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Abdel-Fattah, A (2013) Dynamic site layout planning model, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary.
Chenger, D T (2012) Executive level capital project decision making: Rational or rationale?, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary (Canada).
Condon, E J (2006) The project game: Strategic estimating on major projects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary (Canada).
- Type: Thesis
- Keywords: best practice; contingency; cost estimation; labour; major projects; personnel; productivity; consultant; owner; economic development; trust; case study; Saudi Arabia
- ISBN/ISSN:
- URL: https://www.proquest.com/docview/305358108
- Abstract:
Major projects are at the forefront of economic development. In Alberta, major projects, including numerous projects with capital costs in excess of CAD$500 million, are at the centre of the development of the province's vast oil sands deposits, which possess estimated reserves second only to Saudi Arabia. However, the continued development of this resource is at risk following a spate of significant cost overruns on these projects. Many reasons have been put forward for these overruns, including labour resource constraints, poor productivity, rising material costs, and so forth. These reasons are comparable to those found in literature, and support the use of project management best practices to help address the situation. There is another potential reason for the overruns: the initial estimates may have been inadequate. The notion of initial underestimation leading to project overruns has not been well addressed in project literature. The objectives of this research were to examine why underestimation occurs on most major projects, and why it appears to persist through the execution phase of projects. To achieve those objectives, the research looked at project estimation processes, the influences on those processes, and the interactions among participants involved in those processes. The research was based on a quantitative-qualitative triangulation methodology approach, consisting of three phases in conjunction with the literature review. Phase One was a questionnaire given to cost estimation, control and project management specialists. Phase Two was a Modified Delphi with experts from owner, consultant and contractor companies involved in oil sands projects. Phase Three consisted of case study research on two major oil sands programs. The results of the research highlighted that projects are being pushed to early approval, and that strategic estimation is used to secure that approval. A lack of trust between owners and contractors, and limited availability of experienced owner personnel, are contributing to low estimates. In addition, there are delays in reporting cost and schedule variances due to reluctance to give or receive bad news. Contingency is used to mask the threat of cost overruns until it is too late to address the threat.
Dehghan, R (2012) A new model, algorithm and computer tool to optimize overlapping of design activities in construction projects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary.
Hewage, K N (2007) Construction productivity improvement by worker motivation and it based communication, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary (Canada).
Hossain, L (2010) An optimization model for the dynamic multi-project environment in construction, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary (Canada).
Lozon, J P (2008) Evaluating value improving practices for large scale projects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary (Canada).
Marques, C P (2004) Selected issues in business and contractual relationships in private construction projects in Canada/China deals, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary.
Moussa, M A E-F M (2013) Unified simulation methodology and project risk assessment framework, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary (Canada).
Nada, D (2013) Project approval decisions: Exploring success factors, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary (Canada).
Seel, K C (2004) “Boom and bust” cycles in power plant construction: A simulation study of the temporal and geographical aspects of the Alberta competitive electrical industry, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary.
Siriwardana, C S A (2016) An integrated framework for worker planning and supervision in construction, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary (Canada).
Sodade, B A A (2011) Project management complexities in municipal projects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary.
Tolani, O V (2013) An examination of risk perceptions and allocation preferences in public-private partnerships in Nigeria, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary (Canada).
Weerasinghe, U G D (2012) Development of a framework to assess sustainability of building projects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary (Canada).
Weshah, N A (2015) Developing an interface management (IM) model for construction projects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary (Canada).
Wickramaratne, S (2010) Design and analysis of tsunami warning and evacuation systems, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary (Canada).
Willoughby, K A (1999) Modelling assistance for project procurement and disposal decisions, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary (Canada).
Wimalasena, B A D S (2011) A planning tool for construction waste management, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary (Canada).
Zaghloul, R S (2005) Risk allocation in contracts: How to improve the process, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Calgary.