Rev. Final Thesis Content
Rev. Final Thesis Content
MARY’S UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
i
CHALLENGES IN APPLYING INTEGRATED PROJECT
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ON URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE
PROJECTS: THE CASE OF ADDIS ABABA ROAD AND MAJOR
UTILITIES PROJECT
BY
TIBEBE SEIFE
ii
ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
FACULTIES OF BUSINESS
BY
TIBEBE SEIFE
______________________ _______________________
Advisor Signature
______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________
iii
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my gratitude to the following people for their contributions towards my
research:
▪ First of all I’d like to thank my God.
▪ My study Advisor, Associate Professor Maru Shete, his advice and generous guidance and
critical comments since the time I started with the research lead me to the right track of the
study, and made this research possible.
▪ Addis Ababa Integrated Infrastructure Construction Permit and Control Authority
management team and specially Engineer Dawit Deriba (D/Director) for his warm,
extensive , professional and genuine feedback which widen my insight on the research
agenda.
▪ Addis Ababa City Road Authority management team member and specially Engineer
Mohamed Seid (Directorate Director) and Engineer Yosef Haile (Directorate Director) for
their technical comments and advice.
▪ Utility Service Providers’ management member for their supportive action and feedback.
▪ I would like to dedicate this dissertation to my wife Hanna and my children, Beamelak,
Nathan and Musa for their understanding when I could not spend quality of time with them.
iv
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................................... iv
ABSTRACT........................................................................................................................................................... x
1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 11
v
2.1.9 Independent Regulatory Agency (IRA) Approach .................................................................... 24
2.2.6 Sectoral -Coordination in urban infrastructure development and service provision .............. 28
4.3 The current Practice of Inter Sectoral level integrated infrastructure projects management system
in Addis Ababa ............................................................................................................................................. 35
4.3.2 Strategic Planning and Budget Support for Integrated Infrastructure management System in
Addis Ababa ............................................................................................................................................. 37
vi
4.3.3 Integration and Project Governance........................................................................................ 43
4.3.6 Major Challenge in Applying Integrated Project Management System on Urban Infrastructure
projects 47
6 REFERNCES ............................................................................................................................................... 53
7 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................................. 55
vii
List of Figures
Fig.2. 1 System Functional Framework Design for IMS ................................................................................... 18
List of Tables
Table 3. 1 Distribution of samples by Organization ......................................................................................... 31
Table4. 3 Use of Integrated Infrastructure management tools in planning and budgeting process by
Organization in Addis Ababa ............................................................................................................................ 38
viii
List of Abbreviations and Acronyms
AAIICPCA Addis Ababa City integrated Infrastructure construction permit and control Authority
ix
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to assess the key challenge in the implementation of integrated
infrastructure project management system among major utilities service providers, AACRA and
AAIIPCA, in the case of Addis Ababa. The need for this study is considered relevant and necessary
for Addis Ababa as a capital city of Africa and significant contribution in reducing the scarce
resource wastage. Although, integrated infrastructure project management system is a complex task
which requires appropriate organizational capacity and cooperation between numerous
stakeholders in the private and public sectors .The study scope mainly encompasses institutional,
technological, planning and strategic aspect to identify the key challenges. The study employed
both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Data were collected through questionnaires,
interviews, documentary review, and observation. The results revealed that current institutional
poor information and technological capacity and lack of central database the tools which support
the accelerated and informed decision making and effective information and data exchange has
become significantly challenge in implementing effective and integrated infrastructure project
management system.
x
CHAPTER ONE
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The rapid urbanization presents many challenges. One of the most urgent is how to provide
infrastructure solutions that can cope with the stress caused by this massive expansion of
populations in concentrated spaces (Thomas, 2017). Cities must build, maintain, and upgrade
extensive transport, power, water and telecommunication networks, in order to keep up with the
demands of economic development and population growth. Those infrastructures are necessary
to continue to progress societies and improve living standards.
Infrastructure is a network of interrelated basic facilities and services that provides an adequate
environment for human living. A city infrastructure is a system of connected utilities, basic
facilities, and services of that city, from the smallest units of the community (houses) to the
significant city structures and buildings that render services such as electricity,
telecommunication, sewage and sewerage and water supply (Oluwole, 2017). Infrastructure
project includes construction, installation, maintenance, upgrading -or rehabilitation of
undertaken by the relevant implementing organanization (Mathewos Consult, 2006). Those
infrastructure projects are not end up in themselves. Rather, their importance to the economy and
the society as a whole derives from the service they offer: the opportunity to improve
productivity or reduce cost (Roelich, 2014). Although the real output of infrastructure is service:
the movement of people and goods, the provision of clean water, enables communication and
exchange of information, electric supply and so on. Moreover, infrastructure encompass those
activities without which there would be limited economic activity .In particular, most pubic
works infrastructure projects share several charactestics : (1). high fixed costs (capital intensive),
(2) a long economic life (3) dominate local markets (4) interaction with other infrastructure
(James, 2015).
Projects Integration management involves making adjustments among the various objectives and
supervising the interdependencies which exists between the knowledge areas (Invensis, 2017).
The concept as the Integrated Infrastructure Management System is as a computer-based
management tool that will apply advanced information collection and management technologies
to provide more efficient, accurate, and effective bases for making decisions about infrastructure.
