A competência em gerenciamento de projetos (GP) é reconhecida como um fator crítico para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos e possuir sistemas de informação adequados é um quesito fundamental para apoiá-la. Há uma disponibilidade de ferramentas e em contrapartida, um número significativo de críticas à sua utilização, especialmente no caso de produtos inovadores e complexos. O trabalho tem por objetivo identificar os desafios a serem enfrentados para o desenvolvimento de ferramentas de software para apoiar práticas com esse enfoque. Empregou-se a revisão bibliográfica combinada com o estudo de caso múltiplo. Compilou-se os desafios apontados na literatura, revisando os temas: colaboração, gerenciamento ágil de projetos e softwares para gerenciamento de projetos. O resultado, organizado segundo as áreas de processo do PMI, foi comparado com problemas reais, coletados por meio do método de estudo de caso. O setor de bens de capital foi escolhido para garantir a complexidade dos projetos (número de peças do produto e presença de colaboração). A unidade de análise é o sistema de informação para gerenciamento dos projetos (SIGP) de cada empresa. Descreveu-se o SIGP e o papel dos softwares de GP, de forma a identificar os desafios e classificá-los segundo áreas de conhecimento de GP. Os instrumentos utilizados foram roteiros de entrevistas, observações e análise de documentos. Os desafios foram confrontados com o esforço da comunidade científica, identificado por meio de uma revisão bibliográfica, classificada segundo as mesmas áreas de GP. Ao final, comparam-se os desafios das empresas com a teoria e identifica-se uma lista de requisitos para o desenvolvimento de softwares na área. A análise indica também que as ferramentas de GP são utilizadas de forma restrita na indústria de bens de capital e que há discordâncias entre o esforço dos pesquisadores e necessidades dos profissionais da área. Por fim, esta pesquisa identifica como temas relevantes: a integração de dados, o desenvolvimento de funcionalidades de aquisição e de gerenciamento de interfaces, riscos, recursos e multiprojetos. / The project management competence has been recognized as a critical factor to develop new products. Information systems are a fundamental factor to support it. There is an exceptional amount of tools. In opposition there are a significant number of critics about its utilization, in special in projects like innovative and collaborative product projects. The critics pointed needs for new methods and practices to support the agile project management. This research aims to identify challenges of developing project management tool to support this approach. The method used combines a bibliographical review with a multiple case study. The literature challenges were compiled, reviewing the themes: collaboration, agile project management and project management software. The result, organized by PMI process areas, was compared with case study real problems. The capital goods (BK) sector was chosen to ensure the projects complexity (by the product and collaboration presence). The analysis unit is the project management information system (PMIS) of each company. The PMIS and the role of the project management software were described to identify the challenges and classify them according to project management areas. The data collection instruments are plan interview, non-participant observations and document analysis. The challenges were faced with the scientific community effort, identified through a literature review and classified according to the same areas of PM. Following, the challenges of companies was compared with the literature and a requirement list is identified to develop PM software. The analysis indicates that the PM tools used in the BK industry are restricted. There is a mismatch between the researcher efforts and necessities of professionals in the area. Finally, this research identifies as relevant themes: data integration, development of acquisition features, interfaces, risks, resources and multi-projects management.

This thesis seeks to better understand how a combination of different project management approaches could lead organisations to cope with project closure in more effective ways. More specifically, a coexistence of Waterfall and Agile project management is examined and presented as positive contribution to insurance and investment organisations for more effective transitions from project management to business-as-usual. A comprehensive framework combines within the theoretical chapters the hybrid approach between Agile and traditional project management for successfully closing projects. It represents the lens through which the empirical material can be analysed.The empirical work is based on a single-holistic case study of Intesa Sanpaolo Life dac, incorporating seven semi-structured interviews with the most authoritative individuals of this company in relation to the topic of this paper. This case study provides a deep insight on project closure management which is addressed by investigating challenges and highlighting effective practices of the company in question. Throughout the analysis of the data gathered, the authors managed to highlight findings which provide managerial and theoretical contributions.The originality and the value of this research is given by the fact that this work expects to enrich project-based organisations which use a combination between Agile and traditional project management and struggle to get a proper project closure and transit to the operation phase. Consequently, this represents a completely new point of view in the literature related to project management, which sees project closure as the most understudied phase of the project life-cycle.

