Showing papers in "Project Management Journal in 2016"
TL;DR: Projects have become omnipresent not only in the economy but also in our society and our lives as mentioned in this paper, and projects organize and shape our actions at work, in our professional profiles and networks, and also...
Abstract: Projects have become omnipresent not only in the economy but also in our society and our lives. Projects organize and shape our actions at work, in our professional profiles and networks, and also ...
133 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a longitudinal study of the design and construction of Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 by the British Airports Authority (BAA) makes three main contributions to the literature: (1) it contributes to the project management literature by identifying how specific dynamic capabilities (T5 Agreement, strategic behaviors, and collaborative processes) are developed through a three-phase process (learning, codifying, and mobilizing) to support the strategic management of complex projects.
Abstract: Whereas existing approaches and empirical studies of dynamic capabilities focus on the strategic innovation activities of firms (i.e., permanent organizations executing multiple projects and programs), this article identifies how certain types of dynamic capabilities are required to deliver large, complex, and risky projects involving multiple parties. Our longitudinal study of the design and construction of Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 by the British Airports Authority (BAA) makes three main contributions to the literature: (1) It contributes to the project management literature by identifying how specific dynamic capabilities (BAA's "T5 Agreement," strategic behaviors, and collaborative processes) are developed through a three-phase process (learning, codifying, and mobilizing) to support the strategic management of complex projects. (2) While emphasizing their importance for the successful management of complex projects, our findings also underline the continuing fragility of dynamic capabilities. (3) The case study reveals their fluidity and balancing role with respect to demands for stability and change in complex, uncertain, and volatile project environments.
117 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe factors contributing to project performance by a company working on two major construction programs and show how to map and analyze paths from root causes to success criteria.
Abstract: Defining “project success” has been of interest for many years, and recent developments combine multiple measurable and psychosocial factors that add to this definition. There has also been research into success factors, but little research into the causal chains through which success emerges. Following the multi-dimensionality of “success,” this article shows how success factors combine in complex interactions; it describes factors contributing to project performance by a company working on two major construction programs and shows how to map and analyze paths from root causes to success criteria. The study also identifies some specific factors—some generic, some context-dependent—none of these is uncommon but here they come together synergistically.
107 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine how project networks may be viewed as either a single interorganizational project or as a series of projects that are interconnected by inter-organizational relationships.
Abstract: This article examines how project networks may be viewed as either a single interorganizational project or as a series of projects that are interconnected by interorganizational relationships. The ...
104 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors have long recognized that standard approaches to project management are ill-suited to address changes in the environment or business needs, particularly in innovative contexts characterised by character...
Abstract: Researchers have long recognized that standard approaches to project management are ill-suited to address changes in the environment or business needs, particularly in innovative contexts character...
101 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that virtual project teams perform better when leadership is shared (rather than centralized with the formal team leader), but team leaders are often neither prepared to identify shared leader nor are they willing to identify a shared leader.
Abstract: Many virtual project teams perform better when leadership is shared (rather than centralized with the formal team leader); however, team leaders are often neither prepared to identify shared leader...
73 citations
TL;DR: The pre-project or ideation phase is often disregarded in project portfolio management as discussed by the authors, and senior managers put more emphasis on later project stages, and researchers predominantly investigate the fron...
Abstract: The pre-project or ideation phase is often disregarded in project portfolio management. Senior managers put more emphasis on later project stages, and researchers predominantly investigate the fron...
60 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide a retrospective analysis of the difficulties experienced by Boeing during the development of its highly innovative Dreamliner aircraft, which suffered extensive delays and cost overruns.
Abstract: Understanding the link between project complexity and innovation is highly pertinent. Yet, the challenge of innovative complex projects has received limited research attention and little theory development. This article provides a retrospective analysis of the difficulties experienced by Boeing during the development project of its highly innovative Dreamliner aircraft. Eventually successful, this project suffered extensive delays and cost overruns. The article analyzes the project's complex nature of innovation, while using several frameworks to provide an integrative view of its challenges and suggesting possible alternative ways to address them. Insights for complex project teams and future research directions are offered.
57 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify the key variables of sustainability in project management and explore the impact of these variables on project success, using a methodological approach combined with a literature review.
Abstract: This research identifies the key variables of sustainability in project management and explores the impact of these variables on project success. The methodological approach combined a literature r...
50 citations
TL;DR: This article develops a coherent and holistic profile of project complexity and provides reflections on its implications for project management theory and practice.
Abstract: The current understanding of project complexity is limited in that there is neither a widely recognized conceptualization of project complexity nor a convergent view on how to deal with its effects...
