IT Project Management Research Articles

Analysis of modern approaches to management of complex IT projects

The article examines the peculiarities of managing complex IT projects. Their essence is revealed and the classification of factors affecting complexity is presented. In the work, complex IT projects are those that require research and experimental confirmation of project decision-making. It is shown that the complexity can arise already at the beginning of the project, during the formation of its goal, or it can be during the execution of project works, such complexity is related to the complexity of project implementation. The work shows that the project can be classified as complex based on certain qualitative and quantitative factors. The complexity of behavior was considered separately, namely due to the technical complexity of project implementation, which will require the use of complex technologies. This manifests itself as a lack of experience and appropriate skills in the project team. To ensure effective management of complex IT projects, developers use flexible management technologies, Agile, which reduce project uncertainty through iterative development. But when the project team does not have much experience in product development, or does not have the technology, when the result of the application of innovations in management is unknown in advance, research and experimental confirmation are used. To overcome the complexity during the implementation of IT projects, it is recommended to use the approach called Spikes in English. The work presents the author's interpretation of the definition of Spikes and examples of their application. The relationship between innovativeness and complexity of IT projects in the sense of using Spikes is revealed. For the second group of complex IT projects, where the complexity is manifested at the beginning of the project work, the application of the procedure of research and development works is proposed. The article highlights the author's position regarding the purpose and degree of scientific research in IT projects. It is noted that this approach is used exclusively for obtaining an IT product, not a scientific product. The methods of managing scientific and research works in IT projects are analyzed, their place and importance in ensuring the successful completion of complex projects is shown. The hypothesis management workflow is considered as an element of managing complex IT projects.

Analysis of methods and models of time and human resource management in IT projects

In modern IT companies, time and human resource management are critical for the successful execution of projects. Effective time management reduces the risk of delays and increases team productivity, positively impacting the final result. The aim of the article is to analyze the standards, methods, and models of time optimization in IT projects, as well as human resource management in IT companies. The research revealed that there are several key standards and models for time management in the IT industry. Among them are Agile methodologies, Scrum, and traditional approaches. Each has its advantages and disadvantages depending on the project type and its requirements. Several time optimization methods are considered, such as the Critical Path Method (CPM) and the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). These methods are effective in identifying and managing project time constraints, allowing the identification of critical tasks and optimization of resource allocation. Regarding human resource management, the research identified the use of various motivation and team management models. In particular, Agile HR methods, which include team self-organization, flexible working schedules, and continuous feedback, contribute to increased motivation and employee satisfaction, impacting their productivity and work quality. Based on the research, it can be concluded that effective time and personnel management are essential components of IT project success. The use of Agile and Scrum methodologies combined with time optimization methods, such as CPM and PERT, enhances productivity and reduces the risk of delays. Implementing Agile HR methods for personnel management increases team motivation and efficiency. The combination of these approaches creates an effective project and personnel management system capable of adapting to changes and ensuring a high level of task execution.

Artificial Intelligence Adoption and Project Success: A Mixed-Method Study

AI's growing acceptance is changing project management's human-centric approach. Project management is using AI to automate and support duties. This change could improve workflows, decision-making, and project efficiency. The full influence of AI on project success is unknown. There is little empirical evidence linking AI use to project outcomes. This ignorance highlights the necessity to study AI's impact on project management. The project management AI industry is expected to expand 38% annually. Since the late 1980s, AI has improved project management by providing more intelligent and autonomous help. Data privacy, accountability, strategic leadership, communication, innovation, and emotional intelligence are important ethical issues. This study examines how AI adoption affects project success through communication and feedback. This mixed-method study examines how AI adoption affects project success. The quantitative phase measured AI communication, feedback, and project progress via a predefined questionnaire. The sample includes construction, IT, manufacturing, healthcare, and finance project managers and team members. Multiple regression analysis and structural equation modelling were employed in IBM SPSS AMOS to examine AI adoption and project success measures. A qualitative phase of semi-structured interviews with respondents contextualised the quantitative data. Thematic analysis gleaned insights from interview transcripts. AI's impact on project success was examined using integrated data, with ethics in mind. The study examined AI tool-project success relationships using a structural equation model. Communication mode, feedback style, and frequency explained 3% of project success variance. Quantitative research showed that AI communication frequency improves project success, whereas mode and style negatively impact it. Participants' qualitative comments indicated six themes that match quantitative findings, and their replies enhance quantitative results and recommend improvements. The study concluded that AI communication frequency positively increases project success, while mode and style negatively affect it. The mixed-methods approach showed that AI tools alone cannot ensure project success; communication style and frequency are. The study recommended among others that organisations should integrate AI tools into project management systems, match AI communication modes to project team preferences, optimise feedback styles, and provide regular updates to improve AI communication. Project teams need ongoing training.