Software development projects often fail. Recently the agile software development frameworks have been massively adopted and used to overcome the root causes of the project failure. The use of the agile frameworks results in the more successful delivery of smaller software development projects. Companies however implemented in the past many generic project management frameworks and still use them to manage the full portfolio of their projects especially the medium and large software development projects. In such cases the agile development teams are organized in projects that are managed by project managers according to these generic project management frameworks. Both these frameworks must be analysed and tailored carefully to be successfully applied together. The objective of this dissertation thesis is to design the agile software development project management framework based on PRINCE2 and Scrum frameworks. The benefits of this new framework are the enrichment of the simple agile framework Scrum by project management elements and the enrichment of the generic project management framework PRINCE2 by the agile principles and agile team management practices. The first part of the thesis is focused on the analysis of project management and agile development frameworks. The main focus is on the current usage, the measurement of the project success and the identification of problems that the projects face to. Prior to the design of the new framework the research was executed in the global company to discover the specific problems in software development projects and to measure the actual project success rate. The framework is then designed in the next part. The framework was successfully implemented in the same global company and the project success rate was again analysed. The result is positive and the implementation of this framework resulted in the improved project success rate. Also two additional case studies were conducted to check the viability of the designed framework.

Whilst there are studies that have been researching application of agile methods in different contexts, research have mainly been focused on the software industry. As the world becomes increasingly more digitised, the banking industry is having to keep up with this development and become more digital. Consequently, banks need to incorporate new flexible methods to keep up with the increasing demand for new digital products and features. However, the digital transformation and development processes are not as straightforward as in other industries because banks operate in regulated markets, making the application of agile methods more difficult. This study aimed to investigate and expand the knowledge of how agile methods are applied within the product developing processes in banks as well as what the challenges are with adopting such methods. Semi-structured interviews and internal documents were used to gather data regarding how a bank applies these methods. The main findings show that the bank applied agile methods and adapted them to suit their needs. Key themes identified from the data are agile framework adaptation, collaboration, motivation, and regulatory and internal challenges. The adaptation of specific frameworks is driven by the profile of the specific team as well as the nature of each project in a particular product area. Similarly, to pure agile methods, the motivation of workers is important for maximising productivity in the product development process. Internal and external collaboration was found to involve the interaction of internal teams and co-workers as well as receiving feedback from customers to improve their products. An important challenge in maximising agility is this sector is the regulatory environment in which banks operate in. The findings from this study contribute to the field by giving insight into how agile methods can be adapted in the context of banking by adding to existing literature.

Masters of Science / In a world where technology is advancing at a very rapid pace, global competition has significantly increased, and this is putting pressure on software companies to produce quality software. It has therefore become critically important to manage well the implementation of software engineering projects by employing effective methods that ensure the best product is produced. The most popular software project implementation methodologies are the Traditional methods and Agile methods. This research explored these two methodologies by comparing the strength and weakness of both approaches. The research was conducted using a constructionist epistemology with a critical inquiry using the grounded theory methodology, applying both quantitative and qualitative methods to the case studies. Findings were collected through participant observation using a designed questionnaire targeting a selected sample of the study population. This sample of the population consisted of Ecommerce organizations in the Western Cape province of South Africa to establish which of the Traditional or Agile methods would best lead to the successful implementation of Ecommerce software engineering projects. The research results showed that the Agile methodology was the preferred and recommended approach. Very few participants of the research supported the Traditional approach to still be considered and used for projects with well-known end goals. An Ecommerce website prototype for a local Cape Town business was constructed as following the Agile approach to measure and validate the findings of the research. The prototype was built successfully from conception to the final delivery product and on time confirming the Agile approach as best for Ecommerce software development. In conclusion, the Agile methodology is the choice approach based on reviewed literature, the research results, and the prototype construction. These results will help in critical decision making regarding an appropriate development methodology to follow for the Ecommerce industry in the Western Cape.

