Framework for starting a RAMS project in a developing country: case SirWay

Abstract

The overall objective of this thesis is to develop a framework for the commissioning company to be used when starting a new Road Asset Management System project in a developing country. Current practices are to be identified and the possible development points will be brought up to the company’s attention. This will hopefully be a useful tool for the company in the future and have a positive impact on their future projects.

As the company is growing in the future, special attention should be shown to the project management practices, thus the idea for this thesis. A clear need for the results was identified as multiple projects were starting at the same time and the lack of tools and processes for management of multiple projects simultaneously. The thesis was written between autumn 2022 and spring 2023.

To ensure a structured thesis, it is divided to three parts. In the first part, the objective of the thesis explained. This builds up for the second part being the theoretical framework which defines all the subjects relevant for the thesis, including the details of the commissioning company. In the third, empirical part, the interviews and researcher’s observations are analyzed and digested.

The research method for this thesis was selected as qualitative interviews. The interviewees were selected based on the recommendations of the company and the researchers personal connections. All the interviewees are experts of the subject, ensuring that the quality and adequacy of the answers is as high as possible.

The discussion part shows that some parts of the interviews are quite similar as they have been working in similar projects. This shows that similar problems and positive actions were noticed by different personnel, helping to show that they are relevant considerations. This gives confidence for the purpose of the thesis, and it’s use for the company in the future.