Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center Project"

Introduction

A brief overview of project management globally –shetu

Project management serves as a strategic approach for orchestrating tasks and resources to

meet project deadlines within diverse fields. Project management is all about planning,

organizing, tracking, and controlling everything that goes on with a project. Everyone

involved is motivated to make sure the project is done safely, on time, within budget, and

meets performance standards. The definition of project management makes it clear that it's all

about project success in the short term - meeting deadlines, costs, and quality (Radujković &

Sjekavica, 2017). It is a vital asset for task completion, efficient resource utilization, and risk

mitigation, encompassing various domains. Project management entails directing a team to

achieve specific objectives within stipulated timeframes, surmounting obstacles along the

way. Its significance lies in its capacity to enhance collaboration, streamline workflows, and

ensure project fruition. Effective communication, transparency, and alignment toward a

common goal characterize well-executed endeavors (Kendra & Taplin, 2004).

Universally significant, project management transcends industry boundaries. Businesses must

swiftly adapt and innovate in response to dynamic consumer demands, and project

management aids this process. Particularly valuable in global scenarios, it facilitates

communication and cooperation among individuals from diverse backgrounds and

geographies. It proves pivotal in intricate undertakings such as infrastructure development,

technological innovations, and post-disaster rehabilitation. Project management nurtures

innovation, propels economic advancement, and equips enterprises with the means to adeptly

confront the complexities of our interconnected world.

Developing countries like Bangladesh whose economies had been transformed into market-

oriented environments have recently been fueled by decades of significant economic growth.

To speed up its economic development the country is in dire need of adopting project

management expertise to meet the globalization and technology challenges of the 21st

century (Abedin & Akhtar, n.d. 2010). As a rapidly growing economy with high aspirations,

Bangladesh has experienced a substantial change in project management practices. This

section provides an overview of the country's project management situation, examining its

historical background, growth trajectory, and relevance in the larger development

environment.

Bangladesh has been on an enormous path of rehabilitation and growth since its

independence in 1971, with project management playing an important part. Initially marked

by resource limitations and evolving methodologies, early project management efforts laid

the groundwork for more sophisticated practices (Kabir & Islam, 2014).

Over the years, the implementation of numerous projects, often in collaboration with

international partners, necessitated the adoption of standardized project management

frameworks (Islam, 2010). This led to the establishment of specialized institutions and

government bodies focused on building project management competencies (Rahman, M.

2021). In recent years project management practice became a key factor to achieve goal

through projects both in private and public sector organizations in Bangladesh Rahman, M.

(2021). This evolving landscape reflects the country's recognition of project management's

pivotal role in achieving developmental objectives. Effective project management has

become synonymous with resource optimization, risk mitigation, and successful project

outcomes, underpinning sustainable growth across sectors (Kabir & Islam, 2014).
Importance and relevance of the study –mim

This study is focused on an in-depth analysis of the challenges regarding project management

as projects are generally used to complete a particular task that can hardly be completed using

any traditional method (Avots, 1969). In Bangladesh, such studies regarding real-life projects

are rarely available and it has become very significant to study such topics like this to make

people aware of the issues. The paper aims a) to identify the challenges faced in terms of

completing any project based on a case study-“ Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship

Exhibition Center Project". b)

This will help to understand why projects fail, the root cause, and the challenges a project

manager needs to face while running a large project to be accomplished. Furthermore, this

study will also help to highlight the most significant issues regarding project management

challenges in Bangladesh that will be beneficial for the future and current project managers

and all the readers as well. Therefore, this study helps all individuals in the field of project

management as it is used in the case of unique one-time performed tasks to be successful

(Avots, 1969). Therefore, this study will play a significant role in delivering a great source of

information regarding to the challenges so that the project director can outline the project

plan properly. Besides, the identification of challenges of project management will contribute

to provide information to the project director to identify all possible risk and difficulties so

that can be addressed consciously.

a. Contributions of the research- nupa

b. Overview of the structure of the article- nupa

Project management theory and practices- oppy

The project landscape of the 21st century is characterized by a lot of complexity,

unpredictability, and a lot of different people trying to get what they want out of the project.

Project management practices that are based on theories and models created by different

people, experts, and institutions are being challenged (Alotaibi & Mafimisebi, 2016). To be

more precise, the theory of project management is derived from the theory of transformation

in the context of production management. From these roots, project management developed

methods, tools, and procedures based on hard paradigms and reductionist approaches, such as

Gantt charts, Work breakdown structures, and iron triangles. All of these approaches

have proven to be effective in stable environments with linear and repetitive workflows.

