Getting to Grips with Behavioural Bias

2017 ◽  
pp. 220-247
Author(s):  
Geoff Trickey
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Employee Participation ◽  
Workplace Safety ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Mutual Trust ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Technical Advances ◽  
Assessment Techniques

The author discusses whether the impressive progress achieved by technical advances in project management have been stalled by failure to make similar advances in addressing the Human Factors. This imbalance may, he believes, be contributing to challenges being widely experienced in dealing with a residual ‘rump' of workplace safety incidents, for example. He argues that ever tightening the controls and micro-managing workplace behaviour or pursuing zero safety incidents can be counterproductive both for compliance and for the bottom line. Professional, regulatory and standards bodies increasingly emphasise the importance of employee participation and risk leadership in achieving the mutual trust and respect necessary for objectives to be fully realised. He advises that project managers need to appreciate distinctive and deeply rooted individual differences in the behavioural dispositions of individual employees and proposes that readily available assessment techniques that address these issues should be added to their toolkit.

Risk Type and Behavioural Bias

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 21-36
Author(s):  
Geoff Trickey
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Employee Participation ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Mutual Trust ◽  
Workplace Behavior ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Subjective Approach ◽  
Technical Advances

There are two distinct approaches to risk. Firstly, the ‘objective' approach is numeric, probabilistic and focused on the risk itself; it is concerned with people in general rather than in individual terms. Secondly, the ‘subjective' approach recognizes that risk issues have personal and individual dimensions. It is argued that the progress achieved by technical advances in project management are being stalled by failure to make similar advances in addressing Human Factors. Reliance on ever-tightening controls and micro-managing workplace behavior or pursuing zero safety incidents can be counterproductive both for compliance and for the bottom line if individual risk dispositions are not part of the solution. Professional, regulatory and standards bodies increasingly emphasize employee participation and risk leadership as important for the mutual trust and respect necessary for safety objectives to be fully realized. This article reports how Risk Type is impacting these issues.

Project flexibility and creativity: the moderating role of training utility

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olajumoke A. Awe ◽  
E. Mitchell Church
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Mutual Trust ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Good Communication ◽  
Communication Environment

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study project management performance measures by analyzing how training utility affects the relationships between mutual trust, social interaction and creativity as well as mutual trust, social interaction and flexibility in projects.Design/methodology/approachUsing training utility and organizational support theory, eight hypotheses were developed. Responses from 279 project management professionals in the USA were collected. The hypotheses were then tested using partial least squares (PLS) and regression with the PROCESS macro approach.FindingsThe results suggests that the communication environment indeed has an important role in fostering creative and flexible project managers. Additionally, the study shows that organizations can actively improve the influence of the communication environment on project management creativity through training efforts. Interestingly, these findings may not hold for project manager flexibility.Practical implicationsIn today's project management world, organizations need project managers who quickly adapt to changing project management scenarios. To do this, project managers need to be creative, generating new and novel ideas, as well as flexible when converting ideas into action. Organizations often possess large amounts of knowledge, and project managers rely on good communication practices to access this knowledge in response to the required changes in the project domain.Originality/valueThe study includes contributions to theory and empirical research in project management by analyzing the critical role training utility has on the firm communication environments and its outcomes. The study shows that organizations can take an active role by investing in resources to promote flexibility and creativity in projects.

scholarly journals Impact Assessment for Sustainable Project Management And Pension Funds Projects Performance In Kenya

2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (01) ◽  
pp. 2852-2863
Author(s):  
Olive Gitau ◽  
Paul Sang
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Project Management ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Pension Funds ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Academic Journal ◽  
Bottom Line

