Building a model to improve front end project conceptualisation: introducing the Project Conceptualisation Canvas

• Main Author: Van Niekerk, Cordi
• Other Authors: Sewchurran, Kosheek
• Format: Doctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Commerce 2020
• Subjects: Business
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32368

Project management has seen significant growth which has been beneficial to academics and practitioners in the field alike. However, the alarming trend of project underperformance continues. This points to an apparent relevance gap in Project Management. One of the areas that has been highlighted as an important area for further study to improve this situation is project front end management. Using Design Science as research methodology, the knowledge contribution of this research is an artefact called, the Project Conceptualisation Canvas. The Project Conceptualisation Canvas represents a process to be followed to ensure that the conceptualisation phases of potential projects are adequately performed. The Project Conceptualisation Canvas was developed using as input the results of the systematic review of literature on the typical challenges that occur during project conceptualisation. The Project Conceptualisation Canvas was evaluated through two sets of focus groups which confirmed that it contributes towards the improvement of project conceptualisation practice. The relevance of the contribution of the Project Conceptualisation Canvas is that it will improve decision making during the project conceptualisation and selection process which will ultimately result into improved project delivery and reduced opportunity cost that results from underperforming projects.