The IIMS will combine inventory, condition assessment, predictive modeling, scenario
development, and user-friendly information-access capabilities (Andrew, 2008). According to
Andrew (2008), a growing body of studies is helping professionals and policy-makers to
11
Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
understand that infrastructure exists as an interconnected system, and that this system's efficient
functioning is crucial to our environmental quality, economic well-being, and quality of life in
general.
According to (Halfway, 2008) challenges and characteristics that needed solution for integrated
infrastructure management system must support three main requirements: (i) efficient
coordination and information flow between inter-dependent processes; (ii) efficient integration
and management of infrastructure lifecycle data, within municipal departments and across
utilities provider, in a unified and interoperable environment that maximizes the reuse and
sharing of data; and (iii) integration of various software applications through the use of an open
and modular software architecture. Satisfying these requirements would require addressing three
main challenges: (i) the process systematization and coordination challenge, (ii) the data
integration challenge, and (iii) the software integration challenge. Solutions to these challenges
should be based on proper understanding of the organizational and operational aspects of
municipal infrastructure management, as well as on an accurate characterization of the methods
and technologies currently used to support various processes.
Therefore, it is crucial to acquire an integrated infrastructure development management system
especially for infrastructure project: by pursuing such objective, when planning new
infrastructure development and rehabilitation of existing utilities networks. And, it is possible to
get advantages over such efficient scarce resource utilization, maintaining a high service level
and minimizing the life cycle costs, the impact on environment, and the disruptions to traffic.
Despite, integration in construction and maintenance of linear infrastructure is difficult,
indispensable task which are characterized by ensuring the optimum use and management of
scarce resources requires the application of sound strategies while at the same time, addressing a
variety of constraints and challenges, for developing the infrastructure projects. Moreover, two
primary benefits of integration: helps a utility to more effectively and strategically align
improvements across a full range of management areas and enables a utility to leverage the
continual improvement management infrastructure (Us environmental protection agency, 2007)
12
Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
implementing the infrastructure development in an integrated way between Addis Ababa City
Road Authority and major utilities provider.
As (Desta, 2017) recent disclosure, splashing billions of Birr and crafting development oriented
policies, but lack of integration among different utility providers resulting in project delays and
capital inflation besides creating chaos on the day to day activities.”Utility services provider and
other organization behind construction usually get each other’s throats criticizing for damage
caused dismantling each others’ facilities while working on their respective projects”
Some previous study focus , as (Hailmareyam, 2011) indicated that despite the regulatory agency
role is crucial and significant in reducing economic and engineering damage caused by lack of
integration; as well as preparing ahead plan to new road and utilities to avoid further damages,
but there is still frequent damages on road and utilities infrastructure. Some previous studies such
as (Mahlet, 2014), (Shimeles, 2007) and (Yirsaw, 2012) ; reveal the existing practiced
infrastructure integration management system is very poor ;municipalities are facing
unprecedented challenges in the management of infrastructure assets due to the increasing
number of aging infrastructure assets, the ever-increasing demand and sustainability
requirements, increasing maintenance deficit, and declining or static maintenance budgets in
relation to Addis Ababa City infrastructure development projects.
Therefore, purpose of this research is mainly to understand the existing city infrastructure
integrated management practice and investigate the potential challenges from currently utilized
tools and technology. Since, the above mentioned studies have gaps in showing what challenges
the infrastructure project integration from the tools and technology respective.
• What are the critical challenges for the effective implementation of integrated project
management system for Addis Ababa city’s infrastructure project?
• What are the tools being used for big data management and information exchange.
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
city. Integrated project management system is believed to bring efficiency and effectiveness of
project management performances in reducing scarce resource wastage and avoiding frequent
city road cut and to enhance quality utility service, contribution to city’s growth development.
Thus, this study tries to pinpoint by doing so it contributes the prevailing challenges that are
confronting the technical, and operational collaborations among project implementing entities
and suggest ways to ameliorate the challenges.
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
CHAPTER TWO
16
Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
is related to horizontal integration in the sense that a project that reflects outside factors and
environmental scanning (Bruce, 2006).
Integration may take three forms (MATHEWOS Consult, 2006), which are: (1) Integration
within an infrastructure sector/entity (intra-sectoral integration): for example integration within
road sector between Road Authority (arterial and sub arterial road) and local government and
community initiatives (local and collector road),(2) Integration between infrastructure entities
(inter-sectoral integration); integration between different sectors/infrastructure entities. and (3)
Integration of infrastructure with other urban development sectors housing, business, industrial
areas etc (which is also inter-sectoral integration). Integrated infrastructure planning is a tool
for implementing housing, business and industrial. Data integration is defined as “the process
of combining or linking two or more data sets from different sources to facilitate data sharing,
promote effective data gathering and analysis, and support overall information management
activities in an organization” (FHWA 2001). The main benefits of data integration and sharing
include data availability/accessibility; timeliness; accuracy, correctness, and integrity;
consistency and clarity; completeness; reduced duplication; faster processing and turnaround
time; lower data acquisition and storage cost; informed and defensible decisions; and
integrated decision-making (FHWA 2001).