Many organizations turn to agile methods and practices in their organization in order to retain competitiveness in today's rapidly changing environment and changing customer demands. Researchers claim agile practices, such as Agile Project Management to be most successful if implemented in the entire organization, in an all-or-nothing approach. However, as many traditional organizations are attempting to adopt agile principles such as APM, few studies have been made to what extent agile methods and practices can be successful in traditional organizations. This research investigates how a APM-team at SEB can function in accordance to agile philosophy, and further, if the legacy and traditional structures at SEB counteract the APM-team. The study is a single case study, investigating one APM-team at SEB through semi-structured interviews and organizational documents. In order to answer the research question, a model of analysis was derived in order to capture the important theoretical concepts. It was found that the investigated APM-team in SEB does not function fully in order with agile philosophies, and further that the traditional structures and legacy at SEB hinders the APMteam to work according to agile philosophies. It was also found that the APM-team experienced difficulties with the actual agile way of working, which could affect their ability to work in accordance with said practices. Further research is needed for a greater context to fully understand how traditional organizations can counteract agile initiatives.

The increase for project efficiency has led to some businesses adopting the agile project management model. This research project has studied how a project-oriented manufacturing company has introduced the agile model in its Research & Development organization. The report here is based on qualitative analysis of 9 interviews with respondents and intends to evaluate how far the agile transformation in the Research & Development organization has progressed. The report further aims to describe how the respondents have perceived and have been affected by the agile transformation.  The respondents in this study have been working as developers and have experienced the agile transformation in the organization from day one. The respondents´ experiences have been analyzed using Self-Determination Theory and the mediating role of psychological safety. Furthermore, previous studies on project transition and agile transformation have been used in the analysis.  This research study has also sought to learn how the temporary organization has introduced internal improvements in its organization through the introduction of the agile model.

The concept of workforce agility has become increasingly popular in recent years as agile individuals are expected to be better able to handle change and uncertainty. However, agility has rarely been studied in a systematic way. Relations between agility and positive work outcomes, such as higher performance or increased well-being, have often been suggested but rarely been empirically tested. Furthermore, several different workforce agility measures are used in the literature which complicates the comparison of findings. Recognizing these gaps in the literature, we developed a new workforce agility measure, compared this measure to established workforce agility measures, and empirically tested the relations of workforce agility with work outcomes. For this purpose, we surveyed participants from two samples (N1 = 218, N2 = 533). In a first step, we used Sample 1 to examine the factor structure of the measure for item selection. In a second step, we used Sample 2 to confirm the 10-factor structure and to compare the predictive validity of our measure along with two other agility measures. Findings demonstrate predictive validity for all three workforce agility scales, especially in relation to innovative performance. Furthermore, workforce agility related positively to task and innovative performance, organizational citizenship behavior, job satisfaction, and well-being.