46 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the diseno eficaz y la entrega de megaproyectos are discussed. But no megaprocessor selection is discussed, except for the one presented in this article.
Abstract: Union Europea, ACTION COST TU1003 - MEGAPROJECT: El diseno eficaz y la entrega de megaproyectos
TL;DR: In this article, the authors deal with the management of exploratory projects and rely on a case study of the space industry to study their supposed strangeness compared with more traditional projects.
Abstract: This article deals with the management of exploratory projects and relies on a case study of the space industry to study their supposed strangeness compared with more traditional projects. Indeed, ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the impact of multilevel level governance on the frequency of ethical issues in temporary organizations was investigated, and a structural equation model, based on a global survey, showed that multi-level level governance had a negative effect on ethical issues.
Abstract: The impact of multilevel level governance on the frequency of ethical issues in temporary organizations (TOs) is investigated. A structural equation model, based on a global survey, showed that beh...
TL;DR: In Project Society, organizing by projects plays a prominent role as mentioned in this paper, and projectification continues to lead developments and transformations along a set of paths along which these paths lead to Project Society.
Abstract: In Project Society, organizing by projects plays a prominent role. This type of society is already here, but projectification continues to lead developments and transformations along a set of paths ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the interplay between open and closed innovation at Crossrail, Europe's largest civil engineering project, was studied, which aims to build a suburban railway system in London.
Abstract: We studied the interplay between open and closed innovation at Crossrail, Europe's largest civil engineering project—aiming to build a suburban railway system in London. Our findings suggest that open and closed innovation can be combined by creating an appropriate communication and exchange environment, whose elements include organizational arrangements (e.g., team organization and task assignment) and methods and rules of communication. We also found that innovation in megaprojects can be successfully driven when the contractors are encouraged to search for and implement incremental solutions to minor problems, not just radical and strategically relevant innovations.
TL;DR: Reference class forecasting (RCF) bypasses human judgment by basing on reference class forecasting as mentioned in this paper, bypassing human judgment for cost and time forecasting by predicting the future course of specific events.
Abstract: Traditionally, project managers produce cost and time forecasts by predicting the future course of specific events. In contrast, reference class forecasting (RCF) bypasses human judgment by basing ...
TL;DR: In the maturing IT project management space, there are still many debates about the skills needed to achieve success as mentioned in this paper, and this article presents a review and synthesis of project management literature.
Abstract: In the maturing IT project management space, there are still many debates about the skills needed to achieve success. This article presents a review and synthesis of project management literature t...
Abstract: Rapid change is an accelerating problem for projects in most industries. This article presents findings from a grounded theory study identifying project management approaches for mitigating rapid change in the course of a project. These results relate to culture, communication, and leadership and are complimentary to results previously presented on planning and control for dynamic environments. The study employed 37 in-depth interviews and three focus groups held with practitioners across ten industries (defense, community development, construction, technology, pharmaceutical, film production, scientific startups, venture capital, space, and research). Themes emerged relating to: a vision led, egalitarian, goal-orientated culture supporting experimentation; timely and efficient communication; and flexible leadership with rapid decision making. The findings address a gap in the project literature management and may be useful to practitioners.
TL;DR: In this article, sustainability-related targets in construction projects are progressively becoming popular, while some stakeholders generally recognize it as important, there are others with differing opinions on the importance of sustainability.
Abstract: Accomplishing sustainability-related targets in construction projects is progressively becoming popular. While some stakeholders generally recognize it as important, there are others with differing...
TL;DR: In this paper, the roles and potential benefits of axiology and value theory in project research are explored through an exploration of the essentials of the axiology an annealing process.
Abstract: The purpose of this article is to explore the roles and potential benefits of axiology and value theory in project research. This is done through (1) an exploration of the essentials of axiology an ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose an empirical categorization of PMOs based on types of projects, such as engineering and software engineering, and propose a classification system of PMO within the context of organizational design.
Abstract: The article aims to renew the classification system of PMOs within the context of organizational design and proposes an empirical categorization of PMOs based on types of projects: engineering and ...
TL;DR: In this article, a four-year case study reveals empirical evidence about how processes effectively evolve over time and affect formal mechanisms and structures of projects in the construction sector, confirming that projects (re)create the very processes and structures that initiate them.
