The influence of project type and project manager capability on project governance

Wheeler, Doug (2025) The influence of project type and project manager capability on project governance. PhD thesis, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

Abstract

This thesis explores the influence of project manager capability and project type on project governance design. The qualitative study challenges the conventional approach to design of project governance regimes based on the size, value or complexity of projects, by finding that the capability of the project manager should be the dominant factor. This represents an adaptive approach to project governance design which is also tailored for the dynamic project context through its lifecycle. Sixteen key attributes of project manager capability were identified, with the influence of the executive found to be a moderating factor.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Thesis advisor: Rose, Timothy and Kajewski, Stephen
Uncontrolled Keywords: project manager capability; project type; project governance; control; trust; autonomy; motivation
Index terms: key attribute, project manager, governance, lifecycle, qualitative study, executive, motivation, complexity
Subjects: risk assessment, project delivery, psychology, systems engineering, research design and methodology, practitioner, profession, business
Topics: Roles and Professions, Human Resources, Research Practice, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Risk Management, Governance
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