Hagan, G; Bower, D and Smith, N (2011) Managing complex projects in multi-project environments. In: Egbu, C and Lou, E C W (eds.) Proceedings of 27th Annual ARCOM Conference, 5-7 September 2011, Bristol, UK.
Abstract
Complexity has been identified in both literature and practice as a critical project dimension that needs to be better managed to improve project delivery. Many authors have argued that increasing complexity or the underestimation of complexity accounts for some of the delays and cost overruns experienced on projects. Within the construction industry, the increasing demand for contractors to play integrating roles especially in contractor-led procurement systems (such as Design and Build, and Project Finance Initiative) has added pressure for improved performance. Contractors engaged in such projects usually have other projects going on simultaneously and hence are operating in multi-project environments. However current theory and research reflects mainly the perspective of the client in project, programme and portfolio management, hence applies a single project paradigm to contractors project business. This paper reviews the nature of complex construction projects in a contractor s multi-project environment and develops a holistic integrated framework to be used for understanding and investigating complex project delivery of projects in this environment. The framework is built on socio-technical system s concept. This broad and enriched way of conceptualising complex projects in multi-project environment, will help organisations not to focus on any one issue at the expense of others. The paper concludes that using this holistic approach holds considerable potential for the managerial improvement of construction contractors.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | complex projects; contractor; multi-project environment |
| Index terms: | programme, cost overrun, portfolio management, project delivery, complexity, design and build, project finance, construction industry, dimension, complex project, construction contractor, socio-technical system, procurement system, holistic approach, paradigm, construction project |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, financial and cost management, project delivery, strategic project management, economic analysis, health monitoring assessment and metrics, practitioner, business, industry analysis, systems engineering, project controls, production management, financial management, education and knowledge transfer, theoretical framing |
| Topics: | Time Control, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Engineering Principles, Project Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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