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Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC): what are the variables that impact the success of the projects currently running in Brazil?

In times of major construction projects (the sports events of 2014 and 2016, the economic plan of growth acceleration and petrochemical sector), this paper aims at identifying variables that contribute to the success of engineering and procurement construction (EPC) projects currently being carried out in Brazil. The relationship between the presence of certain independent variables and project success was tested by a group of project performance indexes, such as: budget compliance (cost); timetable (time); technical specifications (goods/services requisites); and costumers' demand meeting. The effect of the independent variables was analyzed by: top management support, existence of a dedicated project manager and the presence of a formal project management structure (Project Management Office - PMO). To test for the hypothesis of this research proposal, an empirical study was developed implementing a quantitative-based approach in which 120 professionals of the EPC industry were surveyed. Considering the iron triangle (time, cost and quality), it was identified that there are relationship between the presence of a dedicated project manager and the fulfillment of the planned budget, as well the compliance with the project timetable. However, the broader quality approach that involves also costumer satisfaction is yet to be confirmed.

Engineering and procurement construction (EPC); Project success; Project management office (PMO); Critical success factors (CSF)


Universidade Federal de São Carlos Departamento de Engenharia de Produção , Caixa Postal 676 , 13.565-905 São Carlos SP Brazil, Tel.: +55 16 3351 8471 - São Carlos - SP - Brazil
E-mail: gp@dep.ufscar.br