The forms and elements of sectors to be dealt with include financial, institutional regulatory
and spatial elements. Institutional element is about the relationship between concerned
institutions, their roles and ability of working together. The municipality must ensure that when
the projects are identified they must be in line with the objectives and strategies of the
municipality. The project must also be in line with the resource framework, and comply with
the relevant legal requirements. The integration phase creates an opportunity for the
municipality to harmonize the project in terms of content, timing and location, in order to
arrive at the consolidated and integrated programme (lDP Guide Pack: 2001:16.).
(IDP Guide Pack: 2001:16.) The output of integration is an operational strategy which
includes:
17
Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
▪ Institutional plan.
Reference to sector plans.
According to (Zamin.Z, 1998),traditionally, separate divisions within utilities service providers or
public works agency use different management systems. Most systems were developed and
operated originally as stand-alone applications specific systems. The data structures vary from
one system to another, ranging from simple flat files to sophisticated relational databases. The
incompatibility among these systems has caused serious problems in data sharing and
management cooperation needed by various units at all levels. To solve this problem, integrated
systems have been proposed by many researchers (Zhang 94, Hudson 94, NCHRP 94, Zhang 96,
Hudson 97). In addition to these, it should be made clear that integration does not mean the
creation of a huge and complicated system simply by lump-sum combination; rather it represents
a process where all the components of a system are logically linked together on a common
platform using a modular approach. The concept of an integrated infrastructure management
system is illustrated in Fig.2.1, where GIS is the integration platform using geographical location
as the integrator of infrastructure management system.
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
According to Zamin (1998) made his conclusion on advantage of using integrated information
system
2. Automatic data sharing: the automatic method differs from the manual one primarily by
its medium of data transfer. Instead of using diskettes or tapes, this method provides data
sharing via network wires, which is efficient for frequent data transfer.
3. Standardization of data: another level of integration can be achieved by standardizing
data items, definitions, collection procedures, quality, and updating schedules.
Standardization is especially important for a central database involved in data sharing.
4. Standardization of analysis procedures: data sharing includes not only data items
directly collected in raw form, but also those generated as outputs from analysis
procedures. For an integrated system, some analyses may require certain inputs that are
output from prior analyses.
5. Policy and decision-making integration: the information generated from the
proceeding levels of integration can be used by administrators to develop coordinated
policies and to make comprehensive decisions. Such an integrated approach of
administration can make the best use of available resources.
6. Integrated systems: the most desirable one is the integration of separate management
systems. An integrated system does not necessarily mean combining everything into one
grand “lump-sum” system; rather the integration should be carried out by using a
common platform. Because of the geographical nature of transportation and public
works, GIS is an excellent integration platform using location as the integrator.
20
Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
a. Facilitate increased accountability and oversight between the political and administrative
components of the municipality; and each sectoral department and the office of the
municipal manager.
b. Provide early warning signals for each sector Heads of Departments, the Municipal Manager,
Clusters, Standing Committees, Mayoral Committee and the Executive Mayor with a
diagnostic signal of the potential risks that are likely to affect the realization of full
infrastructure project implementation. It is important that the system ensures that decision-
makers are timely informed of risks, so that they can facilitate interventions, where and when
it is necessary and possible to do so.
c. Facilitate decision-making by providing appropriate management of information that will
allow efficient, effective and informed decision-making, particularly in so far as indicating
where the allocation of resources should be prioritized in order to meet institutional or
strategic goals.
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
approach helps to reorient the activities towards a common line that helps to maximize overall
benefit (MATHEWOS Consult, 2006).
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
to ensure that terms of the contract are strictly followed and success achieved (Ethelbert, 2016).
Many developing countries in Africa increasingly face issues of regulatory capacity, in relation
to a relatively “weak” institutional environment. Building regulatory capacity is a challenge that
should be always be taken into consideration when reforming the regulation of infrastructure
and utilities.
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
management, and sharing of these data sets can only be practically achieved through the use of
comprehensive and integrated databases. Data management services such as multi-user data
access and editing, concurrency control, version management, data security and authentication,
and other services critical for ensuring data integrity and consistency can only be realized using
an integrated database (Halfawy, 2008).
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
infrastructure planning.
▪ There is a need to share experience and “best practices” regarding municipal infrastructure
planning.
▪ Life cycle analysis and long-term service life prediction form an integral part of the asset
management of municipal infrastructure.
▪ There is little or no intercommunication between municipal infrastructure research and the
field of service life research.
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
CHAPTER THREE
3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design and Approach
The research was adopted qualitative and quantitative research approach .Thus the research is a
descriptive and mixed research approach aimed at increasing reliability of information, thereby
making qualitative complement the quantitative information. The data were collected from
primary and secondary data source through using a combination of closed ended and open ended
questioner. In addition, a review was conducted on published document and exploration of the
reports to study the current state of infrastructure project management practice and the associated
challenges.
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
Sample
Organization Respondents
Ethio telecom 12
Ethio electric 11
AAWSA 10
AACRA 13
AAIICPCA 5
Total 51
3.3.2 Questionnaire
It is planned to use a tool for collecting and recording information about a particular issue of
interest, but also included clear instructions and space for answers. The questioners were closed
and semi-closed questionnaires were adopted in such away to have quantitative data which
related to the objectives of the research, since the research is a mixed research approach. Ethio
electric and ethio telecom. Other relevant data were collected from published and unpublished
materials.
