Frey, Shane (2024) Department of defense project management team leaders: Team dynamics and teamwork strategies during complex construction projects. EdD thesis, University of Massachusetts Global, USA.
Abstract
Purpose: This qualitative multi-case study explored the challenges, strategies, and recommendations that DOD project management team leaders experienced as they made complex decisions leading successful construction projects based on Parker's (2008) model. Methodology: A qualitative multi-case study research design described the challenges, strategies, and recommendations Department of Defense project management team leaders used as they made complex decisions leading successful construction projects. Findings: Close examination of data collected from interviews and artifacts yielded 117 frequencies for DOD project management team leader's team characteristics, and six themes regarding the lived experiences, challenges, strategies, and recommendations. Five key findings and one unexpected finding were identified as to how DOD project management team leaders identify and describe as they navigate complex construction projects with their team. Conclusions: The study supported that key elements within a team need to be identified, communicated, and exercised during the duration of a DOD project management team in construction. Key elements of the team structure identified were clear purpose, setting clear roles and work assignments, inclusive participation, active listening, and open communication and trust. These actions can be better supported through an outside agency in a learning setting to better prepare DOD project management team leaders. Recommendations: Further research is recommended to replicate this qualitative multiple case study for DOD project management team leaders in different regions of the country. Furthermore, future research could narrow down the research to exclusively civilian, or military-only members. These future studies would add breadth and depth to the data, and a better overall understanding of how DOD project management teams function and could be more effective moving forward.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | McCarty, Timothy |
| Index terms: | construction project, methodology, agency, interview, strategy, artifact, project management team, team dynamics, future study, duration, teamwork, case study, research design |
| Subjects: | production management, research methods, management, sociology, project controls, research design and methodology, profession, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Organizational Design, Time Control, Project Management |
| 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