Understanding project success through analysis of project management approach
International Journal of Managing Projects in Business
ISSN: 1753-8378
Article publication date: 26 August 2014
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show that project success is dependent on the project management approach selected, relative to the challenges posed by the project, and to develop an analytical model for analyzing the performance of the project organization.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on literature review, model development, interviews, and case studies.
Findings
The findings define two different approaches in project management: The prescriptive approach focusses on the formal qualities of the project organization, including governing documentation and procedures. The adaptive approach focusses on the process of developing and improving a project organization, project culture and team commitment. The two approaches have been identified through studies of three different case projects. An analytical model, referred to as the Pentagon model, has been applied for analyzing the performance of the project organization and explaining the project management approach. The model focusses on five different organizational aspects: structure, technologies, culture, social relations and networks, and interaction.
Research limitations/implications
The research is limited to megaprojects and to project management success.
Practical implications
It is suggested that project teams consider and select their project management approach at project initiation, and accordingly decide on relevant success factors to focus on. The adapted Pentagon model can be applied to develop the project management organization and assess its performance in the course of project delivery.
Originality/value
The contribution of the research is the application of the analytical model, and the identification as well as illustration of the prescriptive, vs adaptive management approach.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by a gift from Statoil to launch the Megaprojects Leadership Initiative of the Project Production Systems Laboratory (P2SL) at the University of California, Berkeley. This support is gratefully acknowledged. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of P2SL or Statoil.
Citation
Rolstadås, A., Tommelein, I., Morten Schiefloe, P. and Ballard, G. (2014), "Understanding project success through analysis of project management approach", International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 7 No. 4, pp. 638-660. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-09-2013-0048
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited