Improving Project Management of Design

Abstract

Project management is the process of planning, allocating, directing, and controlling company resources to complete a project within predetermined objectives. Effectively implementing this process is essential to meet objectives such as completing a facility under budget and ahead of schedule. Continuous improvement of the process is an absolute for architecture/engineering (A/E) firms to maintain a competitive advantage. This paper explores mechanisms to improve the project management process through the use of best practices when managing the engineering and design of facilities. Data were collected on best practices, project performance, and project characteristics on an industrywide basis from 450 respondents representing 113 A/E firms. These data were analyzed using a variety of statistical techniques. It was found that average utilization of best practices was about 66% on the projects studied. Moreover, about two thirds of A/E projects meet performance objectives. A relationship between the use of best practices and project performance for different project types and sizes was revealed. Practical implications and recommendations are provided for project managers to improve project management of design.