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
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CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 Introduction
The results and discussion section is the most important part of the study. The section principally
categorized based on the predefined research objectives and questions and conducting
explorative survey in major utilities service providers through interview and questionnaire
Directors / Managers of the utilities services providers and Directors /Officers in City’s
infrastructure regulatory authority.
The research results and discussion is provided based on four major sections and some other
supportive subsections. These sections are: the Utility service providers, AACRA and AACIPC
Authority current organizational capacity, and infrastructure projects integrated management
practice and factors challenge infrastructure integrated mangemt system.
A set of interrelated concepts, definitions and propositions that presents a systematic view of
situations derived from the literature review and secondary data for specifying and developing
determinant variables and incorporating those variables in three dimensions for major association
with the integrated infrastructure project management system. Those major dimensions are
discussed based on three subsection i.e. 1) organizational structure dimension on supportiveness
of the project alignment and decision making process with other sectors , the tools currently
utilized for planning and budgeting and communication strategy 2) Institutional level project
management dimension in collaboration , technology and project governances and data
integration and 3) analyzing the major factors which challenges integrated infrastructure project
management system.
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
Work Experience(Years)
Current position <5 5-10 10-20 Total
Director 0 0 1 1
D/Director 0 2 2 4
Manager 4 10 14 28
Expert 2 6 4 12
Supervisor 0 3 3 6
Total 6 21 24 51
From Table 4.1 many of the respondents were on Manager Level positions which shows that the
sample selection taking them as main actors to exploit what challenge they faced during
infrastructure project management. In addition, the Experts in their respective organizations well
distributed and hoped to share their significant experience. Similarly, Supervisors also made a
significant contribution on the project implementation stage issue. However, the research agenda
supposed to support the top management enabling them to make informed decision making
process and tools during the project planning and implementation, the Director, and D/Director
level of the respondents, made less effort to share their project experience and the critical
challenge they faced. Moreover, the managers 28 and the experts 12 respondents were key role
players in providing adequate and relevant data which determine the research result rationally
and logically.
The respondents experience as illustrated on the above table 4.1 shows that the majority range
from 10 years to 20 years. This indicates that at most respondents were long cumulated
experience and many exposures to the project management challenge. It would create the chance
to get the real challenge through their long professional carrier. Moreover, those experienced
professional will have a significant contribution to the new project management system
development.
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
Organization Name
Response Ethio
Organization Struct (Yes) telecom EELPA AAWSA AACRA AAIICPCA
The organization structure support Visions Frequency 9 6 7 8 0
,mission &goal % 30.0% 20.0% 23.3% 26.7% 0.0%
The organization structure define project Frequency 8 4 5 9 2
team role & responsibility % 28.6% 14.3% 17.9% 32.1% 7.1%
The organization structure shows project Frequency 4 6 6 6 1
performance reporting ,communication & % 17.4% 26.1% 26.1% 26.1% 4.3%
decision making level
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
As shown on the table 4.2 all institution (Ethio-Telecom, Ethio electric, AAWSA, and AACRA)
has unsatisfactory result in terms of organizations structural capacity with respect to integrated
infrastructure project management system dimension. According to (MATHEWOS Consult,
2006) organizational structure should support infrastructure project management and create
linkage to the organization’s mission, strategy and values to create effective integrated and
cooperative system among stakeholder. The survey result however shows that ethio telecom has
maximum 30% organization structure support mission, vision and values .Thus; the result
suggests that all the organization need to make fundamental reform. Unexpectedly, AAIICPCA
has no clear and formal organizational structure, despite its establishment purpose requires
comprehensive organizational structure to achieve the city administration objective and
infrastructure regulatory authority institution mission, value and goal. Since the responsibility of
coordination, integration, controlling and permission of infrastructure construction development
projects nature are growing very complex. According to (Levent et aI., 2008) , organizational
structure arrangement should consist the primarily concerned department which is build in legal
and technological capacity for the coordination and integration of infrastructure project
development and operational maintenance in the project level and institutional level. Based on
the above result most organizations tendency are exclusive in setting up a focal department and
its significant contribution for effective project management being neglected.
According to (World Federation of Engineering Organization, 2010) the enabling project
environment sets the conditions under which capacity development are conducted for
programmes and projects at the institutional. This includes policy frameworks, legal systems,
regulations, political institutions,. The institutional level is comprised of leadership,
administrative structure ,human resources system, decision-making processes), and system
required to achieve externaland internal goals. Institutions are strongly influenced by the
enabling environment.Despite, the result shows defining the project participant and key players’
role and responsibility ranging maximum of 28.6 % and minimum 7.1 % ethio telecom and
AAIICPCA respectively. It revealed that each organization are not taking full responsibility for
their own development in capacity development, especially define roles and responsibilities to
perform different tasks aligned with other stakeholder and to involve all parties in actively in
decision-making and to enhance the collaboration and cooperation and partnerships. In general,
those weakness or organizational capacity gap mentioned on the above implied that how the
sector gave less emphasis on building organizational structure and capacity which is compatible
and flexible for the current dynamic environment and very complex and interdependent nature of
city’s infrastructure project. It could be drawn how the infrastructure project management system
36
Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
exposed for serious bureaucratic system which hinders the facilitated relationship and
cooperation among stakeholders.
