PROJECT PROPOSAL

1.0. TOPIC: An evaluation of the attributes of a successful project manager: A

case study of the Nigerian construction industry.

1.1 AIM: To examine how the identified attributes of a project manager

contribute to the success of projects in the Nigerian construction industry.

1.2 OBJECTIVES

 To define the necessary skills and attributes of a project manager that lead to
project success
 To appraise current literature on the attributes of a project manager that
contributes to project success.
 To investigate the current project management practices in the Nigerian
construction industry and how these have affected construction project
success in the last decade.
 To determine the necessary attributes of a project manager that will
guarantee project success when applied in the Nigerian construction industry.
 To equip project managers in the Nigerian construction industry with the
knowledge of the attributes needed to guarantee project success.

2.0 PROJECT PHILOSOPHY

The Nigerian construction industry has been identified as one of the key industries of
the Nigerian economy. It is a growing industry whose contributions to national growth
necessitate internal efficiency and effectiveness.

In the Nigerian construction industry, project slippage and cost overruns are endemic
and have posed a great challenge to the growth of this critical industry. Odeyinka &
Yusif (1997) in their research discovered that seven out of ten projects surveyed
suffered delays in their execution.

Although these construction delays are mainly client-related, it is pertinent to note

that project management also plays a critical role in the success or failure of these
projects.
Project management practice in the Nigerian construction industry has been
identified as being in its infancy stages inasmuch as most of the construction
industry professionals practice project management on a consultancy basis
(Odusami et al., 2003). Until recently, majority of Nigerian construction practitioners
had learned project management experientially on the job. The other few are those
who obtained post graduate qualifications from international institutions in countries
like the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom (Odusami et al., 2003).

This research is aimed at understanding current project management practices in the

Nigerian construction industry and evaluating how the identified project manager
attributes in literature can contribute to the success of a project manager practicing
in the Nigerian construction industry.

This research will therefore add to existing literature on construction project

performance in Nigeria by outlining the skills and attributes to be expected of a
project manager in the Nigerian construction industry. It will hopefully add to the
formulation of future guidelines for the practice of project management in the
Nigerian construction industry.

3.0 METHODODLOGY

This section will outline the approaches considered for the achievement of the
objectives of this project. It will also look into different research methods that were
considered and the justification for using the selected methods.

3.1 WHAT IS RESEARCH?

Research has been defined by the Oxford English dictionary (1989) as “the
systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish
facts and reach new conclusions”. Kervin et al (2006) further expatiated on this
definition by describing research as a planned, thorough and systematic
investigation of a problem. From the above definitions it is thus easy to understand
what research is.

The research for this project will be to identify the attributes needed by a
project manager to minimise project failure in the Nigerian construction industry.
3.2 TYPES OF RESEARCH

Research can be classified in different ways based on the methods used to

carry out the research work. It may also be classified based on its intended user
group, research problems to be investigated and the knowledge the research intends
to create.

Research projects can be categorised into three different philosophies

namely:

 The Positivist or Empiristic approach

 The Constructivist or Phenomenological approach; and
 The Pragmatic or mixed method approach.

This classification is based on the different world views or belief systems of

the researcher that influences their decisions, guides in their research process and
influences what they consider as valid knowledge ([Link], 2014).

3.2.1. THE POSITIVIST OR EMPIRISTIC APPROACH

This approach underlies the quantitative methods of research. These methods

include surveys, experimental studies, cross sectional studies and longitudinal
studies (Neville, 2005).

I. Experimental studies: these are studies carried out in structured

environments where the variables of the research can be monitored and
carefully controlled. This method will not be used in this research as it does
not apply.

II. Longitudinal studies: these are studies carried out to observe the effects of
a situation over a period of time. This method will not be used for this project
as the time frame for the conclusion of this project is too short to form a basis
for a longitudinal study.

III. Cross-sectional studies: In this type of study, groups of people or

organizations become involved in a common research at any given point in
time. This research is intended to be an individual project so this method will
not be considered.
 IV. Surveys: The survey approach refers to a “group of methods which
emphasize quantitative analysis, where data for a large number of
organisations is collected through methods such as questionnaires, telephone
interviews or from published statistics, and these data are analysed using
statistical techniques” Gable (1994). This creates a common relationship
across the research sample which provides the basis upon which a
researcher is able to make generalizable statements about the objects of
study.

