MBA Dissertation: Conclusions, Recommendations, and Key Findings

This MBA dissertation chapter, focusing on conclusions and recommendations, examines project management within the mining industry, specifically in the Western part of Ghana. The research, conducted through interviews with five mining companies, explores the relationship between project managers' competencies and project success. Key findings highlight the importance of project manager skills, emotional resilience, and intuitiveness. The study identifies factors such as conscientiousness, team motivation, and leadership as critical for project success. The chapter outlines key concepts of project management, including its phases and the significance of the iron triangle (cost, quality, and time). Assumptions and limitations of the research, such as participant selection and time constraints, are also discussed. The dissertation concludes with recommendations for management and future research, offering insights for improving project outcomes in the mining sector. The dissertation is a valuable resource for students studying project management and business development.

MBA Dissertation

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS...................................................1
5.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................1
5.2 Key Findings of the study.....................................................................................................1
5.3 Key Concepts of the study....................................................................................................2
5.4 Assumptions of the research.................................................................................................4
5.5 Limitations of Research........................................................................................................5
5.6 Recommendations for management......................................................................................6
5.7 Recommendations for future research..................................................................................8
5.8 Conclusion.............................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction
Majority of businesses of all sizes globally are adapting project management techniques
in carrying out their activities. The company executives are employing project managers and
establishing projects department, specifically for the management of small to large-scale
projects. The situation is not different in the mining industry, where most of the projects are
capital intensive and requires special attention for it to be successful. Regardless of the adaption
of project management skills or techniques used in the execution of mining related projects, not
all projects are successful. In general terms, no matter what effort are used in project execution,
some of them keep failing. The purpose of the current research work is to establish the
relationship between project managers’ competencies and project success in some of the mining
industries in western part of Ghana (Famiyeh and et.al., 2015). The last chapter, which is chapter
five, discusses the key findings, concepts, assumptions, limitations, and the recommendations of
the research work.
5.2 Key Findings of the study
The following dissertation follows the qualitative research method where researcher
conducted his or her research study in five mining industry located at the Western part of Ghana.
The survey was conducted in interview format. The five mining industries were Adamus
Resources Limited, Anglogold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, Ghana Manganese Company Ltd, Gold
Fields Mine Tarkwa, and Golden Star Bogoso/Prestea Ltd. In order to gain knowledge about the
project management and skills required by project manager, the researcher shows keen interest
towards their work process and steps they took in order to accomplish the desired project
effectively and efficiently.
After analysing the responses of the participants, it can be clearly understood that the
success of project is totally depends upon the skills and competencies hold by project manager.
From this collected information in the interview about to analyse relationship between project
manager's competencies and the project success. Project management plays a very crucial role
within the organisation through it comes to the implementation of the projects. Project manager
plays a very significant role within the project success and competencies. In the absence of
project manager, organisation can unable to implement effective project and unable to get
effective success within the company. Thus, it implies that it is very important for project
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management company to recruit capable, skilled and competent staff so that project can be
accomplished successfully and on time.
After analysing the collected data, it was found that competency of project manager does
not influence the overall success of the project, but in order to enhance the effectiveness in the
project, it is very important for the project manager to have effective skills and competencies.
From the collected data in the interview it has been also concluded that emotional resilience of
project manager influences a project success. While project manager brings personal emotions
into the things then it will affect success of the project. It has been also concluded from the
interview that intuitiveness affects the outcome of the project. In the dissertation, the researcher
also founds that motivation and satisfaction among the team players plays critical role that
determines the success of the project. It is the duty and responsibility of project manager.
From further analysis of the respondents it was identified that emotions, feelings and
sensitivity can influence the success of the project. In the research, respondents talk about
conscientiousness of project manager and its impact on the success and effectiveness of the
project. Conscientiousness refers to the personality trait which means being careful and vigilant.
It implies to conduct the task well and precisely so that the objectives of task can be accomplish
effectively and efficiently. Respondents enunciated that if the project manager is conscientious,
then the task can be delegated precisely and appropriately which reduce the amount of errors and
enhances the effectiveness of the project.
From the above discussion it has been also analysed that there are various competencies
dimensions and these were grouped into three categories that is seven emotional competence
(EQ), five managerial competencies (MQ), and three intellectual competence (IQ)). The project
success was measured using four dimensions (schedule, budget, scope, and client satisfaction).
