategan, Liesel
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Information technology - Contracting out , Information technology - Management , Project management , Leadership
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/293611 , uj:31928
  • Description: Abstract: Orientation The study explored the experiences of ten information technology (IT) project- and programme managers who led outsource projects. It explains the complex nature of outsourcing and requirements in leading inter-organisational teams. Implementation of these outsource projects is often concluded with varying degrees of success, and poor results lead to loss of income, reputation, and intellectual property, which impact people’s work identity. The study focused on the roles these leaders have to fulfil, what motivates them, and personal attributes required to deliver successful outcomes. Finally, the strategies and competencies the project- and programme managers developed to form and maintain their work identity are also discussed. Research purpose The purpose of the study was to explore the work identity of leaders working in complex inter-organisational structures through outsource arrangements. Motivation for the study The study was motivated by my own experiences as an IT project- and programme manager leading outsource teams. More specifically, I wanted to explore my observation of leaders having various levels of success in delivering projects. In addition, I was curious about how they managed themselves and what motivated them. Lastly, I wanted to know how they managed team viability within a complex inter-organisational team, creating an environment where team members wanted to work together on future projects. Research design A qualitative grounded theory research design was employed. Convenience- and snowball sampling were used in selecting ten research participants. Data was collected, first, by conducting interviews asking open-ended questions, followed by semi-structured interviews to clarify the participants’ everyday experiences. Finally, the interviews were transcribed and, with the aid of computerised qualitative data analysis software (ATLAS.ti), thematic data analysis was undertaken. Research findings The findings identified seven themes related to leaders building and maintaining their work identities. This informed a conceptual model of leaders’ work identity within an... , M.Phil. (Personal and Professional Leadership)
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A review of risk management techniques and challenges of implementation in harbour and port expansion projects

  • Authors: Mathuthu, Nomaswazi
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Harbors - Management , Harbors - Planning , Project management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/242964 , uj:25075
  • Description: M.Phil. (Engineering Management) , Abstract: Risk management is an essential part of infrastructure projects. Seaports and harbours are facilities that serve over 80% of world trade. The complex nature of these projects presents the inevitable wide range of risks and uncertainties. 65% of global projects are considered as either a failure, delayed or over budget. Attributed to this is poor risk management and appropriate planning for risk mitigation. This negative statistic on project outcomes motivated an inquiry into risk management techniques and their implementation challenges in harbour and seaports construction projects. Beyond the year 2020, additional seaport facilities and rehabilitation of existing ones will be required in Africa. This requirement could potentially be met if seaport and harbour projects are executed with effective risk management frameworks. A systematic literature review was employed on articles that reported on risk management techniques and their implementation limitations. Different risk identification, assessment and treatment methods were identified. Amongst the techniques identified were Analytical hierarchy-based techniques (AHP), Enterprise risk management (ERM), Construction risk management system (CRMS), Major infrastructure assessment framework (MIRAF), Dynamic risk management and Innovative risk management. Impediments in the implementation of risk management plans were found to be political influence, technical complications, environmental constraints and lack of adequately skilled personnel. These identified risks and challenges have the potential to broaden and improve the risk management frameworks developed by the managers. Project risks and their sources were researched, identified and documented in this research.
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A systematic literature review of the agile methodology applied during construction project design