This graduation report explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, specifically OpenAI's Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) technology, into web development processes using WordPress (WP) for developing a AI-driven chat service. The focus of the project is on ImagineX AB, a private company that offers the educational service ChatGPT Utbildning aimed at teaching professionals to effectively utilize ChatGPT. The project is motivated by the rapid growth and adoption of AI tools such as ChatGPT, underpinned by the observed increase in user base and its integration into significant platforms, like Microsoft's Bing and Office packages. Despite its promising potential, the application of such AI tools in web development remains underexplored and untested in several aspects. The graduation report presents the implementation of a GPT model-driven chat service on the ChatGPT Utbildning WP website, enabling visitors to interact with the famous AI tool directly. This feature serves a dual purpose – enhancing user engagement and providing an instant demonstration of the utility of ChatGPT. The agile project management methodology in general is divided into four phases: preliminary work, design solutions, develop solution, and delivery – design and development phases are iterative. In this project, there is two design iterations and three development iterations called “cycles”. The project plan is fulfilled with no deviation. Tests and continuous improvements are done throughout the development, with specific and planned in each phase and cycle. The result is two optimized chat bots in respective well-designed chat boxes with full chat functionality driven by OpenAI API and GPT-3.5/GPT-4 models – user tested and then published on ChatGPT Utbildning website. Additionally, insights in agile management solutions in relation to AI tools have been produced. The detailed construction and in-depth discussion contribute to the wide understanding of AI implementation in web development, providing practical insights into the application of ChatGPT in a real-world setting by agile project management. Furthermore, it underscores the transformative potential of AI tools in shaping web solutions and web development, and propelling innovation in the field. The report delves into discussion of technology, ethics, society, and implications on future web development. / Rapporten ämnar redogöra integreringen av artificiell intelligens (AI) instrument, särskilt OpenAI's Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) teknologi, inom ramen för webbutvecklingsprocesser, inklusive agil projektledning, med användning av WordPress (WP), i syfte att utveckla en AIdrivande chatttjänst. Fokus för projektet är på företaget ImagineX AB, en privat aktör som erbjuder en utbildningstjänst benämnd ChatGPT Utbildning med mål att undervisa yrkesverksamma i effektivt bruk av ChatGPT. Motivationen för projektet härstammar från den snabbt växande tillväxten och adoptionen av AI-instrument som ChatGPT, vilket stärks av den observerade tillväxten av användarbasen och dess integrering i betydande plattformar, såsom Microsofts Bing och Office-paket. Trots den lovande potential som dessa AIinstrument innehar, finns det fortfarande delar inom webbutveckling där användningen av sådana verktyg förblir ouppklarade och otillräckligt utforskade. Rapporten visar implementeringen av en GPT-modell-drivande chattjänst på ChatGPT Utbildning WP-webbplatsen, vilket möjliggör direkt interaktion för besökare med det framstående AI-instrumentet. Denna funktion har ett tvåfaldigt ändamål - att förhöja användarengagemang och att ge en omedelbar demonstration av ChatGPT:s användbarhet. Den använda smidiga projektledningsmetodiken är typiskt uppdelad i fyra faser: preliminärt arbete, designlösningar, utvecklingslösningar samt leverans - designoch utvecklingsfaser är iterativa vilket omfattar två designiterationer och tre utvecklingsiterationer refererade till som "cykler". Projektplanen har följts utan avvikelser. Testning och kontinuerliga förbättringar har genomförts under hela utvecklingsprocessen, med specifika och planerade insatser i varje fas och cykel. Resultatet manifesteras i två optimerade chattrobotar inom respektive välutformade chattfönster, med fullständig chattfunktionalitet som drivs av OpenAI API samt GPT-3.5/GPT-4 modellerna - vilka har användartestats och därefter publicerats på ChatGPT Utbildning webbplatsen. Ytterligare insikter rörande agil projektledning i relation till AI-frågor erhålls också. Den detaljerade konstruktionen och den djupgående diskussionen bidrar till en omfattande förståelse för AI-implementering inom webbutveckling och ger praktiska insikter om tillämpningen av ChatGPT i en realistisk inställning med smidig projektledning. Vidare framhäver det den transformerande potentialen hos AI-instrument för att utforma webblösningar och webbutveckling, vilket främjar innovation inom området. Rapporten avslutas med diskussioner kring teknik, etik, samhälle och implikationer för framtida webbutveckling.

