Fourth Industrial Revolution: A Readiness Assessment of Project Managers in Tanzania

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is transforming the way we live, learn, work, and relate to one another. However, there is still an awareness inadequacy of the 4IR among project managers and the society in Tanzania, thus low readiness to conceptualize, implement and manage 4IR-related projects in the country. This study aimed to assess the 4IR readiness of project managers in Tanzania. The assessment is made in the frame of 4 readiness dimensions: strategy and governance structure, technology awareness, human capital digital skills development, and social-economic impact. The research used a quantitative method with the diffusion of innovations theory perspective, and data were collected mainly through an online survey questionnaire. The survey aimed at answering the research question concerning the project managers’ readiness for the 4IR. The 50 valid samples were completed by project managers from various industries such as agriculture, finance, consulting, construction, education and training, government, healthcare, Information Technology, and manufacturing. Data were analysed using SPSS. The results revealed that despite the generally low awareness of 4IR, several project managers in Tanzania have some varying awareness of 4IR technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, blockchain, robotics, cryptocurrency, chatbots, drones, and other digital transformation platforms. The results also indicated that project managers in Tanzania had little extent in readiness to initiate, develop and implement 4IR products and services due to inadequate 4IR-related awareness, strategy and governance structure, human capital digital skills development, and social economic impact. Consequently, some recommendations are made in the frame of the four assessed readiness dimensions for improvement. The value of this research is mainly to provide the state of 4IR readiness of project managers and associated recommendations to policymakers, practitioners, academia, donors, business industry and youth in digital innovation. The study also contributes to the body of knowledge on 4IR, project management and digital transformation.

Research on Intelligent Cost Estimation of Engineering Foundation Projects Based on CSIs Theory

Against the backdrop of rapid development in China’s construction and infrastructure sectors,discrepancies between project budgets and actual costs have become pronounced,manifesting in project overruns and suspensions,posing significant challenges.To address inaccuracies in investment targets and operational complexities,this study focuses on a beam-bridge construction project in a district of Shijiazhuang city as a case study.Drawing upon historical analogs,the project employs a Work Breakdown Structure(WBS)to decompose the engineering works.Building on theories of Cost Significant(CS)and Whole Life Costing(WLC),the study constructs Cost Significant Items(CSIs)and develops a CNN-BiLSTM-Attention neural network for nonlinear prediction.By identifying significant cost drivers in engineering projects,this paper presents a streamlined cost estimation method that significantly reduces computational burdens,simplifies data collection processes,and optimizes data analysis and forecasting,thereby enhancing prediction accuracy.Finally,validation with real-world cost fluctuation data demonstrates minor errors,meeting predictive requirements across project execution phases.

Whole-Process Project Cost Management Based on Building Information Modeling (BIM)

The whole-process project cost management based on building information modeling(BIM)is a new management method,aiming to realize the comprehensive optimization and improvement of project cost management through the application of BIM technology.This paper summarizes and analyzes the whole-process project cost management based on BIM,aiming to explore its application and development prospects in the construction industry.Firstly,this paper introduces the role and advantages of BIM technology in engineering cost management,including information integration,data sharing,and collaborative work.Secondly,the paper analyzes the key technologies and methods of the whole-process project cost management based on BIM,including model construction,data management,and cost control.In addition,the paper also discusses the challenges and limitations of the whole-process BIM project cost management,such as the inconsistency of technical standards,personnel training,and consciousness change.Finally,the paper summarizes the advantages and development prospects of the whole-process project cost management based on BIM and puts forward the direction and suggestions for future research.Through the research of this paper,it can provide a reference for construction cost management and promote innovation and development in the construction industry.

θ-improved limited tolerance relation model of incomplete information system for evaluation of water conservancy project management modernization

The modernization of water conservancy project management is a complicated engineering system involving a management system, a management method, management personnel, the exertion of social, economic, and ecological effects, and so on. However, indices for evaluating the modernization of water conservancy project management are usually unobtainable in practical applications. Conducting appropriate extension of the classical rough set theory and then applying it to an incomplete information system are the key to the application of the rough set theory Based on analysis of some extended rough set models in incomplete information systems, a rough set model based on the θ-improved limited tolerance relation is put forward. At the same time, upper approximation and lower approximation are defined under this improved relation. According to the evaluation index system and management practices, the threshold for θ is defined. An example study indicates the practicability and maneuverability of the model.

