Showing papers in "Revista de Gestão e Projetos in 2014"
TL;DR: This theorical paper presents a review and analysis in the mainly methods of lessons learned capture proposed in the last decades, and includes a set of recommendations to promote the systematic learning in projects and the success implementation of Lessons learned management.
Abstract: In a competitive market which is in constant evolution, the effective information management and the knowledge transfer are strategic aspects to the organizations. In order to improve their project management processes, companies have adopted methodologies and frameworks as alternatives to maximize the success index in their projects. As an extension of project management, the process of capture and analysis of lessons learned is an efficient and effective method to manage information and to enable the knowledge transfer, improving their process, reducing costs and aggregating value. Each executed project provides a valuable knowledge base to be used as a competitive differential. This theorical paper presents a review and analysis in the mainly methods of lessons learned capture proposed in the last decades. The analysis was performed on the basis of common criteria. The results include a set of recommendations to promote the systematic learning in projects and the success implementation of lessons learned management.
7 citations
TL;DR: The purpose of this paper is to present the development stages of an instrument for quantitative research in this area of knowledge and to evaluate a conceptual model that is designed to measure the performance of the Project Management Office.
Abstract: It is intrinsic to human nature measure to know something, this being an objective direct or indirect process of generation of information and absorption of knowledge. Given the gap in the discipline of Project Management in relation to the availability of validated survey instruments, the purpose of this paper is to present the development stages of an instrument for quantitative research in this area of knowledge. The statements were validated by Brazilians and International experts. This can be used to collect primary data in another study, in order to evaluate a conceptual model that is designed to measure the performance of the Project Management Office.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a new approach to teaching User Stories concepts following the agile Scrum development method was presented and assessed with graduate and undergraduate students at Universidade X. This approach achieved its goals even among students that already knew the technique or had professional experience with agile methodologies.
Abstract: The learning process is continuously evolving its teaching methods in order to obtain improvements in education. Teaching concepts related to requirements elicitation, scope definition and project management demands alignment between theory and practice. This work presents and assesses a new approach to teaching User Stories concepts following the agile Scrum development method. Based on the ADDIE methodology, the activity was developed and then executed with graduate and undergraduate students at Universidade X. Results demonstrated that the activity proposed achieved its goals even among students that already knew the technique or had professional experience with agile methodologies. An important contribution of this work is to make all materials and scripts available to other teachers so that the activity can be easily replicated in other universities and consequently continuously evolved.
4 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a set of variables that represent the attribute complexity in projects is identified and evaluated by 32 project managers who, through a questionnaire, validated two groups of 14 variables, which were analyzed through multivariate statistical techniques.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is developing a tool for evaluating projects – a range of numerical measurement in degrees – which includes a set of attributes of variables complexity in projects. The content of this paper is identified a set of variables that represent the attribute complexity. This set of variables was evaluated by 32 project managers who, through a questionnaire, validated two groups of 14 variables, which were analyzed through multivariate statistical techniques – the Multidimensional Scaling and Cluster Analysis. The analysis results showed that 10 variables have bigger adhesion of the attribute complexity therefore, they became part of the range measurement. This analysis also allowed resulting in the production of a scale that converges to the classification of attribute into a single point in relation to the complexity of projects. Existing scales for measuring attribute complexity in projects present a method for classification with qualitative analysis, which makes the subjective classification from the perspective of the project manager, so this paper proposes a scale of measurement in this attribute numerical grade. The Measurement Scale developed in this research can be easily applied to projects of different organizations kinds and sizes, and identifying the variables of the project.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the differences between an Internal and External Project Manager (IPM) and EPM are discussed and compared with three organizations using quantitative and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) research methods.
Abstract: The differences between an Internal and External Project Manager (IPM & EPM) are usually overlooked in the project management literature. However these differences may have a significant importance when selecting a project manager, having possible adverse impact on the overall project performance if these differences are not properly considered. This paper elaborates a framework for the differences between an IPM and EPM and tests it against three organisations using quantitative (survey) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) research methods. The research concludes that both types of PMs should not be viewed within the same light, as they each have a different role, skillset, issue management style and project success rate. In particular, IPMs tend to deploy a more ‘reactive’, whereas EPMs tend to use a more ‘proactive’ management style. Also, moving from IPM to EPM is frequently seen as a career progression. These differences may have major implications on how project managers are selected, promoted and recruited.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the alignment between agile project management practices and game development, from a case study, and describe the life cycle of construction of the games produced by the studied object.