From the analysis of the respondents, it was identified that in order to accomplish the project
goals and objectives on time, it is the duty and responsibility of the project manager to delegate
responsibility to right kind of member according to his or her skills and capabilities.
5.3 Key Concepts of the study
Project management refers to the process of initiating, planning, executing, controlling
and closure of the work in order to accomplish the goals and objectives of specific project in
prescribed time effectively and efficiently. In the following dissertation, the researcher
established theoretical framework by analysing the articles, journals, books jotted by senior
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authors and researchers. In this way, he or she was able to made the present study more
comprehensible and understandable. In the study, researcher discovered that the phases of project
management has been classified into five steps.
These includes project initiation, project planning, project execution, project monitoring
and project closure. In the following study, the researcher acquired the precise information about
project management and skills that possess by the project managers in order to accomplish the
desired aims and objective of project by conducting interview survey at five mining industries of
Ghana. Researchers enunciated that the success of the project is determined at the end of project
where project manager check whether the scope of project met within prescribed time and cost
and the output met the specification or not (Bornstein, Horner and Jacobs, 2017). The project
manager further check the performance of the organisation within the year and documents the
output precisely. If all the findings are positive, then the project is said to be successful and vice
versa. In the research, researcher identified that traditional iron triangle composed of cost, quality
and time are the key elements that measure the effectiveness and success of the project.
Project management is an utmost consideration in mining industries where the
organizations operating in a similar sector is largely benefited from it. It is mainly in accordance
to the given statement of Barclay (2015) where project management is highly advantageous for
the enterprises working in mining to form a specific team of experts to work on a specific
project. This is basically on referring to the requisitions of forming a team in mining that should
involve environmental and processing specialists, geologists as well as mining engineers. It
thereby depicts a vital consideration of working in teams to successfully complete the projects
and operate collaboratively. Researchers in their studies identified that Ghana have many skilled
people which were born in the country but for better career prospective, they migrated to
different countries. Skilled workforce is required by the country, especially in mining industries
which is one of the key source of earning and raising the national economy of the country.
In the present dissertation, researcher found that project manager competencies and skills
played significant and prominent role in the project. It is the duty and responsibility of the human
resource management of the organisation to hire proficient and diligent candidates in order to
enhance the effectiveness in the project. Furthermore, the researcher identified and analysed the
view of researchers and scholars in the study. They elucidated that a successful project is
accomplished within the specified period of time. There are various factors such as time, cost
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and resources that affects the project either negatively or positively. It depends on the skills and
competency of the project manager that how he or she delegates the team members associated
with the project. From further analysis of the respondents it was identified that emotions, feelings
and sensitivity can influence the success of the project. In the research, respondents talk about
conscientiousness of project manager and its impact on the success and effectiveness of the
project. Conscientiousness refers to the personality trait which means being careful and vigilant.
It implies to conduct the task well and precisely so that the objectives of task can be accomplish
effectively and efficiently. Respondents enunciated that if the project manager is conscientious,
then the task can be delegated precisely and appropriately which reduce the amount of errors and
enhances the effectiveness of the project. A successful and critical factor that impacts on the
project is leadership. An effective skill that must be posses by the project manager while carrying
out the project. Project initiation, project planning, project execution, project monitoring and
project closure. In the following study, the researcher acquired the precise information about
project management and skills that possess by the project managers in order to accomplish the
desired aims and objective of project by conducting interview survey at five mining industries of
Ghana.
5.4 Assumptions of the research
The qualitative study conducted by the researcher recognizes about six assumptions.
Since it was conducted specifically in the mining industries within the Western part of Ghana, it
was assumed that all the participant for the interview are working in the mining industry, and
have not less than five years working experience in mining related projects. The second
assumption was that, the participants would answer all the interview questions about the selected
project manager’s competencies and project success or failure frankly and honestly without
prejudice and under duress. The third assumption was that all the participants in the research
work would participate on unpaid or voluntary basis. The forth assumption was that even though
majority of the participants are local workers (non expatriates) they have experience and are
knowledgeable to express themselves fluently in the interview. The fifth assumption was that all
the fifteen competencies used for the interview in the research work are not new; they have been
used in other studies. The last assumption was that all the mining industries would benefit from
the recommendations and the findings from the research work.
