Slater, M B (2022) A modified e-Delphi study of project scope creep in the engineering construction industry. PhD thesis, Northcentral University, USA.
Abstract
The purpose of this Modified e-Delphi study was to examine and explain how project managers in the EC industry in the U.S. currently manage project scope, identify contributing factors of scope creep, and find strategies to reduce occurrences of scope creep in EC future projects. Despite existing project management standards, tools, and best practices, 25% of Engineering Construction projects in the United States of America experienced growth beyond original planned scope by 30%. A total of 18 subject matter experts were recruited through a combination of purposive selection and snowball sampling. The conceptual framework was related to the control scope process in conjunction with theoretical framework of the theory of the temporary organization within the structure of the project life cycle. The methodology for this Modified e-Delphi had three rounds of data collection and analysis. The results based upon three research questions included the top ranked actions, tools, and strategies selected by the subject matter experts. The findings of this study helped to ascertain not only the importance of using a control scope process. It was found equally important for project managers to understand how to identify the triggers of scope creep to successfully apply the strategies, processes, and tools of project management. Additionally, a logic tie between project scope and project scope creep in the engineering construction industry and the theory of the temporary organization was found.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Lundahl, E |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | standards; life cycle; United States; construction project; best practice; project manager |
| Index terms: | Delphi method, United States of America, project manager, life cycle, temporary organization, best practice, project scope, scope creep, sampling, construction industry, project management, United States, strategy, methodology, construction project, conceptual framework |
| Subjects: | scope management, theoretical framing, research methods, production management, organizational theory, Geography, data collection methods, profession, business, value management, industry analysis, management, project management theory and practice |
| Topics: | Project Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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