Managing Change in Construction Projects. A Knowledge-Based Approach

Investment in any new project invariably carries risk but the construction industry is subject to more risk and uncertainty than perhaps any other industry. This guide for construction managers, project managers and quantity surveyors as well as for students shows how the risk management process improves decision-making. Managing Risk in Construction Projects offers practical guidance on identifying, assessing and managing risk and provides a sound basis for effective decision-making in conditions of uncertainty. The book focuses on theoretical aspects of risk management but also clarifies procedures for undertaking and utilising decisions. This blend of theory and practice is the real message of the book and, with a strong authorship team of practitioners and leading academics, the book provides an authoritative guide for practitioners having to manage real projects. It discusses a number of general concepts, including projects, project phases, and risk attitude before introducing various risk management techniques. This third edition has been extended to recognize the reality of multi-project or programme management and the risks in this context; to highlight the particular problems of risk in international joint ventures; and to provide more coverage of PFI and PPP. With case studies and examples of good practice, the book offers the distilled knowledge of over 100 man-years of experience in working on all aspects of project risk, giving sound practical guidance on identifying, assessing and managing risk.

Project management is of critical importance in construction, yet its execution poses major challenges. In order to keep a project on track, decisions often have to be made before all the necessary information is available. Drawing on a wide range of research, Managing Construction Projects proposes new ways of thinking about project management in construction, exploring the skills required to manage uncertainty and offering techniques for thinking about the challenges involved. The second edition takes the information processing perspective introduced in the first edition and develops it further. In particular, this approach deepens the reader’s understanding of the dynamics in the construction project process – from the value proposition inherent in the project mission, to the functioning asset that generates value for its owners and users. Managing Construction Projects is a unique and indispensible contribution to the available literature on construction project management. It will be of particular benefit to advanced students of construction and construction project management, as well as contractors and quantity surveyors. Reviews of the First edition: «A massive review of the art and science of the management of projects that has the great virtue of being a good read wherever it is touched. It spills the dirt on things that went wrong, elucidates the history so you can understand the industry's current stance, draws on other countries experience and explains the latest management processes. Throughout it is liberally sprinkled with anecdotes and case histories which amply illustrate the dos and don't for practitioners wishing to deliver projects on time to expected quality and price. A valuable book for students and practitioners alike.» —John D Findlay, Director, Stent «This is a valuable source for practitioners and students. It covers the A-Z of project management in a confident contemporary manner, and provides a powerful and much needed conceptual perspective in place of a purely prescriptive approach. The engaging presentation introduces a range of challenges to established thinking about project management, often by making comparisons between practices in the UK and those of other countries.» —Peter Lansley, Professor of Construction Management, University of Reading «A refreshing and unique study of information management and its impact upon international construction project management.... The book is well presented and written, logical and succinct and is flexible enough to allow readers to either read from start to finish or to dip into selected chapters. This book deserves to be an established text for any construction or civil engineering under – and/or postgraduate course.» —CNBR, 25th November 2003 «Generous use is made of anecdotes andc case histories throughout to support the theory. the book illustrates the mistakes made by others, and the means to deliver projects on time and to cost.» —Building Services Journal, April 2004

A GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY-BASED FIRMS Used effectively, project management can increase a firm’s market share, product quality, and customer satisfaction. Though technology-based companies place themselves at a competitive disadvantage if they neglect this strategic tool, many overlook project management’s benefits because they see themselves as continuously adapting organizations. In reality, this role makes project management even more vital. Managing Technology-Based Projects imparts the latest approaches and tools essential to lead a successful technology-based project. It outlines the practical integration of project management with four key areas: strategic alignment of projects within the enterprise, the project management process and its organizational support system, invaluable tools and techniques, and the individual and group leadership within a project’s organization. Complete with examples of industrial applications, the book includes: Methods for defining key performance indicators and assessing project management process effectiveness Suggestions for fine-tuning and continuous improvement Practical case scenarios, discussion topics, end-of-chapter reviews, and exercises Attention to project management as it applies to a globalized business No one in a managerial role should be without Thamhain’s expert advice. This guidebook is your road map to successfully incorporating enterprise project management into technology-based work.

