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Municipal infrastructure project performance: an assessment of municipal capability through the application of a project management maturity model
Author(s)
Cloete, Denvor Ruan
Date Issued
2023
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
Poor project performance is prevalent in developing countries, often considered to be poorly
resourced. In South Africa there are pockets of excellence, but the country generally still
requires improvement across national, provincial, and local governments. Studies have
suggested that the successful utilisation of project management practices can contribute to
addressing such poor project performance. To assess organisational capability in terms of
project management practices, many different project management maturity models (PMMMs)
have been developed over the last decade by different organisations. PMMMs are however
not widely used in the South African government. A need therefore existed to study the
available PMMMs and their applicability to determine the project management maturity of
municipalities in the South African context.
As a result, this study aimed to assess municipal capability through the application of a project
management maturity model by meeting the following objectives: 1) to identify and adapt an
existing project management maturity model appropriate for this study; 2) to assess what level
of project management capability Western Cape municipalities have through the application of
the identified and adapted PMMM; and 3) to determine how Western Cape municipalities can
improve their capability. To aid the process of achieving these objectives, six research
questions were also formulated.
With regard to research methodology, a mixed-method design consisting of qualitative and
quantitative data collection and analysis was selected. Data was collected through interviews
with officials responsible for project management in six sampled municipalities. The interviews
consisted of two sections. The first section consisted of a structured interview with close-ended
questions, through which quantitative data was collected and analysed through an MS Excelbased
model. The second section consisted of semi-structured interviews with open-ended
questions, from which qualitative data was collected and analysed through thematic analysis.
The study successfully achieved its objectives and thereby the overall aim. Firstly, the PM
Solutions PMMM was identified as an appropriate project management maturity model for this
study. Secondly, through the application of this model, the maturity ratings of Western Cape
municipalities were determined as a level 3 (out of 5). Thirdly, the study identified five themes
of challenges municipalities experience, and proposed five thematic areas of improvement
interventions, namely to improve human capacity, strengthen stakeholder management,
enhance leadership and management oversight, address funding constraints, and enhance
procurement regulations.
resourced. In South Africa there are pockets of excellence, but the country generally still
requires improvement across national, provincial, and local governments. Studies have
suggested that the successful utilisation of project management practices can contribute to
addressing such poor project performance. To assess organisational capability in terms of
project management practices, many different project management maturity models (PMMMs)
have been developed over the last decade by different organisations. PMMMs are however
not widely used in the South African government. A need therefore existed to study the
available PMMMs and their applicability to determine the project management maturity of
municipalities in the South African context.
As a result, this study aimed to assess municipal capability through the application of a project
management maturity model by meeting the following objectives: 1) to identify and adapt an
existing project management maturity model appropriate for this study; 2) to assess what level
of project management capability Western Cape municipalities have through the application of
the identified and adapted PMMM; and 3) to determine how Western Cape municipalities can
improve their capability. To aid the process of achieving these objectives, six research
questions were also formulated.
With regard to research methodology, a mixed-method design consisting of qualitative and
quantitative data collection and analysis was selected. Data was collected through interviews
with officials responsible for project management in six sampled municipalities. The interviews
consisted of two sections. The first section consisted of a structured interview with close-ended
questions, through which quantitative data was collected and analysed through an MS Excelbased
model. The second section consisted of semi-structured interviews with open-ended
questions, from which qualitative data was collected and analysed through thematic analysis.
The study successfully achieved its objectives and thereby the overall aim. Firstly, the PM
Solutions PMMM was identified as an appropriate project management maturity model for this
study. Secondly, through the application of this model, the maturity ratings of Western Cape
municipalities were determined as a level 3 (out of 5). Thirdly, the study identified five themes
of challenges municipalities experience, and proposed five thematic areas of improvement
interventions, namely to improve human capacity, strengthen stakeholder management,
enhance leadership and management oversight, address funding constraints, and enhance
procurement regulations.
Additional information
Thesis (MEng (Civil Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2023
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