Coordination Challenges of Production Planning in the Construction of International Mega-Projects in The Middle East

ABSTRACT

The majority of mega construction projects suffer from delay and budget overrun syndromes. Despite the universal negative image of mega projects, they are essential for the development of public infrastructure. Little is known about how production planning and control of the challenging operational sites of mega-projects is handled. Compounding the complexity with an international context can substantially increase the risk of successful delivery. The purpose of this article is to explore how common production planning and control systems address the coordination challenges of international mega-projects. By understanding the nuances of international projects, a new definition is introduced. Characteristics of mega-projects found in the literature are reviewed and enhanced. Thirty-two experts, with a minimum of 15 years of experience, from 10 international mega-projects were interviewed in a structured interview process to augment the literature review. It was concluded that available production planning and control systems require special treatment to address the coordination challenges of international mega-projects. The interviewed experts reported changes to schedule, budget, scope, as well as an inadequate quality of design are categorized by as the most challenging factors affecting the coordination and delivery of international mega-projects.

KEYWORDS:

• Control
• international projects
• lean construction
• mega
• production planning

Acknowledgments

With sincere thanks and appreciation, the authors acknowledge the valuable inputs and directions received from the external reviewers Prof. Tariq Abdelhamid (Michigan State University) and Prof. George Jergeas (University of Calgary) that spark our thinking. Equally, we thank our outstanding experts for their generous contributions that made this study possible.