What Matters in Achieving Infrastructure Sustainability through Project Management Practices: A Preliminary Study of Critical Factors

Abstract

Sustainability has captured extensive attention in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry globally. However, how to achieve Infrastructure Sustainability (IS), one the critical dimensions measuring project success, although Project Management Practices (PMPs) in international contexts remain to be explored. Based on the empirical data collected from AEC practitioners with experiences in international infrastructure projects, this research develops two conceptual frameworks for PMPs and IS using principle components analysis (PCA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Four factors are identified for measuring PMPs with a composite reliability of 0.936—Culture, Strategy, Implementation, and Reflection—which are in analogy with the plan-do-check-action (PDCA) cycle ideology. Additionally, four metrics are also identified for IS with a composite reliability of 0.946—Project Economy, Organizational Integration, Social Utility, and Environmental Implication—which are established from project level, organizational level, to macro level, respectively. These findings contribute to the body of knowledge of construction project management and sustainable infrastructure development by demonstrating theoretical measurement frameworks for both PMPs and IS. Potentially, the outputs of this research will generate informative insights for practitioners to improve their PMPs in the process of pursuing IS in future AEC practices.