Engineering Project Governance: A Review of Policies, Structures, and Performance Outcomes

Abstract

Engineering project governance is crucial in determining the success of projects by influencing decision-making processes, resource allocation, and stakeholder engagement. This narrative review provides a comprehensive examination of the governance structures and policies applied in engineering projects, focusing on their impact on performance outcomes. The review synthesizes findings from a wide array of studies, identifying key governance structures such as hierarchical, matrix, and network-based models, and analyzing how these structures distribute roles and responsibilities within projects. It also explores the direct and indirect effects of governance on performance outcomes, distinguishing between quantitative measures such as cost, time, and quality, and qualitative factors such as stakeholder satisfaction and team morale. The review highlights the critical importance of aligning governance frameworks with project goals, as well as the need for flexible and adaptive governance structures in dynamic project environments. The findings underscore the necessity for further research on the long-term impacts of governance choices and the integration of emerging trends in governance practices. This review contributes to both academic and practical understanding of engineering project governance, offering insights that can guide the design and implementation of effective governance frameworks in future projects.