Project portfolio management: an analysis from the insurance industry IT area

This paper aims to bring more information related to the critical question "how IT areas of insurance companies are defining and delivering their strategic initiatives Portfolios?" and make conclusions based on the collected data. To reach these interpretations, it is composed of a theoretical investigation on the theme, a strategy delineation for the research methodology and a conclusion presentation based on the findings. In this last part, this study concluded that explored organization does not applied a sufficient number of best practices answering the critical question as "the company is not mature on this subject".

The Panama canal expansion mega project : a case study and stakeholder´s analysis

As globalization increases integration, a new playing field is emerging which is driving the need for operational efficiencies and alignment of complementary capabilities among countries to build sustainable models and integrated offerings. As demands increase, companies are turning to effective project management as means to control operations and countries are increasing the amount of mega projects to boost their competitiveness and global footprint. Given the scale, complexity, political nature, multicultural makeup, and high level of visibility; mega projects rely on successful stakeholder management to effectively manage its operational, tactical, and strategic levels to execute their mission. This paper examines the success drivers of mega projects and presents an in depth stakeholder assessment of the Panama Canal Expansion mega project to identify the perceived value to its stakeholder community. The stakeholder categories include: the Panama Canal Authority, subcontractors executing the expansion project, customers of the canal in Panama and U.S., as well as the communities surrounding the Panama Canal and ports in the U.S. East Coast. The conclusion of this paper captures the relationship between the effective stakeholder engagement from the Panama Canal Authority, the perceived value of the Panamanian stakeholders, and compares it to U.S. based mega projects being executed simultaneously to allow the U.S. East Coast ports to accommodate increased cargo volumes.

Public-private partnerships in renewable energy in Latin America and the Caribbean

Incluye Bibliografía

Processo de desenvolvimento e coordenação de projetos na construção civil: um estudo multi-caso em empresas de Belém (PA)

Este trabalho faz uma reflexão sobre a coordenação de projetos na indústria da construção de edifícios, identifica as etapas do processo de projeto, aponta a participação da equipe de projeto, durante as atividades de coordenação, apresenta a atuação do coordenador de projetos e sistematiza os procedimentos de controle e retroalimentação. Para desenvolver a pesquisa, foram realizados estudos bibliográficos sobre a Gestão e Coordenação de Projetos, no desenvolvimento do processo de projeto na construção civil. Também foram feitos estudos de campo, envolvendo 10 empresas de construção civil na área urbana da cidade de Belém-PA, com atuação nos mercados de incorporação e/ou construção de obras privadas ou públicas, visando propor diretrizes da gestão de projetos, integrada ao processo de desenvolvimento e coordenação dos mesmos. Como resultado, vimos que 100% das empresas pesquisadas afirmou que o planejamento técnico do projeto é dividido por etapas, conforme apresentação de fluxogramas distintos. 77,77% das empresas em questão respondeu que realiza a coordenação de projetos através de reuniões com as equipes responsáveis. Também 100% das empresas aponta como funções do coordenador de projetos a compatibilização entre os projetos e a manutenção do fluxo de informações entre os projetistas. Em 88,88% das empresas, foi possível observar que a retroalimentação do projeto acontece através do controle por meio de check list e planilhas. Por fim, são desenvolvidas e apresentadas diretrizes para aplicação da coordenação de projeto, como forma de melhorar o desempenho do desenvolvimento do processo de projeto e a execução dos edifícios, com a valorização do projeto e conseqüente economia de recursos, tempo e dinheiro, evitando erros, desperdício e trabalho nos empreendimentos.

Competence Monitoring in Project Teams by using Web based portfolio management systems

This paper reports a learning experience related to the acquisition of project management competences. Students from three different universities and backgrounds, cooperate in a common project that drives the learning-teaching process. Previous related works on this initiative have already evaluated the goodness of this multidisciplinary, project-based learning approach in the context of a new educative paradigm. Yet the innovative experience has allowed the authors to define a rubric in order to measure specific competences in project management. The study shows the rubric’s main aspects as well as competence acquisition evaluation alternatives, based in the metrics defined. Key indicators and specific reports obtained from data base fields in the web tool will support this work. As a result, new competences can be assessed, such ones like teamwork, problem solving, communication and leadership. Final goal is to provide an overall competence map to the students at the same time they improve their skills.