  • Authors: Mnqonywa, Sixolile
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Project management , Construction industry - Management , Construction projects , Production scheduling
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/284864 , uj:30781
  • Description: M.Phil. (Engineering Management) , Abstract: Infrastructure is one of the main agents for economic growth, infrastructure supports the improvement of a nation the people. This is more noteworthy in developing countries, countries with less developed infrastructure suffer from missed opportunities and business. Building roads, schools, airports, power stations and water treatment facilities will not only empower the country’s economy and socioeconomics but will provide sustainable jobs for the country. However, the civil construction industry is known for its time and cost overrun which can damper the progression of economic growth of a country. There are investments being wasted in the civil construction projects caused by varies issues and these issues differ from projects. The research investigated the application of agile methodology in the design phase of a civil construction project to mitigate challenges and improve the delivery in the design phase. The research conducted a literature review to get the background knowledge and to have a broader understanding of the problem and solution method. The search than conducted a systematic literature review where the guidelines, procedures, of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Intervention, was used. Following the systematic literature rigorous procedure, the final studies that were collected amounted to 22 out of the 2440 studies. The 22 studies were analysed using thematic analysis, from conducting the analysis it found four themes for challenges in the design stage of a project, which are 1) Schedule overrun 2) Construction Waste management 3) Design Performance 4) Project Management. Applying agile methodology on the challenges indicated that the methodology can have an improvement in the design stage of a civil engineering project, by increasing transparency and adding value to the project, utilizing time management and increasing both the client’s contribution and the team’s morale this factor and much more from agile approaches can improve the delivery of the design phase.
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An analysis of the maturity of project management as a discipline

  • Authors: Labuschagne, Les , Marnewick, Carl
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Project management
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:6197 , ISBN 978-1-920017-43-9 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5277
  • Description: Project management (PM) is a career that annually attracts many people, despite not providing project managers with the same professional status as a medical doctor or chartered accountant. These disciplines are globally recognised as being mature and professional. The purpose of this article is to investigate and analyse the maturity of the PM discipline. Many organisations invest resources in PM, believing that it can be used to complete all new initiatives successfully. Several surveys have shown that many projects still fail to deliver the expected results. In order to understand the reason for projects still failing, the maturity ofthe discipline needs to be investigated. The article follows a qualitative research approach and uses a literature survey to determine what constitutes a mature discipline. Using the fmdings of this survey, an analysis is done ofPM as a discipline. The result is an objective, independent assessment of the maturity of PM and an indication ofwhether it can be considered a profession. The benefit of this article is that it provides evidence on the maturity ofthe PM discipline. It also highlights the areas that must be focused on, from a PM perspective, to ensure that PM evolves into a more mature and professional discipline.
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An approach to risk management in the mining projects environment : a case study

  • Authors: Mndzebele, Andile S.
  • Date: 2012-06-04
  • Subjects: Risk management , Project management , Mining industry , EPCM
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/373617 , uj:2371 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4826
  • Description: M. Phil. , Risk management comprises of risk identification, risk analysis, response planning, monitoring and action planning tasks that are carried out throughout the life cycle of a project in order to ensure that project objectives are met. Risk is a fact of life in all mining type projects. This research dissertation documents the risk management practices of an EPCM company involved in mining projects. Risk analysis techniques are discussed and the author goes deeper to examine what risk means to a project, and how the project team perceive, identify and quantify project risks. This dissertation uses a case study to focus on an EPCM firm‘s approach to risk management in the mining projects environment. This study aims to illustrate how the risks involved in a project have to be identified, controlled and managed. The purpose of this dissertation is therefore to act as an implementation risk management model for the case company and for use in a typical mining projects environment. Risk is an integral part of engineering projects, and it is necessary to manage the risks in order to ensure project success.
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An assessment of the maturity and implementation of assurance frameworks on building construction projects within construction companies in South Africa

  • Authors: Govender, Trevor Desigan
  • Date: 2013-05-27
  • Subjects: Project management , Engineering management , Construction projects - Management , Construction industry - Quality control
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:7547 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8405
  • Description: M.Ing. (Engineering Management) , In the wake of the recent global financial crisis, the engineering and building construction industry has been faced with great uncertainty. Emerging from the crisis, investors are taking a cautious approach to how, with, and through whom they invest money. Organisation’s shareholders and stakeholders are therefore seeking new ways to run their businesses looking at cost optimisation and enhanced performance to increase their profitability. Companies are moving towards ensuring tighter control through stronger governance, closer risk management and compliance to statutory and regulatory requirements. To achieve this, assurance frameworks are being used to test, monitor and report to senior management on the organisation’s status. This dissertation highlights the importance of governance, risk and compliance control mechanisms specifically in the building construction sector within construction companies in South Africa. It will assess the maturity of such assurance frameworks and its implementation on building construction projects undertaken by large construction companies. These practices will be compared to the assurance frameworks as recommended and implemented by international leading practice. The dissertation will review the impacts that effective and weak assurance practices have on an organisation’s projects, their businesses and their statutory liability. To understand this, the research conducted interviews, surveys and case studies on large Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed construction companies in South Africa. The data was analysed: quantitatively, qualitatively, statistically as well as trended conclusions are made. The dissertation ends by pointing to the advantages of proper assurance controls on building construction projects and presents a template of an assurance framework that may be developed by construction companies into assurance programmes and other tools for use in their environment.
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An engineering management analysis of communication management systems in an organization that supplies the mining industry

