ABSTRACT

The research work was aimed at “The Appraisal of project software packages”. The study sought to examine the level of utilization, benefits, problems and constraint of some selected project management software packages in an Abuja based construction Firm, Julius Berge Nig. Plc. Out of the fifty (50) questionnaires distributed, 45 were returned which represents 90% of the total percentage of questionnaires administered. Likert mean weighting scale was used in analyzing the data collected and from the findings most respondents were familiar with the use project management software packages and are also aware of the benefits derived from the usage of the said project management software packages. This is an indication to some extent of high level of awareness and a significant level usage of project management softwares packages in building construction industry. It is recommended that students should be trained in the usage of these softwares while in school to get them acquainted with them before going into practice. Professional bodies in building construction industry should create awareness of the latest software to the institutions so as to keep abreast with time. The researcher recommended that further research should be carried out on the cost effect of the usage and maintenance of project management software use in building construction.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The construction industry has many features which set it apart from other process industries and which accentuate the need for professional management. The team set up to produce a building is in existence only for the duration of that particular project run.

The need to coordinate the activities and resources of the project so as to meet the common goals and objectives cannot be over emphasized, hence the needs for project management.

It can be deduced from the above statement that in order to succeed in buildings projects the overall management should be taken into serious consideration. Increasingly, clients are adopting a project culture in all aspect of their businesses. Project management is not new or specific to construction contractors only. The organization and management of construction project has existed in practice since buildings were first constructed. The process long ago was much simpler but as knowledge increases and societies become more complex, the principle and procedures in management evolved (Willis, 2008).

Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing and managing resources to bring about the success for completion of specific project goal and objective. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 2013)

Project management may also be defined as the overall planning, controlling and coordination of a project from inception to completion aimed at meeting a client’s requirements in order that the project will be completed on time, within authorized cost and to the required quality standard. COIB (2001).

In modern time the adoption of information technology in project management is on the high increase.

Information technology (IT) as the broad subject concerned with all aspect of managing and processing information especially within a large organization or a company. Thomas (2000). He also depicts IT as the Science and Act of storing and sending information by the use of computers and others.

Information technology now operates with significant degree of power and autonomy in return for increased responsibility for operational performance of construction firm. The firm most fulfils a number of roles such as preparation of project scheduling, calculating critical path, estimation of duration, to mention but few. Such demanding multiple roles have necessitated the development of more sophisticated approach. It is for this reason that the use of information technology by construction firm becomes imperative. (Moore et al, 2003).

Studies have shown that early 1980’s has been the era when the construction industry was awakened to the reality of applying softwares into it operations and processes in the industry. Oyediran and Odusanmi (2004).

Project management softwares, a term covering many types of softwares including Microsoft project, primavera project planner, primavera expedition, ace project, master project, AMS real time project, web project, quality management and documentations, and so on.

·                     Master project is project management software package design to manage budgeting time recording, expenses and some ability to solve the resources schedules problems.

·                     A meal time project is project management software for tracking project schedule and doing cost management, in real time.

·                     Ace project according to Tinux (2001) is a project management software package that allows managing an unlimited number of projects within an organization.

·                     Primavera expedition is yet another project management software package which is used to control construction project schedule, budget and assure the success of a project.

However from the above definitions, we concluded that project management software packages are designed to aid users to build new project, track progress, analyze cost and as well plan and manage the project.

1.2       NEED FOR THE STUDY

In the past years, the Nigerian construction industries faced the challenges of not being abreast with the rapid expanding technology mostly in environment in which it operate.

It is necessary to validate profit margin, summarize, calculate and transmit information quickly and efficiently. Thus construction industries addition to harnessing information technology for effective management requires basic competencies in data, information and computer technology (RICS, 1998). It is also important that construction industries should be familiar with project management software packages, so as to open up new techniques for effective practice, enhancement of skills and aiding professional construction management practices in Nigeria.

1.3       STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

In every facet of man’s activities, he is faced with the needs for management, “management is management everywhere you go”, (Mr. Chuks GNS Dept. FPN 2012).

However, construction firms in Nigeria in order to perfectly manage their projects need not to be asked for the second time of the uses and importance of project management software packages which will surely improve productivity quality, save time and wastage of other materials. Why should some construction firms not using project management software packages?

Moreover, with the increasing improvement in information technology in the world now every construction firm must use project management software packages to be able to have proper documentations, accurate and effective project management and saves time and resources.

1.4            AIM AND OBJECTIVES

1.4.1         Aim

The aim of this project is to appraise the application of project management software packages use in the execution of building projects in Nigeria.

1.4.2    Objective of the Study

i.          To make out selected software packages in building project.

ii.         To assess the needs for the selected software packages in project management.

iii.        To identify problems as well as restrictions of using software packages in project management.

iv.        To appropriately proffer recommendations and to draw conclusion thereof.

1.5       METHODOLOGY

This research work commenced with acquiring of informations from sources as secondary and primary, with the secondary sources been reviewed of some relevant textbooks, journals, current publication on the Internet. Website was also visited so as to have adequate background and knowledge of the research topic.

And the primary sources which were Consultations and verbal interviews to some relevant practitioners involved in building construction project management in the case study area, and the questionnaires administered. The data collected from the respondents will be analyzed using summed scale statistical tools-percentage.

1.5.1    Data Collection

The data used in this study were from secondary and primary sources. The secondary source data are collected from textbooks, journals, magazines and internet. And the primary source data was collected from questionnaire administered. The method employed in data collection will be from the questionnaire.

1.5.2    Data Analysis

The data collected will be analyzed theoretically using the summed scale mean ratio as a statistical tool having it weighting factors. Analysis was the categorizing, manipulating and summarizing of data in order to obtain information.

1.6       SCOPE AND LIMITATION

1.6.1    Scope

The scope of this study tends to cover the level of utilization of selected project management software packages such as Microsoft project, Ace project, master project, advanced management solution (AMS) realtime project, web project, primavera expedition and oracles primavera P6 professional project used in building project.

1.6.2    Limitation

The study was limited to building construction firm in Abuja (Julius Berger Nig. Plc) because of the high level of construction activities in the area and the position of the firm being one of the biggest in Nigeria engaging in vast constructions.

1.7       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This project was a critical attempt to identify those factors that are affecting the usage of management software packages in the Nigeria building construction firm. For those factors so as to meet the current challenges of the world in the century where globalization is the order of the day.

1.8       BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF STUDY AREA

Julius Berger Nigeria is an indigenous Nigerian Company and is managed by a team of Nigerian and German experts. The company''''s scope covers all areas of construction, including the pre and post phases.

The firm came into Nigeria in 1965 for the construction of the Eke Bridge in Lagos, which was in corporate on the February 1970 as a civil Engineering construction. Years of steady growth followed this pioneer project, during which the firm grew to become the dynamic Nigerian company it is today.

It head office was located in Abuja FCT, with additional permanent locations in Lagos and Uyo. The company is also represented across the nation in structural engineering and infrastructure works and in southern Nigeria through oil and gas industry projects.