Integrated learning of computer applications for production engineering

A high productivity rate in Engineering is related to an efficient management of the flow of the large quantities of information and associated decision making activities that are consubstantial to the Engineering processes both in design and production contexts. Dealing with such problems from an integrated point of view and mimicking real scenarios is not given much attention in Engineering degrees. In the context of Engineering Education, there are a number of courses designed for developing specific competencies, as required by the academic curricula, but not that many in which integration competencies are the main target. In this paper, a course devoted to that aim is discussed. The course is taught in a Marine Engineering degree but the philosophy could be used in any Engineering field. All the lessons are given in a computer room in which every student can use each all the treated software applications. The first part of the course is dedicated to Project Management: the students acquire skills in defining, using Ms-PROJECT, the work breakdown structure (WBS), and the organization breakdown structure (OBS) in Engineering projects, through a series of examples of increasing complexity, ending up with the case of vessel construction. The second part of the course is dedicated to the use of a database manager, Ms-ACCESS, for managing production related information. A series of increasing complexity examples is treated ending up with the management of the pipe database of a real vessel. This database consists of a few thousand of pipes, for which a production timing frame is defined, which connects this part of the course with the first one. Finally, the third part of the course is devoted to the work with FORAN, an Engineering Production package of widespread use in the shipbuilding industry. With this package, the frames and plates where all the outfitting will be carried out are defined through cooperative work by the studens, working simultaneously in the same 3D model. In the paper, specific details about the learning process are given. Surveys have been posed to the students in order to get feed-back from their experience as well as to assess their satisfaction with the learning process. Results from these surveys are discussed in the paper

The facility manager architect : the social responsability as an added value.

From the very first steps to execute a building, it is essential to analyze its life cycle. Similarly, we should consider the life cycle when projecting an urban intervention. Professionals of the Facility Management take part in construction projects, developing and managing DBFMO projects (Design, Build, Finance, Maintenance & Operate). Whatever the nature of the promoter is – private or public – promoters are leaders in projects of responsible management of spaces, whether these are work spaces, leisure spaces or residential spaces. They know and identify with the company and its performance, its values and its needs. These professionals give sustainable solutions in the life cycle of buildings (offices and housing), new ways to work and initiatives of innovations linked to current social changes: technology, social networks, and new habits. Concepts where innovation is essential should consider responsible values. Social, economic and sustainable aspects have to associate with the management performed by a Facilities Manager when considering the three groups of stakeholders with which it is linked: economic (shareholders), contractual (users), non-contractual (neighborhoods, organizations, etc.). Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, at the beginning of his book "The Ten Books on Architecture" describes and argues how the distribution in buildings must always adapt to their inhabitants. Let us build cities and buildings with responsible criteria, bearing in mind all its users and the needs of each one of them. Not to mention the need to adapt to future requirements with minimum cost and maximum profitability. These needs, under responsible management, are competencies developed by a Facilities Manager in his day to day. He cares and takes over the entire life cycle of buildings and their surroundings. This work is part of the PhD project whose main aim is to study the added value to the architectural profession when social responsibility criteria are applied in his/her role as Facility Manager.

Integrated learning of production engineering software applications in a shipbuilding context

Acourse focused on the acquisition of integration competencies in ship production engineering, organized in collaboration with selected industry partners, is presented in this paper. The first part of the course is dedicated to Project Management: the students acquire skills in defining, using MS-PROJECT, the work breakdown structure (WBS), and the organization breakdown structure (OBS) in Engineering projects, through a series of examples of increasing complexity with the final one being the construction planning of a vessel. The second part of the course is dedicated to the use of a database manager, MS-ACCESS, in managing production related information.Aseries of increasing complexity examples is treated, the final one being the management of the piping database of a real vessel. This database consists of several thousand pipes, for which a production timing frame is defined connecting this part of the course with the first one. Finally, the third part of the course is devoted to working withFORAN,an Engineering Production application developed bySENERand widely used in the shipbuilding industry. With this application, the structural elements where all the outfittings will be located are defined through cooperative work by the students, working simultaneously in the same 3D model. In this paper, specific details about the learning process are given. Surveys have been posed to the students in order to get feedback from their experience as well as to assess their satisfaction with the learning process, compared to more traditional ones. Results from these surveys are discussed in the paper.

