Solving multiple-criteria R&D project selection problems with a data-driven evidential reasoning rule

In this paper, a likelihood based evidence acquisition approach is proposed to acquire evidence from experts' assessments as recorded in historical datasets. Then a data-driven evidential reasoning rule based model is introduced to R&D project selection process by combining multiple pieces of evidence with different weights and reliabilities. As a result, the total belief degrees and the overall performance can be generated for ranking and selecting projects. Finally, a case study on the R&D project selection for the National Natural Science Foundation of China is conducted to show the effectiveness of the proposed model.The data-driven evidential reasoning rule based model for project evaluation and selection (1) utilizes experimental data to represent experts' assessments by using belief distributions over the set of final funding outcomes, and through this historical statistics it helps experts and applicants to understand the funding probability to a given assessment grade, (2) implies the mapping relationships between the evaluation grades and the final funding outcomes by using historical data, and (3) provides a way to make fair decisions by taking experts' reliabilities into account. In the data-driven evidential reasoning rule based model, experts play different roles in accordance with their reliabilities which are determined by their previous review track records, and the selection process is made interpretable and fairer. The newly proposed model reduces the time-consuming panel review work for both managers and experts, and significantly improves the efficiency and quality of project selection process. Although the model is demonstrated for project selection in the NSFC, it can be generalized to other funding agencies or industries.     

A conceptual model for project management of exploration and production in the oil and gas industry: The case of a Brazilian company

The objective of this study was to obtain a better understanding of factors that influence Exploration and Production (E&P) project management success and corporate financial performance. The study follows structural equation modeling (SEM) methodology to achieve greater understanding of the intricate network of relationships between variables involved in E&P project management. A comprehensive theoretical framework was needed to formulate the conceptual basis of research. Observation of the real world and practical experiences were also important. To that end, we conducted a case study in a large Brazilian oil company. Field research was essential because of the lack of similar studies in the oil and gas sector. The model developed is a theoretical construct known as a structural and measurement model (set of latent variables, observed variables and hypotheses, depicted in a path diagram). This model contributes significantly to the company because it is a global representation of the main factors for improving E&P project management. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution because adjustment and validation of the theoretical model were not performed.     

基于案例的我国2014-2020年PPP项目失败原因分析

选取2014年后财政部PPP国家示范项目中被"清退出库"或"调出示范"的187个项目作为研究对象,检索与分析其失败原因,得到133个项目的失败原因.然后将失败原因分为8类,分析示范项目的4类主要失败原因:不具备PPP模式实施条件、项目落地困难、未按时完成采购、项目示范性不充足.基于上述分析,从保障项目规范性、项目全生命...     

Metaheuristics for project and construction management - A state-of-the-art review

This paper carries out a detailed review of previous studies that employed metaheuristics to address problems/issues encountered in the life time of a construction or engineering project. The review is organized around critical problems/issues including engineering, cost estimation, planning, scheduling, and monitoring and control of project operations, with the objectives to optimize cost and time through the efficient uses of constrained or unconstrained resources. Metaheuristics are emphasized because they are especially suitable when approximate solutions are good enough in the case that the global optimum is either unknown or computationally too expensive to obtain it; both are characteristics of a typical large scale project. Based on the review, we offer our view of this research area and their potential for practical use. An attempt is also made to identify project management related topics where further advancement needs to be made.     

Integration projects as relational spaces: A closer look at acquired managers’ strategic role recovery in cross-border acquisitions

Acquired and acquiring middle managers are in a central role in mergers and acquisitions (M&As), as they are responsible for the execution of the acquisition's strategy. However, the context of cross-border acquisitions considerably alters the strategy roles of the acquired middle managers. This paper explores the post-acquisition phase as a collection of integration projects. In so doing, the paper contributes to an emerging stream bridging the M&As and project management literatures. Using a mixed methods research design, our findings are based on an international sample of 52 interviews and 65 survey responses. We offer two contributions to extant theorizing. The first contribution is in revealing the role of integration projects as relational spaces wherein inter-firm interaction and post-acquisition strategy execution is undertaken. The second contribution demonstrates that the recovery of acquired middle managers strategic roles is not only linked to the existence of these relational spaces, but further depends on the project type. Our findings are a call for more research connecting the M&As and project management literatures.     

