Background: During the last decades there has been a rapid increase in the desire of being more flexible and responsive, which has paved the way for Agile Project Management – APM. As a consequence of implementing APM into environments previously defined as traditional, it has opened up a discussion of merging APM with Traditional Project Management – TPM. This combination of methodologies is referred to as Hybrid Project Management – HPM, whose aim is to leverage benefits from both APM and TPM. Purpose: Prior research has failed to keep up with this trend. Those that have shed light on this phenomenon have failed to realize the differences between IT and non-IT sectors. With this in mind, and the call for including managers’ perspective on HPM, this study has investigated project managers’ experiences and perceptions of factors that influence hybrid project success in physical product development. In order to address this purpose this study has also investigated how project managers perceive project success. This was done since one must first determine what constitutes project success in order to identify what factors that could bear a potential influence on it. Method: From an interpretivist philosophical standpoint this, exploratory and inductive, study has been carried out through semi-structured interviews with experienced project managers within HPM. Inspired by Grounded Theory, this study has employed purposive sampling and analyzed the data through a grounded analysis technique. Conclusion: This research has successfully identified a range of various factors that influence hybrid projects’ success. Based upon this, a model exhibiting the factors influencing hybrid projects in physical product development could be constructed, as well as a model depicting how project managers perceive hybrid project success. It was found that there is a constant tension between the TPM and APM when merging the two. Instead of identifying one way to optimize the hybrid project, it is more or less about managing this balance between APM and TPM practices. It was also found that project success is a dynamic and subjective concept, rather than the static and additive concept that is often illustrated by contemporary research.

Information and communication technology (ICT) greatly influence today’s business processes be it in public or private sectors. Everything that is done in business requires ICT in one way or the other. Research in ICTs is therefore critical. So much research was and is still carried out in projects that develop or enhance ICT but it is still apparent that the success rate of these projects is still very low. The extensive coverage of ICTs implies that if the success rate is still that low, many resources are being wasted in the failed projects; therefore, more research is needed to improve the success rate. Previous research has focussed on factors which are critical for the success of ICT projects, assuming that all ICT projects are the same. As a result, literature is full of different suggestions and guidelines of the factors critical to ICT projects’ success. This scenario brings challenges to project managers who end up using their own personal judgement to select which factors to consider for any project at hand. The end result is the high failure rate of ICT projects since there is a very high chance of applying the same critical success factors to different types of ICT projects. This research answered the question: which factors are critical to the success of computer networking projects in Zimbabwe and how these factors could be used for building a model that determines in advance the success of such projects? Literature reviewed indicated that most CSFs were not focused on specific types of ICT projects, hence were generalised. No literature was found on ICT projects’ CSFs in Zimbabwe. More so, no CSFs were found for computer networking projects as a specific instance of ICT projects. No model existed that predicts computer networking projects’ success. This study addressed the gaps by developing a CSF framework for ICT projects in Zimbabwe, determining CSFs for computer networking projects in Zimbabwe and the development of a logistic regression analysis model to predict computer networking projects’ success in Zimbabwe. Data was collected in Zimbabwe using a unique three-staged process which comprise metasynthesis analysis, questionnaire and interviews. The study was motivated by the fact that most available research focused on CSFs for general ICT projects and that no research was found on CSFs influencing projects in computer networking. Meta-synthesis analysis was therefore conducted on literature in order to identify CSFs as given in literature. The approach was appropriate since the researcher had noticed that there were extensive ICT projects’ CSFs and that no such research has been carried out in Zimbabwe. These CSFs formed the basis for the determination (using a questionnaire) of ICT projects CSFs for Zimbabwe in particular. Project practitioners’ viewpoints were sought through questionnaires. Once CSFs for ICT projects in Zimbabwe were determined, they formed the basis for the determination of unique critical success factors for computer networking projects in Zimbabwe. Interviews were used to get further information that would have been left out by questionnaires. The interview questions were set to clarify some unclear or conflicting responses from the questionnaire and providing in-depth insights into the factors critical to computer networking projects in Zimbabwe. The data i.e. critical success factors for computer networking projects guided the development of the logistic regression analysis model for the prediction of computer networking projects’ success in Zimbabwe. Data analysis from the questionnaire was analysed using SPSS Version 23.0. Factor analysis and principal component analysis were some of the techniques used in the analysis. Interview data was analysed through NVivo Version 10.0. From the results it was deduced that factors critical to ICT project management in Zimbabwe were closely related to those found in the literature. The only apparent difference was that CSFs for ICT projects in Zimbabwe were more specific thereby enhancing their applicability. Computer networking projects had fewer CSFs than general ICT projects. In addition, CSFs for general ICT projects were different from those critical to computer networking projects in Zimbabwe. The development of a comprehensive set of general ICT projects’ CSFs was the first contribution of this study. This was achieved through meta-synthesis analysis. The other contribution was the development of a CSF framework for ICT projects specific to Zimbabwe and those specific to computer networking projects in Zimbabwe. The major contribution was the development of the logistic regression analysis model that predicts computer networking projects’ success in Zimbabwe. These contributions will provide literature on ICT project management in Zimbabwe which will subsequently assist ICT project managers to concentrate on specific factors. The developed prediction model can be used by project managers to determine possible success or failure of ICT projects; thereby possible reducing wastage of resource. / School of Computing

