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An overview of the applications of project scope management

in Somaliland telecommunication industry: Approaches, impacts, constraints and practices

 

FEATURED PAPER

By Sakariye Mahamed Abdilahi1, Adebayo Adeboye Fashina1,2,3,* and Funke Folasade Fakunle4

1Project Management Program, School of Graduate Studies and Research, Gollis University, 26 June District, Hargeisa, Somaliland.
2Engineering Management Program, School of Graduate Studies and Research, Gollis University, Hargeisa, Somaliland.
3Electrical Engineering Department, Gollis University, Hargeisa, Somaliland.
4Compliance and Auditing Department, AdeFolasade Management Systems Consults, Lagos-Nigeria.
*Corresponding author: Adebayo Adeboye Fashina. adebayofashina@gmail.com

 


 

Abstract

In recent times, the complexity of telecommunication projects, the challenges linked to the management of such projects’ budget restrictions and the ever-changing world of technology has facilitated the use of project management tools in the telecommunication industries around the world. However, the most vital component among these tools is the project scope management knowledge area. This is because it guides the understanding of the sustainability and progressive development trend of any type of project in the telecommunication industry. It is thus clear that there is a need to explore the outcomes of the use of project scope management in telecommunication projects in different countries. Consequently, this paper attempts to review the overall picture of the applications of project scope management in the telecommunication industry with the aim of exploring the approaches, impacts, constraints and practices of project scope management in telecommunication projects in Somaliland. The current paper is quite important to impending project managers that might want to practice in the telecommunication industry in Somaliland and elsewhere, as it provides new insights and novel strategies that are essential for the timely delivery of telecommunication projects. Moreover, this paper offers young academic researchers in project management field a better underlying understanding of the applications of project management knowledge areas, particularly, the use of project scope management in the telecommunication industry.

Keywords:    Project Management, Project Scope Management, Application of Scope Management, Telecommunication Projects, Low-income Countries, Somaliland

  1. Introduction

According to the Project Management Institute, a project can be defined as a temporary activity undertaken to create a unique product, service or result (Project Management I., 2014). In fact, the temporary nature of projects shows that they need to have a precise beginning and a proposed end date for completion (Botter, 1982; Fakunle & Fashina, 2020). The end date of such a project is said to be reached once the project’s objectives are achieved or in a case where the project is terminated as a result of the objectives not been accomplished or when the actual need for such project is no longer in existence (Botter, 1982; Parker, 1993). From another perception, a project is seen to possess some characteristics, that include uniqueness, timescale, budget, limited resources, risks due to uncertainty, and beneficial change of the organizations involved (Atkinson, Crawford, & Ward, 2006; Fashina, Fakunle, & Opiti, 2020).

Basically, a project consists of a group of interconnected work activities that are limited by the scope of the project, accessible budget assigned for such project and the project timeline within which the project is anticipated to be delivered (Atkinson et al., 2006). These projects could vary in size, cost, timeline etc. For instance, some projects take a few days to be completed while others could take years to be completed. Also, a project may have a client/owner, a sponsor or a donor that pays for the project (Fashina et al., 2020; Haughey, 2012). Since all projects are unique, it is quite tough to define the objectives a project, accurately estimate its cost, or ascertain its timeline (Atkinson, 1999). This is why different industries adopt project management and its knowledge areas to apply knowledge, skills, instruments and techniques required to carry out project activities in order to meet the set requirements of any project (Abdilahi, Fakunle, & Fashina, 2020; Fakunle & Fashina, 2020). This is usually achieved via the application of analytically grouped procedures and processes, identification of requirements, needs, concerns, or customer potentials, and through harmonizing opposing project constraints, limitations and project boundaries to reach the project objectives (de Wit, 1988; Mir & Pinnington, 2014).

Simply put, project management supplies tools to restrict the scope of the project and any changes to the project (Khan, 2006; Nath & Momin, 2014). It defines and maintains communication links across organizational and occupational boundaries. It also anticipates risks, and uncertainties, and measures progress and quality of work delivered within expected duration and project constraint (Phillips, Brantley, & Phillips, 2011; Sheikh, Fakunle, & Fashina, 2020). In addition, project management deals with the execution of tracking progress that include the development of workable schedule, financial report model for the project, tracking of efforts against plan, cost management against budget, progress reporting, etc. (Nath & Momin, 2014). It further involves clearly defined scopes, input and output with activities ordered in priority of time and space (Fashina, Abdilahi, Fakunle, & Ahmed, 2020; Khan, 2006). These are the reasons why project management is very important for a more efficient and effective implementation of telecommunication projects, and service delivery process that reduces the risks of cost overruns, schedule decrements, quality enhancement and increases the likelihoods of project success (Munns & Bjeirmi, 1996; Too & Weaver, 2014).