Recent Developments and Practices to Control Fire in Undergound Coal Mines

Coal mine fires cause serious threat to the property and human lives. Outbreak of fire may be dealt with advanced fire suppression techniques like Infusion of inert gases or liquid nitrogen, Dynamic Balancing of pressure, Reversal of underground mine ventilation, Application of nitrogen foam, Inertisation of Goaf, Water mist etc. The paper addresses all those control techniques in detail. Success story of controlling fires in coal mines of different parts of the world are reported. Results of a recently completed Science & Technology (S&T) project with regard to various fire suppression techniques like Infusion of liquid nitrogen, Injection of high pressure high stability nitrogen foam, and Water mist on open fire are also discussed.     

The application of active radio frequency identification technology for tool tracking on construction job sites

Tool availability is a critical factor in the productivity of construction crews. In an effort to improve the efficiency of tracking tools and improve their availability, this research effort developed a tool tracking and inventory system which is also capable of storing operation and maintenance (O&M) data using commercially available active radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. With participation of two electrical construction firms, the system was tested on a number of construction jobsites. The project demonstrated that active RFID can be used to inventory small tools and store pertinent O&M data on the tools in construction environments despite metal interference and low temperatures. Economics, lack of standardization, and lack of direction and range data from the tags were identified as the most significant constraints limiting active RFID commercialization for tool tracking.     

Measuring project complexity using the Analytic Hierarchy Process

Project complexity is ever growing and needs to be understood and measured better to assist modern project management. The overall ambition of this paper is therefore to define a measure of project complexity in order to assist decision-making. A synthesised literature review on existing complexity measures is proposed in order to highlight their limitations. Then, we identify the multiple aspects of project complexity. We then propose a multi-criteria approach to project complexity evaluation, through the use of the Analytic Hierarchy Process. In the end, it permits to define a relative project complexity measure. Complexity scales and subscales are defined in order to highlight the most complex alternatives and their principal sources of complexity within the set of criteria and sub-criteria which exist in the hierarchical structure. Finally, a case study within a start-up firm in the entertainment industry is performed. Conclusions and research perspectives are given in the end.     

Mechanised Spraying Device—A Novel Technology for Spraying Fire Protective Coating Material in the Benches of Opencast Coal Mines for Preventing Spontaneous Combustion

Spontaneous combustion in coal mines play a vital role in occurrences of fire. Fire in coal, particularly in opencast mines not only causes irreparable loss of national wealth but damages the surface structure and pollutes the environment. The problem of spontaneous combustion/fire in opencast coal benches is acute. Presently over 75% of the total production of coal in Indian mines is being carried out by opencast mining. Accordingly a mechanised spraying device has been developed for spraying the fire protective coating material for preventing spontaneous combustion in coal benches of opencast mines jointly by Central Mining Research Institute, Dhanbad and M/s Signum Fire Protection (India) Pvt. Ltd., Nagpur under Science & Technology (S&T) project funded by Ministry of Coal, Govt. of India. The objective of this paper is to describe in detail about the mechanised spraying device and its application for spraying fire protective coating material in the benches of opencast coal mines for preventing spontaneous combustion/fire.     

某扩建工程大型钢结构桁架制作与工艺优化

浦东香格里拉大酒店扩建工程中桁架结构复杂、刚度大、反变形能力小;焊件坡121角度大、焊接收缩量大;节点处焊缝密集、焊接变形难以控制.针对桁架节点形式及特点,对箱形节点和桁架构件施工工艺进行优化设计,采用合适的组装顺序、焊接工艺、起拱方案及预拼装方法,严格控制误差,使得焊缝质量和构件几何尺寸得到了有效控制,减少了装配和焊接工作量,提高了生产效率,降低了成本.     

