Rashid Al-Marri

Project management maturity models (PMMMs) provide structured approaches to evaluate and enhance project alignment with strategic and sustainability goals. We conducted a PRISMA-aligned systematic review of project management (PM) maturity in project-based organizations (PBOs) from 2010 to 2023, utilizing Scopus as the primary database, with supplementary searches in ProQuest and Google Scholar. PBOs play a key role in delivering infrastructure, energy, environmental initiatives that impact natural and socio-economic systems. Across the literature, sustainability emerges as a critical driver of maturity, with models like SPM3, PSM3, and the Sustainable Project Management Cube integrating economic, environmental, social indicators. Unlike traditional PMMMs, which focus on cost, time, and scope, these models integrate sustainability throughout the project lifecycle and provide prescriptive tools to support long-term resilience. Our findings indicate that while PM maturity models are crucial for performance in PBOs, their unique operational context necessitates models tailored to six key drivers: sustainability, structured frameworks, benchmarking, strategy formulation, continuous improvement, and technological advancement. Additionally, the maturation pathways differ between enterprise and intelligent PBOs, highlighting the need for adaptive, context-sensitive maturity assessments.

This research aims to develop and validate an organizational maturity framework (OM framework) to assess an organization’s maturity and improve the operational performance of the EQM. The study adopts a multi-methods approach. Qualitative data are sourced from 18 respondents and analyzed through thematic analysis. The analysis reveals that pollution control and energy efficiency are the primary EQM concerns. The maturity assessment occurs through data from one or multiple sources, with the most preferred models being the five-phase models. Finally, maturation has diverse effects on EQM, which mirrors continuous improvement expectations. The quantitative study involved 212 respondents drawn from PBOs across the country. The data were analyzed through SEM, culminating in hypothesis testing. Three of the eight hypotheses were supported, including H4: Legal requirements have a statistically significant impact on PBO maturity (β = −0.150, p = 0.015); H5: Sustainability has a positive statistically significant impact on PBO maturity (β = 0.169, p = 0.045); and H1: the level of maturity determines efficiency in EQM (β = 0.066, p = 0.050). The rest of the variables have an inverse relationship or effects that are not statistically significant. The assessment of weightings for the determinants of PBO maturity culminates in the realization that the variables whose hypothesized relationships were confirmed received moderate priority. These findings explain why the determinants of PBO maturity only explain 8.8% of the variance in maturity, while the entire model explains only 3% of the EQM efficiency. The findings culminate in the validity of the operational instructions for improvement in the task specificity of PBO maturity for EQM performance and an improvement in the conceptualization of EQM efficiency among the PBOs.

Concrete structures in marine environments face significant degradation due to reinforcement corrosion caused by chloride ingress and sulfate attack. Poor construction quality, inadequate standards, and suboptimal design can further accelerate deterioration. Non-destructive testing (NDT) has proven valuable for durability assessment, yet its application remains limited due to the complex microstructural characteristics of concrete. This study establishes a comprehensive procedure for evaluating precast concrete degradation in marine environments using multiple characterization techniques. Two precast concrete elements with different cement types, CEM II A-L 42.5R and CEM I 42.5 R/SR, were analyzed through compressive strength tests, open porosity measurements, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), ultrasonic wave transmission, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that CEM I 42.5 R/SR exhibits superior compressive strength and lower porosity, making it more durable and suitable for load-bearing applications. Higher ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) further confirms its resilience. In contrast, CEM II A-L 42.5R shows lower mechanical performance and greater susceptibility to marine-induced degradation. Over time, pore size distribution shifts, potentially compromising mechanical integrity. SEM analysis reveals gypsum and brucite formation in degraded regions, demonstrating microstructural changes due to seawater exposure. A strong negative correlation between porosity and UPV underscores the detrimental effect of increased porosity on material density and structural stability. This study highlights the effectiveness of UPV and porosity analysis as reliable NDT techniques for assessing concrete deterioration. The strong correlation between UPV and porosity trends suggests that UPV serves as an early indicator of durability loss, enabling timely maintenance interventions. These findings provide valuable insights into material selection for enhanced structural performance in marine environments and emphasize the role of NDT in long-term structural health monitoring.