The Process Aspect of Project Success

Abstract

This paper proposes an empirically tested model that explains the significance of project development phases for the project success, and the impact of project people on each phase. The conceptual model includes six inter-related components: project success as the ultimate target, project team, customer, and three process steps: planning, execution, and control. The empirical test was performed in the context of information systems (IS) projects. Usable data were obtained from a survey of 603 IS professionals and were analysed through structural equation modeling, factor analysis, and descriptive analysis. The results provide good empirical support for the proposed theoretical model. They reveal a significant direct relationship between project planning and control components and project success, and the indirect impact of project execution phase on the project success through mediating project control component. Furthermore, results emphasize the importance of the people aspect for successful execution of each of the introduced process steps.