Relationships between project governance and information technology governance and their impact on project performance

This research endeavors to address the question of how to enhance project performance through exploring the relationships among information technology (IT) governance, project governance and project performance. The research utilizes an empirical survey methodology. The survey of 533 working professionals in various industries renders 282 usable responses or a response rate of 53.91%. The results suggest that both IT governance and project governance have a positive impact on project performance. Moreover, we found that three dimensions of IT governance (i.e., strategy setting, value delivery, and performance management) are positively associated with project performance while all three dimensions of project governance (i.e., portfolio direction, project sponsorship as well as project effectiveness & efficiency, and disclosure & reporting) are positively associated with project performance. Additionally, the alignment between IT governance and project governance is also found to be positively associated with project performance. These findings provide evidence to project management professionals in regard to IT governance and project governance being part of the operational strategy in facilitating the success of projects. It also demonstrates the importance of the alignment strategy between IT governance and project governance in enhancing project performance.     

Governing projects under complexity: theory and practice in project management

In this paper we argue that the fledgling field of project and program governance has the potential to make a major scholarly and practical contribution. One that not only has the potential to mainstream project management within the broader business and management field, but to also cement its place as a dominant voice in the successful governance of the strategic intentions of organizations, societies, and nations. With this argument in mind three themes organize present discussion in this issue of International Journal of Project Management: the first concerns how we should make sense of governance, something that is clarified through a review of the current state of play in the literature; the second theme comprises papers that report research conducted on governance in projects, using insights from surveys, case studies and other systematic forms of empirical observation. The third theme focuses on theoretical models of governance, ranging from distributed knowledge management and learning perspectives on project governance to systems engineering approaches. While we do not claim that this issue is exhaustive, we do believe it provides a sign post about the current state of play, and the potential future of governance in project and program management as a mainstream domain of research, theory and practice.     

Epistemic Mediation: Aligning Expertise across Boundaries within an Endangered Species Habitat Conservation Plan

This paper uses videotaping and discourse analysis to study participants' dialogue and conduct during preparation of the Coachella Valley habitat conservation plan in southern California. The research uses social worlds analysis to reveal that the plan's technical advisors did not find facts through the collective discovery of scientific truths with unitary meanings, but instead constructed facts by aligning professional visions of space, time, and agency. The validity of the resulting plan relied on its ability to be a “boundary object”, meaning different things to different groups, while simultaneously laying claim to universality and objectivity. However, its subsequent failure to satisfy an unexpected scientific peer review demonstrates the importance of anticipating downstream reception and use when developing such documents. This case study shows that planners can be epistemic mediators, creating and stabilizing technical knowledge claims that project authority by showing a responsive face to many audiences.     

超大直径环状桁架的“进退”拼装工法

以抚顺“生命之环”三角形变截面钢管桁架组成的环形结构体系桁架为例,对难以在场地上进行预拼装的大体积和超重单元桁架,通过设立基准平面单元,借助基准平面单元的“一进一退”方法进行拼装组合.该拼装方法大大提高了拼装精度,保证了工程质量的同时加快了工程进度,同时解决了大型环状桁架相邻拼接单元的拼装进度要求,为类似工程提供了一种全新的拼装方法.     

Building design for buildability: an investigation of the current practice in Nigeria

The paper is an interim report of an ongoing research project into the “Improvement of the Building Design and Production Practices in Nigeria”. It examines the extent to which issues relating to easy and efficient construction are being considered and incorporated into building designs in the country. A total sample of 60 professionals: 15 each of Architects, Builders, Engineers and Quantity Surveyors; having not less than 5 years of professional experience were interviewed. The designs of 20 randomly selected public buildings completed as from the year 2000, were also assessed for their content of buildability features of: standardization, simplicity, and single integrated elements. All the professionals wanted construction methods and site operations, thoroughly considered in building designs, but they expressed varied opinions on how this should be achieved. Their responses (average of 3.39 and 3.35 respectively on a scale of 0–4) were also indicative of a high awareness, and application of the standardization and simplicity principles. This is, however, lower for the single integrated element which has an average score of 2.40. The assessed building designs showed that standardization and simplicity were at least fairly reflected in at least 65% of the cases, and that single integrated elements were fairly reflected in only 20%.     

