Perceived Required Skills and Abilities in Information Systems Project Management

Introduction

Project management has become an increasingly important function in many organizations. The constant change, use of cutting edge technology, and cross-functional impact of business processes that is characteristic of modern firms make project management an attractive as well as challenging profession. Project management concept, standards, and competency has significantly enhanced over the years thanks to academic and professional programs. Still, a great number of projects fail before completion for a variety of reasons including shift in priorities, project misalignment with organizational goals, leadership issues and the like. A project manager’s skills and abilities will clearly influence whether or not a project will be successful (Rozenes, 2011). The literature on this topic is extensive and A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) published by PMI describes what is recognized as good project management practice. These guidelines describe general practice across disciplines and types of project.

Notwithstanding the fact that good project management practice is useful for most situations, some skill sets may be more important than others in a discipline (Faraj & Sproull, 2000). This study concerns perceived skill sets necessary for the success of information system project management. Information systems development has increasingly relied on effective use of project management tools and principles and that trend is likely to continue (Shenhar & Dvir, 2007). It can be argued that the success of information system projects is to a large extent influenced by effective practice of project management principles (Verner & Evanco, 2005). It is also argued that the practice of information system project management may be unique (Vaas, 2002) due to higher level of uncertainty (Wirth, 1996). According to a 2004 Standish Group International report, majority of information system projects are over budget and/or late. There is a need for better understanding of individual project management skills and abilities that are important to the success of information system projects. Earlier studies on project management body of knowledge encourage that line of research (Morris, Crawford, Hodgson, Shepherd, & Thomas, 2006). Specific goals of this study were to address the following research question:

• •

  What are important skills and abilities in information system project management?

This study consisted of two phases. First, we wanted to generate a list of IS project management skills and abilities that are perceived to be important by professionals. In phase one of the study we carried out interviews with 47 IS project managers in Southwest region of the United States. We asked these professionals to identify individual skills and abilities that they felt were important to the success of project management. These interviews resulted in a list of 12 project management skills. In phase two of the study we administered a survey questionnaire comprised of these 12 skill items and their definitions to 41 IS project managers and professionals in order to further examine their importance and rank order them. In the following sections, we first review the relevant literature followed by a description of study methods and analysis of results. Implications of study findings are also discussed.