Lessons in Managing Major Projects Successfully in a European Context

Abstract The Major Projects Association (MPA) has, since 1982, been examining the initiation, assessment, securing and accomplishment of major projects. The development of better guides to the likely success or failure of major projects has been identified in the MPA's work as an area requiring immediate attention. The failure rate of major projects, at least nominally, is dangerously high. Major projects are often embarked upon without sufficient preparation. For this reason, it was considered that a better appreciation of the preconditions of their successes or failures ought to lead to an improved performance record.