scholarly journals Competency Assessment for State Highway Agency Project Managers

2019 ◽  
Vol 2673 (3) ◽  
pp. 658-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Rezk ◽  
Gary C. Whited ◽  
Michael Ibrahim ◽  
Awad S. Hanna
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Competency Assessment ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
State Highway ◽  
Wisconsin Department ◽  
Hard Skills ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Extensive Body

Project managers (PMs) play a key role in the successful completion of construction projects. Therefore, PM competencies have been heavily investigated over the past few decades, often focusing on two types of skills: hard skills, including technical knowledge; and soft skills, including personal traits. This extensive body of knowledge was lacking the focus on PMs of transportation projects who work in a state highway agency (SHA). This research addresses this gap by developing a comprehensive competency assessment model tailored for SHA PMs. This research identified 55 PM essential competencies spanning five categories: project management knowledge and experience; leadership; SHA operational knowledge and experience; industry knowledge and experience; and cognitive/personal effectiveness. Also, by collecting extensive data from 90 PMs, this research developed a mathematical model to compute competency weights for differentiating exceptional and average PMs. The weights were then used to create a comprehensive score that can assess PM competencies as an overall percentage. This score was benchmarked using the collected data to distinguish between exceptional and average PMs. To effectively communicate the research findings to industry practitioners, a computer-based tool was created. This tool assists SHAs and their PMs in assessing competencies, and identifies training needs to improve overall PM performance and skill sets. The tool was tested and validated by five Wisconsin Department of Transportation PM supervisors, all of whom acclaimed its accuracy and potential value.

Analysis of causes of delay in Indian construction projects and mitigation measures

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prasad K.V. ◽  
Vasugi V. ◽  
Venkatesan R. ◽  
Nikhil Bhat
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Difficulties ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Design Build ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Work Variations

Purpose Construction projects in India continue to suffer excessive delays. This paper aims to investigate the delay causes in India by project sector (transport, power, buildings and water) and carry out a comparative study of delay causes in design build (DB) projects with that of design bid build (DBB) projects along with mitigation measures. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was conducted among major clients, contractors and consultants in India. Importance Index was used for ranking of the delay causes. Projects were categorized based on the type, and causes of delay in each project type were identified. Projects were also categorized based on type of contract, and delay causes in DB and DBB projects were compared. Statistical analysis of responses by Cronbach’s alpha, one-way analysis of variance, Kruskal–Wallis tests was carried out with Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with senior industry professionals to develop exhaustive mitigation measures. Findings The research findings indicate finance-related causes as the most critical causes of delay in Indian projects. Delay in settlement of claims, contractor’s financial difficulties, delay in payment for extra work/variations by owner, late payment from contractor to subcontractor or suppliers, variation orders/changes of scope by owner during construction and changes in design by owner were the highly ranked delay causes. The research found no significant difference in the delay causes in DB and DBB projects. Originality/value This is the first study wherein delay causes for various project types within a single country are identified. In addition, the study has identified and compared the delay causes in DB projects and DBB projects. Mitigation measures developed in this study will help professionals and project managers not just in India but other developing countries as well to alleviate delay causes and in improvement of project timelines.

Investigation of Cost-Influencing Factors Potentially ‎Controllable by Main Contractors in Construction Projects in ‎Iraq

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (7A) ◽  
pp. 1069-1076
Author(s):  
Layth T. Ali ◽  
Raid S. Abid Ali ◽  
Zeyad S. M. Khaled
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Cost Overrun ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Labor Recruitment ◽  
Supply Planning ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Cost overrun in construction projects is a common phenomenon in Iraq. This might occur due to diversity of factors. This study aims to identify the factors influencing construction projects cost that are potentially controllable by main contractors. A field study through a questionnaire survey was directed to a sample of related Iraqi professional engineers from general contracting companies at both public and private sectors. Their opinions on the impact and frequency of each factor were investigated. The questionnaire offered (59) factors classified in (8) categories namely; legislations, financial and economic, design, contractual, site management, material, labor and equipment. The factors were ranked according to the highest Relative Importance Index (RII). The study revealed (10) major factors that are potentially controllable by main contractors namely; labor productivity, sub-contractors and suppliers performance, equipment productivity, site organization and distribution of equipment, experience and training of project managers, scheduling and control techniques, planning for materials supply, planning for equipment supply, materials delivery and planning for skilled labor recruitment. Recommendations to aid contractors and owners in early identification of these factors are also included in this study.

scholarly journals Resource-Based Quality Performance Estimation Method for Construction Operations

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 4122
Author(s):  
Young-Jun Park ◽  
Chang-Yong Yi
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Performance Estimation ◽  
Construction Simulation ◽  
Construction Operations ◽  
Quality Performance ◽  
Management Objectives ◽  
Performance Indexes ◽  
Reducing Costs

Construction quality is one of the primary management objectives relating to duration and cost for construction projects. Project managers struggle with minimizing duration and cost while maximizing quality for construction projects. In construction projects, duration and cost have management priorities. On the other hand, quality is considered a matter of achievement only when it reaches a certain level. Although the importance of quality control in construction management has been constantly discussed, it has still been sacrificed under the goal of shortening construction duration and reducing costs. This study presents a method for estimating the quantitative quality performance of construction operations in which the level of detail is breaking into the work task level for intuitive quality performance evaluation. For this purpose, quality weights of resources that have a proportional quality importance weight and quality performance indexes of resources are utilized for estimating the quantitative quality performance of construction operations. Quality performance estimation and the resource allocation optimization system is presented and validated using a construction simulation model.