However, among the ten project management knowledge areas, project scope management is believed to be the most significant, particularly, in the telecommunication industry where it plays a central role in the implementation of projects (Dekkers & Forselius, 2007). This is because it consists of indispensable practices that allow the effective execution of only work activities that are required to attain the targeted product, service or outcome (Nath & Momin, 2014). In addition, unlike the other industries the uniqueness of telecommunication projects comes from the fact that they do not have the history of unit cost models (Dekkers & Forselius, 2007; Omar, Fashina, & Fakunle, 2020). As such, telecommunication industries across the globe are now increasing their project success rates by exploring scope management procedures and processes to manage such projects (Abdilahi et al., 2020)…

 

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How to cite this paper:  Abdilahi, S. M., Fashina, A. A., Fakunle, F. F. (2020). An overview of the applications of project scope management in Somaliland telecommunication industry: Approaches, impacts, constraints and practices; PM World Journal, Vol. IX, Issue VI, June.  Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pmwj94-Jun2020-Abdihali-Fashina-Fankunle-scope-management-in-Somaliland-telecommunications.pdf

 


 

About the Authors

 


Sakariye Mahamed Abdilahi

Hargeisa, Somaliland

 

 

Sakariye Mahamed Abdillahi is a member of Dr. Adebayo’s research group at Gollis University and an Assistant Lecturer in the department of telecommunication engineering at same University. Sakariye hold a B.Sc. degree in Telecommunication Engineering and Master of Arts in Project Management from Gollis University, Hargeisa, Somaliland. He is proficient in communication, training, organization, the use of social media outlets, and the use of Microsoft Office packages such as MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Power point.

His research interests evolve around the application of project management knowledge areas to telecommunication projects, project and engineering management, application of project management knowledge areas to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) etc.

Sakariye can be contacted on zakariemoe@gmail.com

 

 


Dr. Adebayo Adeboye Fashina

Hargeisa, Somaliland

 

 

Dr. Adebayo Adeboye Fashina is a young certified management consultant (CMC), professional researcher, educator and education management consultant with over eight years of significant international experience working on STEM education, EOMS/Project management research and teaching, science research and teaching, and capacity building at various levels of education across Africa.

Dr. Adebayo hold a Bachelor’s degree in Physics/Electronics, MSc. in Theoretical Physics and Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Physics. He currently works with Gollis University, Hargeisa as an Associate Professor of Physics and Engineering Management. Prior to his present job, he worked as a Researcher/GTA/Lecturer-B at AUST before joining Kampala International University, Uganda as a Senior Lecturer and later worked as an Associate Professor at William V. S. Tubman University, Liberia. He was nominated for the 2016 Sustainable Energy Africa Awards and shortlisted as one of the three finalists in the ”Emerging Leaders” award category at the 2016 Nigeria Energy Forum.

Dr. Adebayo has conducted training workshops, seminars and given speeches/talks/presentations at local and international conferences. He has published more than 20 articles in reputed journals and is an active reviewer of many international journals. He is a motivated, energetic and focused individual with strengths in innovative teaching approaches, interdisciplinary research, data analysis, teacher training and team management. His research interest includes sustainable living, project management, RE policy and management, education organization management system (EOMS), educational planning, photonic nanostructures of materials etc. He is a fellow of African Scientific Institute, USA and the Institute of Management Consultants, Nigeria.

Dr. Adebayo can be contacted on adebayofashina@gmail.com or afashina@gollisuniversity.org

 


Funke Folasade Fakunle

Lagos Nigeria

 

 

Funke Folasade Fakunle is a young female NEBOSH international diploma qualified professional with 10 years of significant QHSE experience in QHSE management, training and consultancy. Being passionate about Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) and management system in the workplace, she has acquired certifications in Process Safety: Hazard Operability study (HAZOP), Lean six sigma (Green Belt Holder), ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, OHSAS 18001 Lead Auditor, AOFAQ Level 3 Award in Education & Training, NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health, NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health, Project Management, Rigging Safety and Inspection etc.

Funke received a B.Sc. degree in Mathematics from the University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom, Nigeria in 2008. Over the past 10 years, she has gained significant QHSE experience in various industries.  These include construction, oil & gas, logistics and transportation, telecommunication, manufacturing, banking and security sectors. She is a register Professional/Associated Member of the International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA), International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM), and Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

As an QHSE Consultant/Trainer at present, she conducts QHSE training, consulting and auditing/evaluation exercises that help improve the QHSE Management Systems of various organizations. This allows her to adequately provide her clients with the necessary advisory services that include but not limited to HSE employee orientation training, development, planning and implementation of QHSE Management Systems, QHSE auditing, Environmental Management System, process improvement and so on.

Funke can be contacted on funkefolasade7@gmail.com