A key problem facing the construction industry is that all work is done by transient project teams, and in the past there has been no structured approach to learning from projects once they are completed. Now, though, the industry is adapting concepts of knowledge management to improve the situation. This book brings together 13 contributors from research and industry to show how managing construction knowledge can bring real benefits to organisations and projects. It covers a wide range of issues, from basic definitions and fundamental concepts, to the role of information technology, and engendering a knowledge sharing culture. Practical examples from construction and other industry sectors are used throughout to illustrate the various dimensions of knowledge management. The challenges of implementing knowledge management are outlined and the ensuing benefits highlighted.

Construction is the country's single largest manufacturing industry. However, it is a sector that lacks benchmarks against which to gauge performance. This modern thinking intends to provide insight to construction productivity improvement. Taking cues from manufacturing sectors such as computer, automobile and chemical companies, this book will apply the lessons learned to building construction. Supported with a range of pedagogical devices, the book will be of equal value to construction managers and civil engineers, and students with different learning methods.

The first book demonstrating how to apply the principles of social network analysis to managing complex projects This groundbreaking book gets project managers and students up to speed on state-of-the-art applications of social network analysis (SNA) for observing, analysing, and managing complex projects. Written by an expert at the leading edge of the SNA project management movement, it clearly demonstrates how the principles of social network analysis can be used to provide a smarter, more efficient, holistic approach to managing complex projects. Project managers, especially those tasked with managing large, complex construction and engineering projects, traditionally have relied upon analysis and decision-making based upon hierarchical structures and vaguely defined project systems, much of which is borrowed from historic scientific management approaches. However, it has become apparent that a more sophisticated methodology is required for observing project systems and managing relationships with today’s more knowledgeable and demanding clients. Social network analysis (SNA) provides just such an approach. Unfortunately, existing books on social network analysis are written primarily for sociologists and mathematicians, with little or no regard for the needs of project managers – until now. The first and only book of its kind, Managing Networks in Project-Based Organisations: Offers a framework and a fully-developed approach to applying SNA theory and methodologies to large, complex projects Describes highly effective strategies and techniques for managing the iterative and transient relationships between network-defining actor roles involved in the delivery of complex projects Uses numerous real-world examples and case studies of successful applications of SNA to large-scale construction and engineering projects around the world Draws on its author’s decades of experience managing complex projects for demanding clients, as well as his extensive academic research in Project Management Managing Networks in Project-Based Organisations is an important working resource for project management professionals and consultants, especially those serving the construction and engineering industries. It is also an excellent text/reference for postgraduate students of project management and supply chain management, as well as academic researchers of project management.

Effective project management tailored to the needs of the telecommunications industry «In our rapidly changing world, the information and communication technologies and services have an immense impact on virtually all aspects of our lives. . . . With his deep understanding of the telecommunication services, and his rich experiences in both standardization activities and teaching practice, [Dr. Sherif's] book provides a very clear analysis of development projects in telecommunication services. I believe the readers will find this book very useful and interesting.» —Houlin Zhao, Director, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau,International Telecommunication Union «Dr. Sherif's book is an important contribution to the project management literature. With the domination of the service economy in recent years, the book addresses the unique features of telecommunication services, a critical pillar of the service sector. Development projects in telecommunications require combining good knowledge of the fundamentals of project management with clear understanding of the complexities arising from fast-changing technology, deregulations, standards, accountability, and supply chain management difficulties. This book addresses the much-needed integrative approach very well.» —Tarek Khalil, President, International Association for Management of Technology (IAMOT) While there has been much written about project management, the vast majority of the literature focuses on industrial design and production. In Managing Projects in Telecommunication Services, Mostafa Hashem Sherif effectively demonstrates the unique requirements of projects in telecommunication services and, consequently, the benefits of an integrated approach to project management that is specifically tailored to the telecommunications industry. Managing Projects in Telecommunication Services draws from a wide range of disciplines, including organizational management, motivation, quality control, and software engineering. All the theory and practical guidance that an effective telecommunications project manager needs is provided. The text is divided into three main parts: Chapters 1 through 3 set forth the special characteristics of telecommunications projects, including technology life cycle, type of innovation, and project organization Chapters 4 through 10 cover the areas that the Project Management Institute has standardized in its publication A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), focusing on the issues specific to telecommunications. Chapters address scope, schedule and cost, information and communication, human resources, quality, vendor management, and risk Chapters 11 and 12 integrate and summarize all of the concepts for the planning and delivery of a project Chapters are loaded with examples and case studies, many from the author's personal experience, that demonstrate the benefits of good project management and the consequences of poor project management. Each chapter includes a summary of key points. References are also provided to facilitate further research and study. For project managers as well as students in telecommunications, this text is unsurpassed. It not only covers the theory and practice of effective project management, it also tailors its discussion specifically to the unique needs of the telecommunications industry. (PMBOK is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.)

