Link to thesis - Concept - NTNU

Preface and AcknowledgementsThe work presented in this thesis has been carried out at Department of Civil andTransport Engineering at NTNU. I would like to express my sincere thanks for thesupportive and inspiring guidance that I have received from my supervisor ProfessorKnut Samset. He has always supported my choices and believed that this could bedone.During my work on several large projects, project flexibility has emerged as a keyissue. I have frequently observed it to be a critical success factor, major risk andconflict topic, but rarely as an issue that was subject to a common understanding and astructured approach for handling. It appeared to be an area where it was possible tomake a research contribution. Consequently, the topic became the ‘glue’ in the thesis.Both scientifically and financially, this research has benefited from the Conceptresearch programme. Concept focuses on front-end management of major investmentprojects. Funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Finance, the programme aims todevelop know-how to make more efficient use of resources and improve theeffectiveness of major public investments. In addition, I have received financial andscientific support from the Department of Civil and Transport Engineering at NTNU.This research has also been carried out in co-ordination with railway related researchinvolving NSB AS, the Norwegian National Rail Administration and the NorwegianResearch council.Throughout the work on the thesis, I have enjoyed the discussions with my fellowPh.D. candidates Ola Lædre, Ole Morten Magnussen, Andreas Seim, Mads Veisethand Alexander Langlo. I have also appreciated the valuable co-operation with Per T.Eikeland, Ole Jonny Klakegg and Agnar Johansen.My warmest thanks and love go to my wife, Rønnaug, and sons, Erland, Einar andHenrik, who have supported me all the way. According to the boys, the work on thisthesis has made me more like a ‘nerd’ than ever before. My parents and sister havealso been supportive. They have all personally illustrated what lifelong learning reallymeans. Thanks to my father for proof reading.And warm thanks to all my friends and colleagues at NTNU and SINTEF; it has beena pleasure working with you.Trondheim, September 18, 2006Nils Olssoni