From the above fig.4.1 majority current System of strategic planning shows that the institutions
relied on the basis of the pre-existing documents and particularly ethio telecom applies central
database system and advisory team 100% and 40.74% respectively. Whereas AACRA,EEPLA
and AAWSA are using Advisory team ranging from 22.22% to 14.81%. The result indicates that
all institution not utilized standardized tools for supporting the process of strategic planning of
across sector and to create the common platform and avoid fragmentation. In addition to these,
most respondents revealed that the process of assessment of infrastructure strategic planning
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
Planning Tools
Organization Response ERP GIS
Ethio telecom No 0.0% 100.0%
Yes 100.0% 0.0%
EELPA No 0.0% 100.0%
Yes 100.0% 0.0%
AAWSA No 100.0% 100.0%
Yes 0.0% 0.0%
AACRA No 100.0% 100.0%
Yes 0.0% 0.0%
AAIICPCA No 100.0% 100.0%
Yes 0.0% 0.0%
From the above table 4.3 it shown that only ethio telecom and ethio electric organization used
only ERP. The remaining organization don used both ERP and GIS. During the interview it is
understood that GIS technology implementation is on progress on AACRA and on the other
ethio telecom side it is mentioned ,despite GIS procurement proposal being launched to bid ,the
bid process being canceled due to conflict between user department and the executive
management . Different studies in this area, mentioned that a new generation of infrastructure
management system (IMS) is emerging to improve many aspects of traditional management
system by coordinating all management activities among related subsystems. In addition,
(Zahmin.Z, 1998), suggests that the infrastructure management system directed towards new
technology integration. Moreover, specifically the system requirements defined for developing
38
Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
IMS and are involved with a wide variety of new technologies integrations are include: GIS
capability integration,· ERP and Client/server architecture integration . More over (Zahmin.Z,
1998) mentioned the major benefit of implementing planning tools; ERP and GIS which offer
potential solution for more effective management of infrastructure systems, excellent mechanism
to meet the demands of data sharing and information exchange, and also helps administrators,
top management and project manager to achieve optimal decisions and necessity using
integrated infrastructure information tools.
Therefore, based on the research survey result, previous empirical studies and literatures the
current integrated infrastructure project management system needs the new generation of
information management system compatible with a higher level of integration, automation tools
for effective and efficient the strategic level and project level planning and budgeting decision
making process .
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
Response
Organization Name
No Yes
Ethio telecom 12 100.0% 0 0.0%
EELPA 11 100.0% 0 0.0%
AAWSA 9 90.0% 1 10.0%
AACRA 11 84.6% 2 15.4%
AAIICPCA 5 100.0% 0 0.0%
Infrastructure Strategy
Organization Name Response
Poor Weak Good Strong Total
Frequency 4 11 25 8 48
Ethio telecom
% 8.3% 22.9% 52.1% 16.7%
Ethio electic Frequency 3 25 15 1 44
% 6.8% 56.8% 34.1% 2.3%
AAWSA Frequency 8 22 10 0 40
% 20.0% 55.0% 25.0% 0.0%
Frequency 0 19 25 8 52
AACRA
% 0.0% 36.5% 48.1% 15.4%
. Source : Own survey (2019)
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
As shown below on the fig.4.2 and table 4.6 the result indicate that the major collaboration and
technological components significantly weak. It ensures that the current project management
practice needs ongoing, timely, cost-effective, reliable and sustainable performance
improvements in all facets of its operations in managing utility and road infrastructure project
management system. Makes effective use of data from automated and smart systems, and learns
from performance monitoring. Minimizes resource use, loss, and impacts from day-to-day
operations, and reduces all forms of waste. Maintains awareness of information and operational
technology developments to anticipate and support timely adoption of improvements. Is aware of
and adopts in a timely manner operational and technology improvements, including operational
technology and information technology. Manages and utilizes data from automated and smart
systems. . IT-based capacity building can be much more effective than traditional deployment
practices.
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
The study shows that almost all institution has no proactive engagement with stakeholders early
on can help identify sources of support and opposition systematically, and facilitate better
alignment of project design and configuration, thereby aiding smoother implementation and to
decrease the conflict created among the interdependence infrastructure projects and to create
effective coordination and collaboration relationships among stakeholders .
From lesson learnt open ended questionnaire the respondents major opinion regarding; “What
primary benefits would be derived from the utilization of integrated infrastructure project
management system related technologies and methods” The most respondents mentioned the
following summarized primary benefits would be expected:
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
As indicated below on the table 4.7 the majority of the respondents agreed on the construction
stage for the current institutional integration with 62.2% and 42.2%on planning stage. The
remaining maintenance stage result shows that almost no integration among institutions. While
considering the recently increased city’s urbanization has needed significant levels of investment
to address the challenges of the ageing infrastructure and growing demand. But, the survey data
implies that less practice in integrating at planning stage across the sector. Despite, institutional
integration at planning stage has a significant role in combining resource across the sector,
minimizing scarce resource wastage and creating good governance. At specific institutional level
ethio telecom has more practice at planning stage with 66.7%.The other key Construction
integration stage more implemented across the sector.
Organization Name
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Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
Unexpectedly, the above survey result shows very poor (6.7%) level of institutional integration
at maintenance stage which implies how the current intuitional practice has major contribution
on frequent road and side walk way damage by utilities construction and damage caused one
utilities on the other. Moreover, this poor maintenance practice has significant indirect impact on
socio- economic related problem such wasted productive working time ,unplanned each utilities
maintenance caused services interruption and serious quality problem the consequence critically
affect the city’s tax payer income it creates challenges on the municipality to collect the city’s
revenue through taxation for which it support the city’s future infrastructure development
program. Therefore, the current institutional integration practice should be improved to create
effective integrated infrastructure project management system.