Modelo de Gestión del Conocimiento para la Competitividad del Sector de las Construcciones Petroleras, Petroquímicas y Energéticas Venezolanas

La construcción es una de las actividades más valiosas para la sociedad debido a la naturaleza de los servicios que ofrece y por el volumen de empleos y movimiento económico que genera. Por ello es un elemento fundamental para el desarrollo sustentable. Es una industria compleja, cada vez más dependiente del conocimiento. Debido a su naturaleza fragmentaria y temporal y la alta rotación de personal presenta grandes retos y complicaciones particulares. Estas dificultades en oportunidades pueden transformarse en problemas por la complejidad, localización geográfica o los requisitos técnicos, financieros e innovaciones de los proyectos. Debido a sus características, las construcciones sufren cambios en las condiciones planificadas. Con frecuencia estos cambios conducen a retrasos en la ejecución de los proyectos, costes superiores a los presupuestados y conflictos entre los clientes y los ejecutores. Esto genera problemas de competitividad que afectan tanto a países desarrollados como países en vías de desarrollo. Los problemas de la construcción tienen perniciosos efectos para la sociedad, que pierde recursos que deberían permitir mejores resultados en términos de calidad de vida y beneficios sociales y económicos. Debido a la importancia del sector y los ingentes recursos que se invierten en cada proyecto se justifican los máximos esfuerzos para lograr los mejores desempeños de esta industria. Éste interés ha orientado el desarrollo de investigaciones, para apoyar el logro de los objetivos de mejoramiento continuo y construcción sustentable. Los estudios desarrollados han permitido demostrar el valor añadido del conocimiento en todos los sectores productivos. Para la construcción, los conocimientos ofrecen indicadores de desempeño, datos y lecciones aprendidas provenientes de aciertos y errores. Estos deben conducir a aprendizajes fundamentales para sustentar su competitividad. Sin embargo, a pesar de los conocimientos disponibles y los avances en las técnicas de control gerencial y de proyectos, es alarmante la recurrencia de los problemas de construcción. Esta problemática se manifiesta con severidad en los proyectos de construcción industrial que se desarrollan para el sector petrolero, petroquímico y energético venezolano. El sector presenta evidentes necesidades para un mejor desempeño competitivo por la alta incidencia de retrasos de los proyectos, que implican pérdidas de gran parte de los recursos humanos, financieros, técnicos y conocimientos invertidos. Esta investigación plantea como objetivos analizar la importancia de la construcción y su sustentabilidad, los principales problemas que afectan el sector, la gestión del conocimiento y algunos modelos disponibles para gestionarlos. Igualmente examina las lecciones aprendidas y la productividad y competitividad, con particular atención a los problemas de competitividad venezolanos. Adicionalmente se evalúan las implicaciones del conocimiento como activo estratégico y se caracterizan las empresas de construcción industrial venezolanas. Para ello se identifican las dimensiones que sustentan la gestión del conocimiento en estas empresas, para finalmente determinar las que resultan más idóneas para el nuevo modelo a ser propuesto. Con estos objetivos se desarrolló el estudio empírico. Para ello fueron invitados a participar representantes de 105 empresas y expertos de construcción distintos, todos con experiencias de construcción al sector industrial venezolano. Se obtuvieron 112 respuestas en representación de 41 organizaciones y expertos diferentes. El trabajo de campo inició en Junio de 2012 y culminó en Noviembre de 2012. Los datos obtenidos fueron analizados con apoyo de técnicas estadísticas descriptivas y multivariables. Los objetivos de la investigación se alcanzaron ya que se logró caracterizar el sector de las construcciones industriales y se propuso un nuevo modelo de gestión del conocimiento adecuado a sus características. El nuevo modelo fue formulado atendiendo a criterios de sencillez, bajos costes y facilidad de adaptación para motivar su utilización en organizaciones de construcción industrial variadas. Con ello se busca que resulte de utilidad aún para las organizaciones más pequeñas, con menores recursos o aquellas que enfrentan entornos constructivos complicados. Por último se presentan algunas sugerencias para motivar la comprensión de los fenómenos estudiados en los grupos de interés de la construcción. Se propone analizar estos problemas desde las etapas iniciales de los estudios de ingeniería, de arquitectura, de construcción, de economía y administración. Igualmente se propone desarrollar acciones conjuntas de parte de los sectores académicos, gubernamentales, industriales y asociaciones para el mejoramiento competitivo y desarrollo sustentable global. La propuesta aporta datos sobre el sector constructivo venezolano en