On productivity in project organizations
International Journal of Managing Projects in Business
ISSN: 1753-8378
Article publication date: 11 September 2009
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to look at the underlying unit cost considerations in project conduct at the firm level and an established business unit concept is extended to multi‐project organizations. The approach and background are described along with apparent implications.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology developed by Gold is extended to cover multi‐project organizations. The adaptation of the productivity network is demonstrated using a hypothetical case.
Findings
The focus of the paper is on demonstrating an approach. Generally, productivity in an organization is found not to be dictated by a single input, but by the multiplicative outcome of each together. In particular, the number of projects handled each year appears to be of strategic importance in productivity.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is conceptual, so applicability depends upon the nature of the particular organization to which it is applied. Implications, of course, will depend upon the degree to which actual data match the model.
Practical implications
The approach permits managers to get a handle on productivity in their organizations. It is particularly attractive insofar as it largely depends upon available accounting information for input. This paper seeks to fuel greater interest and debate by practitioners and project management academics about the topic.
Originality/value
Although the paper is conceptual, the authors believe that it may among the first to quantitatively treat productivity in multi‐project organizations. The approach can be used to understand the productivity as well as some elements of effectiveness of multi‐project organizations.
Keywords
Citation
Blomquist, T. and Wilson, T.L. (2009), "On productivity in project organizations", International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 2 No. 4, pp. 591-598. https://doi.org/10.1108/17538370910991160
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited