Research Paper on Success Factors in Project Management

Executive summary

This report focuses on identifying the key factors that can influence the success of project management. The objectives of this report have been mentioned clearly as well. This report sheds light on different important factors like project leadership, communication, project methodologies and project planning. Moreover, the importance of organisational culture for project management has been discussed. In addition, the impact of information management system alsohas been described in this report.

Introduction

Project management refers to the process of using specific tools, techniques, skills and knowledge to accomplish the project goals effectively. Project management commonly includes five major steps such as initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and project closure. In this context, it can be noted that project management is a complex task as it involves multiple factors like project planning, project leadership, right methodical approach and communication. Therefore, it is quite important to determine the right approach for project management to increase the effectiveness of the overall project. Thus, the key purpose of this report is to evaluate and discuss important factors related to the success of a project in light of existing literature.

Objectives

• To determine the appropriate leadership skills required for project management
• To discuss the importance of communication for managing a project effectively
• To understand the relationship between organisational culture and project management
• To evaluate the importance of project planning and project risks for project management
• To identify the role of the project team and contractors in managing a project

Discussion

1. Reference No. 1 (Fakhreddin et al, 2021, p920(2))

This article mainly focuses on discussing launch proficiency as a part of marketing that can impact product performance in a significant way. From this article, it can be easily pointed out that choosing the right leadership is very important for achieving the expected outcomes from the project. Thus, it will help the leaders to determine the right leadership skills according to the needs of the project. For instance, the leaders of a marketing project need to have proper ideas regarding the process of market intelligence generation (Fakhreddin et al, 2021, p920(2)). Accordingly, the project managers need to develop appropriate skills including time management skills, problem-solving and decision-making skills, interpersonal communication skills and team management skills to obtain the desired project success.

Encouragement by the leaders can lead to increasing the relationship between creativity and product performance in the context of marketing (Fakhreddin et al, 2021, p920(2)). This article also elaborates on the fact that through marketing intelligence generation the leaders can easily understand the needs and expectations of the customers. Therefore, leaders of a marketing project need to be efficient enough for launching budget as well as strategy for the project. It will help the leaders to determine the product performance in an effective way. Henceforth, it can be said that the project leaders need to focus on the right leadership skills so that they can carry out the overall project successfully. Since project leadership skills are important for balancing the priorities and measuring the progress of the project, it is necessary to improve the appropriate leadership skills according to the specific requirements of the projects. In turn, it will contribute to ensuring the success of a project significantly.

2. Reference No. 2 (Ionel, 2018, p10(1))

It is very evident that effective communication is vital for ensuring the success of the project management strategies. Communicating with the team members helps to reduce risks and increase the chances of achieving the targeted project goals effectively. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the communication skills of the project stakeholders to increase the effectiveness of the project (Ionel, 2018, p10(1)). The potential of developing the appropriate communication strategy is increasing gradually. Hence, the project managers need to develop open communication to improve the project goals in an effective manner. Moreover, the project managers also need to have the right communication skills so that they can communicate to the negotiators and express the needs and requirements of the project to the project stakeholders without any difficulties.

3. Reference No. 3 (Sarasvuo, 2021, p795(3))

Organisational culture as well as organisational identities have a great impact on project management because the culture of an organisation can influence the project goals and objectives in a significant manner. As highlighted by (Sarasvuo, 2021, p795(3)), organisational identity is closely related to the perspectives of the internal stakeholders. Since an organisation can have multiple identities, the stakeholders do not perceive all the identities uniformly. As a result, organisational identities can impact on the successes of the project due to the diversity. Organisational culture can influence the actions and decision-making process of the managers and leaders to a great extent. Therefore, it is important to consider the specific culture of the organisation while developing the project management strategy. Moreover, organisational culture plays an important role in determining the team members work together to achieve the common goals. In this regard, it is essential to focus on the actions and behaviours of the stakeholders to improve the overall project management process.

Organisational identity has a close relation with corporate identities and construed external images (Sarasvuo, 2021, p795(3)). Therefore, it can be helpful to consider both organisational identity and corporate identity to develop the project management culture. In turn, it can guide the project leaders to decide the value, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours of the internal stakeholders and their underlying assumptions effectively. This particular article highlights the fact that the perceptions of the internal stakeholders reading the organisational identities indicate how the organisational leaders determine the corporate identity (Sarasvuo, 2021, p795(3)).Thus, it can be very effective to consider the organisational identity and culture as an integral part of project management to ensure the success of the project.