Abstract: This study aims to present the alignment between agile project management practices and game development, from a case study. To answer the issues addressed, this paper described the life cycle of construction of the games produced by the studied object. Could be seen through the case that the achievement of agility comes from the commitment of the team, management, customer and sponsors with project success. There isn´t a solution for agile management that can be prescribed, however, the search result indicated that there is an alignment between the building and responsive game management model games. The theoretical framework provides a perspective to guide the management of agile projects and the major contribution of the work was to have merged the themes of game development and agile project management.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a case study aimed to analyze the project management and its application to innovation as the vision of achieving positive results, with an exploratory and descriptive research, with the method of working the case study.
Abstract: Projects occur in virtually all organizations vary in purpose, complexity and volume of resources employed, generating products or services to internal and external customers. When a company decides to innovate, is to a greater or lesser degree, taking an organizational decision and assuming the risks of change. In this context, the study aimed to analyze the project management and its application to innovation as the vision of achieving positive results. This was an exploratory and descriptive research, with the method of working the case study. Results were a business opportunity, know and practice the tools of project management in order to optimize their resources and enable their ideas through technologies and innovations offered to their customers as well as introduce the theories of project management to Since the management and implementation of ideas for innovation in their products and services. Finally, he stressed the limitations of the research and opportunities for future work.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a survey was conducted with 48 project managers in the information technology (IT) area of an international origin bank to investigate how the project's management skills influence project's manager employability.
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to investigate how the project’s management skills influence project’s manager employability. To achieve the goal, a survey was conducted with 48 project managers in the information technology (IT) area of an international origin bank. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical technique, statistical inference and mode - central tendency measure. The results showed difficulties in managing costs, risks and resources, and gaps to manage conflicts, delegate tasks or knowing the company's strategy. Despite this, a high degree of employability was identified, mainly ensured by networking and qualification.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a model for analyzing and evaluating risks inherent to research and development (R&D) projects and to rank risks based on the methodology from the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Abstract: This work is part of the dissertation submitted to the Graduate Program in Technology Development, from LACTEC Institutes, in partnership with the Engineering Institute of Parana - PRODETEC. The research aimed to develop a model for analyzing and evaluating risks inherent to research and development (R & D) projects and to rank risks based on the methodology from the Project Management Institute (PMI). Data collection was performed by the implementation of an electronic questionnaire for volunteer researchers, linked to a (1) public educational institution, a (2) private institution and a (3) public research institution. Objective of this work was also to prepare a computerized tool for analysis and risk assessment during the planning of projects in R & D, identifying minimum and maximum project costs from the analysis of identified threats and opportunities. A risk index was proposed to support the analysis of project proposals by research institutions as a requirement for evaluation. The computerized tool has been validated by researchers with an evaluation form.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluate the project management maturity level in the design department of a large shipyard in Brazilian Northeast, from the analysis of answers of a questionnaire developed by Prado.
Abstract: This present study aims to evaluate the Project Management Maturity level in the Design department of a large shipyard in Brazilian Northeast, from the analysis of answers of a questionnaire developed by Prado. For this, the questionnaires were distributed among managers and coordinators and the results were analyzed using tools developed by the author. These results point to a project management maturity level considered weak when compared with other companies in different segments. It was noticed that continuous improvement plans and processes shall be used to compliance with the best practices developed by the PMBOK.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors carried out an empirical qualitative research with project managers in Brazil, taking into account the peculiarities of this culture, and found that the soft skills proved to be crucial abilities needed by this manager for his/her career progression, and that these professionals perceived their professional success by either the growing complexity of the projects leaded by him/her, or also by taking a more strategic and less operational career path.
