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on Project, Program and Portfolio Management |
| By: | Daniel Pelletier (Université du Québec en Outaouais); Chantal Mukiampele (Université du Québec en Outaouais) |
| Abstract: | Success factors have been extensively studied in the field of project management. The PIP (Project Implementation Profile), designed by Pinto & Slevin, is often used as an assessment method enabling project managers to identify critical success factors either at the beginning or at the end of projects. The PIP has been used mainly in the fields of construction and hi-tech development. Recently, adaptations of the PIP have been tested in other fields including foreign aid projects. The aim of this paper is to study the applicability of the PIP in the case of a small scale livestock production project conducted in a rural area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. A case study approach was used to assess the relative importance of each of the criteria outlined by Pinto & Slevin and to identify dimensions specific to the field of foreign aid projects which were not considered in the PIP. Results indicated that the PIP by itself does not take into account all the factors which are critical to achieve success in this field. Two essential dimensions must be added to encompass all the critical success factors: 1) the benevolent nature of many foreign aid projects which precludes in part formalization within a strict contractual approach; 2) the added risk factors which must be controlled when dealing with livestock production and human well-being as outputs. An adapted version of the PIP is proposed with the aim of generalizing its use both as an assessment tool and as a foreign aid project design framework. |
| Keywords: | project management; foreign aid; livestock, developing countries |
| JEL: | F35 O19 O22 |
| Date: | 2014–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:0300627&r=ppm |
| By: | Pahle, Michael; Schweizerhof, Henriette |
| Abstract: | After more than a decade of supporting power from renewable energy (RE) through guaranteed feed-in tariffs, the German Government has initiated reforms to integrate RE into the market. To eventually achieve market integration requires that RE investors carry power market risks, in particular the power price risk. At the same time however, under the current financial structure higher risks are likely to have a negative impact on the bankability of new RE projects, which by extension may endanger further deployment and the achievement of renewable targets with it. Against this background we take a risk perspective to assess the past and upcoming EEG reforms, with the aim of developing a proposal to gradually shift risk towards RE investors without endangering project finance. To that end we first discuss the case for more market risk and classify the specific respective risks for RE, analyze how they have been allocated so far, and find that past policy reforms have initiated only a marginal transfer of revenue risks to renewables. On that basis we argue that more ambitious steps in this direction need to be taken, for which regulatory complexity and reform outcome uncertainty suggest a continuous and transparent transition rather than a grand all-at-once intervention. We outline and discuss two elements that could be at the center of it: First, a support framework that creates incentives for RE projects to increasingly take risks, for which we propose a cascading risk auction mechanism that prioritizes “more risky” projects. Second, design options for (a) “more risky” support contracts and (b) risk transfer in power purchase contracts, which if standardized could help to develop and establish suitable risk mitigation and management approaches on the side of financers. While this paper does not deliver a fully spelled-out action plan for these elements, it provides a basic sketch and identifies the main research gaps that should be filled for implementing it. Giving the long lead times of reforms and the need to think ahead that arises from it, we are sure that this proposal can make an important contribution to the next EEG reform in Germany expected for 2016/2017. |
| Keywords: | Germany,renewable support,risk |
| JEL: | D81 Q28 Q42 Q58 |
| Date: | 2015–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:esprep:107963&r=ppm |
| By: | Kenneth W Clements (Business School, University of Western Australia); Jiawei Si (Business School, University of Western Australia); Thomas Simpson (Business School, University of Western Australia) |
| Abstract: | The surge in new resource projects has been a prominent feature of the recent strong performance of the Australian economy, with mining and energy investment accounting for almost one-half of all private investment. Although the current round of resource investment has now peaked, as resource cycles tend to repeat themselves, there is an ongoing need to carefully understand the available information sources. In this paper we (i) analyse the factors determining the generation of projects; (ii) investigate cost escalation as projects progress through the investment pipeline, from the initial planning stages to completion; and (iii) use a specially developed panel of matched projects from three widely followed, but under-researched, data sources to analyse the biases, the degree of independence and timeliness of each source. This information is of use to policy makers who have to closely monitor these developments, to analysts following the resources sector, and to project proponents wanting to identify projects most likely to succeed and to know the typical cost profile of a project. |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uwa:wpaper:14-17&r=ppm |
