Effective Utilization of Historical Data to Increase Organizational Performance: Focus on Sales/ Tendering and Projects

Master's thesis in Offshore technologyIn Oil and Gas industry there was not enough focus on this topic as cost was not a big factor in good olden days. But the sensational drop in oil prices below US$40 per barrel at the end of 2015 made the price more than 60 percent down compared to the one in previous years. It’s clear that the sector is going through one of the most transformative periods in its history. This situation has created more challenges to all O&G company leaders by forcing them to change their business strategies. The operating companies in the Oil and Gas industry have been focusing to reduce costs and increase organizational performance. Accordingly suppliers companies need to acknowledge their focus on the efficiency and optimization of resources to be able to sustain and grow in a competitive market. It demands better control of estimates and cost on future sales/tendering process. As quoted by one of the Operations Managers “An informed organization saves cost and wins faster”. The only way to get reliable information for any organization is by analyzing ‘what happened in the past’ and what we learned from it. In other words this is achieved through utilization of historical data from previous projects and by developing benchmarking metrics. Further, usage of the historical data can improve estimation and scheduling, support strategic planning, and improve the organizational processes. The historical project data or information can help in making strategic business decisions in any Organization. It can play a significant role in providing very distinct advantage over the competitors. Historical data can help the management to decide what projects are right for the future of the company and which projects can be avoided. Further, it can help to learn from past mistakes and win future bids by not repeating them. Most of the top management understands the importance of having and using historical project information or data. The problem is that very few companies have the methodologies, procedures, and systems in place to effectively use this information to improve their project processes and to support the estimation, scheduling, and control of future projects (opportunities). The present work focuses on historical data, estimation process and lessons learned for enhancing organizational performance. Further, the work includes a case study and number of expert interviews conducted at ABB. The work discusses how to collect, normalize, and analyze historical project data to develop practical information. Three models have been developed for project estimation process with a feedback loop, Lessons learned process model and Historical data utilization process. The recommendations have been made to use the historical data for establishing references for the sales/tendering department for future estimates, which can reduce the dependency on manual or a single person’s judgment and improve the estimation process. Some suggestions have also been made for establishing lessons learned process which can improve organizational performance. The results from analysis show that by applying the recommended processes, organizations can achieve efficiency through easy access and storage of historical database, easy access to lessons learned, measurable KPIs. Also use of key variables like project complexity and severity of requirements for estimation process and historical data process can form a better relation for data analysis and utilization.AB

TOWARD DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS FOR WEB-BASED PROJECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Web-based Project Management Systems (WPMS) are based on extranet applications for project management. Currently, WPMS software vendors are offering WPMS products on the e-business market. Because of lacking WPMS standards, users lack uniform tools to decide whether the available systems have relevant capabilities to meet their requirements. This research defines an initial approach to the creation of a WPMS standard. Such a standard can provide WPMS users with a rationale for WPMS selection mechanism. The research proposes an outline of an approach to future WPMS standard design

EFEKTIFITAS PENGADAAN BARANG DAN JASA BADAN USAHA MILIK NEGARA (BUMN) MELALUI PROSES EVALUASI SISTEM GUGUR

Tujuan utama dari badan usaha milik Negara (BUMN) adalah untuk melayani masyarakat, namun BUMN tetap memiliki tujuan untuk memperoleh keuntungan (profit oriented). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meneliti proses pengadaan barang dan jasa di perusahaan BUMN yang menggunakan sistem gugur. Studi kasus dilaksanakan pada proses pengadaan salah satu proyek di PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) Persero pada tahun 2019. Penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa proses evaluasi sistem gugur dapat menurunkan potensi keuntungan dari PLN. Hal ini dikarenakan calon kontraktor yang tidak lulus proses evaluasi sistem gugur yang diterapkan oleh PLN bisa saja memiliki pengalaman yang sesuai dan harga terendah. Oleh karena itu, sebaiknya proses evaluasi dititik beratkan kepada pengalaman yang sesuai dan harga terendah.Kata kunci : manajemen, pengadaan, proyek, evaluasi, tender.