Information technology organizations lose significant competitive value when business leaders fail to use project management maturity (PMM) processes that enhance market delivery, reduce costs, and increase profitability. Using a multiple-case study, the researcher explored strategies that project leaders have used to improve PMM processes and expanded upon Kerzner's PMM model, which comprises 5 PMM levels essential for achieving repeatable project success. The researcher selected 20 project leader participants in the Southeastern region of the United States using a purposeful snowball sampling technique. In depth interviews were combined with archival and document exploration using a multiple-case study design where different types of project offices were cross compared as the unit of analysis including governmental, corporate, nonprofit, and not-for-profit organizations. Thematic analysis and cross-case analysis revealed 6 major strategies to improve PMM processes: project leader development, customer focus, standard methodology development, interactive communication, establishing a project office organizational structure, and practicing continuous process improvement. The implications for positive social change include the potential to provide small businesses and marginally-resourced organizations, such as churches and charitable organizations, with a beneficial value that contributes to positive economic activity in the local communities they support. The results are important because they extend constrained resources and organizational buying power for deliverables required by the recipient of the altruistic act.

Alignment of information technology (IT) projects remains a concern for business executives and negatively impacts IT investments through failed projects. Drawing from the theory of systems thinking and the concept of holism, the purpose of this correlational study was to provide executive leaders with information about influences associated with the independent variables of project alignment and performance outputs, and the dependent variable, project success rates. Accordingly, the research question addressed the relationship between the 2-predictor variables and the outcome variable. Data collection involved a nonprobability, purposive sample of 49 credentialed project managers from Arizona who completed an online survey. Results from multiple linear regression analysis indicated statistically significant relationships between the predictor variables (F (2, 46) = 111.08, p < .001). The regression model predicted 82% of the variation resulted from the independent variables. The study's findings provide corporate leaders with a better understanding of project alignment, performance outputs, and project success rates from the operations perspective of project management professionals who contribute to the organization's competitive advantage through the implementation of strategic IT projects. The positive social change implications of this study include increased organization benefits, such as substantiated IT investments and higher profits. Increased project success rates substantiate IT investments through improved customer satisfaction and financial performance. Improved financial performance leads to higher profits, which leads to higher wages. Higher wages contributes positively to society-at-large through an enhanced quality of life.

This paper examines how the advance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies may affect the role of project managers. It draws on a narrative literature review and semi-structured interviews conducted with seventeen project managers from various industries in Sweden. The theoretical framework of the study is based on Wachnik's stages of AI development and categorization of core competencies for project success of Alvarenga et al. The results of this paper suggest that even though the current uptake of AI technologies is still low in project management practices, project managers can already start preparing for the potential paradigm shift by focusing on developing competencies such as communication, leadership, and understanding the technological context. Moreover, the authors developed the Holistic Competencies Triangle model to navigate project managers through the competencies needed for successful and effective project management when AI is more widely adopted. / Denna studie undersöker hur utvecklingen av artificiella intelligensteknologier (AI) kan påverka projektledarens roll. Studien är byggd på en narrativ litteraturöversikt och semistrukturerade intervjuer som genomfördes med sjutton projektledare från olika branscher i Sverige. Studiens teoretiska ramverk baseras på Wachniks steg för AI-utveckling och kategoriserade kärnkompetenser för projektframgång av Alvarenga et al. Resultatet tyder på att även om den nuvarande användningen av AI-tekniker fortfarande är låg inom projektledningspraxis, kan projektledare redan börja förbereda sig för det potentiella paradigmskiftet genom att fokusera på att utveckla kompetenser som kommunikation, ledarskap och förstå den teknologiska kontexten. Dessutom har författarna utvecklat en holistisk kompetens-triangelmodell för att navigera projektledare genom kompetenserna som krävs för en lyckad och effektivt projektledning när AI blir mer utbrett.