un área que presenta grandes carencias y propone un modelo innovador por su sencillez y orientación hacia el uso diario e intuitivo de los conocimientos como recursos fundamentales para la competitividad. Esta orientación puede tener trascendencia más allá del sector descrito, para apoyar la solución de problemas de otras industrias en entornos globales. ABSTRACT Construction is one of the most valuable activities for society due to the nature of the services offered and the number of jobs and revenues generated. Therefore it is a key element for sustainable development. Construction is a complex industry increasingly dependent on knowledge. Its temporary and fragmentary nature and the high staff turnover present great challenges and particular complications to construction. In some cases these conditions may evolve to serious problems because of the complexity, geographic location or even technical, financial and innovative requirements of each project. Due to their characteristics, constructions frequently undergo changes in planned conditions. Often these changes lead to delays in project completion, costs higher than budgeted and conflicts between clients and performers. This creates problems of competitiveness affecting both developed and developing countries. The construction problems have harmful effects on society, since it loses resources that would otherwise allow better results in terms of quality of life and social and economic benefits. The importance and the enormous resources invested in each project justify the efforts to achieve the best performance of this industry. This interest has guided the development of multiple research efforts to support the achievement of construction performance improvements and sustainable construction. The studies carried out have demonstrated the added value of knowledge in all productive sectors. For construction, knowledge offers performance indicators, data and lessons learned from successes and failures. These should lead to fundamental learning to sustain sector competitiveness. However, despite the available knowledge and advances in techniques and project management control, the recurrence of construction problems is alarming. This problem shows itself severely in industrial construction projects that are developed for the Venezuelan oil, petrochemical and energy sectors. These sectors have evident needs for better competitive performance because of the high incidence of project delays, involving loss of much of the human, financial, technical and knowledge resources invested. This research analyzes the importance of construction and sustainability, the main problems affecting the sector, knowledge and some models available to manage them. It also examines the lessons learned and the productivity and competitiveness, with particular attention to the problems of Venezuelan competitiveness. Additionally, the Venezuelan industrial construction companies are characterized evaluating the implications of knowledge as an strategic asset for construction. Moreover, the research evaluates the dimensions that support knowledge management in these companies, to finally identify those that are the most suitable for the new model to be proposed. With these objectives in mind the empirical study was developed. 105 different companies and experts with Venezuelan industrial construction experiences were invited to participate on the survey. 112 responses were obtained representing 41 different organizations and experts. Fieldwork started in June 2012 and ended in November 2012. The data obtained was analyzed with descriptive and multivariate statistical techniques. The research objectives were achieved since the industrial construction sector was characterized and a new management model was proposed based on the particular characteristics of these companies. The new model was formulated according to the criteria of simplicity, low cost and ease of adaptation. This was performed to motivate the use of the new model in various industrial construction organizations, even in smaller companies, with limited resources or those facing complex construction environments. Finally some suggestions to encourage understanding of the phenomena studied among construction stakeholders were proposed. The importance of studying these problems at an early stage of the engineering, architectural, construction, economic and administration studies is highlighted. Additionally, academic, government, industrial organizations and associations are invited to join efforts to improve the competitive and sustainable global development. The proposal provides data on the Venezuelan construction sector in an area that has large gaps and proposes a model which is innovative for its simplicity and suggests the daily and intuitive use of knowledge resources as a key issue to competitiveness. This orientation may have implications beyond the described sector to support the solution of problems of other industries in a global environment.

