Perceived value of improving information technology project success by integrating project management processes and ISO 90003 guidelines

Organizations depend on Information Technology (IT) projects to increase business capabilities and gain competitive advantage. The rapid growth of Internet and communication tools has enabled organizations to create and manage globally distributed virtual project teams. Globalization and Internet commerce have empowered customers' capability to trade any time and from anywhere in the world. The inherent nature of software development, higher availability of applications to global customers, combined with virtual project teams, have increased the complexity of IT project management. In spite of multiple processes, standards, and guidelines, organizations face a high level of IT project failures. This study analyzed causes of IT project failures and reviewed gaps and opportunities in Project Management Institute (PMI) processes and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 90003 software engineering guidelines. A twophase quantitative study was conducted to explore the possibility of improving IT project success by integrating PMI processes and ISO 90003 guidelines. The study used participants from 9 different PMI chapters located in 6 different countries covering Asia, Europe, and North America. The research questions were to find perceived value of IT project success by using PMI knowledge areas and ISO 90003 guidelines on customer requirements, customer communication, and measurement, analysis, and improvement. The level of customer satisfaction was used as a key factor to measure IT project success. The research used 5 PMI knowledge areas by including scope management, time management, cost management, quality management, and communication management. The results demonstrated the importance of PMI processes and showed significance of PMI knowledge areas in IT project management and project success. Moreover, the evidence showed the significance of customer requirement and customer communication ISO 90003 guidelines to improve IT project success. The research also highlighted the effectiveness of using measurement, analysis, and improvement ISO 90003 guidelines contributing to IT project success, by taking corrective and preventive action. The research concludes with the need for having a unified IT project management standard and the value of integrating PMI processes and ISO 90003 guidelines to improve overall IT project success.