Author: Mgabhi, Themba Johny
Supervisor: Professor Erik Schmikl
Date: March 2008

Vodacom is a Pan-African Vodacom is a Pan-African cellular communications company that provides a world class GSM service in South Africa. As the Vodacom Group continues to grow, it is important that it remains successful and retains its leadership position in South Africa. The challenge in maintaining Vodacom’s reputation is to remain ahead of its competitors – in terms of delivering new products to the market (for example, 3G with HSDPA) – and at the same time to continue providing quality products. The aim of this study was to provide an extensive analysis of current project management methodology within Vodacom’s Engineering Group. Data was collected by questionnaire from the core team who participated during the implementation of the Adult Content Management (ACM) project, including management.

It was found that the Engineering Group did follow a project management methodology, but that certain improvements could be brought about. The areas identified for improvement are:

Product Description contains vague information. The recommendation is to have a business case in the Engineering Group;
The efficiency of ‘managing a project risk’ could be improved and this would require a further post-examination and certain future policy procedures to be implemented; and
With regard to how to eliminate scope changes, the researcher recommended that a value review committee be established and also suggested the participants for that committee.