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5.5 Limitations of Research
Limitations of research are generally referred to the characteristics which are associate
with the research methodology or design that influences the description and interpretation and
analysis of research findings (Murphy, 2016). The ability of researchers to identify the possible
limitations of research design plays crucial role in the academic research work (Shipman, 2014).
The research work that contains the information of limitations faced by the researcher aid in
gaining more credit points. As due to these limitations, other researchers and end users can
prepare in advance in order to obliterate the restrictions effectively and efficiently. With this
said, the researcher would like to comment on the following limitations that are linked with the
current research work. Participants: The survey interview was conducted among 15 participants selected from
five mining companies (Adamus Resources Limited, Anglogold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine,
Ghana Manganese Company Ltd, Gold Fields Mine Tarkwa, and Golden Star
Bogoso/Prestea Ltd) who have register with the Ghana Chamber of mines. To generalize
the results for a larger group, more mining companies across the country from different
regions should have been selected and not only the companies in the Western Region of
Ghana. Budget and travel: In order to enhance the effectiveness of the research, five mining
industries in Western part of Ghana has been selected. Researcher has to travel each
mining company in order to gather useful data effectively. Due to this constrain, all the
five mining companies selected for the research work were closer to the researcher
location, maximum of two hours driving time to the mining companies. Time Constraint: The mining industries of Ghana work 24 hours a day and always
remain busy. Researcher faced the limitation regarding making appointments with the
participants of the research. Since the study was conducted within specific period, the
researcher travelled on several occasions to the same mines before getting the participants
for the interviews. Interpretation of terminologies: The terminologies used in the interview was somewhat
complicated and participants were found it difficult to comprehend them efficiently.
These terminologies referred to competencies of project manager in project management.
In some of the cases, some of the managers’ competencies that were used for the research
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work need to be explained to the participants for them to understand the perspective the
researcher is coming from.
 Participants Opinions/Views: The opinions were mere collected from the workers who
worked at mines. They have limited knowledge about the subject matter and their
responses wasn't based on any specific criteria. The interview questionnaire seeks the
opinions or the views of the respondents so the outcome data wasn’t based on any
specific criteria.
5.6 Recommendations for management
In order to make improvements and enhance the competencies of the project managers,
researcher provides recommendations based on his or her study (Grant and Oteng-Ababio, 2016).
These recommendations will help the management of mining industries to raise the skills,
competencies and knowledge of project manager which further aid in successful completion of
project efficiently. The recommendations will include the ways through which the management
of mining organisation can led their project successful and efficient. In accordance with this
context, the recommendations proposed by the researcher is described below:
1. Defining the project: Before embarking on the project, the project manager first needs to
understand what type of project he or she is going to undertake. In order to comprehend
the nature and type of project, the management needs to define the project characteristics
efficiently (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017). Thus, it is being advised to the management of
mining corporations of Ghana to provide prior information about the project which will
going to conduct in future to project manager so that he or she can define it adequately
and precisely. This step can lead the project towards success and accomplishment.
2. Planning the work: Planning is very essential and crucial step which can lead the project
towards success. After defining the nature and characteristics of project, the second step a
project manager needs to work on is planning. It includes planning of resources, budget
and time which will be needed in the project (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016). It is
recommended to the project manager to make precise plan listing all the details and
information and then proceed on the particular project.
3. Creating a Work Plan: Creating work plan is essential as it helps in improving the
coordination between project stakeholders (Hall, 2015). Effective coordination is
important factor that determines the success of the project. The work plan must be
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documented and discussed with team members of project to ensure its success. Thus, it is
recommended to the project manager to prepare work plan before commencing the
specific project.
4. Ensuring Quality: Quality begins with the beginning of each project. The project
manager needs to ensure the quality of resources and materials that he or she will be
using in the project (Marcelino-Sádaba, and et.al., 2014). Further, the project manager
needs to conduct quality assurance review in order to measure the quality of deliverables
to ensure the targets are met. Thus, it is recommended to the project manager to ensure
the quality of the materials in order to determine the success of the project.
5. Establishing Scope: Scope of the project is determined when project business case is
defined. The project manager needs to established and define scope of the project
adequately in order to remove ambiguity from the project. In order to accomplish the aim
and objectives of the project the manager needs to define the scope of the project
efficiently (Walker, 2015). Thus, it is recommended to project manager and management
that requirement should be spelled out on functional level so the ambiguity from the
project can be eradicated.
