Diagnostic framework and health check tool for engineering and technology projects
Abstract: Development of a
practitioner oriented diagnostic framework and health check tool to support the
robust assessment of engineering and technology projects.
Design/methodology/approach: The research is based on a literature review
that draws together insights on project assessment and critical success factors
to establish an integrated systems view of projects. This is extended to allow
a comprehensive diagnostic framework to be developed along with a high-level
health check tool that can be readily deployed on projects. The utility of the
diagnostic framework and health check tool are explored through three
illustrative case studies, with two from Canada and one from the United
Kingdom. Findings and
Originality/value: The performance of engineering and technology projects
can be viewed through a systems perspective and being a function of six
sub-systems that are: process, technology, resources, impact, knowledge and culture.
The diagnostic framework that is developed through this research integrates
these sub-systems to provide a comprehensive assessment methodology for
projects, which is linked to existing best practice for project reviews,
performance management and maturity models. The case studies provide managerial
insights that are related to the diagnostic framework but crucially also
position the approach in the context of industrial applications for
construction engineering and technology management.
Research limitations/implications: The case study approach includes two
case studies from the construction and facilities development sector with the
third case study from the research and technology sector. Further work is
required to investigate the use of the diagnostic framework and health check
tool in other sectors.
Practical implications: The health check tool will be of practical
benefit to new projects managers that require access to a robust and convenient
project review methodology for assessing the status and health of a given
portfolio of projects. The tool can also be used periodically and throughout
the project lifecycle in order to track the performance of projects.
Originality/value: This paper provides a unique view and supporting
management framework to help project managers assess the status and health of
projects. Value can be associated with an extension to the literature on
diagnostic tools for engineering project management as well as the insights
provided in the international case studies, which explore the scope for the
health check tool to be used in support of projects that have encountered
difficulties and which require implementation of project recovery strategies.
Keywords: engineering project
management, project assessment and review, project performance, diagnostics,
health check, case study
Author: Simon P Philbin,
Donald A Kennedy
Journal Code: jptindustrigg140081