Abstract: This paper aims to study how different psycho-demographic traits may influence the activities and career progression of project managers (PM). We carried out an empirical qualitative research with PMs in Brazil, taking into account the peculiarities of this culture. There were conducted interviews with project managers that were transcribed and subjected to discourse analysis. We found out that the soft skills proved to be crucial abilities needed by this manager for his/her career progression, and that these professionals perceive their professional success by either the growing complexity of the projects leaded by him/her, or also by taking a more strategic and less operational career path. Besides it was possible to infer that the soft skills are influenced by the local culture. This research has also suggested the existence of glass doors and ceilings for ethnic, gender, and sexual minorities. These professionals seem to carry out their functions with a cost greater than the one required by their male, white and heterosexuals peers, as well as they need to prove resilient to such domination.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors considered 42 cases of project management to enterprise environmental factors as inputs in most of them, which makes the culture of the aspects that may impact the planned objectives.
Abstract: The organizational culture and knowledge remains relevant topics of study within the theory of organizations, and the area of project management. They may have an important influence on the ability of a project achieve its goals, the speed with which to adapt to market innovations and decision making. Culture and knowledge are environmental factors of the company that has significant role in the behavior of organizations, project managers must understand the different styles and organizational cultures that may affect their projects. Among the 42 cases of project management to enterprise environmental factors are considered as inputs in most of them, which makes the culture of the aspects that may impact the planned objectives. Most organizations have unique cultures, composed of different elements, and manifests itself in various forms among values, norms, beliefs and expectations, policies, standards and procedures, which are seen as a system of meanings that are accepted publicly and collectively.
TL;DR: The results demonstrate that the network of researchers at Embrapa cattle unit has low density potential of their ties, inferring actions on people management policies and incentives for knowledge sharing.
Abstract: This study analyzes the pursuit of knowledge among actors in social networks in an informal inter-organizational Agricultural Research Center of Embrapa, in order to understand how it works as a process while sharing of technical and scientific knowledge. The fundamental question in this research seeks to answer how the social network of researchers at Embrapa cattle unit, as it is presented in terms of structural and relational, can be considered a facilitator of the knowledge generation process. The research uses quantitative, qualitative and descriptive methods. The approach of Social Network Analysis (ARS) requires the measurement of the quantitative relationships. Data collection involves 52 researchers whose data were processed by software Ucinet 6.0 for Windows, which allowed visualization of the characteristics of the analyzed networks. The results demonstrate that the network has low density potential of their ties, inferring actions on people management policies and incentives for knowledge sharing.
TL;DR: Both the CMMI and the PMBOK has a focus on project management, but the structure is different from both and complete each other, and CMMI provides a framework for managing and improving processes for best practices in software engineering, for data management and decision analysis.
Abstract: In recent decades, discussions, publications, methods and tools for project management are increased. At the same time, several studies are pointing the main causes for failures on projects, providing analysis on the causes and creation of best practices to help professionals to acquire maturity and repeat successes. Given the importance of the theme, this article describes the main approaches maturity model in software development by the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) and the best practices for managing project proposed by the Project Management Institute (PMI) by means of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), in order to compare them and raising requirements for effectiveness in management software projects. It was concluded that both the CMMI and the PMBOK has a focus on project management, but the structure is different from both and complete each other. The PMBOK provides additional processes for project management to CMMI, since it presents the planning documents, such as the communications plan, in more detail. Already CMMI provides a framework for managing and improving processes for best practices in software engineering, for data management and decision analysis.
TL;DR: The results of this analysis suggest incorporating the diagnosis of unforeseeable to focus in information search about gaps in knowledge and socialize the knowledge of all team members and stakeholders.
Abstract: The more innovative a project is, the greater the probability of occurrence of unforeseeable uncertainty ( unknown unknowns ). This kind of uncertainty would be realized through the identification of early signs of a change, however for the recognition of these signs is necessary to sensemaking. Thus, this study aims to understand how project management makes sense of unforeseeable uncertainties in innovative projects and which practices are more efficient. A field survey was conducted which chose 16 projects and 35 unforeseen events as representative of unforeseeable uncertainties. Data analysis was initially qualitative grounded in-depth interview; in addition, a statistical analysis was made through non-parametric tests. The results pointed out that learning process (experimentation and improvisation) was more used in unforeseen events, risk management is not enought to identify unforeseeable uncertainty, and practices as collect information, collective sensemaking are more efficient. The results of this analysis suggest incorporating the diagnosis of unforeseeable to focus in information search about gaps in knowledge and socialize the knowledge of all team members and stakeholders.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a case study of the main risks that occur in capital projects of a large-sized national mining company and its influence on different phases of the life cycle of these projects.
