Advanced project management

This scoping study aims to identify and articulate advanced project management (PM) knowledge and the current PM education and training available concerning it that is relevant to the Australian rail sector. This study is a pre-requisite first phase in a two phase investigation wherein the second phase, a major field study will be undertaken to (i) map any actual advanced PM practices currently employed in the industry and (ii) identify and assess any gaps in rail sector practitioners’ advanced PM competencies.

 

PM competencies are a key strategic capability for the rail sector, and the majority of current practitioners acquire their PM competencies through participation in vocational and tertiary education programs, as well as through professional practice. Given the wider range and increasing scale of major projects undertaken by the rail sector, and heightened government commitments to invest in major infrastructure projects, capabilities in managing major projects, programs and portfolios will be critical for the rail sector in meeting the ever-tightening stakeholder expectations.

 

The proposed scoping study consists of four major parts: an extensive and cross disciplinary literature review aimed at profiling the current body of advanced PM knowledge; exploratory interviews with key personnel in the participating organisations to identify the nature of projects undertaken by the rail sector, and competencies required of senior practitioners: a preliminary review of the education and training programs in advanced project management currently offered by domestic and some international institutions; and an assessment of the capacity of such programs to deliver the required advanced PM competencies, or alternatively, the feasibility of investing in an industry specific award/professional program.

 

The outcomes of this scoping study will help industry partners gain a better understanding of the advanced PM capabilities relevant to the sector and help inform their investment decisions in practitioner education and training.

 

Given the challenges faced by the rail sector in dealing with an increasing demand for major infrastructure projects and the strategic significance of successful project delivery, this scoping study is of high priority and relevance to the industry.