Information technology project processes: Understanding the barriers to improvement and adoption

Every year, organizations lose millions of dollars due to IT (Information Technology) project failures. Over time, organizations have developed processes and procedures to help reduce the incidence of challenged IT projects. Research has shown that IT project processes can work to help reduce the number of challenged projects. The research in this case study was intended to build an understanding of the barriers to IT project process adoption. This study examines two key items related to IT project process adoption. First, it provided a view into whether demographic characteristics can be used as a predictor of IT project process adoption in individuals. Second, it evaluates which organizational factors survey respondents felt impacted process adoption the most. This research found that there was strong agreement with the selection of “management support” as the key factor impacting IT project process adoption. This was followed closely by the factors “worker support,” “organizational commitment,” and “available time.” The selection of these items by survey takers is in line with the findings of other studies evaluated during the literature review. This research concludes from these findings, and the literature review, that managers can drive process adoption by clearly communicating organizational goals and objectives to their teams. Secondly, managers can drive adoption by being fully engaged in the effort. Lastly, organizations truly seeking the benefits of process improvement should truly commit to the endeavor and ensure its execution through the assignment of appropriate resources and executive management engagement.