Abstract: Theory-based studies claim that informal processes interfere with the formal mechanisms and structures of projects in the construction sector. These processes structure and transform multi-organizations. This four-year case study reveals empirical evidence about how processes effectively evolve over time and affect formal mechanisms and structures. The results show: (1) the significant differences between what is planned and what actually unfolds in project processes; (2) how iterative processes overshadow linear ones; (3) how informality and “iterativity” eventually end up as self-, eco-, and re-organizing projects and organizations, confirming that projects (re)create the very processes and structures that initiate them.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the potential perception inconsistency regarding the risks between the client and the vendor for IT outsourcing projects by using a quasi-Delphi approach and found inconsistencies in the risks perceived by the two parties: the clients regarded lack of vendor commitment to the project and poor vendor selection criteria and process as top critical risks but the vendors didn't; and on the other hand, the vendors perceived unclear requirements and lack of experience and expertise with project activities as significant risks, but the clients didn't.
Abstract: Information technology (IT) outsourcing has been a business practice for more than two decades. Researchers have suggested successful risk management as a key factor in successful IT outsourcing projects implementation. The documented investigations, however, have mainly addressed risk management only from a single perspective of either clients or IT vendors. Considering only one perspective allows for an omission of possible risks considered critical by the other party, as suggested by agency theory. This study explored the potential perception inconsistency regarding the risks between the client and the vendor for IT outsourcing projects by using a quasi-Delphi approach. The analysis results indicated some inconsistencies in the risks perceived by the two parties: (1) the clients regarded (a) lack of vendor commitment to the project and (b) poor vendor selection criteria and process as top critical risks but the vendors didn't; and (2) on the other hand, the vendors perceived (a) unclear requirements and (b) lack of experience and expertise with project activities as significant risks but the clients didn't. Insights into how the client and the vendor perceive risks may help both parties determine how to partner and manage project risks collaboratively to succeed in outsourcing.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a risk management strategy for information system development projects that considers the variations in risk influences during the life cycle of an information systems development project require analyses to devise risk management strategies cost effe...
Abstract: Project risks evolve dynamically, so variations in risk influences during the life cycle of an information system development project require analyses to devise risk management strategies cost effe...
TL;DR: Innovation project leaders have the challenging role of guiding their team by managing four intertwined processes: developing content, meeting project constraints, stimulating creativity, and guiding the team as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Innovation project leaders have the challenging role of guiding their team by managing four intertwined processes: developing content, meeting project constraints, stimulating creativity, and guidi...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors draw from Upper Echelons Theory in studying the executive profiles of 109 important firms currently active in Italy, and show that, although homogeneity substantially regards the executive's gender, age, and level of education, heterogeneity is associated more with his or her functional background.
Abstract: Which executive profiles currently govern the construction value chain? Addressing this lively research question is the key point of our article and it appears central to scholars, practitioners, and policymakers interested in project management in general, and construction and real estate in particular. For this reason, we draw from Upper Echelons Theory in studying the executive profiles of 109 important firms currently active in Italy. Our statistical analysis shows that, although homogeneity substantially regards the executive's gender, age, and level of education, heterogeneity is associated more with his or her functional background. We thus prospect some conceptual and methodological avenues for further analyses in this challenging area of research.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a situation-specific approach that enables managers to select established project management knowledge according to changing needs along the project life cycle and establish situation profiles as a concept to relate each situation to a management method that corresponds with its managerial needs.
Abstract: Collaborative research projects form a specific project type, aimed at organizing innovation endeavors between industry, academic, and public partners. They've become increasingly widespread and their management is challenged due to ambiguously defined goals and the heterogeneous interests of many partners. We present a situation-specific approach that enables managers to select established project management knowledge according to changing needs along the project life cycle. Making use of thematic analysis, we develop a graphical framework to describe and analyze project situations. Further we establish situation profiles as a concept to relate each situation to a management method that corresponds with its managerial needs.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors look at project management through two complementary lenses: one that accounts for cognitive and representational aspects and one that account for material and volitional aspects, inspired by the work of the German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer.
Abstract: This article challenges some deep-rooted assumptions of project management. Inspired by the work of the German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer, it calls for looking at projects through two complementary lenses: one that accounts for cognitive and representational aspects and one that accounts for material and volitional aspects. Understanding the many ways in which these aspects transpire and interact in projects sheds new light on project organizations, as imperfect and fragile representations that chase a shifting nexus of intractable human, social, technical, and material processes. This, in turn, can bring about a new grasp of notions such as value,
knowledge, complexity, and risk.
TL;DR: In this paper, the philosophy of Martin Heidegger and Richard Rorty is used to redescribe the fundamental assumptions underpinning project management, rather than viewing project management as merely a science, the significance and value of philosophy for project management are developed.
Abstract: The philosophies of Martin Heidegger and Richard Rorty are used to redescribe the fundamental assumptions underpinning project management. Rather than viewing project management as merely a science, the significance and value of philosophy for project management are developed. The philosophical practice of redescription as a way of responding to existential disruptions of the lived experience of managing projects is seen as vital not only to being a project manager but to describing project management.