Sustainability is an evolving area of research and is grabbing the attention of corporations, research communities, and regulatory bodies worldwide which had enhanced its implementation. The prevailing trend towards economic growth in developing countries has resulted in a huge demand for delivering construction projects which in turn has overshadowed sustainability concerns. Consequently, project managers in developing countries are lagging in embracing the concept of sustainability in managing projects. Specific focus has been given to construction projects in the pension industry in Kenya. To address this challenge, the paper explored sustainable project management based on a comprehensive literature review through a desk review of numerous academic journal articles to evaluate pension funds projects performance. Three theories were used to provide a foundation for the sustainable project management practices: stakeholder theory, the Triple Bottom Line (3BL) concept which captures the essence of sustainability and theory of risk management. The study established that current project management practices of Kenyan Pension Funds do not always ensure project success that secure desired market returns on these investments. As the pension schemes are also expected to continue to invest in alternative assets given the broadening of the allowable investment categories and to take advantage of the public infrastructural projects under the big four agenda (RBA, 2021), it becomes paramount to identify and implement sustainable project management practices for performance of the pension funds projects.  The outcome of this research showed that sustainability goals and environmental and social impact assessment contribute towards pension funds projects performance. The moderating effect of the regulatory framework was determined to be supportive towards sustainable pension funds projects performance.

Project Expectation Management – A Quality Approach to Customer Satisfaction

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karuna Devi Mishra ◽  
Dr. Sudarsanam
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Market Place ◽  
Dynamic Approach ◽  
Project Environment ◽  
Project Governance ◽  
Expectation Management ◽  
Management Project ◽  
Quality Approach

This paper investigates the current challenges faced by the project managers in creating realistic expectations of customers in dynamic changing project environment which are created by rapid introduction of new unknowns, as they progress. One might say they are more akin to packing boxes of frogs without a cover, setting each thing right before a new challenge is faced. The difficulties posed by these projects are identified and the literature is reviewed for suitable approaches. Why do projects fail and what more is critical to the success of project? All projects are conceived with a vision to satisfy certain needs of the business. Hence, the beneficiary of these needs become key stakeholder. Appropriate participation of this key stakeholder in steering the project ensures the success of the project. Also businesses are impacted by competition and changing market place resulting in skewed expectation management. Managing expectations enhances the success of the project immensely. Now, goal of the project plays a pivotal role and hence respecting it, is an important task, in project management. Project governance is an important aspect which needs to change according to the requirements and requires a dynamic approach rather than a ‘rule book approach’.

An Analysis of Web-based Document Management and Communication Tools Usage Among Project Managers

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomislav Rozman ◽  
Tanja Kocjan Stjepanovič ◽  
Andrej Raspor
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Document Management ◽  
Communication Tools ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Motivation Factors ◽  
Communication Software ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Eu Project

The article analyzes modern cloud document management systems and communication tools from the viewpoint of a EU project managers, who lead multidisciplinary, multilingual and international teams. It also explores the types of users who use these tools as well as the motivation factors guiding their choices. The research includes observation within the project group, interviews and semi-structured surveys among 40 EU project managers, who have managed 244 EU projects. The main finding is that a lot of project managers still don't use shared, cloud document system. The biggest obstacle to more efficient usage of existing systems is their un-friendliness, security concerns and lack of skills. Meetings are still perceived as the most efficient channel for distributing and receiving project tasks, but they are closely followed by communication software. Applying the authors' findings to the project management practice can lead to better communication and shared document storage management, which can influence overall effectiveness of project management.

scholarly journals Project Management in Development Cooperation. Non-Governmental Organizations

Innovar ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (56) ◽  
pp. 53-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maricela I. Montes-Guerra ◽  
Aida R. De-Miguel ◽  
M. Amaya Pérez-Ezcurdia ◽  
Faustino N. Gimena ◽  
H. Mauricio Díez-Silva
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Development Cooperation ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Applicable Knowledge ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Effect

This article analyzes the adoption of project management practices in development cooperation NGOs and their influence on project performance. This paper illustrates the impact in the implementation of methodologies, techniques and tools on outcomes, measured by success criteria of several projects recently implemented. Information from the project managers of the organizations was collected, and complemented by a literature review. We analyzed the correlation among the variables that determine the adoption of a project, and the criteria that determine its success. The positive effect of project management adoption in the performance of cooperation projects is demonstrated, in spite of the low use of methodologies, techniques and tools within the sector. The article shows the importance of project management in cooperation and aid projects, with the purpose of increasing researchers' awareness about the field as applicable knowledge and about the benefits of its use in the sector. The paper shows that project management can improve project efficiency and accountability in other sectors.

