This special issue of the Project Management Journal presents a collection of six articles on managing projects in Africa. Providing a window into the important project activity taking place there, these articles extend both the empirical and theoretical understanding of the African project context and contribute to improving practice. Each article makes a unique contribution to either our understanding of the African project context or project management in general, and sometimes to both. After an introduction to the African project context at the start of the 21st century, the articles explore: three different countries as well as multinational projects; for-profit, public sector, and development aid projects; infrastructure and information and communication technology; project governance as well as project management; and partnering challenges.

In recent years, many developing regions across the globe have made rigorous efforts to become integrated into the global information society. The development and implementation of information communication technology (ICT) devices and policies within various fields of service have significantly aided in the infrastructural progression of these countries. Despite these considerable advancements, there remains a lack of research and awareness on this imperative subject. Developing Countries and Technology Inclusion in the 21st Century Information Society is an essential reference source that discusses the adoption and impact of ICT tools in developing areas of the world as well as specific challenges and sustainable uses within various professional fields. Featuring research on topics such as policy development, gender differences, and international business, this book is ideally designed for educators, policymakers, researchers, librarians, practitioners, scientists, government officials, and students seeking coverage on modern applications of ICT services in developing countries.

Africa, with its rapidly growing economic influence, offers exciting ground for project managers who can adapt to the continent's unique challenges. Africa's diverse peoples and cultures must be considered in any project, as must politics, resources, and an infrastructure often struggling to keep up with economic and technological demands. The successful project manager in Africa combines knowledge of industry standards with the flexibility needed to adjust to expectations while maintaining a disciplined, effective management process. Written specifically for the African business environment, The African Project Manager contains advice, guidelines and case studies valuable to all project managers, whether they're based in Chicago, Beijing, or Lagos. Davies's thorough understanding of his topic has international applications, helping project managers transform local challenges into opportunities. -- back cover.

Improving Manufacturing Performance in South Africa

This blind peer reviewed book systematically records, analyses and assesses for the first time in a single volume the implications of the global development and management of professional evaluation for the African continent.The book deals with the most strategic contemporary evaluation themes. Each of these themes contains discussions of theoretical issues illustrated with one or more short case studies, while selected longer case studies and other relevant documentation are also taken up in annexures at the end of the book. The book therefore comprises a guide to best M&E practices for purposes of systematic policy, programme and project evaluations. It is suitable for both professional M&E institutionalisation and capacity-building projects as well as for evaluation information dissemination and education at different levels in the public, private and voluntary sectors in society, especially in a developmental context.

The evidence continues to grow that the effective management of risk is the very kernel of successful project management. Its absence frequently leaves project sponsors lamenting missed objectives and shareholders coming to terms with an organisation’s poor bottom line performance. Dr Robert Chapman's The Rules of Project Risk Management stands out from other risk management texts because it provides very practical guidance, supported by numerous mini case studies, many of which have attracted considerable publicity. The book brings to life both the benefits of project risk management when effectively applied and the ramifications when it is misunderstood or receives scant attention. The structure of the book is based on International Standard ISO 31000 seen through the lens of general systems theory - where projects are undertaken by organisations which have an external context and internal sub-systems. A project system is seen to be composed of seven key subject areas. Practical short ’rules’ or implementation guidelines, written in an engaging style, are offered to support each of these subject areas and aid quick assimilation of key risk management messages. Each rule focuses on a specific aspect of effective risk management which warrants attention in its own right. Taken together the rules will provide those implementing projects with the building blocks to secure a project’s objectives. They have been drawn from a wealth of experience gained from applying risk management practices across multiple industries from Europe to Africa, the Middle East and Asia.