In drawing the findings the assessment indicate that institutions have a gap in strategic decision-
making to supports the alignment of organization’s capability to meet the challenges during
initiation and delivery of a project and coordinating with other utilities project.
Organization Name
Ethio Ethio
telecom electric AAWSA AACRA Total
No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes
Between chosen 25.0 75.0% 45.5% 54.5% 10.0 90.0% 15.4% 84.6% 23.9 76.1
information system module % % % %
At enterprise level 58.3 41.7% 72.7% 27.3% 90.0 10.0% 100.0 0.0% 80.4 19.6
% % % % %
Spatial data exchange 100. 0.0% 81.8% 18.2% 100. 0.0% 61.5% 38.5% 84.8 15.2
0% 0% % %
As it could be seen on Table 4.8 68.3% data integration among stakeholder interaction are being
made between a chosen information system modules. It ensures that fragmented way of data
exchange and interaction since the data integration at enterprise level shows 17.65% only.
44
Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
infrastructure and public service delivery has traditionally been the sole domain of governments
around the world and also to the huge cost of investment and the fact that the returns on such
investments take a longer time to be realized which constraint the practice of PPP project
delivery approach. On the other side DB and DBB mostly used on large and complex
infrastructure projects mainly to minimize risk and reduce conflict of interest between project
actors and stakeholders. Thus, from the above figure and literature review the DB and DBB are
more preferred that fit the current complex project nature.
45
Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
development of the city with the view to reaching this goal by realizing the medium term and
long term spatial urban plan and socio-economic development of the city government, but from
the interview and from the above organizational capacity assessment it is clearly indicates
understood that the current regulatory body does have organizational structure and equipped
with efficient technology which are necessary for supporting planning and decision making.
The regulatory respondents’ from the regulatory authority claim against the utilities Service
Providers on the integration issues for which they are responding to the coordination letters on
time ,excavating roads and walk ways without construction permit and not delivering properly
what they agreed on common memorandum of understanding. On the other side utility service
providers revealed the regulatory authority does not have the institutional and technological
capacity to collaboration coordinate and integrate the infrastructure project.
During the interview with the regulatory authority higher officials propose and mentioned that to
create integrated infrastructure project management system there should be a common central
budget plan database, all sector design come to regulatory authority built by sole contractor in
design and build project delivery approach and from the nature of project complexity there
should be political leaders support at sector level. Moreover, consolidated policy accounts lack
of integrity and working culture, system that adapting regulation to address emerging problems,
changing circumstances, and new information in regulated infrastructure sectors Therefore, one
can draw the current statutory organ is weak institutional capability.
In general the finding shows that the regulatory authority does not has organized structure and
no technological capacity which is compatible to integrate ,coordinate and control the
infrastructure project construction . Besides, the permits given were not based on adequate
information and database.
From lesson learnt questionnaire through open ended regarding “what the project lesson was
taken from the existing infrastructure project management practice” the most theme raised by the
most respondents generalized that the current as the organizational culture or norms do not
have practice of taking lesson from previous completed project and making project performance
review. Following these as individuals few respondents mentioned that mainly poor mind set up
regarding using public resource utilization and it is exposed to high wastage, lack of
commitments to coordination among each stakeholders and poor planning. And some of the
respondents mentioned that using utility corridor structures has a potential benefits for are to
provide easy access and known location for all utilities in the road corridor. This reduces the
likelihood of damage during subsequent road construction or maintenance projects and flexibility
46
Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
and economical for future expansion since the structure can easily provide additional space for
future utility utilization and expansion without significant additional costs.
47
Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 Conclusion
The main goal of this study was to identify the critical challenges for the integrated infrastructure
projects management system on major city’s utility service providers (ethio telecom, ethio
electric and water supply), AACRA and City infrastructure construction regulatory authority.
Although, the nature of infrastructure project management comprised of multi stakeholder,
interdependent and complex nature requires considerable time and participation of different
stakeholder. The assessment made based on the predetermined major attributes which could
affect the effectiveness and efficient of project management system and it is tried to identify the
integrated project management system challenge in the context intuitions level, technical level
infrastructure project management practice gap .Those factors constitute
intuitional current capacity which incorporates the organizational structure, project planning;
communication and information technology in supporting decision making on budget and plan,
central data base data and information exchange and the City’s infrastructure integration,
construction, permit and control authority with respect to its capacity to enforce the law and
coordinate all project stakeholder during new project development and maintenance stage.
The current institutional capacity gap impinge with organizational structure almost all
institutions do not have primarily concerned department for utilities infrastructure project
implementation and maintenance and rehabilitation management .In addition, they have no clear
project participants roles and responsibilities. These factors create inconsistency of utilities
project administration and become a challenge for effective and integrated projects management
inter and across the sector.
