Assessment of interdependent projects in the infrastructure sector: a new approach to exercising external control
Abstract
This article presents the main aspects regarding the different types and patterns of interaction found in projects with close dependency relationships, as well as regarding the negative effects arising from the disregard of interdependencies while implementing a group of two or more interrelated projects. It also presents the benefits resulting from efficient management of interdependent projects that contribute to a successful project portfolio. Based on some recent judgments, it is possible to confirm that the Federal Court of Accounts has been moving forward when it comes to assessing interdependent projects. This innovative approach has great potential to contribute to governance in programs and projects in the infrastructure sector by strengthening the integrated, coordinated and articulated planning of a group of interrelated projects. It can also ensure greater optimization of projects, besides efficiency, efficacy and effectiveness of public expenses in this sector, having as an ultimate goal to increase the country’s competitiveness in the international scenario and e collective well-being. This new approach goes against the Court’s traditional one, which consists of assessing investment projects as an isolated entity, based on a fragmented view of its main components regardless, however, of the existing interactions between those components and, specially, the external interdependencies with other projects of significant synergistic effects.Author Biography
Leandro Araújo de Almeida
is a government auditor at the Federal Court of Accounts with a B.A. in Economy from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and in Law from the Marista College in Recife.