PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to facilitate further understanding of project complexity by highlighting the factors contributing to project complexity as reported by the practitioners facing the “actuality” of projects.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research approach was undertaken by conducting semi‐structured interviews with the primary focus on the aerospace industry. Participants are involved in a variety of project settings, exhibiting different types and levels of complexity.FindingsAnalysis of responses highlights “people” issues as the main factor contributing to project complexity and the importance of soft skills in managing complex projects.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is based on a limited number of respondents from the aerospace sector. This will be further refined and improved upon by compiling views of additional practitioners involved in multiple aerospace projects.Practical implicationsThe main research conclusions are that “hard” project management skills help to organise, plan and manage, and track changes during the course of the project. However, understanding of project complexity and its contributing factors helps practitioners to understand the dynamic, social and complex contexts of projects, thus highlighting the importance of “soft” skills.Originality/valueThis paper proposes the “project complexity triangle – people, product and process”, highlighting their importance as the three major areas contributing to project complexity.

Construction industry is highly risk prone, with complex and dynamic project environments creating an atmosphere of high uncertainty and risk. The industry is vulnerable to various technical, sociopolitical and business risks. The track record to cope with these risks has not been very good in construction industry. As a result, the people working in the industry bear various failures, such as, failure of abiding by quality and operational requirements, cost overruns and uncertain delays in project completion. In light of this, it can be said that an effective systems of risk assessment and management for construction industry remains a challenging task for the industry practitioners. The aim of the this research is to identify and evaluate current risks and uncertainties in the construction industry through extensive literature survey and aims to make a basis for future studies for development of a risk management framework to be adopted by prospective investors, developers and contractors in Pakistan.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the importance of human skills in project management success and the apparent emphasis placed on this within the context of university education.Design/methodology/approachAn investigation into the effectiveness of a British Project Management Professional Development Programme (PMPDP) case study is reported. Using as a benchmark, the core behavioural competencies outlined in the International Project Management Association (IPMA) International Competence Baseline version 3, the paper investigates the extent to which the knowledge gained from the PMPDP effects the behaviours of delegates and graduates. The soft skills of a control group are also explored.FindingsThe results deal with certain improvements in most of the behavioural competencies of delegates and graduates which the control group could not develop in the same way.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is drawn from the PMPDP consortium comprising companies from the UK aerospace, infrastructure, oil and gas, nuclear and information technology sectors. It would not be valid to generalise the effects of the case study programme on other industries (i.e. automobile, health, retail and insurance) without considering the unique character of that particular industry pertaining to the management of projects.Practical implicationsThe research, by demonstrating the effectiveness of continuing professional development programmes, has significant implications for the UK organisations which are eagerly interested to know how their investments into project management education are benefiting the companies.Originality/valueThe link between education, competence development and corporate performance seems tenuous. This research, by spitting out the soft benefits of CPD programmes, reasonably contributes in providing businesses a case to justify training and education investments.

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The present descriptive study centers on the implementation of enhanced school learning continuity plan and the performance of public secondary schools. The learning continuity plan is intended to balance the needs of all stakeholders, including educators, parents, students and community members.The following were the significant findings of the investigation:The finding shows that the level of school heads' leadership competence as to social awareness, organizational skills, innovative, systematic, and results-oriented was very great extent which obtained an overall mean scores of 4. 52, 4.54, 4.55, 4.49, and 4.52 respectively. It shows school heads are liable for the authoritative and instructional supervision of the school. Next, the level of implementation of the Enhanced School Learning Continuity Plan Key Dimensions of secondary schools in Laguna as to Safe Operations, Well-Being and Protection, Focus on Learning, Ensuring Quality of Teaching and Learning Process, Provision of Learning Resources and Education Financing was very great extent which obtained an overall mean scores 4.46, 4.51, 4.46, 4.54, 4.49 and 4.49 respectively. It implies the importance of a learning continuity plan intended to balance the needs of all stakeholders, including educators, parents, students, and community members Then, the level of school performance of secondary schools in Laguna in terms of Development Plan, SIP/AIP, PPAs Organizational Structure SGC SPTA was very great extent which obtains an overall mean 4.80, 4.81, 4.79 and 4.81 respectively and Drops Out Rate got outstanding, Completion Rate, got very satisfactory School's MPS, got fairy satisfactory and OPCRF got outstanding it show varied responses in school performance. Then, the relationship between School Heads Leadership Competence and School Performance of Public Secondary Schools in Laguna has significant. Lastly, the relationship between the Implementation of the Enhanced School Learning Continuity Plan and the School Performance of Public Secondary Schools in Laguna also has significant.