Optimizing Bidders Selection of Multi-Round Procurement Problem in Software Project Management Using Parallel Max-Min Ant System Algorithm

This paper presents a Game-theoretic optimization via Parallel Min-Max Ant System(PMMAS)algorithm is used in practice to determine the Nash equilibrium value to resolve the confusion in choosing appropriate bidders of multi-round procurement problem in software project management.To this end,we introduce an approach that proposes:(i)A Game-theoretic model of multiround procurement problem(ii)A Nash equilibrium strategy corresponds to multi-round strategy bid(iii)An application of PSO for the determination of global Nash equilibrium.The balance point in Nash Equilibrium can help to maintain a sustainable structure not only in terms of project management but also in terms of future cooperation.As an alternative of procuring entities subjectively,a methodology to support decision making has been studied using Nash equilibrium to create a balance point on benefit in procurement where buyers and suppliers need multiple rounds of bidding.Our goal focus on the balance point in Nash Equilibrium to optimizing bidder selection in multi-round procurement which is the most beneficial for both investors and selected tenderers.Our PMMAS algorithm is implemented based on MPI(message passing interface)to find the approximate optimal solution for the question of how to choose bidders and ensure a path for a win-win relationship of all participants in the procurement process.We also evaluate the speedup ratio and parallel efficiency between our algorithm and other proposed algorithms.As the experiment results,the high feasibility and effectiveness of the PMMAS algorithm are verified.

Fuzzy Assessment Method and Its Application to Selecting Project Managers

Open competition is a new form of the assessment of candidates and selection of project managers. This has many merits compared to the traditional administrative method of appointment. This article introduces a method of fuzzy assessment of project manager candidates. Fuzzy assessment unifies objective qualitative and quantitative appraisal and can be used for improving decision-making in the selection process.

Rationality of escalating commitment in information systems project management： An inter-disciplinary perspective

Escalation of commitment has been linked to losses in information systems （IS） projects. Understanding the nature and the rationality of escalation allows the firm to promote optimal project management practices. This study takes an inter-disciplinary approach and draws on research from economics and management to create a model of irrational escalation and a model of rational escalation. The forces that contribute to irrational escalation include the responsibility of the same manager for both the project selection and project continuation decisions that create proneness to self-justification, the potential for negative framing of decision options due to large sunk costs, the proximity of project completion and the presence of organizational inertia. Identifying these irrational escalation factors helps design appropriate de-escalation techniques. The rational escalation model draws on the real option theory and the bandit process theory to identify conditions when project continuation is justified by the value of information and the value of flexibility that the firm receives from continuing the project.

Project Manager＇s Competencies in Czech Lottery Industry Enterprise

The presented paper analyses competencies of project manager of the enterprises operating on Czech lottery market. The contribution of the paper consists of two parts. The first part focuses on the basic terminology issues and anchors concepts such as project manager and competencies. The second part is dedicated to the analyzing and evaluation of the competencies of ideal project manager of the enterprises operating on Czech lottery market and subsequent presentation and verification. For the analyzing and evaluation of the competencies of ideal project manager, the questionnaire of the scale type with the grade valuation 1-6 was applied within the frame of 20 enterprises operating on the lottery market in Czech Republic. The respondents were from the AG CZ, Ltd. and the competitors of this enterprise. Analyzed data were after the evaluation worked up into the form of graphs. The final output of this paper is the definition of the competencies of ideal project manager operating on Czech lottery market. The paper arose thanks to the project supportted by The Ministry of Education, Slovakia （Project KEGA No. 001DTI-4/2015, proposal of behavior strategies in the difficult social situations in the management of secondary school using the innovative predictive software tools） in cooperation of Dubnicky, Technological lnstitut in Dubnica nad Vahom with AG CZ, Ltd. and The Institute of Technological and Business in Ceske Budejovice.

