A Preliminary Investigation of Exploration-Oriented, Learning Behaviors for Managing Project Quality

Abstract

Customers are typically dissatisfied when projects fail to meet requirements and/or expectations. While effectively managing projects requires balancing competing constraints, quality is one aspect of project management that has not been widely explored. To address this issue, this research investigated the characteristics of learning/exploration used to support managing project quality. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with information technology (IT) project managers to identify learning/exploration-oriented approaches currently used in project-based environments. Analysis of the data obtained through interviews identified characteristics of learning/exploration used in projects and these findings were validated through a focus group with additional IT project managers. Based on this research, an approach is proposed that provides specific insights for project managers about using exploratory practices. When coupled with traditional project quality management processes, these learning/exploratory activities may help to enhance ambidexterity within project-based organizations and improve project quality outcomes.