Most previous studies has identified that the information and communication technology related
challenges has significant contribution for inefficient decision making, poor long and short term
infrastructure development planning and data and information exchange barrier for intra sectoral
coordination and cooperation. The research findings show that the current institutions
technological capacity does not fit the current complex and interdependent of the city
infrastructure project nature. Thus, it is found to be substantial the technological advancement
which is compatible, cost effective and flexible and could be adopted contextually to create
48
Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
effective and efficient integrated infrastructure project management system. Though, it requires a
considerable time resource and cost,
Regarding the city’s regulatory authority the research finding reveals that the regulatory
authority‘s current institutional capacity lack organizational structure and also has no
technological support and facilitate for decision making, planning and coordination. Thus, the
finding clearly indicates that the regulatory authority needs institutional capacity building to
achieve its establishment mission and objective. Unless, the regulatory authority enforce the law
and project compliance during project development and each project execution stage, the
utilities institutions’ poor awareness of integration and coordination, lack of top management
commitment become a serious challenge for integrated infrastructure project implementation.
In general, the study findings identified the major challenges infrastructure project management
which provides an important insight to utility service providers, policy makers and Regulatory
authority. In addition, the study characterized the current project management system as
disorganized and fragmented utilities infrastructure project implementation across the sector
which cannot be successfully executed using traditional project management system and unfit
project delivery approach which are often rely on high bureaucracy organizational structure, poor
technological support and inflexible project management processes.
Moreover, while the study compared against the previous studies, it shows different dimension in
terms technological decision making supportive tools and shared common database system
adoption for creating common platform. Despite, different literature and empirical studies
mentioned delivering infrastructure projects has been challenging because of the enormous
degrees of uncertainty, complexity, lack of integration among institutions and stakeholder and
urgency and poor planning often associated with them. Their consequence caused a growing
frequent road and road walk way side damage and huge resource wastage including adverse
impact on city socio-economic.
Therefore, the Government (City administration /Municipality and Regulatory Authority),
Project Sponsors (owners and operators of the assets),and their Project delivery stakeholder
(prime contractors and Consultants) and research institute need to explore innovative new ways
of managing large infrastructure projects to achieve successful outcomes and add value over the
whole life cycle, from design through project execution to operations. It would be recommended
that the further research to explore how to implement the compatible information technology
developments in partnership with private IT- Technology Company and adopting contextually
and the institutional level.
49
Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
5.2 Recommendations
Implementing effective integrated infrastructure project management system across the sector
requires a reasonable approach to tackle those identified critical challenges could be
recommended as key constituents including:
I. Utilities service providers Institutional Capability Dimension, as the findings implies that
almost all institutes lack strategic direction to enable each institutional capacity harmonized
level of integration.
▪ There should be delineating the strategies, structures, and capabilities of new forms of
organizations involved in infrastructure project delivery such as systems integrators,
owner/operators, delivery partners, joint ventures, and PPPs.
▪ There is a definite need of establishing new forms of cooperation and coordination to
deliver infrastructure projects, such as integrated projects teams, relational contracts, and
partnering arrangements.
▪ There should be elaborated the transformational potential of digital information
communication technology such central database for an appropriate data sharing and
exchange platform; Planning, budgeting and scheduling; networked website to create
effective and efficient infrastructure project management system.
▪ There should be provided an effective decision making tools for defining and managing
the risks, uncertainties, stakeholders, and complexities encountered in infrastructure
delivery, from front-end planning to project execution
▪ There is a critical need of joint performances and top management commitment within
the overall process of utility infrastructure project implementation in the city’s
development program.
▪ The organizational structure of every institution should be rearranged that enable to give
space for efficiency and effectiveness to facilitate lateral relation among different
stakeholders.
▪ Willingness and commitment to work jointly among infrastructure authorities should be
enhanced.
▪ There should be continuous awareness and organizational capacity building workshop
among different stakeholders.
50
Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
51
Challenges Implementing Integrated Infrastructure Project Management System]
▪ It needs emphasized the necessity for Regulatory authority t to produce such a holistic
plan that is able: to capture dependencies between sectors, and balance requirements for
new project development, maintenance, rehabilitation, and renewal of existing
infrastructure.
▪ The capacity gap in planning calls for creating structured coordination and facilitation
mechanisms for the coordination and exchange of information, insights and priorities
during the course of the consultations phase for plan preparation.
▪ The regulatory authority needs transformational improvement in its coordination power
of the city’s infrastructure planning .Since, the research result shows that high
discrepancy between demand for coordination vs. coordination practices.
▪ A high level and virtual co-ordination committee with the necessary legal background,
procedures and mechanisms that can work actively should be re-established and
decentralization of works and power has to be practiced at different level.
▪ Develop the appropriate organizational structure and systems to realize the vision and
mission;
52
6 REFERNCES
Addis Ababa City Council. (2017). AA City Government Infrastructure Development Coordination &
Construction Permit &control Authority Establishemnet Proclamation. ADDIS NEGARI GAZETA .
MATHEWOS Consult. (2006). Integrated Urban Infrastructure and Service Planning Manual. fedral Urban
Planning Institute .
Us enviromental protection agency. (2007). Continual Improvement Utility Management. Chicago: Ross
& Associates Enviromental Consulting,Ltd.
World Federation of Engineering Organization. (2010). Capacity Building In the Engineering Environment.
WFEO.
Christof, K. &. (2015). Towards Resourse Effecient and Service oriented Integrated
Infrastructure operation. Scincedirect .