American, Asian and European Scientists and Practitioners View on ICT Project Managers Soft Skills

USA as an ICT （Information and Communication Technology） innovative leader, Europe with its knowledge offensive and Asia as the fastest growing economies share the common fate： ICT projects do under perform. Numerous surveys point at human factor as a source of this malheur. The question emerge to what extent project manager is responsible for improvements there, and which particular skills are demanded to turn the ICT projects course towards more predictable, more efficient and better budget able endeavours. Authors examined and compared the scientific and practitioners views. Twenty-nine journal and conference papers and 46 monographs and standards dedicated to project manager skills have been scrutinized. Further 324 jobs advertisements for the ICT project managers in USA, Switzerland, Poland and Thailand underwent an analysis related to the demanded soft skills of the project manager. The L-Timer~ taxonomy of human factor related processes in project management is applied as comparison vehicle. Methodology extracted main （global） terms and detailed aspects, both weighted appropriately. The practitioners on all continents expect primarily communication skills followed by the team management abilities. Human resource is partially treated, while conflict management is underrepresented. The science seems to be focused on leadership followed by the communication skills, neglecting self management skills of project managers. The last are surprisingly well represented in the US advertisement. The USA job advertisements are the most comprehensive and elaborated one--and, what might be explained by high impact of American science on job definition--close to the scientific details of skill description, self management excluded. In Poland, team management appears to be a problem, while Thailand＇s companies seek leaders first. The best balanced approach might be found in Swiss job advertisements. The inter-cultural differences point at impact of cultural heritage, which call for differentiated view of science on demanded project manager human factor related skills. Authors pursue this fascinating research.

An Information Systems Project Management Course Using a Service-Learning Model

This paper describes the implementation of an Information Systems （IS） capstone project management course that is a requirement for graduating seniors in an undergraduate Computer Information Systems （CIS） program at a regional university. The description provides a model which includes the culmination of students＇ academic training in an IS curriculum which is part of a Bachelor of Business Administration （BBA） program in an accredited college of business. The course requires an application of technical and business skills, as well as systems development and project management skills--while students are working on an actual IS project for an external sponsoring organization. Rationale for implementing this type of course includes the benefits it provides to the students, the project sponsors, and the IS department providing the course. Feedback from the course is used as integral part of the C1S curriculum assessment process used for accreditation purposes.

Is the Culture or Unstable Procurement System Causing Nonperforming Projects？

A research group at the University of Botswana has been investigating how culture and construction delivery system stability affect the Botswana construction industry performance. The government of Botswana is attempting to increase the construction performance and sustainability of the Botswana construction industry in an environment of local contractors who do not seem to have the expertise and experience. Currently, the Botswana industry is heavily dependent on foreign contractors. The researchers are trying to identify if the problem is the underdeveloped industry and Botswana culture, or potentially the combination of culture and unstable delivery system, and can a stable delivery system raise the performance of Botswana contractors. The two potential areas of interest are the country culture, and the project delivery/management model. The authors are using deductive logic, logical and simplistic models, and dominant or extreme information to minimizing the need to get into a long drawn out study of details which may be difficult to obtain and not necessarily solve the issue. The objective of the paper is to identify the best method to increase the performance of the construction industry, addressing both the cultural and delivery system problems. The preliminary measurement of the success of the solution is the acceptance of the concepts by major users in Botswana. This paper will propose the potential solution, which will be tested starting January 2011. If this solution is valid, it has a tremendous potential in underdeveloped countries.

Research on the Curriculum System for the Project Management Majored Entrepreneurial Talent

In this research article, we conduct research on the curriculum system for the project management majored entrepreneurial talent. The engineering management major construction and the oriented real estate industry, especially for the large and medium-sized backbone enterprises in civil engineering construction and the real estate enterprises train innovative, applied and compound of high-level engineering technology and the management talent. Entrepreneurship education student entrepreneurial ability is to make the students have successful entrepreneurial innovation ability, the development ability, organization and the core management ability, interpersonal communication and cooperation ability, comprehensive ability. Student entrepreneurial ability of high and low depends largely on the amount of corresponding knowledge in practice. Our research provides novel paradigm for the curriculum system construction and optimization for the universities.

Optimization of Enterprise Training System from The Perspective of Project Management

At present,there are a series of problems in the enterprise training system,such as the lack of systematic management,imperfect management and control measures,the lack of scienti＇c evaluation system,and so on.With the rapid development of information technology,the members of the enterprise should not only strengthen their own learning,but also promote each other.The training system of the enterprise should effectively take these needs as the preferred factors to establish and optimize the system.Based on this urgent need,this paper will put forward some thoughts on the optimization of enterprise training system from the perspective of project management.

A Project Management and Decision Support System for Non-standard Equipment's Eexecuting Work

Based on the features of the non-standard equipment executing work, a project management and decision support system oriented to the non-standard equipment is developed, and the information model, function model as well as the structure framework of the system are also introduced in this paper.