Strategies to Reduce Cost Overruns and Schedule Delays in Construction Projects

Senior managers fail to control time and costs of construction projects despite available advanced project management tools. Based on project management theory, the objective of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies senior managers use to reduce cost overruns and schedule delays in construction projects. Primary data were obtained from semistructured interviews with 3 senior managers from different construction project management companies who have successfully managed construction projects in Qatar. Data analysis process included a modified Van Kaam method. The transcribed interviews were interpreted and coded to generate themes and were validated through member checking and archival documents. The most centralized themes included (a) master planning, (b) processes and procedures, (c) managing design stage, (d) procurement management, (e) use of proper software, (f) setting project cost and time, and (g) deciding clear scope. A construction project may not succeed without appropriate planning for all stages of the project lifecycle. Managing the approval of the project components during the design stage contributes to reducing changes during construction, which is helpful to control cost and time. The project processes and procedures are meaningful roadmaps for the managers and decision makers. The implications for positive social change include the potential to maintain a cleaner Earth by reducing design and construction wastes. Reducing wastes improves the cost of construction and provides opportunities for people to own property at more affordable costs

Projects and their management: A literature review

Over the years and more importantly in the recent past projects have been used as a delivery mechanism to dobusiness and accomplish objectives. No wonder it has become one of the fastest growing professions in the world.Although the understanding of what constitutes a project and what doesn’t continues to be a topic of debate. Thispaper attempts to provide literature search on what is a project, its classification, characteristics, its life cycle, phases, tools etc

Managing Critical Factors Causing Delays in Public Construction Projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

This thesis examines factors contributing to delays in public construction projects in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the implications of applying project management knowledge, tools, and techniques in addressing the problem. Using a triangulation research approach, this study identifies factors influencing public construction delays in KSA and current knowledge of PM concepts for minimising construction delays. Based on the results from qualitative and quantitative studies undertaken, a framework for minimising delays was developed

Mega-project engineering-management processes: pre-planning phase evaluation for construction and mining

Mega-projects internationally continue to experience time and cost overruns. Addressing the pre-planning phase has been assessed as a key requirement. This research-project presents two KSA mega-project resources case-studies towards an evaluation of the management-processes applied at the preplanning, design, construction and design phases to clarify procedure and recommend improvement. Findings note the impact of Stage-Gate Process, Gate-keeper approval, and scope-change processes. Recommendations for a best practice stakeholder guide are developed towards best practice

Collaborative procurement and private-sector housebuilding and refurbishment works: A pilot study investigation of the UK

Purpose Framed as a pilot study, the purpose of this paper is to study the perceived appropriateness of an existing collaborative procurement procedures (CPP) framework from the housebuilder’s perspective; seeking to improve its utility and stimulate further exploration. Design/methodology/approach Informed by an existing CPP framework, and conducted by a UK-based development professional, four in-depth semi-structured interviews were undertaken with senior housebuilding practitioners from London and surrounding counties. A qualitative analysis was then conducted for this sociological study. Findings Perceived appropriateness of the framework was high; however, a number of procedural improvements were identified, along with limitations. Future studies are recommended including the influence upon project performance of groundworker integration at the design stage. Research limitations/implications Limited to four interviews from one regional area, the study is an initial insight into the appropriateness of an existing CPP framework. Insights into why CP uptake is marginal within housebuilding were also gained. The research purpose was achieved but by offering a self-reflection upon practice (vis-à-vis wider generalisations) the findings provide a springboard for further studies. Practical implications The research identifies with current practice, industry perceptions, and paths towards improving the utility of the CPP framework. Social implications This study offers insights into the perceptions of private housebuilding practitioners of their own practices and the factors they find challenging within the social constructs of their industry. Originality/value This research constitutes one of the first studies in the UK to examine the CPP framework from the perspective of the private housebuilder and is undertaken with the express purpose of furthering that framework’s utility

Applying Standards, Guidelines and Methods in Construction Project Management

This dissertation scrutinizes the application of various standards, guidelines and methods in construction project management, and examines the use of such methods, tools and applications. Even though the availability of literature in the context of PM is extensive there has not been an adequate focus on applied project management with a specific interest in the constructing project management. This study describes the experiences gathered by the interviewees who are experienced construction executives and also discusses how they have managed their projects. The reason for the selection of a subjective, descriptive and phenomenal research approach is described and the advantages for this philosophical stance are also mentioned in the thesis.The question that emerges is in regards with how the construction managers accom-plish any given project and how they ‘live’ their PM. Hence, this study investigated the relevance of PM for managers working on construction projects.Various techniques, methods and procedures which were not included in the literature were highlight by the participants. There are studies available, mainly empirical, in the context of applied PM methods and the results of these studies do not correspond with the findings of this research. Another finding is that, in general, from the responses received, it is clear that PM certification programmes provide limited value to an experienced construction manager. Further results were summarized in the findings and result chapter of this work