Desta. (2017). Can procedures Avoid Mess On Masive Infrastructure Development. The
Ethiopian Herald .
Ethelbert. (2016). Independent Regulatory Agencies in Coordination of PPP & other economic
Institiution. Living Reference .
53
Halfawy. (2008). Integration of Manicipual Information Asset Process:Challenge & solution.
Computing in Cuvil Engineering .
Mahlet. (2014). Cause & effects of poor Inter sectorial Linkage in Infrastructure Development.
MATHEWOS Consult. (2006). Integrated Urban Infrastructure and Service Planning Manual.
fedral Urban Planning Institute .
Redman. (2007). Developing an integrated Management System. (p. Module 5). International
Atomic Energy Agency.
Rudolph. (2012). Infrastructure System Interdepndencies and Risk informed Decision Making.
Center for Infrastructure and Engineering Management .
Sivo, D. (2010). Decsion -Support Tools for Manicipual Infrastructure Maintenanace Manageme.
ScinceDirect .
Thomas. (2017). Necessities and challenges tostrengthen the regional infrastructure resilence
within the city cluster. Procedia Engineering .
54
7 APPENDICES
Appendix I: Questionnaires
55
Appendix I Questionnaire
St. Mary’s University
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
Questionnaire
Introduction
Thank you in advance for your valuable inputs. The objective of this study is to assess the current
challenge on integrated infrastructure project management system inter and intra sectorial level
among major utility service providers (i.e. ethio -telecom ,ethio – electric ,Addis Ababa Water Supply
) ,Addis Ababa City Road Authority(AACRA) and Addis Ababa City Integrated Infrastructure Permit
and Control Authority. This questionnaire is addressed inter sectoral Utility Service Providers’
departments (Planning, Budget and Finance, Construction and Maintenance Management) This
questionnaire only used for academic purpose.
If you need further explanation, you can contact me through the address indicated below:
Tibebe Seife Mobile Number: +251-0911502421 Email: [email protected]
2 Work Experience
Organization
3
Name
4 Current Position
56
Part II ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY QUESTIONS
Is there a focal
department/division primarily
project?
57
Does your organization has If Yes, what level of decision level? If No,
What
aligned organizational and
meth
administrative structure which od
support accelerated decisions On sharing information among used
stakeholders, ?
making with other sector?
On accelerate the response time,
1
On interdependency-related system
1
awareness,
Does the organization incorporate an If yes what are the tools? If No,
Usage of ERP system (type, why ?
Integrated Infrastructure management
processing of data, intended support
tools in planning and budgeting
1
for the project)
process?
2
Usage of GIS tools for ascertaining
project impacts and making decisions
If others (Specify)
Does the organization currently If Yes (Specify) If No
utilized tools for support strategic how such
Advisory team decision
planning
1 decision for future new
A central infrastructure database being
3
project development, rehabilitation made?
system
and maintenance?
Other(Specify)
58
internal strategies of communication? Formal Letter
Telephone
External
Formal Letter
Website
Joint Meeting
59
5. Does the organization develop and submit proposals, budgets, and
implementation plan summit timely for Addis Ababa infrastructure
integration Authority?
9. How effective the current legal instruments and the established Addis
Ababa City’s regulatory authority capacity to create integration of
infrastructure projects?
10. How extensive is the commitment of the organization executive
management to timely and successful completion of the project?
11. What degree of integration with externalities, such as other project,
system or organization?
12. How well and clearly the projects align with organization’s mandate
and strategic outcome?
For which project factors does the new Appropriate representation for If any
established project governance structure stake holder management challenge
13.
and regulatory authority extensively Planning and budgeting (Please
support? decision making process describe)
Determining role and
responsibilities of the main
actors
information sharing
Are there potential difficulties to access If yes, what are the factors ? If No, explain
and share the required quality and timely what strategy
60
14. available data? Lack of technologies you are
The antitrust , applying ?
Confidentiality and privacy issue
Liability issues,
the law enforcement
Other please describe
15. What is level of data integration? Between chosen information what challenges
system modules. during data
At the enterprise levelSpatial data
integration
exchange between organizations
Are there a prior effort to develop a central If yes, what is the current If No what is the
data base system among utility providers, status? future plan?
17.
City Road Authority and Regulatory
Authority?
Which project delivery method/approach Design -Build, Explain Why?
do you think is best suited for Design -Bid-Build ,
Construction Management
infrastructure project management?
18. Agency Approach
Public Private Partnership(PPP)
What are major Challenge in Applying Integrated Project Management System on Urban
Infrastructure projects?
19.
Major Challenges Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree
61
across sectoral organizational
21. In your view, what are the primary benefits derived from the utilization of integrated infrastructure project
management system related technologies and methods?
22. What gaps do you identified during integrating the infrastructure regarding the Addis Ababa infrastructure
integration permit control authority?
62
Appendix II:
Declaration
I, the undersigned, declare that this thesis is my original work, prepared under the guidance of
.All sources of material used for the thesis have been duly acknowledged. I further confirm that
the thesis has not been submitted either in part or in full to any other higher learning institution
for the purpose of earning any degree.
_____________________ ___________________________
Name Signature
63
Appendix III:
Endorsement
This thesis has been submitted to St. Mary’s University College, School of Graduate Studies for
examination with my approval as a university advisor.
_______________________ ________________________
Advisor Signature
64