Abstract: The outlook for moderate growth in global demand for minerals and metals in the medium term lead mining companies to direct their investments so focused on increasing efficiency, minimizing their costs and risks. This paper presents, as a case study, survey of the main risks that occur in capital projects of a large-sized national mining company and its influence on different phases of the life cycle of these projects. Interviews with project managers, including data collection in workshops focusing on risk management of capital projects, allowed us to know internal and external risks to the project and new risks have not been studied in the literature, increases the importance of this work.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted a study with 11 portfolio managers to understand how managers deal with emerging elements of intense integration of its activities with mobile technology and all its possibilities, and how these professionals perceive the issues addressed in their routine.
Abstract: The organizational environment is increasingly embedded in technologies that provide new forms of interaction between individuals and companies. Mobile technologies, positioned in this environment, are technologies that transform by bringing facilities and challenges at the same time. Analyze the participation of these technologies in managerial life is relevant to be able to understand how managers deal with emerging elements of intense integration of its activities with mobile technology and all its possibilities. In this scenario, financial portfolio managers additionally deal with a change in their profession. The capital market profitability decline has caused a number of investment products proliferate, demanding from this manager not only professional skills, but also as manager and financial advisor, in order to better guide their clients in so many new options available. Through a study with 11 managers, sought to deepen in elements regarding the resource overload of mobile technology, and how these professionals perceive the issues addressed in your routine.
TL;DR: The research data indicate a positive relation between the use of mobile technologies in monitoring and control of projects and project performance, particularly in terms of working within the planned schedule.
Abstract: The development of projects is fundamental to the daily functioning of any organization. However, many projects do not always have the expected results. Amongst the factors that influence the performance of projects is their effective and efficient monitoring and control. The aim of this paper is to investigate the way in which the use of mobile technologies in the processes of project monitoring and control affects project performance. The research methodology adopted consists of an exploratory phase (qualitative, with interviews) and an explanatory phase (quantitative – via a survey), and this article will emphasize the qualitative results obtained in the latter. The research data indicate a positive relation between the use of mobile technologies in monitoring and control of projects and project performance, particularly in terms of working within the planned schedule.
TL;DR: In this paper, a metodo escolhido foi o estudo de caso unico realizado in uma media empresa brasileira do setor de engenharia.
Abstract: O objetivo deste estudo e investigar o processo, as caracteristicas e os fatores influenciadores da tomada de decisao para a selecao de novos projetos. O metodo escolhido foi o estudo de caso unico realizado em uma media empresa brasileira do setor de engenharia. Os resultados permitiram constatar que a empresa-alvo realiza a tomada de decisao de forma menos complexa do que apresentam os modelos teoricos sobre o tema, o que nao seria necessariamente um problema. Contudo, o processo apresenta algumas deficiencias, entre elas, a falta de periodicidade na tomada de decisao, deixando a decisao de empreitar novos projetos para os clientes solicitantes, a falta de uma analise mais robusta para suportar a tomada de decisao, pois a analise fica restrita aos fatores organizacionais em detrimento de fatores ambientais e possui um cunho personalista sujeito a experiencias, limitacoes e preconceitos pessoais do principal decisor da organizacao. Indica-se como contribuicao teorica a necessidade do desenvolvimento de uma literatura que destaque as melhores praticas para a tomada de decisao nas pequenas e medias empresas, sobretudo, as brasileiras. Como contribuicao pratica para os gestores, indica-se a necessidade de tratar com maior importância o aperfeicoamento dos estagios do processo de tomada de decisao e para os governos e associacoes ligadas as pequenas e medias empresas, a necessidade de patrocinio de programas voltados ao tema.