Client-side construction project management operates in a fluid and complex environment

(Usher, 2014). The iron triangle model was the first project management success model. Later

on, it would become clear that this model was only one part of the overall project's success.

Client-side construction project management operates in a highly dynamic and complex

environment. In other words, a project can be a success despite poor project management

because the project has achieved a higher and longer-term objective (Radujković &

Sjekavica, 2017).

Empirical studies on project management challenges globally- hamida

Nowadays many companies use project to complete more than 50% of their task (Hartel,

2022). Project management Face challenges in the SME sector like globalization, Market

competition, Technological advancement, and also lack innovations, lack of funding, Strict

government regulation, and lack of skilled personnel are the challenge for Project

management. For these reasons, SMEs cannot compete with large Organizations or MNCs
(de Almeida Parizotto et al., 2020). Another study addresses that Conventional project

management faces challenges like communication, complexity, cultural differences, extreme

documentation, and lack of transparency as a reason for project failure. Here also claim that

lack of digital technology, lack of skills, and organizational cultural diversity are hampering

project success (Dempsey et al., 2022).To solve conventional project management problem

digitalization are happening. One research proposed 3 frameworks for digitalization which

are conceptual, transformation, and maturity. This framework tells about digitalization

models, the path of digital solutions, and the maturity model (Marnewick & Marnewick,

2022). A study identifies 19 challenges to failing global software development organizations'

projects from a vendor and clients' viewpoint (Niazi et al., 2016). The project also faces

challenges in sustainable project management. It also explains the advantages and

disadvantages of sustainable projects. A project manager can get desirable project results

through proper management of Stakeholders, increased open communication, system

development, and transparency about his action (Obradović et al., 2021).(Obradović et al.,

2021)

Existing research on project management in Bangladesh- oppy

A wide range of unique growth activities are presently ongoing in Bangladesh by undertaking

projects. Because the need of economic development of this country, to boom the current

economy, it should be expected that countless initiatives for growth of projects have been

carried out around the country. If these initiatives are to be implemented successfully,

professional and effective oversight of development is required. The Padma Bridge one of the

biggest project has broken four world records to build this amazing structure. The design

evolved into a two-level steel truss bridge with a concrete top slab that works as a composite

element based on the development of several viable designs. This plan, which has the

highway on the top deck and the railway on the lower deck, was chosen as the best type of
structure for this project. The finished design, which was completed in 2010, used this two-

level combination railroad bridge scheme (Rahman & Kabir, 2022). Bangladesh is aiming to

generate 10,000 to 12,000 MW of coal-based electricity by 2030, and the government is

currently running the 1,200 MW Matarbari ultra-supercritical coal-fired power project. In

early 2022, the government canceled 10 projects out of the 18 it had started, but the continued

operation of this mega plant in Matarbari raises some technical issues (Noor & Noor, 2022).

Therefore, it is proposed to establish a ‘Closer Complete Organizational Structure of

Engagement’ between the two countries based on the principles of long-term kinship, unity,

and mutual benefit. (Kamruzzaman, 2021).

Identification of gaps in the current literature- hamida

As the research is on the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center

Project, which is deemed to be a new area of study, this paper aims to learn about the

project's difficulties, identifing several gaps after studying the prior literature on project

management issues in various Bangladeshi private and public sector projects, such as the

absence of long-term outcome evaluation, the shifting nature of problems, sustainable

development, stakeholder evaluation, and the project's social impact. On this particular

project, there has been no prior study regarding this case. Therefore, this paper to fill these

gaps with the help of our research. The special difficulties facing Bangladesh's construction

project are some of those that this study helps to uncover. After this study is finished, it can

help identify project challenges in Bangladesh, and the government administration can act to

lessen them.

Methodology

Research design

Explain the research approach you have chosen (quantitative, qualitative, mixed) and why
The current paper follows qualitative approach to identify the challenges of managing
project- Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center Project. The
Qualitative system of investigation includes, how people perceive elements of their life, what
are the reasons affacting a significant terms how people actually behave, how institutions
operate, and also how exchanges develop fundemental relationships (Teherani et al., 2015). It
is also a tool of collecting the primary data. using this approach, it is possible to examines
why particular events take place, what occurs, and exactly what those occurrences signify to
the persons under investigation (Teherani et al., 2015).

Describe your sample selection process and the characteristics of the participants.

10 employees who were directly connected to the project of Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China

Discuss how you will collect data, for example, surveys, interviews, focus groups, etc.

