This guide supports the teaching and research into Megaprojects and Major Projects.
A megaproject is an extremely large-scale construction and investment project. A more general definition is "Megaprojects are temporary endeavours (i.e. projects) characterised by: large investment commitment, vast complexity (especially in organisational terms), and long-lasting impact on the economy, the environment, and society". <Wikipedia>
Infrastructure Key Projects Data
BMI’s Infrastructure Key Projects Data (KPD) is a comprehensive catalog of the significant projects across the Transport, Energy & Utilities and Building sectors around the world. The KPD is a highly valuable analytical tool. It compiles data from a comprehensive number of national and international open sources and renders the information in an accessible, standardised and searchable format.
The KPD can be used in the following ways:
Instructions to access dashboard:
1. Navigate to the BMI side menu
2. Navigate to Project Data and select Infrastructure Key Projects
Dashboard
The dashboard gives a geographical overview of a country's total number of major projects, the number of projects by sector, the total value of the projects (USD), an Industry Risk/ Reward Index, and Project Risk Index. You can also filter within their full list of Infrastructure Projects dataset from the dashboard.
Search for Megaproject* OR Mega-project* OR Major project* to search for articles relating to megaprojects.
General
From National Audit Office
Terminology note: Prior to the enactment of SAFETEA-LU in August 2005, projects with over $1 billion in construction costs were designated as "Mega Projects". SAFETEA-LU lowered the monetary threshold from an estimated total cost of $1 billion to $500 million or greater, and the term "Mega Project" has since been eliminated and replaced with the term "Major Project."
Project Appraisal and Delivery
Project Information
Useful starting point for government resources
Project Appraisal and Delivery
Current Major Projects
Project appraisal and delivery
Leadership
Contemporary Megaprojects : Organization, Vision, and Resistance in the 21st Century by
Contemporary megaprojects have evolved from the discreet, modernist projects undertaken in the past by centralized authorities to encompass everything from large-scale construction to space exploration. Contemporary Megaprojects explores how these projects have been impacted by cutting-edge technology, the private sector, and the processes of decentralization and dematerialization. With case studies ranging from mega-plantations in Southeast Asia to ocean mapping to sports events, the contributions in this collected volume demonstrate the increasing ambition and pervasiveness of these projects, as well as their significant impact on both society and the environment.
Sustainability and Megaproject Development by
Megaprojects, also referred to in the literature as Large Engineering Projects or Major Projects, are generally defined as large-scale investment initiatives worth 1be/$ or more and, facing similar problems independent of the country where they are implemented and the industry they belong to. The common feature of most megaprojects is that they are difficult to design and manage so that their realization and completion is always extremely expensive, often over budget and delivery deadlines also are not met. In the worst-case scenario, they remain unfinished. This book, through its multidisciplinary approach, offers food for thought and alternative interpretations for the complex world of megaprojects. While much research has been conducted and differing approaches have been developed over the last 20 years, there is still a lot of debate surrounding the topic, and a holistic approach for effectively managing these initiatives is still missing. What is clear to all researchers and experts in the field is that a traditional-linear management approach is simply not sufficient, as at many stages of a megaproject, iterative and feedback effect occurs due to stakeholder involvement and increasing and continuous interaction between them. The book promotes the debate among all categories of stakeholders involved in the megaproject's supply chain, in order to increase the awareness of complex phenomena relating to the critical issues and common problems they face, all over the world, and to seek performance improvement across the whole life cycle of a megaproject, including the selection, design, construction, operation and de- commissioning.The multidisciplinary approach cultivated in the book conveys an innovative way to study megaprojects and their inherent complexities.
Leading Megaprojects by
The performance of megaprojects is questionable, and a large percentage of them fail in one dimension or another. The challenges that contribute to these failures are known. Then why do these projects still fail at a high rate? Leading Megaprojects: A Tailored Approach examines the challenges facing megaprojects and, more importantly, successes in delivering megaprojects. To close the performance gaps in megaproject deliveries, the book presents a customizable model that professionals and organizations can use to increase the chance of successful project delivery. To illustrate the model, it uses examples and case studies, primarily from capital projects, with engineering and construction components. The book also explains how the approach can be applied to all projects, regardless of industry or domain. The book emphasizes the role of leadership because it takes the point of view that megaprojects cannot be successful without great leadership due to their massive size, complexity, number of parties and stakeholders involved, and cost, among other vital factors. Leaders can define the path for a megaproject to guide seasoned managers and project managers to successful closure. The tailored approach is based on a stage-gate project life cycle model, which covers projects from concept to success. However, it is not limited to a purist form of traditional project management. It is a tailored methodological approach, with an emphasis on leading the work, end-to-end, at the project level, along with the management of every stage of the project. Also, it presents the integration of the business, product delivery, and operations management into a cohesive approach. The book concludes with an in-depth simulation showing how the model is can be tailored to deliver a megaproject successfully.
Megaproject Leaders by
Megaproject Leaders brings together 18 prominent academics who interviewed 16 great megaproject leaders originating from 10 different countries. Based on a reflective methodological approach, these chapters investigate the managing of megaprojects from a human perspective, identify new trends in the managing of megaprojects and identify lessons learned from the personal views of the interviewees. The novel ideas presented will appeal to academics, practitioners and university students.
Urban Megaprojects by
The aim of this book is to understand the causes and consequences of new scales and forms of territorial restructuring in a steadily globalizing world by focusing on urban megaproject development. Contributions focus on the principal actors, institutions, and innovations that drive capitalist globalization, socio-economic and territorial restructuring, and global city formation by exploring the architectural design, planning, management, financing and impacts of urban megaprojects as well as their various socio-economic, political and cultural contexts. This is the first work on urban megaprojects to be global in scope, with chapters about Korea, Bilbao, Kuala Lumpur, Budapest, Milan, Abu Dhabi, New York, Paris, Sao Paulo, Beijing, Shanghai, Hamburg, Vienna, Detroit, Philadelphia, Stuttgart, Afghanistan and Mexico City. It is also the first work on the subject to include contributions from sociologists, planners, geographers and architects from top universities around the world, thus making it a truly multidisciplinary project.
Predatory Urbanism by
Addressing the complex interrelationships between city making and the resources needed for its production, Predatory Urbanismexplores the link between urbanization and resources in the global South. It particularly focuses on urban megaprojects, highlighting these planned developments and re-developments carried out by the state or state-linked agencies. Engaging with positivist rhetoric on climate change, this timely book investigates the dramatic transformation of rural and urban land in Asia, discussing the main ecological deficits affecting Asian cities. Chapters analyse some of the most paradigmatic megaprojects in the global South and their socio-environmental predatory characteristics. Through exposing the limitations of today's predatory urbanism in the global South, the book argues for the importance of rethinking the resource-urbanization nexus towards socially and environmentally just urbanism. An invigorating read for urban studies and planning scholars, this will particularly benefit those researching globalization in the global South. It will also aid urban planners reflecting on their practice and looking to improve developments in city making.
Megaprojects and Risk by
Megaprojects and Risk provides the first detailed examination of the phenomenon of megaprojects. It is a fascinating account of how the promoters of multi-billion dollar megaprojects systematically and self-servingly misinform parliaments, the public and the media in order to get projects approved and built. It shows, in unusual depth, how the formula for approval is an unhealthy cocktail of underestimated costs, overestimated revenues, undervalued environmental impacts and overvalued economic development effects. This results in projects that are extremely risky, but where the risk is concealed from MPs, taxpayers and investors. The authors not only explore the problems but also suggest practical solutions drawing on theory, experience and hard, scientific evidence from the several hundred projects in twenty nations and five continents that illustrate the book. Accessibly written, it will be the standard reference for students, scholars, planners, economists, auditors, politicians and interested citizens for many years to come.
The Oxford Handbook of Megaproject Management by
The Oxford Handbook of Megaproject Management provides state-of-the-art scholarship in the emerging field of megaproject management. Megaprojects are large, complex projects which typically cost billions of dollars and impact millions of people, like building a high-speed rail line, a megadam, a national health or pensions IT system, a new wide-body aircraft, or staging the Olympics. The book contains 25 chapters written especially for this volume, covering all aspects of megaproject management, from front-end planning to actual project delivery, including how to deal with stakeholders, risk, finance, complexity, innovation, governance, ethics, project breakdowns, and scale itself. Individual chapters cover the history of the field and relevant theory, from behavioral economics to lock-in and escalation to systems integration and theories of agency and power. All geographies are covered - from the US to China, Europe to Africa, South America to Australia - as are a wide range of project types, from "hard" infrastructure to "soft" change projects. In-depth case studies illustrate salient points. The Handbook offers a rigorous, research-oriented, up-to-date academic view of the discipline, based on high-quality data and strong theory. It will be an indispensable resource for students, academics, policy makers, and practitioners.