Impact of turquoise management on interdisciplinarity in IT project management

Abstract Subject matter and purpose of work The article explores the impact of turquoise management on interdisciplinarity in IT project management. The main objective is to explore how the principles of turquoise management, which emphasise self-organisation, collaboration and trust, influence the integration of different disciplines in IT project management. Materials and methods The study is based on a review of the literature on turquoise management and interdisciplinary approaches in project management. The theoretical foundations of turquoise management and their application in the context of IT projects are analysed. Case studies of organisations that have implemented the principles of turquoise management are also presented. Results The results indicate that turquoise management fosters interdisciplinary collaboration in IT projects. The principles of self-organisation and trust lead to greater creativity and innovation, resulting in better project outcomes. Conclusions Turquoise management significantly supports interdisciplinarity in IT project management, making it a valuable approach for organisations seeking to innovate and adapt in a rapidly changing technology environment.

Overcoming IT Project Challenges: An Integrated Model of Characteristics, Leadership, and Complexity

ABSTRACT This study investigates how the ability of an IT project manager (PM) to apply effective transformational and transactional leadership behaviors improves project outcomes. Specifically, we model IT project characteristics (type and innovativeness), IT project leadership behaviors (transformational and transactional), and IT project complexities (interaction, faith, and fact) on the IT project outcome (scope, budget, and timeline). We validate our model using data collected from 111 IT project professionals.

Implementing Project Management Integrated with ITIL: Case Study in a Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Company

At the last phase of an IT project, it will transfer to the operations team. It is critical to ensure the change management process integrated between project and operations is working smoothly. The study highlights lessons from implementing project management integrated with ITIL. This research is conducted on a multinational Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company that has already implemented project management integrated with ITIL. The study adopts PMBOK and ITIL frameworks, previous studies, and guided interviews, which are then analyzed using socio-technical aspects. This research can enrich existing literature, especially regarding IT project management and service areas. The study concludes that implementing project management integrated with ITIL brings a steadier process to IT projects. One of the socio-technical aspects changed, and the others should be adjusted. Each implementation phase results in different Socio-Technical Systems (STS) components. Nevertheless, as a whole implementation project, the company has already completed all components required.

Navigating role identity tensions — IT project managers’ identity work in agile information systems development

ABSTRACT While the management of traditional, plan-based information systems development (ISD) projects lies with the information technology project manager (ITPM), this role is challenged in agile ISD team settings, characterised by self-managed and autonomous teams. Driven by the potential for individual, project, and organisational benefits through a deeper comprehension of these challenges, our study draws upon role identity theories to uncover identity tensions that this role creates and ways in which ITPMs engage in identity work to resolve these tensions. We conducted an in-depth, qualitative study involving interviews with ITPMs operating within agile ISD teams embedded in traditionally-managed organisations. A central contribution of our paper lies in the development of a theoretical model that unpacks how ITPMs navigate identity work tensions by engaging in specific identity work activities. By revealing the interplay between ITPMs’ role identity tensions, identity work activities, and contextual factors, our study moves beyond purely descriptive accounts and offers a nuanced understanding of the emotional and behavioural dimensions of ITPMs in their liminal position. Additionally, our work underscores the pivotal role of ITPMs as boundary spanners, bridging the gap between traditional and agile governance structures to drive digital transformation. For practitioners, we provide agile ISD team design recommendations.

Management of IT projects of public institutions

The organization and activity of public administration is subject to the standards established by law, according to which individual organizational units of ministries in the Slovak Republic are governed. The management of information and communication technologies is a specific area of management in the conditions of public administration, which requires high expertise, systematicity and a properly set legal environment. The aim of the contribution is to clearly identify the legislative framework for the management of IT projects of the public administration of the Slovak Republic during the implementation of selected operational programs in the department of government departments. In order to achieve the main goal of the presented professional article, we set sub-goals. The necessary partial tasks are to systematically define and explain concepts related to project management in public administration, to find out the requirements for its implementation and to find out to what extent the legislation affects the issue we are dealing with. The result of our area of research represents a logically complete framework of the legal environment of project management of public administration and takes on the nature of practical use in the creation of our dissertation.

Influence of transformational and transactional leadership on agile project success

This study investigates the influence of Transformational and Transactional Leadership contribution in project accomplishment. It specifically evaluates the mediating role of Leadership for Agile project methodology. The data was collected from cross-sectional professionals such as Information Technology project Managers of various fields, Civil and Construction, Pharmaceuticals, Telecommunication, Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in Oman that comprised 384 valid samples. We used conformity factor analysis for reliability and validity of our measurement and it was valid and reliable. Partial Least-Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the theoretical framework. The results confirmed leadership enhances agile project methodology through the project excellence, improves end user satisfaction, value addition by achieving triple constraints. It was observed that leadership improves project performance in which team building, management commitment, unobstructed vision, daily standup meeting eases the influence of leadership on Agile methodologies.