This book explores the management of change to improve public service effectiveness. It breaks new ground in addressing why public service change is becoming increasingly complex to manage, how people cope with this new complexity, what implications arise for improving policy and practice, and which avenues for further research and theory-building look particularly promising. The contributors are all leading researchers from the USA, Canada and the UK. Together they provide a synthesis of state-of-the-art thinking on the complex change process in Anglo-American contexts, policy-making for public service reform that generates managerial complexity, and practice in service organizations to improve provision. Special reference is made to education and health: the largest and most complex of the public services. The analysis has wider relevance for other public services and national contexts. Managing Change in the Public Services is essential reading for all concerned with public service improvement – leaders and managers in service organizations, administrators, trainers, advisers and consultants who support the management of change, policy-makers and public servants, and advanced course students and academics. The book also offers general insights for the theory and practice of managing organizational and systemic change.

This book provides its readers with a structured approach to decision-making and case management in oral rehabilitation. It is built around actual patient cases from simple prosthodontics to complex full-mouth reconstructions, demonstrating a formal process by which a diagnosis and treatment plan is reached. Grounded firmly in evidence-based principles, the book also includes a chapter on literature searching in dentistry, which is critical for acquiring a knowledge-base for informed decisions in clinical treatment. Featuring an approach to prosthodontics and oral rehabilitation that is both instructional and practical, Oral Rehabilitation: A Case-Based Approach will help clinicians to develop the necessary skills to make consistent, evidence-based clinical decisions. KEY FEATURES • Presents a case-based process showing how diagnosis and treatment is achieved • Covers a range of clinical scenarios from simple to complex presentations • Illustrates each case fully, with stages documented by colour photographs • Emphasises inter-disciplinary management in prosthodontics • Accompanied by a website containing illustrative video clips

A quick, systematic and logical approach to diagnosing and treating temporomandibular disorders (TMD), this latest book in the Dental Update series is an essential clinical companion for dental students and practising dentists. Starting with an overview of the basic principles of TMD, such as the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint and its physiology and pathology in relation to clinical treatment, the book goes on to present the realities of managing patients, using a case-based approach to help readers understand and engage with the information. Each later chapter presents a different problem in the form of a case study, and each study features a systematic approach to aid learning. Temporomandibular Disorders: A Problem-Based Approach promotes learning as a dynamic process of active involvement. It encourages valuation by self-assessment with questions at the end of the book, and a unique link to an online interactive quiz where readers can test their knowledge of TMD. The final chapters include practical guides of how to make splints and samples of patient information sheets that can be used as templates. The book is illustrated in full colour, with helpful clinical images and diagrams. KEY FEATURES Uses a case-based approach to promote effective management of TMD Covers basic scientific background as well as clinical scenarios Addresses not only ‘why’ but also ‘how’ with a highly practical focus Includes a unique link to an online interactive quiz (visit www.wiley.com/go/gray) Contains many full colour clinical images and diagrams