INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Project management is believed to be justified as a means of avoiding the ills inherent in the construction sector of the economy and for which reasons most projects fail and or abandoned. This study is aimed at assessing the role of information communication technology (ICT) and project management and to explore the importance of information communication technology in the area of project evaluation. The hypothesis of this study is that there is no significant relationship between Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Project Management. An overview of the general level of development of information technology in Nigeria is also highlighted and it also examines the extent to which it is being used in support of information delivery and communication in science and technology. The importance of information technology devices to the general development of national economy and educational advancement is also discussed. It is finally concluded that the tremendous advancement in computer technology, software engineering and Telecommunications as well as the resultant radical changes and advances in the techniques of data and information processing, storage, retrieval and dissemination in Nigerian construction companies within a decade is, no doubt, a revolution.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study

Globally distributed information technology (IT) projects have become common practice within today’s organizations mainly due to outsourcing, globalization, and the ever increasing internationalization of companies. Moreover, the rapid development of information and communication technologies (ICT) has impacted the increasing use of dispersed project teams. Communication and trust are essential to every type of business setting but they undeniably play a dominant role in virtual organizations, and for this reason also in globally distributed IT projects (DeSanctis J, Monge P. I 2019). Information communication technology (ICT) has contributed immensely in the area of project evaluation and management. Information has always played a very important part in human life. However, in the mid-20th century, the role of information increased immeasurably as a result of social progress and the vigorous development of science and technology. In addition, as Trostnikov (1970) has pointed out, rapid expansion of a mass of diversified information is occurring, which has received the name “information explosion”. As a result, the need has arisen for a scientific approach to information and for elucidation of its most characteristic properties which has led to two principal changes in interpretation of the concept of information. First, it was broadened to include information exchange not only between man and man but also between machine and machine, as well as the exchange of signals in the animal and plant worlds. The pace of change brought by new technologies has had a significant effect on the way people live, work, and play worldwide. New and emerging technologies challenge the traditional process of teaching and learning, and the way education is managed. Information technology, while an important area of study in its own right, is having a major impact across all curriculum areas. Easy worldwide communication provides access to a vast array of data, challenging assimilation and assessment skills. Rapid communication, plus increased access to information Technology (IT) in the home, at work, and in educational establishments, could mean that learning becomes a truly lifelong activity- an activity in which the pace of technological change forces constant evaluation of the learning process itself. Communication can be described as the process of transmitting and receiving ideas, information, and messages. In keeping with their complex nature and multiple applications, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) may be viewed in different ways. Regular face-to-face communication among team members of collocated projects supports the building of trust and the sense of “teamness” (Jalali S, Gencel C, Smite D 2010). Since face-to-face communication is not always applicable to globally distributed IT projects, information and communication technologies play a major role in communicating and creating trust within global project teams. Though companies extensively use ICT to enable and support communication in distributed project teams, communication is still often recognized as one of the biggest challenges encountered in globally distributed projects (] Paasivaara M, af Ornäs N, Hynninen P, Lassenius C, Niinimäki T, Piri 2010). Another challenge, strictly related to communication, is creating a bond among geographically dispersed project team members. Project team members located at different sites are less likely to perceive themselves as part of the same team than members of a collocated project team. As globally distributed projects strongly rely on communication media (Stawnicza O, Kurbel K 2012), it is important to ensure that project team members are able to use the available means effectively. Since communication in globally distributed IT projects is still recognized as particularly challenging, it requires further in-depth analysis. The goal of this research is twofold. First, the author attempts to identify new trends toward ICT use in globally distributed IT projects. Second, the author aims to fill the gap in prior literature by analyzing how ICT can be used for developing this sense of teamness within globally dispersed project teams.

• STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

ICT development has influenced construction industry in the recent decades. New technologies have enabled construction organizations to process and store their information easily and huge amount of data can be transferred quickly. A variety of technology-based approaches have been recently proposed to improve the monitoring of construction materials. Heavy calculations are possible in little time and with high accuracy. Communication technology has provided fast communication tools for construction firms and the time one of the important factors of organizational project is leadership. Project management leader knowledge of ICT can have a positive influence on project effectiveness. In today environment, being professional in managing organizational project and ICT skills is obligatory. However most project managers in Makurdi metropolis have not been able to utilized this tool to ensure effective project delivery in Benue state. It is against this backdrop that the study becomes pertinent.

• OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The study has one objective which is sub-divided into general and specific objective, the general objective is to examine information and communication technology and project management activities in Makurdi metropolis, Benue state, the specific objectives are;

1. To examine the role of information and communication technology on project management activities in Makudi
2. To ascertain if there is any relationship between information and communication technology and efficient project management in Makurdi

• To examine the relationship between information and communication technology and material management in project site

1. To proffer suggested solution to the identified problem
   • RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;

1. Does information and communication technology play any role on project management activities in Makudi?

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