An evaluation of project management processes in public sector organizations like Public Works Department (PWD)

Abstract

Bangladesh is a developing country, where there is large number of development programs and where there is very little success achieved from these programs. Public Works Department (PWD), under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, is the pioneer in construction arena of Bangladesh. Over about two centuries, PWD could successfully set the trend and standard in the country's infrastructure development. It plays a pivotal role in the implementation of government construction projects. However, using Public funds for Public Works is of great responsibility and accountability for the procurement officials of the government. In public sector scenario of Bangladesh, most of the construction projects run behind the schedule. Projects without any delay are very rare to find. Delays in works results in increase of cost of the project in many ways. Delays also cause some other management and performance issues. In this scenario, it has become very important to find out the nature, pattern and causes of the delay, so that they can be solved or minimized in order to get efficient performance in the management of construction projects. To be specific, this study aims to find actual amount of time losses in some selected projects and to identify the causes behind it. It was found through the study that the amount of time and monetary loss is significant and there are many vital causes acting behind it. Some of the causes are like insufficient fund flow, improper distribution of fund, changing is scope of the work, change in price etc. But there is always some scope for change, steps like using software, planning tools, centralization and decentralization techniques, contingency plan etc were recommended to improve the scenario.