Empirical study of project management practices
Cork, Peter (2015)
Cork, Peter
Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu
2015
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2015112317373
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2015112317373
Tiivistelmä
The complexity of modern projects, especially in the software industry, require formalised tracking at the same time as allowing modern methodologies such as Agile methods to be used to ensure the right product is delivered.
This research investigated how projects are currently executed in five companies of varying size in Finland. The research was done to support the hypothesis that projects are often managed using more than one method to support varying needs of the organizations in which they are executed.
Nine project leaders were interviewed in five sample companies and data was gathered in the style of an ‘Appreciative Inquiry’ to support finding good working practices, not problems. The interviewees were asked to describe how projects are executed throughout the lifecycle, along with roles, responsibilities and constraints, and how the projects are supported by the organization. The interviewees were also asked to imagine an ideal working environment to gain ideas about how projects can be run in a more suitable way.
The research found that in smaller companies the projects tend to use very lightweight methods that are similar to Agile methodologies but often scaled down to suit. In the larger companies more formal planning such as Waterfall style road mapping is used, while the team attempt to execute in an Agile way.
The thesis gives the reader ideas about how projects are managed. It also gives insight from the interviewees on how they feel that projects could be executed more successfully.
This research investigated how projects are currently executed in five companies of varying size in Finland. The research was done to support the hypothesis that projects are often managed using more than one method to support varying needs of the organizations in which they are executed.
Nine project leaders were interviewed in five sample companies and data was gathered in the style of an ‘Appreciative Inquiry’ to support finding good working practices, not problems. The interviewees were asked to describe how projects are executed throughout the lifecycle, along with roles, responsibilities and constraints, and how the projects are supported by the organization. The interviewees were also asked to imagine an ideal working environment to gain ideas about how projects can be run in a more suitable way.
The research found that in smaller companies the projects tend to use very lightweight methods that are similar to Agile methodologies but often scaled down to suit. In the larger companies more formal planning such as Waterfall style road mapping is used, while the team attempt to execute in an Agile way.
The thesis gives the reader ideas about how projects are managed. It also gives insight from the interviewees on how they feel that projects could be executed more successfully.