Project,program and portfolio management as modes of organizing: Theorising at the intersection between mergers and acquisitions and project studies

Although the management of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and of projects are connected in practice, they remain disjoined in academia. In this paper, we conceptually bridge the literature on projects and M&As to discuss the transitory nature of organisations by mobilising the concepts of project, programme, and portfolio as alternative modes of organising M&As. As a project, the managerial effort in M&A focuses on completion on time and budget. As a programme, M&As are managed as complex processes of convergence between organisations. As a portfolio, M&A management is part of the ongoing integration efforts within organisations that have grown via M&As. Our contribution to project studies is to position projects, programmes, and portfolios as modes of organising, hence, not as phenomena but as managerial choices used to shape strategic change initiatives, such as M&As. We conclude with implications beyond project studies, thereby drafting a project-based theory of the firm.     

Design-and-build contractors' service quality in public projects in Singapore

In the construction industry, total quality comprises corporate service quality, project service quality and quality of the constructed facility. This study investigates the project service quality of design-and-build (D&B) contractors when undertaking projects for public sector clients in Singapore. Service quality is operationalized into five determinants: reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy and tangible. From these, 34 attributes that may affect project service quality in D&B projects are identified. A questionnaire is used to ascertain clients' service quality expectations of these 34 attributes. The clients were also asked the extent to which D&B contractors achieve project service quality. It is found that D&B contractors did not meet clients' expectations in all the five dimensions of service quality. This means that D&B contractors are not giving clients the satisfaction that they hope for. This study offers D&B contractors feedback relating to clients' expectations of their service delivery and the areas of service that need to be improved in order to provide quality service that will satisfy public sector clients.     

Exploring the dynamics of project management office and portfolio management co-evolution: A routine lens

This paper addresses a recurrent topic of organizational project management (OPM) research: Project Management Offices (PMOs) are perceived to be instrumental in implementing strategy through portfolios of projects, but empirical evidence also shows that PMOs are often short-lived and their value is hard to quantify. We argue that an explanation may lie in the processes of co-evolution that PMOs undergo over time in interaction with organizational capabilities and context. We adopt an innovative research frame in the context of OPM research, using process theories of change and routines as a lens to investigate the co-evolution of PMO and Portfolio Management. A conceptual framework is suggested and we use an empirical case study to test and refine it. We discuss the theoretical implications of the findings and highlight the contributions made in supporting, adding, articulating and contrasting extant literature. We conclude the paper underlining paths for further researches.     

Selection of maintenance,renewal and improvement projects in rail lines using the analytic network process

This paper addresses one of the most common problems that a railway infrastructure manager has to face: to prioritise a portfolio of maintenance, renewal and improvement (MR&I) projects in a railway network. This decision-making problem is complex due to the large number of MR&I projects in the portfolio and the different criteria to take into consideration, most of which are influenced and interrelated to each other. To address this problem, the use of the analytic network process (ANP) is proposed. The method is applied to a case study in which the Local Manager of the public company, who is responsible for the MR&I of Spanish Rail Lines, has to select the MR&I projects which have to be executed first. Based on the results, it becomes evident that, for this case study, the main factor of preference for a project is the location of application rather than the type of project. The main contributions of this work are: the deep analysis done to identify and weigh the decision criteria, how to assess the alternatives and provide a rigorous and systematic decision-making process, based on an exhaustive revision of the literature and expertise.     

BIM adoption by public facility agencies: impacts on occupant value

ABSTRACT

Many governments have begun to demand that large public facility agencies adopt and implement building information modelling (BIM) in their business processes. Some have published BIM guides. Most of these are technical specifications that are useful at the project level, but they provide no support for the organization-level adoption effort. On the basis of a literature review, action research and case studies of five large UK government facility agencies, a BIM adoption impact map (BIM AIM) is proposed. It describes a set of possible relationships between the actions taken by public facility agencies, the intermediate outcomes of their actions and the eventual achievement of value for the occupants of the facilities they build. BIM AIM can be used by public facility agencies with a wide variety of construction project types to analyse and visualize the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities in their BIM adoption efforts, potentially enabling them to focus on social impacts and outcomes rather than on the technological or management actions that intermediate stakeholders promote.