| Project Management Postgraduate Dissertation of the Year

This category recognises outstanding dissertations that demonstrate relevance to the project profession.

The category is open to entrants from all sectors involved in master’s level study. To be eligible to enter this category the master’s degree must have been awarded in the academic year 2022/23. A dissertation may only be entered into this category once. Entrants can be members or non-members of APM, from both in and outside of the UK.

Entries should take the form of a 100-word statement demonstrating how your dissertation is significant to the project profession. This should be accompanied by the full dissertation as a PDF document and a letter from the entrant’s supervisor and/or external examiner confirming that the dissertation has been graded.

Congratulations to our winner...

Judges comments
Morteza’s dissertation is titled ‘Integrating Design Thinking in Project Management: A System Dynamics Approach for Enhanced Value Creation and Stakeholder Engagement’.

This is an innovative paper exploring the use of systems dynamics, soft systems and design thinking in project management. The dissertation brings together different, but synergistic approaches, in an insightful and well thought out case study. It provides a useful contribution to the profession by exploring the use of soft systems methods and design thinking in tackling complex project problem situations.

Integrating design thinking in project management: A system dynamics approach for enhanced value creation and stakeholder engagement

This dissertation examines integrating design thinking and system dynamics in project management to address strategic alignment and innovation challenges at an automotive parts manufacturer.

Utilising interviews, focus groups, and causal loop diagrams, it identifies inefficiencies due to the lack of an integrated ERP system. The research shows merging design thinking with system dynamics enhances project management, improving organisational analysis and strategic design. It emphasises the importance of adaptable methodologies in fostering continuous improvement and strategic fit from the front-end phase.

The study foresees overcoming traditional challenges with innovative approaches, highlighting their transformative effect on project management and value creation

The complementary interaction of minds and machines; A holistic approach of cognitive skills and artificial intelligence in agile project management

As industries increasingly embrace AI, understanding how these technologies complement human abilities is pivotal.

Development of a self-assessment tool for project managers in the public construction sector in Trindad and Tobago

Issues with projects within the public construction sector have been linked to the competences of project managers. This study explores the right mix of Project Management (PM) competences and performance indicators, incorporating them into a self-assessment approach to guide project managers and organisations in promoting good PM practices in Trinidad and Tobago.

Built upon the existing competences criteria advocated by the Association for Project Management, a proposed Project Manager’s Self-Assessment Tool and associated guide, integrating additional elements as determined from empirical evidence, contribute toward realisation of the desired level of competence through the provision of tactical PM education and training.

Category criteria and weighting

Significance to profession  15%

Research methodology and methodological rigour  25%

• Presents a coherent answer to a clearly defined research question; Demonstrates excellence in the application of the methods and calculations

Demonstration of excellent knowledge and understanding  25%

• Demonstrates understanding of key concepts and frameworks. Draws on a wide range of relevant material and literature whilst demonstrating a good grasp of the key issues. Demonstrates an appreciation of the limitations of relevant material and literature.

Demonstrates ability to apply understanding and knowledge  25%

• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of the application of standard and advanced techniques, and their limitations.

Excellent presentation throughout including exemplary citing/referencing of material/literature used  10%