A typology for clients' multi-project environments

Construction management research and practice is dominated by a single project paradigm. This does not reflect the nature of many construction clients who have large multi-project portfolios. Traditional single project management strategies are usually adopted for managing such portfolios - with limited success. The literature suggests that programmes, within portfolios, require different forms of management in order to optimize project delivery. In order to better understand these portfolios and thereby allow the exploration of new forms of management, a typology has been developed mapping out the various features of client's construction portfolios. The resultant typology provides a simple method for identifying the programme composition of a portfolio, highlighting the expected features of each programme type, and thereby directing management attention to the main aspects of each programme that can be optimized for efficiency. Six cases of client's construction project portfolios were studied using a highly structured, replication logic, case study methodology. A typology of clients' multi-project environments was developed and validated through literal and theoretical replication between cases. Three main types emerged as descriptive of programmes within client's construction portfolios: bounded programmes, target programmes and rolling programmes. The distinctive features of each type suggest that programme-specific approaches may be necessary for the successful delivery of projects within client's construction portfolios.