Ad hoc Articles

Rajeshree Moodley, Herman Steyn & Taryn Jane Bond-Barnard

Africa's economic growth depends on direct foreign investment, primarily through global projects. However, literature on success factors for global/cross-border projects in Africa is non-existent. This paper reports on a study of ten projects, with a combined value of US$680 million, executed by a South African company in six other African countries. Best practices and success factors for cross-border projects were investigated, using a modified nominal group technique, a Delphi survey and thematic analysis.
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S. Pretorius, H. Steyn & T.J. Bond-Barnard

Abstract
Currently, many organisations experience challenges as a result of uncertainty, fast-changing environments, globalisation, and increasingly complex work tasks. In order to adapt to these challenges, a shift in leadership style may be needed. Traditionally, leadership has been seen as a vertical relationship (top-down influence). For a number of decades, this vertical leadership model has been the principal one in the leadership field.
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Brighton Tshuma, Herman Steyn & Cornelis Cristo van Waveren

Purpose – This article describes advances in the study of knowledge transfer (KT) in project-based organizations (PBOs). Project management offices (PMOs) have both a moderation role and a mediation role to play in KT between projects. In order to improve KT between projects, this paper explores the mediation role of the PMO in the transfer of knowledge with different levels of articulability. The aim is to improve the usability of transferred knowledge.
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Michiel C. Bekker & Herman Steyn

Since the turn of the 20th century the use of the concept ‘project governance’ has gained popularity in both practical application and academic research. With the principles of ‘corporate governance’ firmly and successfully established in the corporate environment the diversification of these principles into other areas of organisational interaction, notably project management, was eminent. This paper provides a brief overview of how ‘project governance’ was defined, how a Concept Project Governance Framework (CPGF) was derived and how the principles were applied and evaluated.
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Willem Louw, Herman Steyn, Jan Wium & Wim Gevers

Abstract

Purpose – Executive sponsors play a significant role in the success of megaprojects which, in turn, affect national economies and millions of people. However, the literature on the requisite attributes of project sponsors on megaprojects is still sparse. The purpose of the paper is to provide guidelines to company boards and executives who are tasked to appoint suitable executive sponsors to megaprojects. Thus, the paper contributes to the sparse literature on megaproject sponsors.
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L. Bell, C.C. van Waveren & H. Steyn

This paper examines mechanisms to use lessons learned on individual projects within an organisation. A Delphi study highlighted the organisation’s responsibility for incorporating knowledge from projects into a project management methodology. Knowledge from a project should be transferred through a centralised knowledge management function that should evaluate codified knowledge within the context in which it was generated, determine how the knowledge should be used, and maintain the explicit knowledge database and the knowledge flow process.
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M.L. Barry, Herman Steyn & Alan C Brent

The supply of sustainable energy is crucial for sustainable development in Africa. The aim of the study summarised in this paper is the identification, and prioritisation, of the factors that must be taken into account when selecting the most sustainable technological systems in the African context, by applying the Delphi technique. The questionnaire of the first round was based on factors already identified during a focus group exercise with energy experts. The Delphi participants were required to comment on the factors, add new factors, and rate all the factors. The results were fed back during the second round where respondents were again asked to rate the factors for feasibility, desirability, and importance.
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J.T. Labuschagne & H. Steyn

This paper describes the characteristics of a project management methodology that is currently used in the consulting engineering industry in South Africa. Based on currently-used methodologies in other industries, and on a Delphi survey conducted in several consulting engineering companies, guidelines for a project management methodology for the consulting engineering industry are proposed. Respondents of the survey were in full agreement on typical project life cycle phases.
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Ntokozo H. Nkiwane, Werner G. Meyer & Herman Steyn

Abstract
With large infrastructure backlogs in Africa, well-controlled projects will play a significant role in African infrastructure development. In this paper, the monitoring and/or directive use of Earned Value Management (EVM) is investigated and linked to project management maturity. This case study also investigates the use of EVM based on the financial and schedule risk distribution among project role players, and the effect of EVM on project performance. The results show minimal use of EVM in the directive control of projects; at best, the directive use of EVM is found to be implied rather than deliberate and methodical.
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Brighton Tshuma, Herman Steyn & Corro Van Waveren

Abstract
Projects are unique, temporary structures that produce unique knowledge. For organisations to gain competitive advantage, this knowledge needs to be transferred effectively between projects. Knowledge transfer across projects is thus an important and decisive competitive factor. However, project teams typically focus on short-term project goals, and often fail to regard capturing and transferring project knowledge between projects as important for the long-term benefit of the organisation. This theoretical study argues that Project Management Offices (PMOs) play an important role by supporting and facilitating the flow of knowledge between projects
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Willem Louw, Jan Wium, Herman Steyn & Wim Gevers

Abstract

The importance of the sponsor role, including its contribution to the success or failure of a project, is widely recognised in the project management literature. References to the sponsor’s leadership, and the substantial component it represents in the profile of the sponsor, are equally prevalent in the literature reviewed. A megaproject is a large-scale, complex venture that typically costs US$1 billion or more, takes many years to develop and build, involves multiple public and private stakeholders, is transformational, and influences millions of people. Executive sponsors are primarily allocated to projects of strategic importance that are complex, carry a considerable degree of risk, and are very visible. A megaproject is thus entitled to a sponsor from the executive (most senior) ranks within an organisation.
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Theophelus Kagogo & Herman Steyn

Although project scope definition is regarded as a key element in successful project management, research on the subject is sparse. This paper investigates the relationship between project scope readiness and project performance in the Namibian mining industry. A survey was done on ten projects from seven Namibian mining companies, using the project definition readiness index (PDRI) tool as a scope definition indicator, while cost and schedule performance were used as performance indicators. Support was found for the proposition that readiness of project scope definition improves schedule performance, but the relationship between the PDRI score and cost performance was less conclusive.
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