Abstract
In view of the present climate around the globe, mega infrastructure developments are considered to be key catalysts driving economic development and social upliftment and transformation within the world economies today. However, the complexity of megaproject development especially when it comes to infrastructural development is a like a dual edged sword, and in recent years, the delivery of many infrastructural projects have come under scathing attack for schedule slippages, huge cost overruns, and questions over real benefits to the economic viability and sustainability it proposes to bring to the countries future DDP and GNP. This study analysed megaproject schedule challenges in transnet capital projects (TCP) in South Africa. The study employed a survey, and quantitative data were collected using a closed ended questionnaire from 191 megaproject personnel. The objective of the study was to undertake the quantitative analysis to critically assess schedule challenges.
TopBackground To The Study
Transnet, is the backbone of South Africa’s rail, port, and pipeline transport network (Transnet, 2014:6). Transnet consists of five main operating divisions namely Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), Transnet Freight Rail (TFR), Transnet Rail Engineering (TRE), and Transnet Pipelines (TPL). The study is on Transnet Capital Projects, which is a state-owned company, that has a direct impact on the lives of all South Africans. Transnet Capital projects are involved in many different mega-projects in their various divisions. Transnet Capital Projects is a specialist wing of the Transnet Corporate office which is mandated to deliver infrastructure projects on behalf of Transnet’s Divisions (Transnet, 2015). Transnet Capital Projects plays a critical role in ensuring that Transnet achieves its capital infrastructure strategy through the investment and delivery of infrastructure in the port, rail, and pipeline business sectors. Some mega-projects under execution were the new manganese export terminal; new railway lines from Kimberly to Ngqura; new deep-water quay walls at the Durban Container Terminal; a new Waterberg railway line; new quay walls at Maydon Wharf; a new tippler project in Saldanha; and the new multi-purpose product pipeline from Durban to Johannesburg (Transnet, 2015).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Project Failures: This is when a project that fails to meet or deliver the expected outcome to the relevant stakeholders, it could be a result of budget failure, scheduling failures, or deadline failures where the expected outcomes for that particular project do not occur as proposed by the project manager and his team.
South Africa: South Africa is a country in the African continent that is located on the southernmost tip of the African continent. It had a unique history of apartheid and is known for the legendary father of the South African nation Nelson Mandela, who was the first president sworn in when South Africa became a democratic state of the people.
Project Schedules: Within the context f project management, a schedule lists the project’s key milestones, activities, and deliverables.
Project Success: This is when a project delivers within the budget, deadlines, and schedules.
Infrastructure: In a broad context infrastructure relates to the systems and structures that surround a city. Town or area of a country, commonly known as roads, power supply, rail, airports or harbours to name but a few.
Megaprojects: Refers to complex large-scale multibillion-dollar developments in infrastructure like airports, harbours, motor ways, etc.