Modelo de competencias profesionales para directivos escolares: desarrollo y aplicación al ámbito de la educación particular subvencionada, Chile

La trascendencia de la educación sobre la construcción del capital humano y social, ha sido vastamente discutido, considerando entre otros elementos, la correlación entre las inversiones en educación, las políticas educativas, los actores involucrados, y los efectos que tienen sobre la calidad de la educación. Esto se refleja en los esfuerzos, de los diferentes estamentos, por mejorar los resultados del proceso educativo, intentando construir una sociedad más equitativa en la cual todo individuo pueda tener acceso a una educación de calidad, que permita tener las mismas oportunidades para el desarrollo personal, profesional y social. La educación entonces, pasa a ser un pilar fundamental en los modelos de desarrollo - y un tema de debate constante- en especial en aspectos tales como: resultados de aprendizaje, gestión y efectividad escolar, como ejes para mejorar la construcción del capital humano en la sociedad. En Chile, a partir de un proceso de descentralización de la educación iniciado en los 80, el modelo de planificación y gestión de la educación pública fue transformado, pasando de un modelo centralizado a un enfoque en el cual el establecimiento educacional – el proyecto educativo – adquiere autonomía de gestión que se vuelve determinante en la calidad de la educación. Es al interior de los establecimientos escolares donde los diferentes agentes educativos llevan a cabo los procesos pedagógicos y administrativos, y se generan las condiciones para poder desarrollar una educación de calidad. Durante los últimos 30 años, los esfuerzos se han centrado en las capacidades docentes y en alcanzar la cobertura universal. Sin embargo, en los últimos 10 años la investigación aplicada ha evidenciado que los directores y equipos directivos tienen efectos directos e indirectos sobre la gestión escolar, pedagógica y de convivencia dentro de la escuela a través de su desempeño y liderazgo escolar. Es en este contexto, que se propone esta investigación con el fin de contribuir en el fortalecimiento de las capacidades de estos actores y promover un desempeño que impacte positivamente en la calidad de los aprendizajes en las escuelas Esta tesis se estructura en cinco capítulos. En el primer capítulo, se define y analiza el marco conceptual de la investigación centrado en los dos ejes de este trabajo: por un lado, conceptos de competencia, competencias profesionales; y por otro lado, liderazgo y dirección escolar, definiendo el concepto de competencias profesionales para la dirección escolar. A continuación, en el segundo capítulo, se presenta un análisis del contexto enfocado en el proceso de descentralización de la educación pública en Chile y sus efectos sobre el rol de los directivos escolares en Chile, el cual a través de su proceso de evolución ha transformado las responsabilidades de este estamento, en cuanto la gestión y la administración de los proyectos educativos definiendo un perfil del directivo escolar. Complementariamente, y en función de la gestión directiva, se realiza una conceptualización de buenas prácticas directivas como los instrumentos a través de las cuales se movilizan los elementos de competencia. En el tercer capítulo, se presenta la propuesta de modelo de competencias profesionales para la dirección escolar, como la principal aportación de esta investigación, que se sustenta sobre cuatro componentes como base científica: el enfoque holístico de competencia, el enfoque de dirección de proyectos de la International Project Management Association (IPMA), el paradigma de gestión escolar y el modelo Working with People (WWP). La propuesta considera una metodología de implementación para el desarrollo de procesos de intervención para la mejora de la gestión escolar, articulando las competencias profesionales directivas y las prácticas de gestión, como los principales componentes del modelo. En el cuarto capítulo se presenta la aplicación del modelo propuesto en un estudio de caso desarrollado en el Colegio público Kings´ School de San Bernardo (Chile), un establecimiento particular subvencionado, del área urbana de Santiago con condiciones socioeconómicas media, con un alto porcentaje de vulnerabilidad y cuyos resultados en las pruebas de evaluación nacionales evidencian una caída. La aplicación del modelo se realiza a lo largo del curso 2012-13, trabajando de forma directa con el equipo de dirección, a través de un proyecto de innovación educativa, diseñando e implementando una propuesta de intervención de la cual se sistematizan los resultados y los aprendizajes obtenidos. A partir de la investigación y los resultados obtenidos permiten concluir que el modelo propuesto puede ser considerada una herramienta estratégica de planificación e intervención para la gestión de proyectos educativos, promoviendo que a los equipos directivos contrastar su realidad con los estándares propuestos, y de esta forma poder articular las capacidades – en términos de competencias - de los recursos humanos con las prácticas directivas que buscan lograr los objetivos y resultados esperados, incidiendo positivamente en los resultados de aprendizaje y la calidad educativa. ABSTRACT The importance of education on the construction of human and social capital, has been vastly discussed, considering among other things, the correlation between investments in education, educational policies, stakeholders, and the effects they