Abstract
Due to increasing pressures on their available resources, research institutions are generally speaking in dire need of the more efficient goal achievement apparently afforded by the project management process, if applied appropriately. This article reports on an investigation in a large research organization in South Africa, to determine how closer conformance can be achieved of research projects with the typical characteristics of 'conventional' projects so as to enhance the application of project management techniques to research work. Firstly an overview of 'conventional' project management theory is given to establish a point of departure. Thereafter a number of factors that were identified in the study. which generally inhibits project management application in functionally structured organizations, are discussed. This is followed by a discussion of certain peculiarities of research work that may cause the failure of a proper project management approach. By comparing the above with the determinants of successful project management, five groundrules are then formulated for applying project management to research environments. These groundrules are the necessary prerequisites for the framework for a generalized approach to the application of project management to research environments, which is presented in conclusion.
Highlights
Project management is heralded as the supreme management technique for the achievement of complex one-off goals within specified performance, time and cost targets
From the plethora of available literature on project management it may appear to the layman that applying project management is a simple matter of defining goals, identifying activities and resources, assembling teams and appointing authoritative project leaders. It would appear as if this notion is compatible with the management of research projects
The purpose of this article is fourfold: Firstly to briefly overview relevant 'conventional' project management theory to establish an authentic point of departure
Summary
Graduate School of Business, University of Stellenbosch, P.O. Box 610, Bellville 7535, South Africa. If applied appropriately This article reports on an investigation in a large research organization in South Africa, to determine how closer conformance can be achieved. Which generally inhibits project management application in functionally structured organizations, are discussed. This is followed by a discussion of certain peculiarities of research work that may cause the failure of a proper project management approach. By comparing the above with the determinants of successful project management, five groundrules are formulated for applying project management to research environments These groundrules are the necessary prerequisites for the framework for a generalized approach to the application of project management to research environments, which is presented in conclusion
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