Distinct Project Management for Post-disaster Reconstruction Projects in Developing Countries

Although post-disaster reconstruction has been the subject of a significant volume of research, particularly in developing countries, knowledge on differences in the application of Project Management (PM) theories, processes, activities, and practices between routine construction and specific post-disaster reconstruction projects is fragmented and thus needs to be established. This is the main purpose of this chapter. Thus, this chapter investigates the need for a special body of knowledge of project management for disaster reconstruction in developing countries, the nature of specific PM processes and activities that disaster reconstruction should adopt for generating successful project outcomes, and what the future holds for PM of disaster reconstruction in developing countries. In achieving the above aim and objectives, this chapter refers to, and analyzes, the challenges, conditions, and factors confronted by past (real-life) disaster reconstruction projects in developing countries such as Sri Lanka; discusses the extent to which traditional PM theories, processes, practices, and activities are appropriate and, in certain circumstances, inappropriate concerning the challenges confronted by disaster reconstruction projects in developing countries; and proposes changes required for the existing PM methodology for disaster reconstruction projects, with a special emphasis on developing countries.