Learnings from IPAT Assessments that can be used for improving future infrastructure projects

IPAT- Infrastructure Project Assessment Tool

Master thesis (2019)

Authors

S.R. REDDY Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Contributors

M.J.C.M. Hertogh Integral Design & Management - CEG (supervisor 1)
M.G.C. Bosch-Rekveldt Integral Design & Management - CEG (supervisor 1)
Ivana Burcar Dunović University of Zagreb (supervisor 2)
Geertje van Engen AT Osborne (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Civil Engineering & Geosciences
Copyright: © 2019 Sahana REDDY
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Published Date

25-11-2019

Language

English

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Abstract

Most of the large infrastructure projects (LIPs) are characterized with significant time delays and cost overruns. In order to be able to deploy the LIPs more effectively, make optimal use of the resources and investments and timely deliver the projects NETLIPSE was set up. NETLIPSE developed a project assessment tool called the Infrastructure Project Assessment Tool (IPAT) which helps in evaluating and assessing the LIPs to identify the vulnerabilities present and measure the capability of the project at all stages of its development and delivery. The IPAT assessments provide valuable insights to client organizations to improve their project performance. With the IPAT tool, several infrastructure projects in Europe were assessed. Since the data of the individual IPATs is owned by different clients, no thorough comparisons were made so far. The goal of the research was to identify learnings from assessment reports that can be used for improving future infrastructure projects by thoroughly comparing the data obtained from individual IPATs. Additionally, the effectiveness of the tool and the theoretical basis of the assessment tool was evaluated.
Five common elements were identified i.e., themes and scores, the context of the project, learning environment, knowledge exchange and the significance of reflection. The IPAT includes all these elements which were also deemed vital in the project assessment tools that were researched. Thus, the elements identified served as an essential basis on which project performance was measured.
The IPAT assessments aid in the exchange of knowledge in the form of best practices and lessons learned in the field of project management in order to efficiently deploy LIPs. The research identified five main learnings from the IPAT assessments that can be used for improving future large infrastructure projects. They are-
• The best practices and lessons learned in the field of project management are continuously evolving with time. Being aware of these evolvements is vital for the execution of projects.
• The best practices in the field of project management have broadened to include the overall context of the project and not just focus on the technical aspects.
• The opportunity to improve the project’s performance, progress, the processes involved, and outcomes/deliverables exist in all project phases.
• The IPAT assessments promote knowledge exchange. This gives the project management team an opportunity to adopt some of the best practices and customize them according to the requirements of their respective projects.
• The IPAT assessments gives the project team an opportunity to take a step back, review the project and learn from it. Continuous learning from projects facilitates better execution of the upcoming phases or future projects.