Lozon, J P (2008) Evaluating value improving practices for large scale projects. PhD thesis, University of Calgary, Canada.
Abstract
As large scale engineering and construction projects in the oil and gas industry experience cost overruns and schedule delays, professionals search for techniques to improve performance. One technique is the application of Value Improving Practices (VIPs) and Best Practices (BPs) during the project life cycle. This research study examines this technique. One purpose of the research study is to examine the use and impact of these practices on project performance in three industries namely, oil and gas, infrastructure and commercial. The goal is to determine if the application of this technique on large scale projects can provide professionals the opportunity to improve project performance. Since there is limited knowledge available on these practices and no baseline of current use, this research study is being classified as exploratory to better understand the subject area and to determine criteria and limitations for future studies. The goal is to identify a method of study and a set of parameters that researchers should consider including in future investigations into this subject area. Objective (quantitative) and subjective (qualitative) information was collected from industry professionals using a survey questionnaire and personal interviews. A set of conclusions and recommendations, based on the analysis and interpretation of the information collected, was presented to senior industry professionals who validated the results. The awareness and use of VIPs and BPs varies greatly among the professionals in the industry sectors investigated. Quantitative impact is difficult to measure. Qualitative impact has become the preferred method of assessing the value of these practices. Future studies should examine how the characteristics of the professional, the project, the industry sector and the social, political and economic environments in which they operate may influence the awareness and use of these practices and the impact they may have on project performance.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | cost overrun; construction project; best practice; future studies; life cycle; professional; project performance; future studies; interview |
| Index terms: | interview, industry sector, survey, construction project, questionnaire, schedule delay, life cycle, cost overrun, best practice, project performance, investigation, oil and gas, future study |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, project controls, production management, project management theory and practice, financial and cost management, value management, data collection methods, research design and methodology, business |
| Topics: | Project Management, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Time Control |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here