The Evaluation of Complex Infrastructure Projects PDF Download

Author: Lasse Gerrits
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 178347842X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 192

View

Book Description
Infrastructure projects are notoriously hard to manage so it is important that society learns from the successes and mistakes made over time. However, most evaluation methods run into a conundrum: either they cover a large number of projects but have little to say about their details, or they focus on detailed single-case studies with little in terms of applicability elsewhere. This book presents Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) as an alternative evaluation method that solves the conundrum to enhance learning.

Author: Stefan Verweij
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781526467997
Category : Case method
Languages : en
Pages :

View

Book Description
Many evaluations of infrastructure projects rely on methods that ignore the complexity of the projects. Although case studies are attentive to project complexity, it is difficult to identify general patterns that would apply to a larger sample of projects. Qualitative comparative analysis is a method that preserves the complexity of projects and generates insights across cases. In this contribution, we discuss our experiences with using qualitative comparative analysis for the evaluation of the planning and implementation of complex infrastructure projects. We will provide a short introduction into the main properties of the method (complex causality, systematic comparison) as well as describe some of the main operations (calibration, truth table analysis, interpretation). This will serve to demonstrate why qualitative comparative analysis is a fitting evaluation method in project development and implementation. Next, we will show how we used the method in a research project that aimed to find out under what conditions unplanned events in the implementation of infrastructure projects were dealt with satisfactorily, that is, what it took to respond to these events in an apt manner. Based on our experiences, we will summarize main lessons learned for conducting qualitative comparative analysis proper and provide suggestions for further reading.

Author: Carl D. Martland
Publisher: Wiley
ISBN: 9780470448762
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 0

View

Book Description
Toward More Sustainable Infrastructure: Project Evaluation for Planners and Engineers provides readers a framework for understanding and evaluating infrastructure projects to improve their performance and sustainability, taking into account not only the financial and economic issues, but also the social and environmental impacts that affect the sustainability of infrastructure. Based on a course designed developed by the author over ten years at M.I.T., this text demonstrates how to apply the basic methods of engineering economics in evaluating major infrastructure projects and also demonstrates how these same techniques can be useful with many routine business and personal decisions. It introduces students to project management, system performance, concepts of sustainability, methods of engineering economics, and provides numerous case studies, examples, and exercises based upon real world problems. This text fills a void in the education of many planners and engineering students, namely an understanding of why major infrastructure projects are undertaken, how they are structured and evaluated, and how they are financed. Toward More Sustainable Infrastructure: Project Evaluation for Planners and Engineers prepares readers to evaluate projects based upon an appreciation of the needs of society, the potential for sustainable development, and recognition of the problems that may result from poorly conceived or poorly implemented projects and programs.

Author: Marcel Hertogh
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789081002523
Category : Infrastructure (Economics)
Languages : en
Pages : 260

View

Book Description
The publication presents best practices and lessons learnt in the management and organisation of fifteen large infrastructure projects in Europe. This research has been executed as a research programme in the Sixth European Framework Programme (FP 6) of the European Union.

Author: Edward Ochieng
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1350315680
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 376

View

Book Description
In this unique and comprehensive textbook, the authors examine the challenges faced all around the world with regard to major infrastructure project management, and they champion a fresh approach that takes into account the interdependencies between economic, social, political, technological and legislative environments. Managing, developing and investing in crucial infrastructure is essential to keep up with the challenges of a fast-paced and globalised world, but affecting and overseeing change requires a deep understanding of complex interlocking systems. To this end the book is neatly divided into three key parts: project appraisal, maximising integrated supply chains, and implementing value-enhancing practices. This is the ideal companion for courses on any aspect of civil engineering and construction project management including modules in infrastructure planning, infrastructure management, construction management and business management. The book will also appeal to practitioners involved in the management of capital and infrastructure projects.

Author: Bent Flyvbjerg
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN:
Category : Economic development projects
Languages : en
Pages : 32

View

Book Description
Abstract: "This paper focuses on problems and their causes and cures in policy and planning for large infrastructure projects. First, it identifies as the main problem in major infrastructure development pervasive misinformation about the costs, benefits, and risks involved. A consequence of misinformation is massive cost overruns, benefit shortfalls, and waste. Second, the paper explores the causes of misinformation and finds that political-economic explanations best account for the available evidence: planners and promoters deliberately misrepresent costs, benefits, and risks in order to increase the likelihood that it is their projects, and not the competition's, that gain approval and funding. This results in the "survival of the unfittest," where often it is not the best projects that are built, but the most misrepresented ones. Finally, the paper presents measures for reforming policy and planning for large infrastructure projects, with a focus on better planning methods and changed governance structures, the latter being more important."--World Bank web site.

Author: Carl D. Martland
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781539345008
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 156

View

Book Description
This book is based primarily upon materials prepared between 1997 and 2010 by Carl D. Martland for "1.011 Project Evaluation", a required course within MIT's Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering that he designed, developed, and taught for many years. It is structured to be of interest to anyone interested in infrastructure systems, especially engineers, planners and managers who design, build and operate such systems. The book may also be of interest to students in planning or engineering who are interested in transportation, water resources, energy, city planning, or real estate development.

Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309132568
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 132

View

Book Description
The nation's physical infrastructure facilitates movement of people and goods; provides safe water; provides energy when and where needed; removes wastes; enables rapid communications; and generally supports our economy and quality of life. Developing a framework for guiding attempts at measuring the performance of infrastructure systems and grappling with the concept of defining good performance are the major themes of this book. Focusing on urban regions, within a context of national policy, the volume provides the basis for further in-depth analysis and application at the local, regional, state, and national levels.

Author: Anthony Holmes
Publisher: Harriman House Limited
ISBN: 0857194445
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 50

View

Book Description
Infrastructure projects represent one of the largest asset classes globally with the estimated cost of potential new projects planned to 2030 totalling US$70 trn. The sector splits into social infrastructure which is the group of projects that support urban living and economic infrastructure that, following the recession that began 2007/8, has become the global economic methodology du jour to stimulate economic growth. However, unless the host state has surplus financial resources, as has China and the Gulf states, large scale investment may be not be affordable given the capacity constraints and fragility of the international capital markets. Moreover the majority of large complex infrastructure projects are delivered late and over budget. Whatever the initial estimates and plans, sponsors face project distress usually in the last quarter of the development with budget increases ranging from 40% to over 100%. Many major projects are socially necessary but sponsors will fail if they persist in trying to attract investment by pretending that projects are financially viable using the criteria employed by commercial concerns. A new methodology is required. This book explores the reasons these large projects rarely conform to their original plan and what can be done about it. It also examines how the trend to greater complexity will exacerbate this problem unless a new methodology is adopted. The book concludes that unless more realism is introduced developed nations will be unable to renew their infrastructure and developing nations will not be able to establish the foundation of a modern economy. The author is a director of the Institute for Infrastructure Studies and consults globally.

Author: Stephen Pryke
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118929926
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 213

View

Book Description
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.