The Human Factor Imperative Effect on Projects’ Success
Date
2015-02-06
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Abstract
Success...how can we define and achieve a recognizable, compelling and admirable success? Many studies done by different researchers indicated that there is no definite general agreement on the definition of success or the contributing factors. On the other hand, there is not much disagreement on the definition of failure.
A persistent high rate of projects that were unsuccessful in meeting their targets has haunted many industries and organizations, posing the research main question: Why do many projects fail to meet targets of budget, schedule, quality or performance in spite of the fact that management methods and techniques are widely available, applied science and technologies are rapidly improving and advancing?
Research has shown that a large number of projects were managed mainly as technical systems rather than behavioural system, with relatively little attention being paid to the human factor.
Literature examining soft aspect management is scarce; however, a new trend in research began to recognize the critical importance of the human factor, thus, the first part of the eight chapters in the body of this thesis is dedicated to developing in-depth understanding of the human factor effect and identifying relevant and critical strategic success factors.
The area of focus is the front-end planning, in particular, the strategic pre-planning stage. The second main part in this thesis presents a modern management model including significant numerical weighting values. This model was structured based on literature findings, relevant knowledge obtained from social, culture, psychological and behavioural sciences, results and analyses of an undertaken survey and interviews for the purpose of this research.
The triangulation approach as the strategy of choice is well suited for the thesis objectives and offers great benefits through the application of multi-methods, including qualitative (grounded theory) and quantitative analysis. Data collection, analyses and validation progressed consistently aided by multiple rounds of Delphi technique.
Thesis deliverables included a new practical definition for success and a novel management model featuring a systematic evolutionary methodology designed to modernize management philosophy, generate optimum strategic management decisions and increase the probability of success and achievement.
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Engineering--Petroleum
Citation
Gabriel, E. (2015). The Human Factor Imperative Effect on Projects’ Success (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/28167