Study on Project Management Information System of HongHe Cigarette Factory

Based on the principle of project management, through analysis and discussion of the information requirements at different stages of the project, this paper provides the readers with programming and designing methods of the project management information of HongHe Cigarette Factory. In this system network technique is employed to trace and evaluate the implementation of the project, finally, this paper supplies a typical function-structure of project management information system and the mode of how to construct the system.

Study on Construction Project Variation Management System Design

This paper analyses the necessity of developing variation information management of construction project. The structure scheme of variation management system has been put forward, which is based on intranet or internet scheme, with the structure of Browser or Server. The system consists of eight modules, which are variation account management, variation application, variation evaluation, variation execution, variation price management, variation report management, variation information query and system maintenance. With this system, remote management and controlling in real time for variation of construction proiect can be carried out.

How Does Robotics Process Automation (RPA) Affect Project Management Practices

The main purpose of this literature review is to understand the effectiveness and impacts of Robotics Process Automation (RPA) on the practices of Project Management (PM). For attaining the purposes of the research study, an extensive literature review was conducted, which helped in gaining a theoretical understanding. These findings were then justified with the help of current and relevant secondary sources in the analysis section. The findings suggested that RPA is quite advantageous for implementing in varied aspects of a business, especially in the field of project management. However, it can pose several challenges, which need to be taken into due consideration by the organizations during execution such as the capabilities of the employees and the abilities of the existing systems to incorporate automation, among others. It was ultimately concluded that RPA is highly advantageous for project management teams but its effective implementation is the key to success.

Optimization Algorithms of PERT/CPM Network Diagrams in Linear Diophantine Fuzzy Environment

The idea of linear Diophantine fuzzy set(LDFS)theory with its control parameters is a strong model for machine learning and optimization under uncertainty.The activity times in the critical path method(CPM)representation procedures approach are initially static,but in the Project Evaluation and Review Technique(PERT)approach,they are probabilistic.This study proposes a novel way of project review and assessment methodology for a project network in a linear Diophantine fuzzy(LDF)environment.The LDF expected task time,LDF variance,LDF critical path,and LDF total expected time for determining the project network are all computed using LDF numbers as the time of each activity in the project network.The primary premise of the LDF-PERT approach is to address ambiguities in project network activity timesmore simply than other approaches such as conventional PERT,Fuzzy PERT,and so on.The LDF-PERT is an efficient approach to analyzing symmetries in fuzzy control systems to seek an optimal decision.We also present a new approach for locating LDF-CPM in a project network with uncertain and erroneous activity timings.When the available resources and activity times are imprecise and unpredictable,this strategy can help decision-makers make better judgments in a project.A comparison analysis of the proposed technique with the existing techniques has also been discussed.The suggested techniques are demonstrated with two suitable numerical examples.

Software Cost Estimation Using Social Group Optimization

This paper introduces the integration of the Social Group Optimization(SGO)algorithm to enhance the accuracy of software cost estimation using the Constructive Cost Model(COCOMO).COCOMO’s fixed coefficients often limit its adaptability,as they don’t account for variations across organizations.By fine-tuning these parameters with SGO,we aim to improve estimation accuracy.We train and validate our SGO-enhanced model using historical project data,evaluating its performance with metrics like the mean magnitude of relative error(MMRE)and Manhattan distance(MD).Experimental results show that SGO optimization significantly improves the predictive accuracy of software cost models,offering valuable insights for project managers and practitioners in the field.However,the approach’s effectiveness may vary depending on the quality and quantity of available historical data,and its scalability across diverse project types and sizes remains a key consideration for future research.

Key Points and Difficulties in the Management of a New Guangzhou 12th People’s Hospital Branch

During the 13th Five-Year Plan period,to improve medical and health services,the Guangzhou Municipal government invested billions in medical construction.During that time,Guangzhou was renewing its approval procedures for construction projects,and the COVID-19 outbreak changed the requirements of hospital construction.In addition to focusing more on spatial planning and layout,the integration of specialized departments,large-scale medical equipment,and numerous intelligent systems increased the complexity of hospital construction projects.The success of these projects often hinges on the quality of the management team.If a hospital construction project manager lacks experience and an understanding of the project’s key aspects,they may struggle with organization,management,and problem-solving,leading to rework,resource waste,and delays.This paper uses the construction of a new Guangzhou 12th People’s Hospital branch as an example to describe the key points and difficulties in each stage of project construction and proposes solutions for the management of similar projects in the future.