Interviews were used to collect data to explore the challenges of the particular project and
interviews were collected from 10 selected respondent. A questionnaire will be developed
regarding the related quires and data will be collected by that checklist.

To collect data from a national or international project related to your area, create a

concise online interview checklist using a reliable platform with multi-language support

and robust data security measures to maximize participation and ensure data accuracy.

Explain the techniques you will use to analyze your data

All the observations and responses have been reported and then recorded into the tool

of MicrosoftWord prior to being put into analysis process used by NVivo.

Discuss the ethical aspects of your research, such as confidentiality, consent, and respect

for the participants

Economic environment- mohona

To gain sustainability in modern economy, successful project management is a must. Though

there are some specific problems that causes delay for construction in many developing

economies. For this reason, the developing economies can’t reach at the stable level of their

economy (Polterovich, 2016)

Unlike projects, there are other factors like: corporatism, indicative planning, the general

development agency that has broad mandate, if the exchange rate are undervalued those also

affects economy of a country in a greater sense. The positive mechanisms can create

‘Economic -Miracle’. They can initiate and maintain high economic growth and overall well-

being (Ogunlana et al., 1996).

Sometimes, the effectiveness of the organizational structure and the activities of the project

management can be limited by an economic explanation about how a project organization

structure is chosen. The success of a project also depends on it in some extent (Saynisch,

2010). Nowadays, projects are playing role as the cutting edge of economic wellbeing and it

also rising interest to the researchers. The researchers are getting enthusiastic about projects

development recently. They are exploring on it (Sanchez & Haas, 2018).

Political environment – ohona

Senior and successful project managers have long known the importance of maintaining

strong political ties throughout their organizations as a method for achieving project success

(Pinto, 2000). Receiving the facilities from government beside knowledge costs much money.

Even the further expense of transportation in addition to the unofficial service fee, the price
rises more. Despite the fact that most government forms are free, accessing such forms can be

challenging and expensive (Hossan et al., 2006). Many village projects have been failed

because of political unrest and failures to create awareness which could have and should have

come from the government. But for the lack of cautiousness and proper steps from the

government, the projects have become failed (Kumar Nath & Inoue, 2008).

Socio-cultural environment -tamanna

According to Bredillet et. al., Culture has received increasing attention in the management

literature in general during the last decades and in the project management literature in

particular during the last few years (Bredillet et al., 2010). The globalization of businesses

and worldwide Governmental/International organizations collaborations drives this interest in

the national culture to increase more and more. The relations between various national culture

dimensions and development indicator (GDP/Capita) on the project management deployment

levels of the considered countries are evaluated and found that the PM deployment found

positively correlated with the GDP/Capita.

In another finding, it is apparent that culture has a most significant influence on the KM

capability of an organization that is a project based firm. At the team level, the project

manager can help to create a team culture conducive to knowledge management by

transmitting appropriate values and beliefs to the team members in a project based business.

A culture that is able to harness knowledge as a transferable asset can enhance future projects

and expand the scope of an organization’s project capability. Without an appropriate

organizational culture during a project’s life cycle, valuable knowledge assets can be

irretrievably lost once a project is completed. knowledge management activities in project-

based firms has comparatively little to do with technology; rather, the focus must be on the

behavior and attitudes of people as determined by the professional, organizational, and

national cultures from which they come. In their efforts to implement effective knowledge
management, senior management must give particular attention to these cultural issues,

which are critical for the success of knowledge-management activities (Ajmal et al., 2009).

In an article, we find that, due to the different subcultures and cultural values that exist

between organization levels, it is important that the organization recognize these differing

values and work towards the development of a shared set of values about project management

with which to build a strong project management culture (Kendra & Taplin, 2004).

Global projects and teams that cut across different cultures have become a preferred

organizational form for multi-national companies and organizations to succeed in today's

global economy. Culture provides a context and set of cues within which project members

make sense of one another and their mutual endeavors (Henderson et al., 2018).

The legal and regulatory framework for project management in Bangladesh

Article 15 of The Constitution of the People‌‌‍’s Republic of Bangladesh clearly demarcates

that “It shall be a fundamental responsibility of the State to attain, through planned economic

growth, a constant increase of productive forces and a steady improvement in the material

and cultural standard of living of the people”

The word planned economic growth here hints at devising an appropriate project for the

development of the nation.

