A Qualitative Enquiry into Professional Project Management Practices in the Ghanaian Construction Industry

Abstract

Professional Project Management Practice (PPMP) has become a resource tool in the 21stcentury in diverse discipline, especially the construction industry where the genesis of the concept and its theory began. To this extent, Ghana has recently added an impetus to this popularity for the first time specifically mentioning and recognizing the title project managers (PMs) in the condition of contract for medium-sized works. PPMP continues to grow in the construction industry. However, there is lack of consensus and controversy among practitioners and researchers on the concept. This paper elicits the views of twenty major stakeholders in establishing a common mechanism in understanding the concept. The methodology was based on schedule interview with identified stakeholders and qualitative approach was used in the discussion. The findings of this study indicate that while theoretical knowledge exists, there is a lack of practical knowledge of the Professional Project Management among construction stakeholders. The implication of the findings is for the future development of the project management profession in Ghana and developing countries facing similar challenges as the industry advances.