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on Project, Program and Portfolio Management |
| By: | Evgeny Kagan; Christian Jost; Tobias Lieberum; Sebastian Schiffels |
| Abstract: | Motivated by the widespread adoption of iterative project management techniques, we study the effects of workflow -- iterative or sequential -- on innovative behavior and performance. We conduct a series of laboratory experiments. Our first experiment shows that, in an open-ended creative challenge, iterative task completion leads to better outcomes than sequential task completion. In the second experiment we show that the advantage of iterative workflow further extends to innovation settings that do not involve idea generation. A key mechanism driving the advantage of iterative work is that it leads to frequent task switching, prompting workers to perform a broader search for the best available solution. In the third experiment we delve deeper into the search process and show that sequential work indeed leads to more myopic idea refinement behaviors, often ending in a (suboptimal) local maximum. Our results suggest that iterative workflow improves performance across multiple, structurally distinct innovation settings. We also identify three boundary conditions. First, iterative workflow helps achieve quick gains, but its performance advantage narrows over time. Therefore, workflow effects are stronger when balanced performance across project components is required, but weaker when excellence in one component can offset poor performance in others. Second, workflow has minimal effect on performance in tasks that do not require the worker to perform broad exploration. Third, workflow effects are minimal when workers complete the easier component first. |
| Date: | 2026–02 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2603.00722 |
| By: | Nelson, Andy; Cunguara, Benedito |
| Abstract: | This report integrates an assessment of institutional readiness for Earth observation (EO)-based crop monitoring in Mozambique with a roadmap for sustaining and scaling an EO and digital workflow for agricultural statistics. The aim is to: Baseline current capacity by systematically evaluating the institutional readiness and willingness within key government organizations to adopt and sustain EO-based systems. Identify gaps and risks by pinpointing specific challenges, from technical shortages to policy misalignments, that could prevent the sustained adoption of EO technology beyond a project's life cycle. Document actions to maintain or raise the institutional readiness level to ensure the project's desired impact is feasible. The narrative focuses on what would be required to move from project demonstration to routine production and use, with the Ministério da Agricultura, Ambiente e Pescas (MAAP, formerly the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, MADER) and the Regional Centre of Excellence in Agrifood Systems and Nutrition (CE-AFSN) at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM, formerly the Centro de Estudo de Políticas e Programas Agroalimentares, CEPPAG) as the main national counterparts and with due recognition of the role of the Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE). The readiness assessment highlights that Mozambique has strong potential for EO-enabled agricultural data, but that this potential is constrained by fragmented technical capacity, limited government resourcing for software and computing, a reliance on short-term projects and external consultants, and weak institutional arrangements for data ownership, openness, and inter-agency collaboration. It also identifies governance risks created by outdated foundational baselines that continue to shape policy and sampling design. The roadmap therefore centres on a staged transition. In the near term, priority lies in formalising mandates, custodianship, documentation, and integration pathways with existing survey and census processes. In the medium term, priority lies in building repeatable operational capability and reducing dependence on a small number of individuals. In the longer term, priority lies in embedding stewardship and financing, updating national baselines on a defined cycle, and using the donor-led Development Partners Group for Agriculture and Rural Development (AgRED) group as a coordination mechanism to align partner support and reduce duplication. |
| Keywords: | capacity building; earth observation satellites; statistics; project evaluation; Mozambique; Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa; Eastern Africa |
| Date: | 2026–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:resrep:181299 |
| By: | Bell, Peter |
| Abstract: | This paper presents a statistical analysis of the global database of Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) mineral deposits. The paper shows the joint and partial probability distributions for copper equivalent grade and total tonnage based on current metals prices for copper, zinc, lead, and gold. The article develops a new method using the joint distribution to identify the set of quantile values for grade and tonnage that have approximately 50% probability; this set of quantile values represents the median grade-tonnage curve for VMS deposits around the world. The article also shows how to analyze individual projects in comparison with the global database. For example, the size of the Shamlugskoe mine in Armenia is ranked according to the global database. For another example, a model of the exploration project called Mount Sicker is presented and compared to nearby projects that are in the global database. |
| Keywords: | Natural Resources, Mining, Copper, Zinc, Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide, Metals Grade, Deposit Tonnage, Grade-Tonnage Curve, Probability Distribution, Median Path, Statistical Analysis, Simulation, Quantile |
