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This paper compares the contributions of three different approaches to the analysis of the institutional environment of transport policy development and megaproject planning and appraisal: the sociological approach to institutions; the political new institutionalism; and new institutional economics. It shows that institutions have been usually understood in different ways by these fields, emphasizing different elements of this relevant subject. It is here recommended to follow Scott (2012) who claims that while one approach may be more suited to study a particular dimension, others may be better suited to study other dimensions. This author claims that there are three pillars of institutions: cultural-cognitive elements, normative elements and regulative elements. They are linked to the abovementioned approaches. The cultural-cognitive element is related to symbols (including words, signs, and gestures), which shape the meaning of objects and activities, the normative element is associated with rules that introduce a prescriptive, evaluative and obligatory dimension into social life, and the regulative elements refer to rule-setting, monitoring and sanctioning activities. his paper shows that the key to understand the challenge of analyzing the institutional environment of megaproject planning and appraisal is to be aware of the different institutional elements in place, and to use the most suited approach to analyze each one of them. Moreover, it also illustrates that there are no “pure cases” where only one element is responsible for the outcomes, and depending on the pillar under analysis, one of the abovementioned approaches to institutions may be more suited as a conceptual framework to thoroughly analyze the problem.
This paper shows that there is an opportunity to use an institutional economics approach to the analysis of the challenges around megaproject construction contract development. It shows, firstly, that this approach is useful to analyze the reasonability of using particular contractual functions and clauses to deal with megaproject complexity. Specifically, although it is here recognized that complexity justifies the use of coordination and adaptation clauses, it is also alleged that safeguarding clauses may or may not be useful as complexity rises because this depends on the relationship between maladaptation costs and transaction costs, both related to the institutional environment. Secondly, this paper also alleges that new institutional economics is a helpful framework to analyze the prioritization of the underlying factors that determine the criteria used to assess and select contracting methods.This document illustrates that the decision of the procuring method needs to be fundamentally addressed by analyzing the sponsors’ characteristics and objectives. This is aligned with the fact that the decision regarding which contracting method to apply should consider the potential minimization of transaction costs, by adjusting governance to the nature of the transaction.
This paper compares two approaches to the evaluation of mega transport project success. The first one is called the “iron triangle” approach. Under this approach, a megaproject is considered successful when it is delivered on budget, on time, and in line with the required specifications. The second approach is here called the “holistic” view of megaproject success, which considers other commonly used criteria: social efficiency, effectiveness, equity, relevance, and political pay-off, among others. This paper shows how the way in which the success of a mega transport project is measured leads to different recommendations for the planning and appraisal stages. It shows that such recommendations may or may not be consistent with the nature of the problem these endeavors imply at the different stages. It is here argued that focusing on the “iron triangle” approach to success can promote planning and appraisal with a narrow view of the problem, by assuming consensus, encouraging depoliticization, understanding the problem as a mathematical optimization made by a single decision-maker. The “holistic” approach to success, on the other hand, favors more comprehensive and integrated ways of planning and appraising infrastructure megaprojects. It does so by promoting a reduction in data demands, focusing on simplicity and transparency aimed at clarifying the terms of conflict and accepting uncertainty, keeping options open, all while focusing on the actual criteria used by the relevant stakeholders. Common pitfalls of the application of the “iron triangle” approach to success at the planning and appraisal stages result from its failure to address the context and the usual impossibility to fix and maintain a desired state from the earliest stages of the project. On the other hand, when using the ”holistic” view, recommendations are based on what happens in fact, including project management variables as only one part of the criteria actually used when planning megaprojects. In order to promote a transparent pre-investment stage, the planning and appraisal of megaprojects should consider project management variables, while also accepting complexity and non-linearity, addressing the power of the context, as well as the influence of the stakeholders involved, reflecting the actual criteria used in the decision-making process.
This Handbook provides state-of-the-art scholarship in the emerging field of megaproject management. The 25 chapters cover all aspects of megaproject management, from front-end planning to project delivery, including how to deal with stakeholders, risk, finance, complexity, innovation, governance, ethics, project breakdowns, and scale itself.
This book discusses environmental management and construction management approaches to the environmental problems that can emerge in construction projects. It sets a brand new standard for environmental management in mega construction projects in China and helps all construction project stakeholders establish a more compliant and efficient environmental management system. The authors systematically explore management systems and team management, offering managerial methods and tips based on international and Chinese practices. Outlining all the environmental challenges that can arise during construction, it is a valuable resource for company owners, construction contractors, and construction management consultants and companies. It also offers useful insights for engineers, project managers and project executives.
