Gilbert, Daryl (2024) Effective project management strategies for identifying and addressing projects' complexities and improving projects' success rates. DBA thesis, Walden University, USA.
Abstract
Some project managers lack strategies to mitigate project failures in detailed execution. Project leaders are concerned that an inapt definition and planning are used to deliver successful projects. Grounded in contingency theory, the purpose of this qualitative single-case study was to explore effective strategies used by industrial chemical plant project managers to mitigate failure in detailed execution. Five project managers from the southern United States who successfully led the execution of capital projects participated in the study. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and a review of company procedures. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis: proactive complexity and risk management, knowledge and expertise utilization, project planning and scope management, and stakeholder engagement and communication. A key recommendation for project leaders is implementing early risk identification and mitigation protocols by involving the team in decision-making processes and establishing clear and regular communication with all stakeholders. The implications for positive social change include the potential for improved project management practices and the promotion of a more inclusive and collaborative work environment, which can lead to increased customer satisfaction, job creation, and societal advancements.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Black, Ronald and Jack, Brenda |
| Index terms: | project management, risk management, work environment, customer satisfaction, stakeholder engagement, capital project, contingency theory, decision-making process, project failure, promotion, project manager, case study, project planning, complexity, thematic analysis, mitigation, risk identification, strategy, interview, project management practice, United States |
| Subjects: | sociology, decision analysis, systems engineering, management, project management theory and practice, methods and analysis, service delivery, risk assessment, profession, data collection methods, control systems, community and social dimensions, financial risk, Geography, strategic project management, project completion |
| Topics: | Human Resources, Organizational Design, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Geographical Context, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Risk Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here