An IT projects' conceptual model to facilitate upstream decision-making: project management method selection

The selection of the most adapted project management method (PMM) can contribute to the success of information technology (IT) projects and hence the company's optimized profitability and operability. Due to many PMMs known for their operational advantages, and with the variety of companies' strategies and policies, the decision-making process of selecting the best-suited PMM can get cumbersome, and some unfounded practices could, consequently, mislead its involved leaders. We propose in this work a methodological approach of decision analysis that allows a structured, reproducible, and group decision support system-assisted execution. The methodology was fully executed and evaluated with three real case studies of IT projects, and further improvements and research perspectives were identified.

Automated summary

The selection of the most suitable project management method is critical for the success of IT projects and the company's profitability and operability. However, due to the variety of PMMs and companies' strategies, the decision-making process can be complex and potentially misleading. This study proposes a methodological approach for decision analysis that provides a structured and reproducible decision-making process with the assistance of a group decision support system. The methodology was evaluated with three real case studies and identified opportunities for further improvements and research.