Book•
The Strategic Management of Large Engineering Projects: Shaping Institutions, Risks, and Governance
12 Mar 2001-
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed an experience-based theoretical framework that will allow managers to understand and respond to the complexity and uncertainty inherent in all large-scale engineering projects, including the Boston Harbor cleanup; the first phase of subway construction in Turkey; a hydro dam on the Caroni River in Venezuela; and the construction of offshore oil platforms west of Flor, Norway.
Abstract: As the number, complexity, and scope of large engineering projects (LEPs) increase worldwide, the huge stakes may endanger the survival of corporations and threaten the stability of countries that approach these projects unprepared. According to the authors, the "front-end" engineering of institutional arrangements and strategic systems is a far greater determinant of an LEP's success than are the more tangible aspects of project engineering and management.The book is based on an international research project that analyzed sixty LEPs, among them the Boston Harbor cleanup; the first phase of subway construction in Ankara, Turkey; a hydro dam on the Caroni River in Venezuela; and the construction of offshore oil platforms west of Flor, Norway. The authors use the research results to develop an experience-based theoretical framework that will allow managers to understand and respond to the complexity and uncertainty inherent in all LEPs. In addition to managers and scholars of large-scale projects, the book will be of interest to those studying the relationship between institutions and strategy, risk management, and corporate governance in general.Contributors Bjorn Andersen, Richard Brealey, Ian Cooper, Serghei Floricel, Michel Habib, Brian Hobbs, Donald R. Lessard, Pascale Michaud, Roger Miller, Xavier Olleros.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss how the interior processes of a project are influenced by its historical and organizational context and suggest that future research on project management needs to extend its temporal scope, analyzing how project practices evolve through history over prior, present, and future projects, as well as its organizational scope.
1,019 citations
Cites result from "The Strategic Management of Large E..."
...In relation to earlier empirical work, this study provides a complementary picture to the empirical work of Morris and Hough (1987) and Pinto and colleagues (Pinto and Covin, 1989; Pinto and Prescott, 1990, etc....
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors apply the conceptual framework of S-D logic to the marketing of solutions and highlight the limits to current offering strategies in terms of co-creation and involving customer network actors.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors sketching routes of further research into the energy infrastructure governance nexus in social science research and conclude that the governance of energy infrastructure needs to be polycentric.
Abstract: Providing societies with reliable energy services, fighting energy poverty and mitigating climate change entail a crucial infrastructure component. Both the energy access and the low carbon challenge require more decentralized energy solutions and a change in the energy infrastructure paradigm. Yet, physical energy infrastructure co-evolves with socio-economic institutions, actors and social norms. This may produce inertia against change. The energy challenge also requires solutions at multiple scales and may entail elements of common pool resource problems. Therefore, the governance of energy infrastructure needs to be polycentric. This allows for contextualization, experimentation and innovation. The article concludes by sketching routes of further research into the energy infrastructure governance nexus in social science research.
351 citations
Book•
27 Oct 2005TL;DR: The Business of Projects as discussed by the authors provides case studies of high-technology industries to show how projects are used to achieve strategic objectives, perform system integration, organize productive activities, manage software, achieve organisational learning and deliver solutions for customers.
Abstract: The Business of Projects broke ground when it was first published in 2005, by showing how leading businesses create and implement projects to drive strategy and innovation. Projects are used to coordinate activities with customers and suppliers and ensure that organisations become more dynamic and adaptable. The book extends the resource-based view of the firm to focus on the business lessons learned from the design and production of high-value complex products and systems (CoPS), which have always been project-based. As well as frameworks and management tools, it provides case studies of high-technology industries - such as telecommunications, flight simulation and medical devices - to show how projects are used to achieve strategic objectives, perform systems integration, organise productive activities, manage software, achieve organisational learning and deliver solutions for customers. This book is essential reading for project professionals, academics, students, engineers, managers and policy makers seeking a strategic, innovative perspective on projects.
347 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose a framework to improve the performance of projects and hence create value for organizations by selecting the right projects and programs to support the organization's strategy, and terminating ones that no longer contribute to the business success of the organization.
311 citations