For this project, questionnaires will be distributed to selected participants and

data collected will be analysed using statistical techniques such as the Pearson
product-method technique.

3.2.2 THE CONSTRUCTIVIST OR PHENOMENOLOGICAL APPROACH

This approach underlies the qualitative methods of research. These methods include
case studies, action research and grounded theory (Neville, 2005). Here,
researchers study things in their natural settings and attempt to interpret phenomena
in terms of meanings given to them by people.

I. Case studies: A case study can be defined as a process of research into the
development of a particular group, individual or situation over a period of time.
It seeks to understand the problem being investigated and asks penetrating
questions in order to capture the diversity of opinions on the subject matter.

In carrying out this research, a case study method will be adopted in the
research as it involves identifying the necessary attributes of a project
manager that contribute to project success in the Nigerian construction
industry over the past decade.

II. Action research: this is also known as participatory research whereby the
researcher is actively involved in the research by altering and manipulating
situations while measuring the results achieved by these alterations. This
method will not be considered for this project.

III. Grounded theory: this may be defined as “the discovery of theory from data
systematically obtained from social research” (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). This
 method is ideal for exploring areas of research where there has been little or
no previous idea of what will be learned. This method does not apply to my
project as it will be impossible to carry out this research without first having an
idea of the attributes of a successful project manager - a topic that has been
extensively researched.

3.2.3 THE PRAGMATIC OR “MIXED METHODS” APPROACH

This approach can be described as a method of research that contains elements of

both qualitative and quantitative approaches (e.g. Patton, 1990).

Attewell & Rule (1991) suggest that a multi method approach is more effective in
carrying out a research. Gutek(1991) also suggests that it is always best to utilise
several methods of data collection in order to adequately address the issue to be
discussed. This approach comprises of five types of designs. They are: sequential
studies, parallel or simultaneous studies, equivalent status designs and dominant-
less dominant studies (Creswell, 2012).

I. Sequential studies: Here, the researcher first conducts a qualitative phase

of study followed by a quantitative phase, or vice versa.

This research will utilise the sequential study method by first collecting
qualitative data followed by quantitative analysis of the data collected.

II. Parallel or simultaneous studies: in this case, the qualitative and

quantitative phases are carried out at the same time. This method will not be
used for this project.

III. Equivalent status designs: here, both qualitative and quantitative

approaches are conducted about equally to understand the case in study.
This method will not be used for this project.

IV. Dominant- less dominant studies: the researcher conducts a study using a
dominant paradigm, either qualitative or quantitative, with a small component
of the overall study drawn from the alternative paradigm. This method will not
be used for this project, but it may be considered as an alternative.
4.0 METHODOLOGY TO BE ADOPTED FOR THIS RESEARCH

This section will outline the approaches chosen for the achievement of the objectives
of this project.

4.1 AIM: To identify methods to be used in exploring the research topic above.

4.2. PROJECT RATIONALE/ RESEARCH DESIGN: This research is intended to

be carried out on project managers in the Nigerian construction industry. The
motivation for the choice of the Nigerian construction industry as my focus for this
research is based on personal working experience as well as previous investigations
into the success of Nigerian construction projects (e.g. Odeyinka & Yusif, 1997)
which shows that project failure is a critical problem presently confronting the
Nigerian construction industry. Based on previous research of the attributes of a
successful project manager, the Nigerian construction industry is also a good case
study in testing the hypothesis of project success based on project manager
attributes.

4.3 SAMPLE: This research will be carried out on practicing construction

professionals of different backgrounds (architecture, estate management, quantity
surveying and structural engineering), experiences and expertise.

4.4. PROPOSED OUTCOMES: By the end of this project, I hope to identify the
necessary attributes of a project manager that can significantly affect project
performance outcomes in the Nigerian construction industry.

4.5. METHODOLOGY: In carrying out this research, a mixed methods approach

as proposed by Tashakkari & Teddlie (2003) will be used. The rationale for using this
method is that qualitative and quantitative methods of research are not sufficient in
themselves in capturing trends and details of situations such as the one to be
researched into. When used together, qualitative and quantitative methods
complement each other and give room for a better analysis of the research question
(Greene et al, 1989; Tashakkari & Teddlie, 2003).