  • Authors: Meid, Andreas
  • Date: 2015-06-26
  • Subjects: Engineering - Management , Communication in organizations , Mineral industries - Equipment and supplies , Project management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/381983 , uj:13622 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13803
  • Description: M.Ing. (Engineering Management) , Broadly speaking, communication forms an integral component of everyone’s daily activities, be it on a personal level amongst family and friends, or in a professional environment. In many instances, the ability of project teams to communicate effectively and efficiently is taken for granted by project managers, which can result in projects being late or incomplete. However, the importance of Project Communications Management is evident in the fact that the Project Management Institute (PMI) dedicates a chapter to Project Communications Management in the PMBOK® Guide. The current research seeks to understand what effect communication has on a project, and how it can be successfully managed during a project. The research in the form of a case study investigated the state of communications within a project department, with the aim of identifying whether a lack of communication during a project is a contributing factor to projects being late or incorrect. The department in question is responsible for supplying the mining industry with critical conveyor drive equipment. The case study research was conducted utilizing the procedure outlined in the Organizational Project Management Maturity Model (OPM3®). The research found that certain areas in the department lacked the basic requirements for effective communications, and that a lack of communication between various stakeholders during a project could negatively influence the success of a project. These findings were compared to those of independent research by the PMI into global trends of project communications. The important aspects relating to Project Communication Management were discussed, and a workable solution to the problem was proposed. It was found that by implementing a communication plan in the department, and encouraging a culture of open and honest communications, the organization can expect to see an improvement in project success.
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An engineering management framework for information technology projects in South Africa

  • Authors: Malan, Andre
  • Date: 2008-06-19T10:01:48Z
  • Subjects: Engineering management , Information technology , Project management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:2974 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/639
  • Description: Globally, the art and the science of project management (PM) have contributed in no small measure to the advances in the delivery of Information Technology (IT) based solutions. In South Africa, it has been shown that IT projects are currently, generally performed in a basic, but rapidly maturing, project management environment. In order for the organization (or project environment) to mature, certain processes must first be institutionalised. These processes are identifiable by inspection of the standards that relate to PM in general (and to IT PM in particular) and by excluding the activities that relate to specific technologies and products. The remaining processes should therefore be applied to most (if not all) IT projects in SA most (if not all) of the time. These processes were identified and used to iteratively create a Project Management Framework that assists its target market in the following ways: • Simplify and facilitate project managers' access to a common set of PM processes and tools; • Promote the usage of best practices for PM for all projects, both simple and complex; • Increase the level of assured competence project managers bring to PM endeavours; • Establish a commonality of process and standardization of terminology within PM; and • Provide a common method of project progress tracking across the enterprise. The baseline version of this Framework is presented as a web tool, based on a body of research consisting of (1) the PMBOK® Guide processes, (2) some CMMISM process areas and (3) other authoritative, non-conflicting resources. The PMBOK® Guide is tailored for a sector, time and place, resulting in a unique approach to project management. This approach aims to benefit a community and open a new focus area for research within the profession. The target market for this product are those enterprises that are seeing the need for the benefits outlined above or who realise that the first step towards process improvement is a focus on project management. These range from organizations now commencing on the project management path to those who consider “management by projects” to be a strategic option for the organizational design of the company. The case study sites where the product has been implemented include banking / retail operation, a large mining company and a financial services consultancy. , Prof. L. Pretorius Prof. J.H.C. Pretorius
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