[pt] Esta tese investiga o papel moderador da inteligência cultural na relação das características dos gerentes de projeto e o sucesso dos projetos. A tese é composta por dois estudos principais: (a) em primeiro momento, por meio de um estudo bibliométrico com uso de citação, cocitação, pareamento e análise fatorial, buscou-se entender o que tem sido estudado em inteligência cultural e qual estrutura intelectual e a pesquisa atual do tema. (b) no segundo estudo, por meio de pesquisa com gestores de projetos e utilização dos dados em uma regressão, objetivou-se investigar a influência do gerente no desempenho, considerando suas características individuais, em especial, a inteligência cultural, como uma capacidade que pode alterar o comportamento do gerente e o desempenho de um projeto. Como contribuição estão presentes o entendimento do que tem sido estudado em inteligência cultural e a estrutura intelectual bem como quais as implicações das carateristicas individuais, em especial a inteligência cultural, de um gestor de projetos no sucesso de um projeto. / [en] This thesis investigates the moderating role of cultural intelligence in the relationship between project managers characteristics and project success. The thesis is composed of two main studies: (a) first, through a bibliometric study using citation, cocitation, pairing and factor analysis, I sought to understand what has been studied in cultural intelligence and what intellectual structure and current research on the topic. (b) in the second study, through research with project managers and the use of data in a regression, my objective was to investigate the manager s influence on performance, considering their individual characteristics, in particular, cultural intelligence, as a capacity that can change the behavior of the manager and the performance of a project. As a contribution are present the understanding of what has been studied in cultural intelligence and the intellectual structure as well as the implications of individual characteristics, especially cultural intelligence, of a project manager in the success of a project.

People and the project teams are the ones who drive us above and beyond. The literature on project management has a strong focus on developing superhero project managers who can lead, transform, and grow project teams using numerous projects management tools. Projects are known as a team effort yet the research on top performing project teams, I argue are not comprehensive. There are only a handful of studies done on how to lead project teams towards top performance. In the recent years, the concept of shared leadership and co-creation has been developing and pointing even more towards the need to work with team processes and that the project management is about the team and not the project manager. In this study I have examined the key elements of values, standards and roles and how top performing teams in projects are developed and sustained. This study is based on ten comprehensive interviews with project award winners and their perception of the key elements to their success stories. The results of the study have indicated the importance of empowering the people and the project team towards selfmanaging team. The results reveal further that bringing up a value-discussion in project teams and specifically top performing ones might be perceived as counterproductive. / Människor och projektteam är de som driver oss att nå utöver det vanliga. Litteraturen om projektledning har ett starkt fokus på att utveckla superhjälteprojektledare som kan leda, transformera och utveckla projektteam med hjälp av många projektledningsverktyg. Projekt är kända för att vara en laginsats men forskningen om toppresterande projektteam och hur man når excellens i projekt hävdar jag inte är heltäckande. Det finns bara en handfull studier gjorda om hur man leder projektteam till att bli toppresterande. Under de senaste åren har begreppet delat ledarskap och samskapande utvecklats och pekar ännu mer mot behovet av att arbeta med teamprocesser och att projektledningen handlar om teamet och inte projektledaren. I den här studien har jag undersökt nyckelelementen värderingar, standarder och roller och hur toppresterande team i utvecklas och upprätthålls. Denna studie är baserad på tio omfattande intervjuer med projektpristagare och deras uppfattning om nyckelelementen i deras framgångsberättelse. Resultaten har visat vikten av att stärka människor och projektteamet mot att bli självstyrande team. Resultaten avslöjar vidare att det kan uppfattas som kontraproduktivt att ta upp en värdediskussion i projektteam och specifikt de som är toppresterande.

While previous research suggests that risk management influences project success, less is known about the practical application of the risk management concept on projects and its’ influence on development project success. Thus, this thesis investigates the impact of risk management on project success from a development project perspective. Adopting a qualitative case study approach with semi-structured interviews as the main source of data collection and assessing success from a stakeholder perspective as well as the achievements of the project’s intended outcomes and analysing the various risk management strategies adopted in the pursuance of those outcomes, the findings indicate that risk management practice positively influence development project success. To achieve this, the empirical data shows that risk identification need to be approached strategically to provide a clear focus for project delivery leading to the design of strategic actions to respond to identified risks as well as an effective monitoring and evaluation of the risk management process as a whole. Additionally, the different stakeholder objectives and expectations need to be strategically incorporated into the risk management strategy without deviating from the project’s purpose. The study recommends the need for development project managers not to over-rely on academic expertise in their identification of risks but make use of the wider pool of knowledge available to them, technical or not and to also pursue the positive impacts of risk. Furthermore, they should widen their risk management strategies to include donor support missions, without deviating from the project’s purpose, to ensure transparency and efficiency.

