Project Management - Omantel Company

Coventry University Middle East College
Dissertation Submission
in Partial Fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
MBA (IT)
“Evaluating the effect of project scope change on project
objectives at Omantel Company”
By: (Yousuf Abdullah AL Jabri) To: (Festus Odhigu)
PG15F1569

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Conducting this research has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. The
contribution of this research to enhance my knowledge base and analytical skill has been
paramount. It gave me the opportunity to face challenges in the process and overcome them. This
would not have been possible without the valuable guidance of my professors, peers and all the
people who have contributed to this enriching experience. I would like to take this opportunity to
thank my supervisor Festus Odhigu for the constant guidance and support provided to me during
the process of this research. It would not be justified if I did not thank my academic guides for
their important and valuable assistance and encouragement throughout the research process. I
would also like to thank my friends who had provided me with help and encouragement for
collecting primary data and valuable resources. Finally, I would like to thank the professionals
from the retail industry who have participated in the research survey and provided with valuable
inputs into the subject. The support of all these people has been inspiring and enlightening
throughout the process of research in the subject.
Heartfelt thanks and warmest wishes,
Yours Sincerely,

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Abstract
This research talks about the effect if the scope change in the project of the Omantel Company.
Various concepts of the project management have been discussed in this research. The scope of
the project is to analyze the change in the scope of the project and its impact in the company.
Various theories and models including Complexity theory and Disruption theory have been
discussed in this research study for gathering knowledge about scope change. Mixed method of
data collection has been used in this research in order to collect data and information. Both
qualitative and quantitative data analysis method have been used in this research. Online survey
questionnaire and interview have been organized to gather data and information related to the
research. The scope change in a project can result to adjustment of the activities and it can
provide satisfaction to the beneficiaries. The outcomes of research have fulfilled the objectives
and aim of the research.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction..................................................................................................................10
1.1 Background of the Study.........................................................................................................10
1.2 Statement of the research problem..........................................................................................12
1.3 Aims and objectives of the study.............................................................................................13

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1.3.1 Aims..................................................................................................................................13
1.3.2 Research Objectives..........................................................................................................13
1.4 Research Questions..................................................................................................................14
1.5 Scope of the study....................................................................................................................14
1.6 Significance of the study.........................................................................................................15
1.7 Limitation of the Study............................................................................................................15
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms.............................................................................................16
1.9 Structure of the Research.........................................................................................................17
Figure 1: Research structure..................................................................................................17
1.10 Summary................................................................................................................................18
Chapter 2: Literature Review.........................................................................................................19
2.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................19
2.2 Previous research works..........................................................................................................19
2.3 Theoretical understanding.......................................................................................................20
2.3.1 Complexity theory............................................................................................................20
2.3.2 Disruption theory..............................................................................................................21
2.4 Effects of project scope change on project objectives.............................................................22
2.4 Causes of project scope change...............................................................................................23
2.5 Process of project scope change management.........................................................................26
Figure 2: Process of project scope change management.......................................................29

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2.6 Challenges in the management of project scope change.........................................................29
2.7 Influence of information technology on project scope management.......................................31
2.8 Gap analysis.............................................................................................................................32
2.9 Conceptual framework.............................................................................................................33
Chapter 3: Research Methodology................................................................................................34
3.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................34
3.2 Research Onion........................................................................................................................34
Figure 3.1: Research Onion...................................................................................................35
3.3 Research Philosophy................................................................................................................35
Figure 3.2: Research Philosophy...........................................................................................36
3.4. Research Approach.................................................................................................................37
Figure 3.3: Research Approach.............................................................................................38
3.5 Research Design......................................................................................................................38
Figure 3.4: Research Design..................................................................................................39
3.6 Data collection technique........................................................................................................40
3.7 Data collection instruments.....................................................................................................41
3.8 Population of the Study...........................................................................................................42
3.9 Sampling technique and Sample size......................................................................................42
3.10 Data analysis technique.........................................................................................................44
3.11 Research instruments Validity and Reliability Testing.........................................................45

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3.12 Pilot Test................................................................................................................................46
3.13 Legal, social and ethical considerations................................................................................47
3.14 Summary................................................................................................................................48
Chapter 4: Data analysis................................................................................................................49
4.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................49
4.2 Primary Data Analysis.........................................................................................................49
4.3 Summary..............................................................................................................................89
Chapter 5: Summary of findings, Conclusion and Recommendation...........................................91
5.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................91
5.2 Summary of Findings..........................................................................................................91
5.3 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................93
5.4 Recommendations................................................................................................................94
5.5 Future Research works........................................................................................................96
References......................................................................................................................................97

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List of figures
Figure 1: Research structure..........................................................................................................13
Figure 2: Process of project scope change management...............................................................25
Figure 3.1: Research Onion...........................................................................................................31
Figure 3.2: Research Philosophy...................................................................................................32
Figure 3.3: Research Approach.....................................................................................................34
Figure 3.4: Research Design..........................................................................................................35
Figure 4.2.1: Pie chart showing gender of the respondents...........................................................46
Figure 4.2.2: Bar graph showing age group of the respondents....................................................47
Figure 4.2.3: Column showing academic qualification of the respondents...................................48
Figure 4.2.1: Bar graph showing responses on project scope change...........................................50
Figure 4.2.2: Bar graph showing changing project scope during implementation of project.......52
Figure 4.2.3: Column graph showing project scope change challenges in project planning.........53
Figure 4.2.4: Pie chart showing project time change impacts on project quality..........................54
Figure 4.2.5: Column showing project scope change can affect project objectives......................56
Figure 4.2.6: Column showing achieving project objectives lead to the project success..............57
Figure 4.2.18: Column showing project scope change can affect budget.....................................59
Figure 4.2.8: Column graph showing project scope change impacts on project time..................60
Figure 4.2.9: Bar graph showing project scope change impacts on employees’ and stakeholders’
morale............................................................................................................................................62
Figure 4.2.10: Pie- chart showing project scope has effect on business needs.............................63
Figure 4.2.11: Pie-chart showing project scope change is risk on business..................................64
Figure 4.2.12: Column graph showing project scope change impacts on project resourcing.......66

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Figure 4.2.13: bar graph showing poorly defined initial requirements can lead to project scope
change............................................................................................................................................67
Figure 4.2.14: Bar graph showing IT Technologies can impact on project scope change............68
Figure 4.2.15: Bar graph showing Information Technologies help to define project scope.........70
Figure 4.2.16: Scatter diagram showing control project scope change.........................................71
Figure 4.2.17: Bar graph showing clarity in initial stage leads to project scope change...............72
Figure 4.2.18: Bar graph showing project scope change creates uncertainties in project.............73
Figure 4.2.19: Pie-chart showing project scope change can create challenge in functional
requirement....................................................................................................................................75
Figure 4.2.20: Line graph showing technical requirement poses issue project scope change.......76
Figure 4.2.21: Scatter diagram showing project objectives can be measured through Key
Performance Indicators..................................................................................................................78
Figure 4.2.22: Bar graph showing project scope change can disrupt the project objectives.........79
Figure 4.2.23: Pie-chart showing project scope change can occur in design phase......................80
Figure 4.2.23: Column graph showing causes of project scope change........................................82
Figure 4.2.25: Bar graph showing challenges facing in project scope in Omantel
Telecommunications......................................................................................................................83
Figure 4.2.26: Line graph showing project time change can impact on project quality................85