Factors affecting the delivery of optimum health and safety on construction projects during the covid-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benviolent Chigara ◽  
Tirivavi Moyo
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Monitoring And Enforcement

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of construction professionals relative to factors that affect the delivery of optimum health and safety (H&S) on construction projects during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a quantitative design which entailed the distribution of a web-based questionnaire among construction professionals, namely, architects, construction/project managers, engineers, H&S managers and quantity surveyors working for contractors and construction consultants in Zimbabwe. The data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Factor analysis was used to reveal interrelated significant sets of factors affecting the delivery of optimum H&S. Findings Factor analysis revealed nine components/factors: change and innovation-related, monitoring and enforcement-related, production-related, access to information and health service-related, on-site facilities and welfare-related, risk assessment and mitigation-related, job security and funding-related, cost-related and COVID-19 risk perception-related factors as the significant factors affecting the delivery of optimum H&S during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe. Research limitations/implications The results highlighted the need for social dialogue among construction stakeholders to support initiatives that will enhance the delivery of H&S on construction projects. Construction stakeholders may find the results useful in highlighting the areas that need improvement to protect workers’ H&S during the pandemic. However, the small sample limits the generalisability of the results to construction sectors in other regions. Originality/value The study investigated factors affecting the delivery of optimum H&S during the COVID-19 to inform interventions to enhance H&S.

scholarly journals Insights of project managers into the problems in project management

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Vincent Livesey
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Delphi Panel ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Team Management ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Hard Skills ◽  
Importance Index

A Delphi study using project managers who had managed projects in excess of $500 million was used to confirm the significance and frequency of problems resulting from the nature of projects. Using the results obtained from the Delphi study a ranking of the problems experienced in these projects was obtained by calculating a Relative Importance Index. Additionally, the Delphi panel members were asked their views concerning the need for traditional project management skills (hard skills) and team management skills (soft skills) as project size increased from below $50 million to over $500 million. A substantial increase in the need for both skills was indicated with the increase in the need for soft skills being the most significant.

Knowledge transfer in IS offshoring: a Delphi study of the offshore coordinator role

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artur Strasser ◽  
Markus Westner ◽  
Susanne Strahringer
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hard Skills ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Strong Consensus ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Is Offshoring

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the main tasks, necessary skills, and the implementation of the offshore coordinator’s role to facilitate knowledge transfer in information systems (IS) offshoring. Design/methodology/approach This empirical exploratory study uses the classical Delphi method that includes one qualitative and two quantitative rounds to collect data on IS experts’ perceptions to seek a consensus among them. Findings The participants agreed, with strong consensus, for a set of 16 tasks and 15 skills. The tasks focused primarily on relationship management and facilitating knowledge transfer on different levels. The set of skills consists of approximately 25 per cent “hard” skills, e.g. professional language skills and project management skills, and approximately 75 per cent “soft” skills, e.g. interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to deal with conflict. Two factors mainly influence implementing the offshore coordinator role: project size and the number of projects to be supported simultaneously. Practical implications The findings provide indications of how to define and fulfill this crucial role in practice to facilitate the knowledge transfer process in a positive way. Originality/value Similarities in previous research findings are aggregated to examine the intermediate role in detail from a consolidated perspective. This results in the first comprehensive set of critical tasks and skills assigned to the competency dimensions of the universal competency framework, demonstrating which and how many competency dimensions are critical.

scholarly journals Methodology for Measuring Output, Value Added, and Employment Impacts of State Highway and Bridge Construction Projects

2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Babcock ◽  
John C. Leatherman
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Economic Impacts ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Input Output ◽  
State Highway ◽  
Step Procedure ◽  
Highway Planning ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Departments Of Transportation ◽  
Employment Impacts

The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology to measure some of the economic impacts of state highway programs. State departments of transportation (DOTs) need such a methodology for a variety of reasons, including long-term highway planning as well as advising state policymakers concerning the economic impacts of highway programs. The specific objectives of this study are: (1) describe a procedure to measure the output, value added, and employment impacts of specific types of highway and bridge improvement, and (2) illustrate an application of the model using data from Kansas. The objectives of the research are accomplished with input-output modeling. An 11-step procedure is described for adjusting the Kansas IMPLAN input-output model so that it is capable of measuring economic impacts for specific types of highway and bridge improvement. The model is illustrated using data from a recently completed study of the Kansas Comprehensive Transportation Program (CTP), which included expenditure of $5.24 billion on state highway system projects. Data from this study are used to demonstrate the calculation of output, value added, and employment impacts for five different highway and bridge improvement categories.

scholarly journals Manager competency assessment model in the conditions of industry 4.0

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 2630-2644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henryk Dzwigol ◽  
Mariola Dzwigol-Barosz ◽  
Radoslaw Miskiewicz ◽  
Aleksy Kwilinski
Keyword(s):  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Competency Assessment
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