Civil engineering solutions | Critical success
Identifying critical success factors can help resolve engineering project management challenges within the dams industry
WHAT CONSTITUTES PROJECT SUCCESS is a complicated and multi-dimensional matter. However, identifying a set of critical success factors (CSFs) can help improve project performance, reducing the complexity associated with defining what contributes success. Despite evidence claiming that dam engineering
Right: Dam sediments are being used for road construction in Thailand
projects are “one of the worst performing infrastructure types for achieving project goals”, according to researchers from Western Sydney University in Australia, no study has been undertaken to address this issue. Pouya Amies, Xiaohua Jin, and Sepani Senaratne say they’ve identified a clear knowledge gap about CSFs for dam engineering projects, adding that: “there is a lot of unknowns associated with success in the management of dam engineering projects such as factors that contribute to success, success criteria and their relationships”. Inspired by these shortfalls and inadequacies, the
research team set about identifying CSFs to assist with resolving engineering project management challenges and comprehending the success of dams, with a focus on the Australian dam engineering industry. Here the results of a systematic literature review and Delphi technique were used to apply a set of CSFs over the lifecycle of dam engineering projects.
Delphi Technique The Delphi technique is a methodology for gathering
Below: Identifying a set of critical success factors can help improve project performance in the dams industry
unbiased subjective opinions from a group of individuals who have in-depth knowledge and skill regarding a subject. Members of this Delphi panel were chosen based on their professional backgrounds, educational qualifications, and geographical location to ensure panel members were from various Australian States and Territories. They also included representatives from several organisations such as dam owner agencies, consulting firms, contractors, regulatory agencies, and professional bodies. All expert panel members had to have over ten years of experience mainly in dam engineering projects in Australia, and have fulfilled a senior engineer or project manager role, as well as being willing to share their ideas. Three rounds of the Delphi technique were undertaken. A total of 34 potential CFS were identified - 28 from the systematic literature review plus six suggested by the Delphi panel members – and it was found certain CSFs are applicable in different stages over the lifecycle of dam engineering projects. According to the researchers, “one of the remarkable findings of this Delphi study” is that ‘Effective communication’ was highly rated in all phases of dam engineering projects, implying that “considerable efforts need to be exerted for achieving satisfactory communication measures”. Thus the team said they
36 | March 2025 |
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“advise project practitioners to focus particularly on this CSF”.
While ‘Effective communication’ was ranked the most important factor in planning and operation phases, the highest rated factors for the design and construction phases were ‘Adequate understanding of natural characteristics of the project’ and ‘Monitor performance’ respectively. In relation to dam engineering projects, the
researchers suggest five CSFs require special attention: Adequate recognition of the long lifecycle of dams. Modern and adequate dam safety review processes. Adequate consideration of dam re-operational strategies. Adequate risk analysis, management and sharing. Early engagement with stakeholders and community. Identifying project success factors is considered to be a crucial first step in tackling the problem of project performance. The team from Western Sydney University say if dam project practitioners could “effectively affect project performance, they may not only minimise project failure but also increase the overall benefits provided to the community”. Furthermore, Aimes et al believe the findings of their will enable engineering project management teams to pinpoint the necessary factors to achieve project success , helping to pave the way for further research.
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