4. Reference No. 4 (Madarcos et al, 2021, p50(1))

The main purpose of project planning is to determine the targeted goals of a project and identify the risks related to a particular project. In simple words, project planning guides the project leaders, project teams and other stakeholders through different project phases. In this context, the focus can be given on the GCRF (Global Challenges Research Fund) Blue Communities Project to understand the importance of project planning for determining the impact of environmental changes on coastal as well as marine settings (Madarcos et al, 2021, p50(1)). In this article, the authors have focused on how changes in regulatory backdrop can influence the coastal communities. From this article, it can be easily pointed out that any types of changes in project planning can have a significant effect on the overall project outcomes.

In general, project planning is important for setting a discipline for completing the project within the due time. Furthermore, it also helps the project managers determine the project phases and available resources to complete the entire project tasks timely. In this article, survey of the local community was an important part of the project planning process (Madarcos et al, 2021, p50(1)). Thus, it has helped to understand the perception of the local community members reading the impact of changes of the coastal environment in Palawan, Philippines. The GCRF project has been mainly developed for examining the changes in marine spatial planning for different coastal communities. The planning was important for ensuring the benefits and well-being of the coastal communities. Accordingly, it can be stated that developing an effective project plan helps to focus on the right process of project management that contributes to the project success.

5. Reference No. 5 (Todorović et al, 2020, p8619(2))

Project management methods can be considered as one of the major factors for increasing the chances of project success in an effective manner. Project management methodologies refer to the set of procedures and principles that guide the project managers to plan, execute and manage the projects efficiently. Therefore, it is vital to choose the appropriate project management methods in order to determine how to prioritise and complete the project work. In this particular context, it can be said that project management methodologies can be very useful for developing a deep understanding regarding sustainable project management (Todorović et al, 2020, p8619(2)). From the article, it is also easy to understand that the methodologies related to project management can vary in different sectors. Moreover, these methodologies can provide more support to enhance the sustainability of the project management system. Therefore, it can be stated that the project managers need to be careful while choosing the project management methods to become successful in managing projects.

The authors have focused on different methodologies such as Scrum methodology and Crystal methodology that can contribute to maximising the sustainability of project management (Todorović et al, 2020, p8619(2)). As per the article, Scrum methodology focuses more on the adaptability and flexibility of changes during a project whereas Crystal methodology emphasises on people and their communication and collaboration skills to achieve success in a particular project. Therefore, it is quite evident that the project managers and leaders have the sole responsibility to determine the right project management methodologies based on the requirements of the projects. Different projects have different requirements in the public and private sectors. Thus, by selecting the right methodological tools the project managers can figure out the best practises for the project and organise the project work accordingly for sustainable project management.

6. Reference No. 6 (Ou et al, 2021, p56(2))

Information systems have a close relation to project management in terms of planning and executing the projects in an efficient manner. Information system associated with project management used in creating specific schedules and defining the scope baseline of the projects effectively. Moreover, it also helps the project managers to derive information about the work performance of the project. According to the view of (Ou et al, 2021, p12(2)), the grid companies in China have developed effective information systems for project management to regulate and control the project works effectively. It has helped the companies to avoid any kind of accidents in the power grid system. The authors have highlighted different types of information systems for project management including “Smart Cite management system”, hardware design and software design for increasing the efficiency of the project works in the power construction companies.

Thus, it can be effective to consider the information management systems for project management in order to reduce project risks and determine corrective actions to mitigate the risks. Information systems are also very essential for determining the costs of the overall projects so that the project managers can complete the project tasks within the estimated budget. Based on the article. It can be noted that through the information systems the project managers can get early warning of any probable risks and analyse the collected data to figure out any effective strategies to deal with the risks in grid companies (Ou et al, 2021, p12(2)). Therefore, it is quite evident from the article that the project managers need to consider the project management information systems as a major factor for enhancing the success of the project effectively.

7. Reference No. 7 (Piwowar-Sulej, 2021, p1280(3))

Culture of an organisation has a great impact on developing the project management strategy for a particular project. Organisational culture influences the project manager to decide the project management methodologies according to the project characteristics. According to the article, the project managers focus more on the organisational culture instead of objectives to select the project methodologies in the financial organisations (Piwowar-Sulej, 2021, p1280(3)). Organisational culture is all about beliefs and values that helps to determine the behaviours and attitudes of the people within the organisation. Therefore, it is important to focus on the relationship between organisational culture and project methodologies. According to the comments of (Piwowar-Sulej, 2021, p1280(3)), implementation of project management can bring significant changes in organisational culture in various aspects. On the other hand, determining the proper characteristics of the culture of an organisation can facilitate the process of implementing project management methodologies in the organisation.