Megaprojects and Risk provides the first detailed examination of the phenomenon of megaprojects. It is a fascinating account of how the promoters of multi-billion dollar megaprojects systematically and self-servingly misinform parliaments, the public and the media in order to get projects approved and built. It shows, in unusual depth, how the formula for approval is an unhealthy cocktail of underestimated costs, overestimated revenues, undervalued environmental impacts and overvalued economic development effects. This results in projects that are extremely risky, but where the risk is concealed from MPs, taxpayers and investors. The authors not only explore the problems but also suggest practical solutions drawing on theory, experience and hard, scientific evidence from the several hundred projects in twenty nations and five continents that illustrate the book. Accessibly written, it will be the standard reference for students, scholars, planners, economists, auditors, politicians and interested citizens for many years to come.
This book discusses the economic and political conditions that facilitate megaproject implementation and what are the impacts on urbanity and livability of such costly mode of urban development. It includes contributions from sociologists, planners, geographers and architects making it a truly multidisciplinary project.
The governance and evaluation of ‘megaprojects’ – that is, large-scale, complex, high-stakes infrastructure projects usually commissioned by governments and delivered through partnerships between public and private organisations – is receiving increased attention. However, megaproject evaluation has hitherto largely adopted a linear-rationalist perspective to explain the frequent failure of such projects to meet the ‘iron triangle’ of performance criteria: delivering on time, within budget, and according to specifications. This approach recommends greater control and accountability to remedy megaproject ‘pathologies’. Drawing on empirical examples mainly from the transport sector and radioactive waste disposal, this book offers new perspectives to megaproject evaluation. Comprising contributions from leading experts in project evaluation and appraisal, this collection opens up new avenues by suggesting two ways of improving megaproject evaluation: 1) approaches that go beyond the dominant linearrationalist notion of policy processes, and emphasise instead the objective of opening up appraisal processes in order to enhance learning and reflexivity; and 2) approaches that extend evaluative criteria beyond the ‘iron triangle’, to cover the various socioeconomic impacts and preconditions for project success. This volume will be of great relevance to scholars and practitioners with an interest in megaprojects, energy and climate policy, radioactive waste management, urban design, and project planning and management.
It will be useful for those experienced and senior professionals who are charged with authorizing and controlling projects. Recommended. P.F. Rad, Choice Building on the seminal work of Bent Flyvbjerg, this book is a collection of expert contributions that will prove essential to anyone wanting to understand why mega-projects go wrong and how they can be made to work better. Professor Sir Peter Hall, University College London, UK This book offers a refreshing and fascinating look at mega-projects from the perspective of public evaluation and planning. With the changing role of the public sector in planning and implementing large-scale projects and a subsequent strong emergence of private public modes of operation, mega-projects have become a problematic phenomenon. This volume is a major source of information and reference. It provides the reader with unique insights and caveats in mega-projects planning. Peter Nijkamp, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands This book enlarges the understanding of decision-making on mega-projects and suggest recommendations for a more effective, efficient and democratic approach. Authors from different scientific disciplines address various aspects of the decision-making process, such as management characteristics and cost benefit analysis, planning and innovation and competition and institutions. The subject matter is highly diverse, but certain questions remain at the forefront. For example, how do we deal with protracted preparation processes, how do we tackle risks and uncertainties, and how can we best divide the risks and responsibilities among the private and public players throughout the different phases of the project? Presenting a state-of-the-art overview, based on experiences and visions of authors from Europe and North America, this unique book will be of interest to practitioners of large-scale project management, politicians, public officials and private organisations involved in mega-project decision-making. It will also appeal to researchers, consultants and students dealing with substantial engineering projects, complex systems, project management and transport infrastructure.
Project management lessons learned on the Big Dig, America's biggest megaproject, by a core member responsible for its daily operations In Megaproject Management, a central member of the Big Dig team reveals the numerous risks, challenges, and accomplishments of the most complex urban infrastructure project in the history of the United States. Drawing on personal experience and interviews with project engineers, executive oversight commission officials, and core managers, the author, a former deputy counsel and risk manager for the Big Dig, develops new insights as she describes the realities of day-to-day management of the project from a project manager's perspective. The book incorporates both theory and practice and is therefore highly recommended to policymakers, academics, and project management practitioners. Focusing on lessons learned, this insightful coursebook presents the Big Dig as a massive case study in the management of risk, cost, and schedule, particularly the interrelation of technical, legal, political, and social factors. It provides an analysis of the difficulties in managing megaprojects during each phase and over the life span of the project, while delivering useful lessons on why projects go wrong and what can be done to prevent project failure. It also offers new ideas to enhance project management performance and innovation in our global society. This unique guide: Defines megaproject characteristics and frameworks Reviews the Big Dig's history, stakeholders, and governance Examines the project's management scope, scheduling, and cost management including project delays and cost overruns Analyzes the Big Dig's risk management and quality management Reveals how to build a sustainable project through integration and change introduction