Competencies required by project managers for housing construction in Ghana

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to delineate "senior managers'" perception of the competencies required by project managers (PMs) in Ghana for mass house building projects (MHBPs) and to discuss the implication of the findings for professional training and development. Design/methodology/approach -Drawing on a well-acclaimed organizational psychology theory of job performance, a structured questionnaire survey was used to elicit data from managing directors (MDs) of homebuilders belonging to the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA). The data were analyzed using multiple regression techniques (stepwise) Findings -Of 64 competencies operationalised, seven are perceived to be important. Originality/value -The findings provide PMs in Ghana an understanding of the competency profile their superiors (i.e. MDs) use in judging their performance. This should therefore help the PMs to align their professional development towards improving their skills on these competencies. Homebuilders can also apply the findings to make an informed and objective judgement in the profiling, recruitment and maintenance of PMs who have the appropriate skills and competencies. The implication of the findings for developing a continuing professional development (CPD) agenda in the Ghanaian mass house building industry is discussed. The discourse provides useful lessons for the construction industry in developing countries such as those in the sub-Saharan African (SSA) Region.

Barriers to Sustainable Construction in the Ghanaian Construction Industry: Consultants Perspectives

“…This sector accounts for around one-tenth of the world's GDP, and creates at least 7% of its jobs (Halls, 2003). Ahadzie et al (2009) acknowledge that construction contributes to the national socioeconomic development by providing significant employment opportunities. Beyond that, the industry provides the infrastructure and facilities required for other sectors of the economy to flourish such as; schools for education and training, factories and shops for commercial and business activities, housing for basic human needs, hospitals for health care, buildings for the national communications network and so on.…”

Competencies required of project managers at the design phase of mass house building projects

“…Based on the task-contextual competency framework, Ahadzie et al (2008Ahadzie et al ( , 2009) proposed a multi-dimensional conceptual competency-based framework for the project lifecycle of MHBPs (See Fig. 1).…”

“…Within this context, attempts at understanding and delineating the competency profiles of PMs in Mass House Building Projects (MHBPs) have attracted considerable attention, especially in the context of developing countries (Ahadzie et al, 2008). To this extent, a multidimensional competency-based conceptual framework focusing on the project lifecycle of MHBPs, namely; conception, planning, design, tender, construction and operational phases was developed (Ahadzie et al, 2009). The research went on to confirm the competency profiles required by PMs at the construction phase and has since been reviewed for industrial application (Ahadzie et al, 2009;Manaan, 2013).…”

“…To this extent, a multidimensional competency-based conceptual framework focusing on the project lifecycle of MHBPs, namely; conception, planning, design, tender, construction and operational phases was developed (Ahadzie et al, 2009). The research went on to confirm the competency profiles required by PMs at the construction phase and has since been reviewed for industrial application (Ahadzie et al, 2009;Manaan, 2013). This research seeking to identify the core competencies of PM's at the design phase of MHBPs is a sequel and aligns very much with the need to match PMs competencies to specific project types and lifecycles (cf.…”

Measuring Performance to Engage the Extended Project Team in Construction

“…What needs to be done to improve the project performance has been voiced as a perennial and troublesome problem in construction [9] and the effect of project managers' competencies considered as one of the important factors to improve the project performance [10]. Engaging stakeholders is a critical component of the initial project scoping phase and should occur before the project plan is formulated and consultations begin.…”