Improving skills deployment in mega or large complex projects

Abstract

This study examines how skilled project resources are deployed on mega- and large-scale complex infrastructure projects, with a focus on South African state-owned entities (SOEs). It seeks to assess the contribution of skilled resources to project performance in large, complex infrastructure utility projects. Although existing project management frameworks offer guidance on processes and leadership competencies, they provide limited direction on how skills, competencies, and roles should be configured within temporary project organisations. To address this gap, the study employs a structured content analysis of secondary data, including recent peer-reviewed literature and industry reports, using both deductive and inductive coding techniques. The findings reveal recurring challenges, notably skills misalignment, unclear role definition, and inadequate resource planning. These insights inform the development of a conceptual competency-based framework that links project classification with required capabilities, competencies, roles, and organisational structures. The study contributes to theory by advancing the operationalisation of resource configuration in complex project environments, and to practice by offering a structured approach for aligning skilled resources to improve project performance in South African SOEs.