Foreign experience of software testing engineers training: analysis of educational standards and programs of American universities

The article aims to explore the U.S. educational system's approach to training software testing specialists, highlighting specific features and methodologies. The study involves analyzing key standards for IT engineer training in the USA, such as the ACM/IEEE Computer Science Curricula, ABET Accreditation Criteria, ISTE Standards for Educators, and CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards, their overall context and targeting, as well as the inclusion of both fundamental and IT-specific disciplines into their content. In the study of each standard, particular emphasis was placed on defining the place and teaching methods of theory and practice of software testing in the university curriculum guidelines. As it was revealed in the analysis, despite the extremely similar interpretation of basic concepts and practices in the context of software testing, opinions about the methodology of their teaching and the need to study as a separate discipline, differ in a set of reviewed standards. Additionally, the research examines training programs at leading American universities, including MIT, Stanford, and Carnegie Mellon University, to identify how software testing and quality assurance are reflected in their curricula, covering full-time training programs for students in computer science, software engineering and similar related fields. The analysis examined programs in both general and basic disciplines in the context of information technology, and specific to a certain technological or organizational area, such as mobile device development or IT project management. The content of the subjects, the list of modules and lectures, as well as tasks for extracurricular work, available in open sources, was also analyzed and searched for topics related to quality assurance or software testing. As revealed in the study, in most technical universities testing is not covered within a separate discipline, but is taught as a part of ones related to development practices. However, some training programs, in particular the Master's level, still have disciplines, devoted exclusively to quality control, testing management and automation

IT Project Management Best Practices and Learning Process

IT Project Management Best Practices and Learning Process

Development of a business model to improve the efficiency of hiring new employees to IT companies

The object of the research is the process of increasing the efficiency of hiring new employees to IT companies, which is considered as one of the measures of continuous improvement of IT project management processes. Hiring talented and motivated IT specialists is seriously complicated nowadays due to the oversaturation of the labor market in the IT industry with candidates who are either exclusively financially motivated or have a low level of qualifications. The consequence of this problem is an increase in time and money spent on identifying and selecting for further processing a subset of resumes of specialists who will be relevant to the needs of the IT company. Therefore, the study of models of active strategies for conducting career guidance activities among future candidates for work in the IT industry is relevant. The purpose of the study is to create a business model for professional orientation of candidates for positions in IT companies. This business model should combine the advantages of basic business planning models and flexible business development methods, taking into account the peculiarities of the process of professional orientation in the IT industry of Ukraine. As a basis for this business model, it is proposed to use the Business Model Canvas. Within this model, to increase the flexibility of activities related to the presentations of IT professions, it is proposed to use the Walt Disney method. During the research, Walt Disney's derivative method was modified by abandoning his first stage use of the role of the Dreamer and instead using the role of the Optimist. A person in the role of an Optimist should determine the advantages, positive aspects, favorable opportunities of the presentation object, etc. The results of the modification of Walt Disney's method were used during the development of the Business Model Canvas for the process of increasing the efficiency of hiring new employees to IT companies. The key activities of the Business Model Canvas were determined, the sequence of their implementation was established, which allows eliminating the shortcomings of individual activities.

Leveraging ChatGPT for Enhanced Logical Analysis in the Theory of Constraints Thinking Process

Abstract Background/Purpose Artificial intelligence (AI) has traditionally been used for quantitative analysis using explicit data. However, much of the information critical to decision making remains undocumented and is not stored in a structured way. This study explores the integration of AI, specifically ChatGPT, into Theory of Constraints (TOC) Thinking Process (TP) tools. Method In this study, we applied ChatGPT to a real-world IT project management case using a variety of research methods, including international literature analysis, observation, and personal experience. The use of the TOC TP allowed us to understand the decision-making process of ChatGPT and to systematically explore its advantages and limitations in creating logical trees of TOC TP. Results ChatGPT significantly enhanced efficiency and depth in TOC TP data collection and analysis, effectively addressing logical leaps for more coherent structures. It also promoted deeper analytical thinking and aided root cause identification. The integration of ChatGPT into the TOC TP process led to faster decision-making, reduced bias, and clearer analysis. Challenges of ChatGPT including the need for human oversight, specific TOC TP training, and ethical considerations were noted. Conclusion This study provides an initial investigation into the use of ChatGPT in TOC TP tools. The results suggest that ChatGPT has the potential to be a valuable tool for organizations seeking to improve their decision making and performance. However, further research is needed to validate these findings and explore the full potential of AI in TOC TP.