The public sector project is particularly a demanding undertaking, with the requirement to meet diverse demands. Despite huge investment, public sector projects tend to complete behind schedule, indicating shortfall in various project factors. This research was grounded on an empirical study of the Malaysian School Computer Laboratory Programme (SCLP) to examine the project success factors throughout the project life span. The extensive SCLP was divided into six zones, spanning urban and remote environment throughout Malaysia. Its implementation was staggered into several phases, two of which covered in this study, namely phase-1 and phase-2. This research aimed to fulfil three research objectives: i) to discover the project management’s success factors; ii) to determine the product’s success factors that encompass various stakeholders; and iii) to identify project characteristics that influenced the project success. A comprehensive review of literature suggested 20 relevant project success factors to be investigated. Those factors were examined using a newly constructed framework, whereby the project life span was clustered into two segments – project process and project product. The study adopted a qualitative paradigm; nevertheless it utilised both qualitative and quantitative approaches of data collection, which were triangulated to provide a wider scope of interpretation. The quantitative data for a total sample of 357 projects were sourced from Likert-type questionnaire and secondary resources, while qualitative data were sourced from combination of semi-structured interviews with 38 respondents representing 10 groups of project stakeholders and secondary data from various documents. The results demonstrated that the project management of the SCLP was improperly administered. Out of five success factors investigated to verify the project conceptualization, only two namely project goal and project scope, were reasonably defined. One factor, stakeholder participation, was inadequately defined, while the other two factors, resources assessment and risk management, were not even taken into consideration by the project decision-making committee. There were also some deficiencies in the project planning. From six success factors tested, two were acceptably planned, i.e. project design and project costing. The other four, namely distribution of authority and responsibility, contractor selection, project scheduling, and project documentation, were insufficiently planned. The inadequacies in the project definition and project planning were reflected in the project execution as only two out of six factors, i.e. administrator effectiveness and communication, contributed to the project success. The other four, known as supervising team efficiency, contractor competence, integrity and external influences were negatively affected the project. Despite some deficiencies in the project management, the outcome or product of the project was found to be successful particularly in the judgement of the target group, the users; they were satisfied with the SCLP deliverables. They also appreciated the benefit from the utilisation of the products, which greatly changed the approaches of teaching and learning. However, the SCLP completion time was not as successful as planned, believed to be a result of unrealistic scheduling during the planning stage. Nonetheless, there were cases of genuine delays due to various factors in the earlier stages. The results also suggested that some of the project success factors were particularly influenced by project characteristics explored in this studied. The influences of these two characteristics, geographical zone and the project award method, could be seen in both the project management process and the project’s product. Overall, this thesis contributed to extant body of knowledge in various ways. A newly constructed research framework, with the concept of duality of project process and product, added depth to the longstanding idea of project success and expanded premises of the existing theory. This framework offered a better platform to identify when particular factors take place and affect the project along the project life span. This study also added a new insight to the Malaysian public sector projects management strategies in particular and to the other countries with the similar situations in general. A new paradigm in project decision-making by adopting a bottom-up concept rather than traditionally top-down alone during the project conceptualisation and a more realistic resource-based approach during the project planning, is suggested. In addition, this research proposed an ideal way to deal with various critical success factors in a huge programme.

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the establishment of a Project Management Office and project performance. Particularly, whether or not the establishment of a Project Management Office leads to enhanced project performance in project based organizations.   Framework - The framework developed for the purpose of this study is made out of the different categories of Project Management Office services and functions on the one side and the different dimensions of project performance on the other. The model created tests the individual relationships between the constructs on each side.   Methodology- The study employs a quantitative research design. Project Management Offices in organizations from across the globe and operating in a range of industries and industry segments are investigated. The data for the study is collected using an online questionnaire.   Findings - The findings of this study lead to the belief that the establishment of a Project Management Office and the implementation of a certain set of its services and function will indeed lead to enhanced project performance   Managerial Implications - Managers are made aware of the impact of the Project Management Office on project performance. Moreover, they are given guidelines as to what services and functions to adopt if there were only interested in seeing results on the project level. Limitations - The approach to exploring the subject in hand, the choice of participating organizations, the size of the sample tested, and the framework chosen for the evaluation of project performance are all seen as limitations for this study.