Validating a project life-cycle review framework for mining projects at Exxaro

Abstract

Independent formal reviews against validated project frameworks aim to ensure that pre-specified phase deliverables are completed and validated before the next project phase begins. Through various internal initiatives, Exxaro established a project framework to develop and implement capital projects. However, to date, this framework has not been validated. The intent of this research was, through a case study approach, to validate the project framework for Exxaro (a holistic case). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with sixteen key role players across the organisation on four different projects (embedded cases). Results from the embedded cases were compared to identify common themes emerging from the research. Although the research identified areas for improvement for certain aspects of the framework, the common themes correspond with the main aspects of the proposed framework, thus validating the framework.

Onafhanklike formele hersienings gemeet teen ’n gevalideerde raamwerk verseker dat uitkomste bereik word volgens vooraf gedefinieerde doelwitte, voordat die volgende projekfase mag begin. Deur verskeie interne inisiatiewe is ’n projekraamwerk ontwikkel vir die ontwikkeling en implementering van kapitaal projekte in die Exxaro omgewing. Maar, hierdie projekraamwerk was tevore nog nie gevalideer nie. Hierdie navorsing het gestreef om deur ’n gevallestudie benadering die projekraamwerk te valideer vir Exxaro projekte (’n holistiese geval). Semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude is met sestien sleutelrolspelers van regoor die organisasie gevoer oor vier verskillende projekte (ingeslote gevalle). Onderhoudresultate van die ingeslote gevalle studies is vergelyk om gemeenskaplike temas te identifiseer waarvolgens die raamwerk verbeter kan word. Die gemeenskaplike temas stem ooreen met die hoof aspekte van die voorgestelde raamwerk, en daarom kan die raamwerk as gevalideer beskou word.