The Implementation of Machine Learning for Software Effort Estimation: A Literature Review

Effort estimation is pivotal for the triumph of software development endeavors. The appropriate forecasting approach is vital for aligning software project effort estimation outcomes. This process aids in efficiently distributing resources, charting project strategies, and facilitating informed choices in IT Project Management. Machine learning, a facet of artificial intelligence (AI), is dedicated to crafting algorithms and models that empower computers to enhance their performance based on data and facilitate predictions or decision-making. This study discusses the implementation of machine learning in software development effort estimation. We collected 558 relevant papers on software effort estimation and machine learning techniques. After a quality review process, we identified 40 articles for in-depth review. We categorized machine learning techniques into supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning. The results indicate that using ensemble techniques in supervised and unsupervised learning can improve the accuracy of software effort estimation. Artificial Neural Networks, Regression, K-Nearest Neighbors, Decision Trees, Random Forest, and Bootstrap Aggregation are the most commonly used methods. Ensemble techniques also aid in selecting relevant features and preprocessing data to enhance model performance. This study provides insights into implementing machine learning techniques to estimate software effort and highlights the advantages of ensemble technique.

MANAGEMENT OF IT PROJECTS IN THE FIELD OF GAMEDEV

In the work, an analytical review of the most relevant state in the field of IT project management in the game studio, which releases its products on Microsoft Windows and Android OS platforms, is carried out. The data was collected between the last quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024 by an employee of this company and is reliable at this time. The company that provided the data for writing the article has been on the Ukrainian market for more than six years and is well-known on digital distribution platforms such as Steam and Epic Store. Information from periodicals devoted to business analytics, finance, and project management was also used.

Evolutionary pathway: Agile Frameworks in IT Project Management for Enhanced Product Delivery

Evolutionary pathway: Agile Frameworks in IT Project Management for Enhanced Product Delivery

ГНУЧКІСТЬ НА ПРОТИВАГУ КОНСЕРВАТИЗМУ: ОГЛЯД AGILE МЕТОДОЛОГІЙ УПРАВЛІННЯ ПРОЕКТНИМИ КОМАНДАМИ В ІТ-ГАЛУЗІ

This article investigates the use of Agile methodologies in IT project management in Ukraine, highlighting their benefits compared to traditional, conservative approaches. In an environment characterized by rapid technological advancement and intense competition, Agile serves as an effective tool that allows companies to adapt flexibly to changes, utilize resources optimally, and ensure high product quality. The article reviews several main Agile frameworks such as Scrum, Kanban, Extreme Programming (XP), and Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), analyzing their features, advantages, and potential limitations.

Tools for monitoring software quality in information systems development and maintenance: five key challenges and a design proposal

As software grows in size and complexity, organizations increasingly apply tools to automatically assess software quality of information systems during development and maintenance. Software quality assessment tools (SWQAT) promise fast and actionable insights into the technical state of software through various quality characteristics, such as maintainability, reliability, or security. These tools have been used to support a wide variety of Information Technology (IT) project management decisions related to system development, contract negotiations, project terminations, and even settling legal disputes between suppliers and clients. However, despite their rising importance, questions regarding how they function and how reliable they are to support decision-making have so far escaped scholarly attention. This paper conducts an evaluation of widely used SWQATs and analyzes how they rate the quality of software systems of varying sizes, functionalities, and programming languages. Our results reveal five key challenges for using SWQATs in IT projects. To address these challenges, we propose a design for tailorable SWQATs that allows for more conscious and prudent software quality assessments that better reflect the socio-technical aspect of software systems and the context-specific nature of software quality.

Level differentiation of education by means of the discipline «IT Project Management» in a higher technical educational institution

Level differentiation of education by means of the discipline «IT Project Management» in a higher technical educational institution

Concept of structure and principles of management of project and product IT management

In the current article, the issues of two related specialties such as project management and product management are raised. The problem of overlapping responsibilities of these two directions and their interaction in terms of project activity is highlighted. In addition, the modern market of projects from various web platforms and the demand for specialists in these fields of activity were analyzed. The main duties and requirements for these specialties are highlighted. As well as areas in which the use of project and product managers is more oriented. IT management is the most important function in an organization because it ensures that the organization's technologies and IT systems are aligned with its shared business goals and that they are used effectively and efficiently. It includes a wide range of tasks and responsibilities, such as: development and implementation of IT strategy and policies, management of IT resources, ensuring security and reliability of IT systems, supervision of development and maintenance of IT systems and applications, management of IT projects, managing relationships with suppliers and other external partners and managing IT budgets and costs. It includes such professions as: business analyst, project manager, product manager and others. As the role of technology continues to play a critical role in the success of organizations, management in IT is becoming an increasingly important function and IT universities know that effective management can help organizations increase their competitiveness, reduce costs and increase the efficiency of their operations. The reason for the transition from general management to PM is often reliability - instead of a relatively abstract perspective to predictable results.The main problem is the overlapping of the duties of specialties and levels of responsibilities in accordance with the roles on the project.