4.5.1 DATA COLLECTION: Data collection for this research will be

categorised into two namely: Secondary and primary data collection.
 I. SECONDARY DATA: Secondary data on the chosen topic will be reviewed
using a range of information sources such as the Journal articles, Industry
publications, academic abstracts and internet search engines.

II. PRIMARY DATA: To test the historical/ literary records of the attributes of a
successful project manager against the current industry practices in the
Nigerian construction industry, a qualitative evaluation shall be utilised
leveraging subjective research methods like interviews and questionnaires.

In-depth interviews will be carried out on practicing construction-related

professionals of diverse experience and expertise in the Nigerian construction
industry.

Based on the responses of the interviews and the literature survey, a

questionnaire will be designed to obtain primary source data required to test
the importance of each of the identified attributes.

4.5.2 DATA ANALYSIS: on successful completion of the data collection

process, data collected will be analysed using the Pearson product-method
correlation technique.

The Pearson product-method correlation technique can be defined as the

measure of the degree of linear relationship between two variables
([Link], 2014). By using this method, the identified attributes are
tested on the hypothesis that the attributes of the project manager can
significantly affect overall project performance in the Nigerian construction
industry.

4.6. ALTERNATIVE METHODOLOGY: In the unlikely event that the mixed

methods approach proposed above fails to achieve the objectives of this project, a
wholly qualitative method of data collection and analysis will be used.

4.7. RESEARCH ETHICS ADHERENCE: GENUITY OF RESEARCH

ETHICAL ISSUES IN TERMS OF DATA COLLECTION: Participants of this

research will still maintain their rights in participating in the data collection for this
project. Participants are not obligated to participate and are free to withdraw at any
time.

ETHICAL ISSUES IN TERMS OF DATA STORAGE AND PROCESSING: I

will ensure that the personal details obtained from participants is stored securely and
that none of the information provided will be shared or used for other purposes
except those specified without the express consent of the participant.

ETHICAL ISSUES IN DATA ANALYSIS AND REPORTING: All participants

for this research will be anonymised during the data analysis and reporting stage of
this research.

No potential sources of health and safety risk have so far been identified for this
research topic.

5.0. SUPERVISION

Project Supervisor: Poonam Aulak

6.0. SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

This section will outline the activities to be carried out in the achievement of
the project objectives as well as the time frame for their completion.

6.1 WORK BREAKDOWN SCHEDULE

Figure 1: Work Breakdown Schedule for the project showing deliverables and their
components.
6.2. TIMETABLE FOR PROJECT

Academic
calendar week Date Activity
No.
1 6-12 Jan Project title selection
2 13-19 Jan Submit project title and receive clearance with
supervisor to proceed
3 20-26 Jan Develop project proposal.
4 27 Jan – 2 Feb Submit draft proposal to supervisor. Register project
topic.
5 3 – 9 Feb Update proposal (if required) and submit. Leave for
Nigeria to attend family occasion.
6 10-16 Feb Send out requests for interviews. Begin by
interviewing former colleagues.
7 17-23 Feb Continue preliminary interview process.
8 24 Feb – 2 Return from Nigeria. Attend meeting with supervisor
Mar to review interview responses.
9 3 – 9 Mar Review literature and start work on first chapter. Aim
to complete introduction and Literature review.
10 10-16 Mar Submit draft first chapters and begin design of
questionnaire.
11 17-23 Mar Receive feedback on first draft main chapters. Update
questionnaires (if required) and send out.
12 24-30 Mar Update literature read and make any necessary
additions. Chase questionnaires and begin arranging
results.
13 31 Mar – 6 Apr Continue chasing questionnaires and begin data
analysis.
14 7-13 Apr Receive feedback from supervisor and implement any
changes. Begin conclusions
15 14-20 Apr Easter break
16 21-27 Apr First draft project report.
 17 28 Apr – 4 Update draft report and make any required changes.
May
18 5-11 May Complete final version and design presentation
slides.
19 12-18 May Presentations due on the 16th of May.
20 19-25 May Final revisions after proof reading.
21 26 May – 1 Submit final dissertation, 29th of May.
Jun

Above is a timetable proposed for the achievement of the objectives of this project.
The schedule is designed to fit in with the university timetable/academic year and
takes into account personal activities as well as scheduled meetings with my project
supervisor.

N.B.: Meetings with supervisor will be fortnightly. Literature research will be an

ongoing process throughout the life cycle of this project.
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