Regulatory Mechanism for Project Planning

A nation's national planning is an effort to achieve its socioeconomic objectives. The creation

and implementation of the plan require a few key steps. The National Parliament in

Bangladesh initially approves project planning before sending it to the National Economic

Council (NEC). The plan is launched to ECNEC for final approval to confirms and accepts it

then delivered by ECNEC to the Ministry of Planning, which uses it to develop and
implement policies and assesses the effects of projects on the economy (Hossain, 2016). Even

though Bangladesh's planning guidelines were provided by several political parties, they were

still included into the state structure by the National Parliament. Parliament receives planning

data from a variety of sources including the things like the election manifesto, the statistical

division, local government, and the media. Surveys are conducted by the Statistical Division

to identify various issues. Transparency International Bangladesh, Bangladesh Institute of

Development Studies (BIDS), research organisations, research reports, and other

organisations are some of the other sources (Ullah, 2020).

At the stage of five-year plans, yearly development programmes, and economic policies,

NEC offers general supervision. Plans, programmes, and strategies are also completed and

praised. It provides assessments of how well development projects are being carried out. For

the socioeconomic development of a nation, it may occasionally be essential to make

alternative choices or engage in different transactions. It has the power to appoint and

schedules meetings every month, and if required, the meeting might start early. Planning

Division also provides it with administrative support.(Ullah, 2020). The administrative body

responsible for carrying out the policies chosen by the National Economic Council (NEC) is

ECNEC. It is infallibly authorised to evaluate any project. For instance, it might add anything

to the project also responsible for making the ultimate decision and refers a project to the

Ministry of Planning when it determines that it is ideal to proceed.(Khan et al., 2000)

Technological Advancements and Challenges

Technological advancements have significantly transformed various aspects of modern

society, and Bangladesh is no exception. As this South Asian nation embraces the digital era,

the impact on project management has been both promising and challenging. In this analysis,

we will delve into the technological advancements and challenges that have shaped project

management practices in Bangladesh.

capabilities. One notable advancement is the improvement in internet connectivity and digital

infrastructure. The widespread availability of high-speed internet has revolutionized

communication and collaboration among project teams. Virtual meetings, video

conferencing, and real-time document sharing have become integral tools for coordinating

tasks and ensuring project stakeholders remain aligned, even when geographically dispersed.

This has led to streamlined decision-making processes and reduced the need for physical

presence, thereby increasing project efficiency.(Obaidullah, 2022)

Furthermore, the proliferation of project management software and tools has empowered

project managers to organize, track, and monitor project progress more effectively. Cloud-

based platforms offer centralized repositories for project documents, enabling seamless

access and version control. Task management applications facilitate the allocation of

assignments and deadlines, enhancing team productivity. Additionally, data analytics tools

allow project managers to gain insights from project metrics, aiding in data-driven decision-

making and performance evaluation.

However, alongside these advancements, several challenges persist that impact project

management practices in Bangladesh. One prominent challenge is the uneven access to

advanced technologies across different regions of the country. Urban centers may enjoy

robust digital infrastructure, but rural areas still struggle with limited connectivity and

technological resources. This digital divide can create disparities in project execution,

hindering the timely flow of information and collaboration among team members from

diverse locations.

Digital literacy also poses a significant hurdle. While technology adoption is on the rise, a

considerable portion of the population lacks the necessary skills to fully leverage digital tools.
This knowledge gap affects effective utilization of project management software, hindering

the potential benefits of streamlined communication and data management. Efforts to bridge

this gap through training and education are essential to ensuring the entire workforce can

harness the power of technology for project success.

Additionally, Bangladesh faces infrastructural challenges, including an inconsistent power

supply. Frequent power outages disrupt online communication, hamper data storage, and can

lead to project delays. Ensuring reliable power sources or implementing backup systems

becomes imperative to maintain continuous project operations in the face of such challenges.

Moreover, cybersecurity concerns cannot be overlooked. As technological dependence

grows, the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks increases. Project managers must prioritize

robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive project information from unauthorized

access, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of project-related data.

In conclusion, technological advancements have undoubtedly revolutionized project

management in Bangladesh, offering tools and platforms that enhance collaboration,

communication, and data-driven decision-making. However, challenges such as unequal

technology access, digital literacy gaps, infrastructural limitations, and cybersecurity threats

present formidable obstacles. Overcoming these challenges requires a multi-faceted

approach, including investments in digital infrastructure, comprehensive digital literacy

programs, improved power supply, and stringent cybersecurity protocols. By addressing these

issues, Bangladesh can harness the full potential of technology to optimize project

management practices and drive successful project outcomes across the nation
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