6. Streamline communication: Communication plays crucial role in every project. A
project manager needs to interact with his team, subordinates and other stakeholders of
the project. It is the duty of the project manager to provide and articulate information
related with project with the team members efficiently so that uncertainties can be
eliminated (Serrador and Turner, 2015). Thus, it is being recommended to the project
manager and management to provide precise information of the project to the team
members and other stakeholders in order to lead the project towards success.
7. Keeping clear and accessible schedules: If project manager keeps complex schedules he
or she will end up getting baffled. In order to enhance the effectiveness in the project, the
manager needs to keep clear and accessible schedules which can be efficiently achieve by
his or her team members (Todorović and et.al., 2015). Thus, it is recommended to the
project manager and management of mining corporations to establish clear and accessible
schedules.
8. Asking for feedbacks: In order to make continuous improvements a project manager
must always seeks for feedbacks (Regezi, Sciubba and Jordan, 2016). Feedbacks will
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help in raising the skills, competencies and knowledge of project manager and will
further aid in enhancing the quality of the project. Thus, in this perspective it is being
advised to the manager of project and management to ask for feedbacks from peers,
superiors and subordinate of the project.
9. Adequate training and development: In order to enhance the skills and competencies of
the project manager, the management is liable to provide adequate training. Training
helps in improving the existing skills and knowledge level of the project manager and he
or she can take more complex and tough projects in the future (Ramazani and Jergeas,
2015). Thus, it is being advised to the management of mining corporations to provide
adequate training to the employees so that their skills and competencies can be improved.
10. Providing adequate opportunities: The management of mining corporations needs to
provide adequate opportunities to the project manager so that he or she can demonstrate
their skills. Further, it is the duty of management to monitor the work of project manager
so that training need plan can be formulated (Costantino, Di Gravio and Nonino, 2015). It
is recommended to the management to provide adequate opportunity to the project
manager in order to analyse his or her skills efficiently.
5.7 Recommendations for future research
In the present dissertation, the researcher aims to analyse skills and competencies posses
by project manager and its influence on the project of mining industries located at Ghana. For
this project the researcher conduct interview survey in five mines located in Western region of
Ghana. There were few limitations identified by the researcher that influences the quality of
project and dissertation. In order to obliterate those limitations, researcher has mentioned few
recommendations below:
1. Increasing participants number: In the present research, the researcher can enhance the
degree of research by increasing the number of participants. He or she will able to gather
the review of participants and can use it for the purpose of analysis. By doing so, the
researcher can obtain ample amount of data which can generate more precise and useful
information.
2. Using different source of collection of data: There are numerous sources of collection of
data available for researchers. In the present qualitative research, the researcher has used
interview method. It is the efficient source and provide authentic information. Albeit,
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researcher can also use focus groups and questionnaire method in order to conduct the
research. These methods can reduce the amount of time and efforts of researcher.
3. Using precise literature: In research study, researcher has analysed articles jotted by
senior researcher, authors and scholars. In order to enhance the effectiveness in the study,
the researcher can use more sources in order to comprehend the concepts of the research
adequately.
4. Managing time and budget: As identified in the research limitation section, researcher
faced issues in managing time and budget while conducting the study. Researcher can use
different reliable time and cost efficient source to gather the information. Researcher can
create questionnaire online and with prior permission send it to the participants. They can
respond to the questionnaire online thus saving both time and money of researcher.
5. Using easy terminologies: Terminologies related with competencies of project manager
was creating confusion between the participants of the research. In this context, the
researcher can use easy terminologies which can be efficiently comprehensible by the
participants of the research study.
6. Expanding theory: Researcher can further expand the theories proposed by authors and
scholars in the study in order to make the research study more effective and efficient.
Thus, it is recommended to use more quality journals and articles so that in depth
understanding can be made.
5.8 Conclusion
In the present chapter, the researcher has summarised the dissertation in which he or she
has described the key concepts that has been covered in the dissertation. The key findings that
were discovered by the researcher, assumptions of the research, limitation of the research and
provided some recommendations to both management and project manager that can improve the
skills and competencies of the project. Eventually the researcher has provided the
recommendations through which he or she can enhance the quality of the research in the future.
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Grant, R.J. and Oteng-Ababio, M., 2016. The global transformation of materials and the
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