| JEL: | A1 A19 B5 B59 C0 C02 C1 C14 C15 C18 C4 C40 C6 C63 C69 C8 C81 D2 D8 D81 G1 G17 G3 G31 H2 H25 K2 K23 L2 L5 L7 L72 Q3 Q32 Q33 Q5 Y1 |
| Date: | 2026–01–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:127617 |
| By: | Verheliuk, Yuliia |
| Abstract: | State-guaranteed debt arises from borrowings by economic entities for the implementation of infrastructure projects under state guarantees, which offers advantages provided there is effective control and minimal corruption risks. However, the imperfection of Ukraine’s practice in managing guaranteed debt leads to an increase in residents’ indebtedness, which transforms into guaranteed debt, while a significant portion of projects remains unimplemented, highlighting the need for improving the monitoring system. To assess the role of state-guaranteed debt within Ukraine’s system of obligations, with an emphasis on the challenges of managing and providing state guarantees. The research is based on a normative analysis of the legislative framework, statistical methods for assessing trends in guaranteed debt, and theoretical methods for generalizing the fundamental principles of managing guaranteed debt and the process of providing state guarantees. State-guaranteed debt constitutes a contingent liability that arises due to the inability of residents to fulfill debt obligations obtained under state guarantees. The absence of a clear methodology for assessing the creditworthiness of economic entities, a specialized management body, and transparent project selection procedures increases corruption risks and threatens debt security. International experience confirms that ineffective management of guaranteed debt leads to a crowding-out effect on investments, hindering economic development. Inadequate control over the use of loans exacerbates the financial burden on the state budget. This necessitates a revision of approaches to providing guarantees to ensure their effectiveness. The shortcomings in the management of guaranteed debt in Ukraine, particularly the lack of transparency and creditworthiness assessment, create fiscal risks. There is a need to improve legislation, project selection procedures, and establish a specialized body to enhance efficiency and strengthen debt security. Further research should focus on developing clear criteria for assessing borrowers’ solvency and creating a specialized body for managing guaranteed debt to reduce corruption risks and increase the effectiveness of state guarantees. |
| Keywords: | state-guaranteed debt, state guarantees, debt security, debt management, investment projects, economic development |
| JEL: | E62 F34 G38 H63 |
| Date: | 2025–08–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:127545 |
| By: | Larsen, Mathias |
| Abstract: | This policy brief sets out how Vietnam has used the state-owned energy company, Vietnam Electric (EVN), to provide strategic financial support for renewables projects in order to attract overseas capital, and the lessons that other emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) can draw from this experience. |
| Keywords: | equity investor; feed-in tariffs; renewables; Vietnam |
| JEL: | R14 J01 L81 N0 |
| Date: | 2026–01–26 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:137525 |
| By: | Morteza Ghomi (BANCO DE ESPAÑA); Evi Pappa (UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRID AND CEPR) |
| Abstract: | We study the macroeconomic effects of persistent public investment shocks using a local-projection instrumental-variables framework and European data. For identification, we exploit European Investment Bank loans for public infrastructure projects and address potential endogeneity in loan approval with an inverse-probability-weighted regression adjustment estimator. Public investment shocks raise employment and output in the medium term, without crowding out private investment or consumption, or generating inflation or an additional debt burden. The cumulative output multiplier reaches 3.38 after five years and is significant and larger when credit conditions are favorable. We report significant positive spillover effects from public infrastructure spending on both output and employment. |
| Keywords: | local projections, instrumental variables, multipliers, government investment, spillovers |
| JEL: | E62 H41 H54 |
| Date: | 2026–03 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bde:wpaper:2610 |
| By: | Bell, Peter |
| Abstract: | This article presents a framework for evaluating the economic implications of different permitting decisions for mining exploration projects based on the legal framework for British Columbia. The article builds models for different types of exploration permits, together with budgets and types of geological information that each proposed exploration strategy would generate. One example is a mechanical trenching permit that allows 1, 000 tonnes to be removed per year. If the trenching focuses on ultra-high-grade ore, then it may have a gross metal value greater than $1 million per year. The article describes how this gross metal value may be split between costs and revenues, depending on whether the material is sold as raw ore, concentrates, or refined metal. The second example is based on a mineral claim that covers 60 hectares and includes two abandoned mine tailings sites 1 kilometre apart with a mineralized fault running between them. The article describes two strategies to clean up these abandoned tailings based on an unlimited budget and a near-zero budget. |
| Keywords: | Mining, Tailings, Abandoned Mine, Environmental, Copper, Zinc, BC, Canada |
| JEL: | B5 C6 C8 C81 D2 D7 E0 E01 F3 G1 G17 H1 H5 H54 H57 K2 K23 L32 L5 L7 L72 N5 O1 O13 O2 P1 Q3 Q33 Q5 Y1 |
| Date: | 2025–12–24 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:127460 |