have on education quality. This is reflected on the efforts of different stakeholders, to improve educational outcomes, trying to build a more equitable society in which every individual can have access to quality education, allowing the same opportunities for personal, professional and social development. Education then becomes a cornerstone at development models - and a topic of constant discussion, especially in areas such as learning outcomes, management and school effectiveness, as core concepts to improve the construction of human capital in the society. In Chile, after a process of decentralization of education that started in the 80s, planning and management model of public education was transformed from a centralized approach to a decentralized perspective in which schools - the educational project - acquires management autonomy and becomes determinant in the quality of education outcomes. It is within the school context where teachers, principals and administrative assistants held teaching and administrative processes, and generates the conditions to develop quality education. During the past 30 years, efforts have been focused on teaching skills and achieve universal coverage. However, in the last 10 years applied research has shown that the principals and management teams have direct and indirect effects on school management, teaching and school environment through their performance and school leadership. This research is proposed within this context in order to contribute to strengthen the capacities of these actors, and promote a professional performance that will positively impact schools´ quality of learning. This thesis is divided into five chapters. The first chapter defines and analyzes the conceptual framework focused on the two main ideas of this work: first, concepts of competence, professional competence; and secondly, leadership and school management, defining the concept of professional competences for school leadership. Then, in the second chapter is developed a context analysis focused on the process of decentralization of public education in Chile, and its effects on the role of school leaders which through this process has been transformed the responsibilities on management and administration of educational projects, allowing to define a school leader’s profile. In addition, and related to principals´ management, it is proposed a conceptualization of school leadership best practices, as the instruments through which competence elements are mobilized and placed in action. Within chapter three, is presented the proposed model of professional competences for school principals, as the main contribution of this research which is based on four components as scientific basis: holistic competence approach, project management approach from the International Project management Association (IPMA), effective school management paradigm; and Working with People model (WWP). The proposal considers an implementation methodology for the development of intervention processes to improve school management, articulating professional competences and school leadership practices, as main elements of the model. Chapter four presents the implementation of the proposed model, using a case study at the Kings´ School of San Bernardo (Chile), subsidized school located at the urban area of Santiago with average socioeconomic conditions, with a high percentage of vulnerability and whose national educational assessment results show a fall. Model implementation was developed through 2012- 2013, working directly with the management team, through an innovative educational management project, designing and implementing an intervention which processes, results and lessons learned are systematized. Research and obtained results through its implementation indicates that the proposed model can be considered a strategic tool for planning and operational management for educational projects, encouraging the principals to compare their reality with the proposed standards, and thus articulate capacity - in terms of competences – in human resources with principals´ practices to achieve the objectives and expected results, impacting positively on learning outcomes and educational quality.

Resilence, rural development and suistainable management: a working with people model approach

Nowadays, it has become evident the need to seek sustainable development models that address challenges arising in a variety of contexts. The resilience concept appears connected to the ability of people to cope with adversities that inevitably arise due to context dynamics, at different spatial and temporal scales. This concept is related to the model known as Working With People (WWP), focused on rural development projects planning, management and evaluation, from the integration of three dimensions: technical-entrepreneurial, ethical-social and political-contextual. The research reported is part of the RETHINK European Project, whose overall aim is farm modernization and rural resilience. The resilience concept has been analyzed, in the scope of rural development projects management, and a relationship with the WWP model has been established. To this end, a thorough review of the scientific literature concerning this topic has been addressed, in order to develop the state of the art of the different concepts and models involved. A conceptual proposal for the integration of resilience in rural development projects sustainable management, through the three-dimensional WWP model is presented.