In this context, it is also important to note that organisational culture has a great impact on maximising the efficiency of the knowledge transfer process which, in turn, can contribute to increasing collaboration and teamwork for a particular project. Moreover, by promoting the right organisational culture the project leaders can increase commitment and develop cooperative attitudes among the team members for the success of a project (Piwowar-Sulej, 2021, p1280(3)). It can also guide the project leaders to make effective decisions about how to execute the project successfully. Thus, it can be said from the discussion that the success of a particular project is greatly influenced by organisational culture which makes it more evident that the project leaders need to consider organisational culture as a crucial factor for project success.

8. Reference No. 8 (Caulfield, 2021, p30(1))

Contractors have major responsibility for planning, leading and supervising the project works in construction projects. Planning and supervising the project are very essential for building construction projects. Therefore, the success of a construction project majorly depends on the involvement and participation of the contractors in the project. As opined by (Caulfield, 2021, p30(1)), uses of advanced technologies can help the building contractors to manage the projects in a more efficient way. Besides, the author has emphasised on the fact that tech-savvy contractors have better opportunities to attract new and young talents to the construction project to enhance the image of the project. Moreover, by implementing advanced technology the contractors can introduce effective training programs for the team members to improve their skills required for a particular project.

Worker shortage becomes a very common problem in the construction projects that impacts the success of the overall project in a negative way. In such cases, the contractors can play a major role in retaining the workers though different training and development programs (Caulfield, 2021, p30(1)). Thus, the contractors can also manage delay in the supply chain process related to a building construction project. In turn, it can help the contractors to complete the construction project within the estimated time as well as budget. Project managers have the responsibility to manage all the aspects of a project whereas the contractors need to deal with the construction of a building project. Therefore, it can be stated that contractors need to focus on the workforce activities and performance through adopting advanced technologies to determine the success of the construction project.

9. Reference no 9

The project mainly specifies the idea of the relationship of the suppliers as well as buyers for the effective management of the consumers’ satisfaction level. The effective management of the supply chain to avail the proper resources to maintain the consumers’ base effectively needs proper strategic approach. As opined by Rodrigues and Martins, 2022, p15(3), the relationship among the suppliers as well as the consumers need to be maintained effectively so that the market share as well as tangible price rate can be managed to maintain the effectiveness of the supply chain management system.

The suppliers need proper operational investment for the motivation to manage the satisfaction level of the customers in the current competitive market. Moreover, the various external factors as well as situational changes vary on the needs of the customers. Therefore, the suppliers invest on the current market on the basis of the market price. The mutual dependence among the customers as well as the suppliers enhances the transparency among the communication management due to the supply chain management system. The suppliers need to maintain the availability of the sufficient resources to manage the market rationality in handling the resources to reach the customers’ satisfaction level so that the customers can get the chance to utilise the resources. The suppliers analyse the competitors in the current market to modify the current changes in the competitive market so that the consumers can purchase their desired products within a reasonable price range.

10. Reference 10

The study mainly focuses on the “Bayesian Model” of polished workers as well as construction management for offering the procurement price range to the customers. It mainly focuses on the advance payment system in the construction industry to manage the construction workers effectively. The construction workers need to adjust the close cooperating service in the effective management of the required service of the customers in the construction industry with the adequate resources. The diversity among the different working organisations in the construction industry often face the difficulty to cope up with the current market. The success of the construction industry varies on the different approaches of the different construction industries (Sobieraj and Metelski, 2021, p360(2)).

The lack of qualified as well as professional workers and trained staff in the industry result in the retardation of the success rate in the construction industry. Besides, the payment as well as financial problems due to unavailability of the advanced systems causes the lack of proper management system in the organisation due to the poor financial management process. The block chain process helps to enhance the progress in the financial sector which can accelerate the growth of the construction industry. Sustainable Project Management process helps to meet the satisfaction level of the consumers as well as the workers in respect of the crisis management method to enhance the betterment of the progress of the workplace. The “Industry 4.0 Technology” helps to bring sustainability in the project management process in the construction industry.

Conclusion

As per the above discussion, it is easy to summarise the major factors contributing to the success of project management. This report has focused on key factors like leadership, communication, organisational culture and project methodologies that can determine the success of a project effectively. From the report, it can be summed up that the project managers need to develop the right leadership skills to manage and control the activities related to a particular project. However, the project also sheds light on the fact that contractors play a significant role in the case of building construction projects. Reviewing the existing literature regarding communication in project management helps to understand the importance of communication skills for managing a project successfully. On the other hand, this report reveals the impact of organisational culture and identities in determining the right project methodologies for increasing project success. Project methodologies have a crucial part in project management which has been described in this report in detail. Besides, this project highlights the relationship between project planning and project management that is also another major contributor to make a project more successful.

References

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