Project management of internal development projects : tailoring a project management framework for the case organisation

Abstract

Project management is essential for the success of development projects. There are many methodologies and frameworks available for project management, and organisations need to choose or create one that suits them and their projects. A structured framework allows for a common way of working, and is proven to enhance project management, enable reaching project objectives, increase the success rate of projects and help reduce costs.

This thesis was commissioned by Nordic Sports Brands Oy, a medium-sized limited liability company based in Finland selling sporting goods. The internal development projects are carried out alongside employees’ day-to-day work as the organisation does not have a Project Office. The objective of this thesis was to find ways to improve the project management of the commissioner’s internal development projects. This was done by conducting a current state analysis of the project management of the commissioner and researching scientific literature on internal development projects and project management.

Based on the needs identified in the current state analysis and the best practices presented in the project management literature, a demand for a project management framework was discovered. The findings were used to design a Project Handbook and create a Project Toolkit, which can be utilised with and tailored for the different development projects of the commissioner.