Concept of Mega Projects | Report

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Mega Project
Megaprojects are some of the large scale, complex ventures that require around 1 billion or more
to complete. They mostly involve both the private and public stakeholders. Megaprojects require
large investment commitment and a long-lasting effect on the economy, people and atmosphere
at large. The public attention is normally attracted by megaprojects since they have an impact on
the environment and budget, and they make 8 percent of total global GDP. The low benefits or
high cost of megaprojects normally results from corruption, and they do not only refer to
construction projects but also any project with a budget of multi-billion and have a high level of
innovation and complexity.
Drivers of megaprojects commonly found worldwide
Success factors
Risk allocation
Risk is an important element in any mega projects, and, it is one of the main elements that
significantly affects the final cost of any project. Risk allocation always takes place where more
than one contractor is responsible for the execution of a project. In any project, there is a need for
recognizing risk and managing them and this affects the performance of the project and final
cost.
Pre-project planning
This is an important stage in mega projects since it entails overlooking the process in terms of
importance to the overall project. This is the stage where the project is defined for example;
setting up of the team, establishing deliverables, drawing of the Gantt chart and delegation of
activities. Without taking this particular stage seriously the team may lose sight of how to
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properly plan and execute on the project. In most megaprojects, carrying out pre-planning
involves a various range of activities such as identification of team, budgeting and scheduling,
and establishment of goals. Most managers overlook this stage due to the following reasons
which include;
 Institutional or internal pressure whereby the project managers are pressurized thus
entering the project with a wrong mindset.
 External stakeholders pressure.
 Excitement to get the project underway.
Top management support
Without support from the top management then it is difficult to attain the objectives of the
organization. In the case of megaprojects, they involve lots of money thus they need to be taken
seriously when it comes to activities and decisions being undertaken. The support rendered by
the top management carries out a vital duty in the success of megaprojects (Rolstadas, 2011,
p. 528). Any project is funded with capital and the approval of capital is done by a person in the
management. After the approval of the capital, it is upon the management to wake up and start
overseeing the progress of the capital towards the objectives put in place. And in case the project
fails then they are to be blamed. As part of the oversight, the management would be vigilant to
see if there are any extra opportunities present when the execution of the project is taking place.
The risk management and the vision of the project will be mapped by the management while the
project team is busy carrying out the planned operations.
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Proper leadership
In any megaproject, a vital role is played by leadership in management which helps in
maximizing the efficiency and achieving objectives of the organization (Venkataran, 2011, p.
421). Some of the importance of proper leadership in the organization include;
 Initiating actions by sharing with subordinates some of the plans and policies needed
before the operation.
 Leadership entails the motivation of workers with monetary and non-monetary rewards
and thereby making the organization to achieve its goals.
 Leadership entails the provision of guidance since the work of a leader is not only to
supervise but also instructing the subordinates on how to carry out their operations
effectively.
 A leader creates confidence to subordinates and this is achieved by expressing the work
efforts to the subordinates, collecting views from employees concerning their complaints
and solving their problems, and explaining to them what is expected from them, their
roles and guidelines to attain their objectives.
 Providing morale to employees and leadership entails winning employees' trust and
confidence. Some of the important aspects to consider in the organization include having
personal contact with the employees and also keeping human relations with the
employees.
 Leadership involves building a work environment and this will in stabilizing the
organization at large. There is a need for having personal contact with workers and this
involves listening to their concerns and complaints, and developing procedures how to
look into those complaints.
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