Using the Framework Analysis to Identify Infrastructure Project Challenges and Opportunities

Infrastructure is one of the vital technical elements of our modern lives, with its wide scope of broad environmental, social and political impacts. Nevertheless, infrastructure projects are often prone to underachievement in budget, time, quality or goals. In order to find out the state of infrastructure project management in Croatia, as well as neighboring countries, the authors conducted research with the aim of detecting the most critical areas of infrastructure project management in the context of challenge and opportunity identification and connection. Systematic research steps were taken, based on the adoption of the framework analysis approach. 17 project management experts in the field of water, electricity, railway, road, port, gas, waste landfill, hospital, building and soft infrastructure participated in in-depth interviews. Their views on challenges, risks, opportunities and regional experience-sharing are discussed, the most significant concerning strategic planning, public procurement, project management competencies and public administration. On the basis of their answers and expert group engagement, a comprehensive framework for the transformation of infrastructure project challenges into opportunities is made. Finally, an applicable conclusion and recommendations for future research are given. The results of this research may be of service to project management experts, scholars and interested members of the public in the creation of epistemology on infrastructure projects and the maximization of their benefits.