Assessment of Project Management Practices in Selected Architectural Design Firms in Addis Ababa

Abstract

This research assesses the project management practices in selected private Architectural Design firms in Addis Ababa. The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which project management processes are practiced in private Architectural design firms and the impact of ISO certification, number of staff and years of experience on overall Project Management practice. Though multifold its socio-economical contributions and its significance in affecting the livelihood of many, generally, the delivery process of construction is accused for inefficiency and ineffectiveness. One suggested approach to reduce these sub-par performances is for the industry to improve the project management practice level of private architectural design firms; often measured in Design project management practice levels based on PMI Knowledge areas. The method used to carry out this research was solicitation of information from the CEOs, Partners, Senior Architects, and Project Managers of private Architectural Design firms through structured questionnaire. A list of demographical questions was asked to draw the demographical picture of the architectural design firms. The analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Both, demographical data and practice levels are analyzed. Besides my personal observation of the private Architectural Design Industry was used as an input. The results of the assessment provide the necessary information for the architects to improve their PM practice. The study shows that the average project management Practice level for category one to category three private architectural design firms is two. Given that architectural design firms are project -based organizations, level two practice level, which is having planned level, is below Assessment of Project Management Practices in Selected Architectural Design Firms in Addis Ababa MS-100 Page | x minimum expected. Indeed, given the sample frame (26) of the highest categories of private architectural design firms; a higher level of PM practice is to be expected. Besides Project Time Management was highly practiced among the other knowledge areas and it’s followed by Project Quality Management. The least practiced knowledge area was the Project Risk Management. The assessment also showed that high correlation was found between ISO certified firms, number of staff and years of experience with over all PM practice. This study is the first attempt that focuses on private architectural design firms’ PM practices in Ethiopia. This piece of work cannot fully assess the overall project management practice level and related parameters in project execution. It will at least contribute and highlight certain pertinent factors that would enhance the level of project management practice. Hope it gives an insight for future, that it might be used as a triggering document for other researcher who want to conduct detailed and further advanced research in the area of project management practice in the construction industry.