Megaproject Planning and Management by
Megaproject Planning and Management: Essential Readingscontains the seminal articles from the growing body of research on megaproject planning and management along with an original introduction by the editor. Bent Flyvbjerg, the leading and most cited authority in the field, has used crowdsourcing and 25 years of experience to cherry-pick from several hundred articles and books the writings that define this new and exciting area of policy, business and academic inquiry. This volume will be an indispensable resource for those wishing to speak with authority about how megaprojects are prepared, delivered and fought over. The target audience is students, academics, practitioners, and media pundits alike, as well as communities affected by megaprojects. 70 articles, dating from 1951 to 2012 Contributors include: A. Altshuler, S. Clegg, S. Fainstein, P. Hall, A. Hirschman, D. Kahneman, R. Miller, P. Morris, R. Scott
Making Essential Choices with Scant Information by
An in-depth look at how to improve decisions on major projects at the concept stage, when there is scant information available. This book describes how to evaluate judgemental information. It looks at how scant information can actually be a strength, and can help establish a broad overall perspective.
Decision-Making on Mega-Projects by
This book enlarges the understanding of decision-making on mega-projects and suggest recommendations for a more effective, efficient and democratic approach. Authors from different scientific disciplines address various aspects of the decision-making process, such as management characteristics and cost-benefit analysis, planning and innovation and competition and institutions. The subject matter is highly diverse, but certain questions remain at the forefront. For example, how do we deal with protracted preparation processes, how do we tackle risks and uncertainties, and how can we best divide the risks and responsibilities among the private and public players throughout the different phases of the project? Presenting a state-of-the-art overview, based on experiences and visions of authors from Europe and North America, this unique book will be of interest to practitioners of large-scale project management, politicians, public officials and private organisations involved in mega-project decision-making. It will also appeal to researchers, consultants and students dealing with substantial engineering projects, complex systems, project management and transport infrastructure.
New Directions in Public Private Partnerships and Public Procurement by
This book provides an up-to-date study of public infrastructure in terms of the selection, procurement and delivery of projects. There is widespread acceptance that infrastructure is vital and needs increasing, yet less agreement about how it should be funded and procured. This book assesses in detail the features of various procurement options while also providing a framework for comparing their advantages and disadvantages. Drawing on international experiences and case studies, Darrin Grimsey and Mervyn Lewis consider some of the best and worst examples of public-private partnerships, new funding methods and infrastructure megaprojects. By offering a conceptual basis for infrastructure decision-making, the authors identify ways to improve infrastructure procurement processes. Focusing on urbanization as a driver of innovation in infrastructure, both the historical context and the future prospects of public infrastructure are analysed. Significantly, the book also examines China's ambitious plans to create a 'high-speed rail economy' and its Belt and Road Initiative across Asia that offers an interesting contrast to infrastructure developments in the United States and other advanced economies. Global Developments in Public Infrastructure Procurementis an essential source of reference for academics and students of economics, public sector finance and urban infrastructure.
Rescuing Prometheus by
"A rare insight into industrial planning on a huge scale...Excellent." --The Economist Rescuing Prometheus is an eye-opening and marvelously informative look at some of the technological projects that helped shape the modern world.Thomas P. Hughes focuses on four postwar projects whose vastness and complexity inspired new technology, new organizations, and new management styles.The first use of computers to run systems was developed for the SAGE air defense project.The Atlas missile project was so complicated it required the development of systems engineering in order to complete it.The Boston Central Artery/Tunnel Project tested systems engineering in the complex crucible of a large scale civilian roadway.And finally, the origins of the Internet fostered the collegial management style that later would take over Silicon Valley and define the modern computer industry.With keen insight, Hughes tells these fascinating stories while providing a riveting history of modern technology and the management systems that made it possible.
How big things get done : the surprising factors behind every successful project, from home renovations to space exploration by
Nothing is more inspiring than a big vision that becomes a triumphant new reality. Think of how Apple’s iPod went from a project with a single employee to an enormously successful product launch in eleven months. But such successes are the exception. Consider how London’s Crossrail project delivered five years late and billions over budget. More modest endeavours, whether launching a small business, organizing a conference, or just finishing a work project on time, also commonly fail. Why?
Understanding what distinguishes the triumphs from the failures has been the life’s work of Oxford professor Bent Flyvbjerg. In How Big Things Get Done, he identifies the errors that lead projects to fail, and the research-based principles that will make yours succeed:
- Understand your odds. If you don’t know them, you won’t win.
- Plan slow, act fast. Getting to the action quick feels right. But it’s wrong.
- Think right to left. Start with your goal, then identify the steps to get there.
- Find your Lego. Big is best built from small.
- Master the unknown unknowns. Most think they can’t, so they fail. Flyvbjerg shows how you can.
Full of vivid examples ranging from the building of the Sydney Opera House to the making of Pixar blockbusters, How Big Things Get Done reveals how to get any ambitious project done – on time and on budget.
Anna Roberts. Graduate Trainee at the Sainsbury Library, 2023-2024.
