The enhancement of quality in construction project management

This thesis traces the author's contribution to the development of the discipline of construction project management. This work reflects his industrial experience in managing construction projects and in assessing quality management systems. It takes an essentially practical view in promoting advances across a range of relevant aspects. The aim of the thesis is to verify the holistic nature of project management and to assess the contributions of the author to research within the discipline. Its objectives are to examine each of his five strands of published work in the context of contemporary research, reviewing their key findings and evaluating their contribution to knowledge. Following an introductory chapter, the thesis presents the published work of the author in the field of quality management systems, both for general construction applications and for the production of ready mixed concrete. It then sets out the various contributions of the author in the development of procurement systems, mainly within the work of CIB W-92. After examining further publications in the realm of risk management, the thesis deals with the author's papers in the area of interpersonal and intrapersonal skills of project managers. The outcome of the thesis is in three components. It summarises the overall contribution to knowledge of the published work in the light of recent and current developments. A synopsis of the published work within three broad themes demonstrates progression and clarity, examining the interrelationships across the themes from a systems theory approach. The argument of the thesis is that the contribution of the author to the enhancement of quality of construction project management, adopting a holistic perspective, has been both significant and coherent.