| By: | Kenneth W. Clements (Business School, University of Western Australia); Liang Li (Business School, University of Western Australia) |
| Abstract: | The Millennium Boom of 2003–2011 made the resources industry hugely profitable and led to a surge in new projects around the world. This had major implications for the Australian economy: resource investment accounted for almost half of all business investment at the peak, the capitalisation of resource companies as a group surged by approximately 50% relative to the market, and the buoyancy of the sector helped Australia to avoid the worst of the global financial crisis. This paper examines the wealth-creating effects of new resource projects at the individual company level. Results show that substantial increases in shareholder returns occurred around the time of announcements of government approval for projects, the finalisation of feasibility studies, and changes in the status of projects such as when a company committed to invest in a project. This capital-market approach seems to be a viable alternative to conventional ways of valuing resource projects. |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uwa:wpaper:14-27&r=ppm |
| By: | Pekka Tervonen (University of Oulu); Harri Haapasalo (University of Oulu) |
| Abstract: | Oulu Innovation Alliance (OIA) is a example of triple-Helix consortium. It integrates top know-how from printed intelligence, wellbeing technology, cleantech and 3D internet and brings together research institutions, businesses and public sector organizations. OIA generates cutting-edge global business from research, development and innovation projects and ventures. The essential mission of the Centre for Environment and Energy (CEE) is to be strongly involved in branding Oulu as an eco-innovative city with green economy. Our focus is on air, water, energy and efficiency of resources with measurement technology as a cross-sectional theme. Our vision is to be the number one partner in eco-innovative solutions. Our strategy is to develop a knowledge hub that brings together the fields of environment and energy, thus, creating efficient connections between top experts and research, development and innovation projects (R&D&I projects); and co-operation networks and investors. To achieve our goal, the CEE uses a transparent network of connections where the top research of a chosen field and the business expertise in Oulu can find each other both nationally and internationally. This creates a lasting foundation for co-operation between research and business. Our operational philosophy is based on research programmes and networking which allows for swift and proactive co-operation between research communities and businesses. Through co-operation and joint projects we can develop new expertise and create new business for the world market. The aim of this paper is to describe the theoretical foundation and operative model for our centre of expertise – CEE. |
| Keywords: | Innovations, environment, energy, cleantech |
| JEL: | O32 |
| Date: | 2014–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:0702051&r=ppm |
| By: | Bochun Zhu (Singapore Polytechnic); Yuek Wee Chan-Tan (Singapore Polytechnic); Rodney Dorville (Singapore Polytechnic) |
| Abstract: | In the society with highly developed and successful economy, students tend to lack motivation in mastering knowledge and skills when they are guaranteed a good life in the future. Polytechnics in Singapore were set up with the mission to train professionals to support the technological and economic development of Singapore. Intrinsic motivation (IM) is tapped in the project work of a 3rd year module ET0706 Object Oriented Programming (OOP, in Java) in DCPE (Diploma of Computer Engineering) at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Singapore Polytechnic. Performance approach goals were set for the students who are high in achievement orientation; while mastery approach goals were set for the students low in achievement orientation. In this paper, it is presented how RAMP (Relatedness, Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose) of IM elements are implemented into the module project work to motivate students high in achievement orientation to acquire advanced knowledge and apply it in challenging real-life projects, such as those involved in serving the community; in the meantime, motivate students low in achievement orientation to focus on foundation knowledge through applying it in solving real-life problem with adequate challenge. It is concluded that it is effective to apply IM to motivate students and get them to be work ready, future ready and world ready. |
| Keywords: | Intrinsic Motivation, Computer Engineering, Peer Tutoring, Real-life Project, Performance Approach, Mastery Approach |
| JEL: | I20 I23 I29 |
| Date: | 2014–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:0802532&r=ppm |