MANAGEMENT RESEARCH METHODS

Management Research Methods

Management Research Methods

1.1 IDENTIFY A RESEARCH QUESTION OR HYPOTHESIS AND JUSTIFY CHOICE

The Project Environment

When projects are major pieces of work undertaken over an extended period of time, it is important to manage them carefully. In many cases, managing a project means co-ordinating a number of different resources, including people from different departments or even from outside of the business. Project Management is all about managing these resources in order that the project is delivered (Contract Journal 2006)

To specification

On time, and

Within budget

Hypothesis

The construction of the new Wembley stadium is a project which has been both controversial and fascinating.

Issue

The aim of the project was to design and build a state-of-the-art national stadium, unlike any other in the world, to be the home of English football and to host large events such as Cup Finals, music events and athletics. The new stadium is eventually expected to become an icon in the same way as the old stadium with the twin towers replaced by the arch. (Harris 2006)

The new 90,000 all-seat stadium will be operated by Wembley National Stadium Ltd (WNSL) and is now expected to be finished and signed off by late summer 2006, ready to host its first events in 2007 (following a block of event cancellations in 2006). The old stadium was closed in 2000 and demolished in 2002. Construction of the new stadium began in October 2002.

Methodology

The research is based on secondary data collection. The data is extracted from various journals, articles and books. Secondary research describes information gathered through literature, publications, broadcast media, and other non-human sources. This type of research does not involve human subjects.

The research approach used is qualitative. Qualitative research is much more subjective than quantitative research and uses very different methods of collecting information which could be both primary and secondary. As already mentioned this study chooses the secondary method. The nature of this type of research is exploratory and open-ended.

This type of research is often less costly than surveys and is extremely effective in acquiring information. It is often the method of choice in instances where quantitative measurement is not required.

Action Plan

Many of the elements of organizational project management capability we have described encourage the acquisition and development of individuals with the right skills and competencies. These include the classic competencies in planning, monitoring, controlling, forming and leading teams, communicating, managing stakeholders, negotiating problem solving, and leading. These are necessary to the effective conduct of projects. But they are not sufficient. Three personal characteristics stand out as driving personal performance—a thirst for experience, personal commitment to delivering projects, and the desire to enhance their reputations through association with a successful outcome. One project manager encapsulated the project manager mind-set:"In the construction industry, you'll find that for a lot of project managers it's a heart-and-soul type thing. It's a lifestyle. You live, sleep, and eat project. You're here six days a week. Sometimes you're working the night ...