Best practices of inclusive project management : developing a guide for an international organization to succeed in managing internal projects

Abstract

This thesis was implemented as a research-based development work regarding the best practices of internal project management and inclusive leadership. The purpose of the thesis was to develop a guide for the commissioning company, Beamex Oy Ab, to succeed in managing internal projects focusing on inclusive leadership of international and cross-functional project teams.

Three main goals were set for the thesis and defined the main phases of the thesis. First, existing theoretical knowledge of project management, change management, inclusive leadership, diversity, and organizational behavior and learning were studied to understand the linkages between the topics to gather a suitable knowledge base for the thesis research. Secondly, existing experience in project management and the principles of it within the commissioning company were documented to understand the current situation. Thirdly, the theoretical findings were reflected on the documented experiences and practices to collect the success factors and barriers of leading internal projects within the commissioning company. As an outcome the thesis produced a guide for the commissioning company to be used by internal project managers and leaders as recommendations and as support for inclusive project management.

Theoretical knowledge base was collected from professional literature and previous research around project management, inclusive leadership, change management, organizational behavior, and organizational learning. Research data collection was based on commissioning company’s internal documents and on qualitative interviews of employees with experience in project management, and leadership of international and cross-functional project teams. Development work was based on benefitting the theoretical knowledge base and the collected research data as well as on collaboration with people from the commissioning company during different phases of the work.

As conclusion the thesis offered the commissioning company a way to analyze its project management maturity level to identify the development needs. The developed guide offered practical tools and knowledge of inclusive project management and leadership. The thesis highlighted the importance of organization’s support for successful internal project management and offered information and recommendations regarding diversity awareness, inclusiveness, and project learning needed in developing organization’s project management and inclusive leadership of projects.