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.

scholarly journals A Correlational Study on Project Management Methodology and Project Success

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-65
Author(s):  
Michael Pace
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Correlational Study ◽  
Demographic Information ◽  
Moderating Variables ◽  
Multiple Project Management ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract This non-experimental correlational study extends previous research investigating the relationship between project management methodology and reported project success, as well as the moderating variables of industry and project manager experience. The sample included North American project managers with five years’ experience, 25 years of age or older, and experience with multiple project management methodologies. The survey instrument consisted of 58 questions, utilizing a 5-point Likert scale to record responses. The survey contained three sections, including demographic information, questions related to a successful project, and questions related to a less-than successful (failed / challenged) project. 367 usable responses were received. The examination of the constructs included Pearson’s correlation coefficient as well as linear regression to determine the impact of moderating variables. Results indicated that project management methodology has a weak correlation with reported project success, and this correlation is not moderated by industry nor project manager experience. The results did not align with previously conducted studies, illustrating a need to continue the study of methods impacting success including investigating additional moderating variables.

scholarly journals Leadership Qualities in Project Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (521) ◽  
pp. 240-245
Author(s):  
H. Y. Luchko ◽  
◽  
I. V. Kohut ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
External Environment ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Leadership Qualities ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
Management Standard ◽  
The Individual

This article is aimed at researching the phenomenon of leadership, analyzing the qualities of project leaders and defining the key qualities that project managers should have to effectively manage teams and achieve maximum results. The article defines that in order to ensure effective management of the project team with dynamic changes in the external environment, the project manager must be not only a director, but also a leader at the same time. It is precisely the leadership qualities of the project manager, which provide the ability to coordinate the team’s work in such a manner that certain results be achieved, i.e., the expectations of the main stakeholders be fulfilled or exceeded. The article examines the most characteristic traits inherent in leaders, which are highlighted by various researchers of the «traits theory». It is determined that of importance for a project manager is not only certain traits of the leader, but also professional competence. The criteria for assessing the level of competence of project managers in accordance with the ICB4 standard, as well as the necessary skills in relation to the individual competence of «Leadership», are specified. The main qualities and skills of the leader-manager according to the latest version of the PMBOOK project management standard are also considered. The research carried out by the authors resulted in distinguishing the most important qualities of the leader, which, combined with the necessary professional knowledge and skills, will allow project managers to become successful and effective in team cohesion to achieve the best results in project activities. The traits allocated as result of the research, such as responsibility, perseverance, ability to cooperate, kindness and others, will allow project managers to be successful leaders of their teams and to effectively manage projects and programs.

scholarly journals Is an Engineering Project Management Degree Worth it? Developing Agile Digital Skills for Future Practice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Dacre ◽  
PK Senyo ◽  
David Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Engineering Project ◽  
Research Engagement ◽  
Engineering Managers ◽  
Engineering Project Management ◽  
Digital Skills ◽  
Complex Project ◽  
Future Practice

Engineering managers are progressively tasked with leveraging digital technologies and innovations which have yet to be fully developed, to seek out opportunities and challenges in complex project contexts. However, there is a disparity between knowledge gained from engineering development programmes, and the rapidly changing landscape of modern project practice, which requires professionals to effectively engage and deploy relevant agile digital skills in practice. For example, complex engineering projects increasingly employ dynamic digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR / VR), 3D Printing, and Digital Twins, which require managers to quickly adapt to changing constraints through agile digital skills. Therefore, this paper seeks to focus on exploring the role of engineering project management programmes in developing knowledge and agile digital skills relevant for future project practice. Through an outline review of project management development programmes, this research paper suggests that their inherent value for engineering project managers, is largely dependent on a combination of applied research, engagement, and agile digital skills development for future practice.

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