A demanda crescente por produtos inovadores desafia as práticas e métodos consagrados de gerenciamento de projetos. Uma das respostas foi o surgimento da abordagem do gerenciamento ágil de projetos (GAP). Essa abordagem, inicialmente aplicada na área de software, está embasada em um conjunto de princípios que buscam simplificar o processo de gestão, tornando-o mais flexível e auto-gerido. Seu enfoque está no aprendizado contínuo por meio de iterações constantes e entregas em tempo reduzido, possibilitando assim, agregar valor em ambientes dinâmicos de negócio. No entanto, existe uma lacuna nessa teoria quanto à aplicação desses princípios no desenvolvimento de novos produtos, principalmente os que envolvem hardware. O tema do trabalho é investigar a aplicação prática desses princípios no desenvolvimento de novos produtos. Para tal, foi adotada a seguinte estratégia: desenvolver, implantar e avaliar um método para planejamento e controle de escopo e tempo utilizando como base um conjunto de princípios do gerenciamento ágil de projetos. O método desenvolvido foi intitulado IVPM2 (Iterative and Visual Project Management Method) e sua criação deu-se por meio do extensivo estudo da literatura sobre GAP combinado com uma pesquisa-ação pura realizada em duas empresas de base tecnológica da região de São Carlos, nomeadas Empresa A e Empresa B. O desenvolvimento e implantação do método ocorreu simultaneamente e contou com a participação dos profissionais dessas empresas, considerando dois cenários distintos. Na empresa A, o IVPM2 foi implantado em um único projeto piloto, de longa duração e com maior complexidade e grau de inovação. Na empresa B o método foi testado em um ambiente multiprojetos (7 projetos) com menor duração e complexidade. Para avaliação do IVPM2 foi utilizada estatística descritiva a partir da análise de dados qualitativos e quantitativos, coletados a partir da aplicação de questionários, entrevistas e análise de documentos. O objetivo foi responder ao problema central de pesquisa e as duas perguntas específicas que guiaram este estudo. O problema central dessa pesquisa foi descrito como: É possível aplicar os princípios do GAP para o planejamento e controle de projetos de produtos inovadores? E, consequentemente as questões específicas consideradas nesse estudo: Q1) O IVPM2 adere aos princípios da abordagem de gerenciamento ágil de projetos? Q2) O IVPM2 trouxe benefícios para a gestão de projetos das empresas? Os resultados apontaram evidências da presença de alguns princípios do GAP no IVPM2, classificando-o como um método ágil. Além disso, o IVPM2 foi capaz de proporcionar vários benefícios para a gestão de projetos de desenvolvimento de novos produtos em ambas as empresas estudadas. Contribuiu também, para a melhoria de outros aspectos da gestão de projetos não tratados diretamente nesse estudo. As evidências coletadas durante a pesquisa, portanto, indicaram diversos benefícios a partir da combinação de princípios do GAP com técnicas tradicionais de gestão de projetos e um software. São indícios de que é possível aplicar os princípios dessa teoria do GAP no planejamento e controle de projetos de desenvolvimento de produtos inovadores inseridos em ambientes dinâmicos de negócio. Por fim, o estudo aponta a necessidade de aprimorar as análises conduzidas e o próprio IVPM2 para aplicação e validação em outras empresas e ambientes de projeto. / The high demand for innovative products has been treated as a challenge for the adoption of traditional project management (PM) practices and methods, specially those ones developed in turbulent and complex business environments. Recently, an alternative approach to deal with these challenges emerged. This approach, entitled Agile Project Management (APM), firstly applied in the software development area, is based on a set of principles which has the purpose to keep the management process as simple as possible, becoming more flexible and self-manageable. By focusing on continuous learning using constant iterations and rapid value deliverable driven, APM aims to improve the results for clients in face of turbulent business environment. However, there is lack on the literature regarding APM principles application in new product development (NPD) projects. The aim of this research is to investigate this issue and the practical application of those principles to NPD projects, developed under turbulent and innovative business environments. To achieve this goal the following strategy was adopted: develop, implement and evaluate a method for planning and controlling scope and time. It was based on a set of principles extracted from the APM literature. The method developed was entitled IVPM2 (Iterative and Visual Project Management Method) and its creation comprised an extensive literature review combined with a pure action-research methodology carried out in two small technology-based companies from the São Carlos technological pole. The companies were called Company A and Company B, and the IVPM2 development, implementation and evaluation activities occurred simultaneously in both companies, considering two distinct scenarios. In the company A the IVPM2 was implemented in a single long term project, with a high level of complexity and innovation. In the company B the IVPM2 was implemented in more than one project (a total of 7 projects) with less complexity and innovation aspects. In order to evaluate the IVPM2 adherence and contribution to project management a statistic descriptive approach was applied using qualitative and quantitative data. The data was collected by questionnaire, interviews and document analysis. The main purpose of this evaluation was to respond the central research problem and the specific research questions. The central research problem was described as: Is it possible to apply APM principles for planning and controlling innovative product projects? Consequently, the specific research questions considered after the method implementation were: RQ1) Did IVPM2 adhere to APM principles? RQ2) Did IVPM2 contribute to enhance project management process in the companies under study? The results showed many evidences of the presence of APM principles in the IVPM2 as stated in the literature. Moreover, the IVPM2 was capable to enhance many aspects of project management process of new product development in both companies studied. It also contributed to improve other aspects not directly addressed in the current research. Finally, the evidences collected during the research have indicated many benefits by combining principles from APM approach with traditional PM techniques and a PM software to support project management. This result is important to consider the applicability and viability of APM principles application to NPD projects in turbulent, innovative and complex business environments. Finally, this study has presented many indications of the need to explore this theme and improve the analysis and the IVPM2 components in order to implement them in different companies and project contexts.