Revisiting the project management knowledge framework: Rebalancing the framework to include transformation projects
International Journal of Managing Projects in Business
ISSN: 1753-8378
Article publication date: 2 July 2018
Issue publication date: 15 August 2018
Abstract
Purpose
This paper highlights that extant project management (PM) bodies of knowledge have not fully addressed organisational transformation enabled by information systems projects. The purpose of this paper is to examine the transformation context in the PM disciplines. The authors argue that the execution-oriented PM bodies of knowledge are limited, as they place too much emphasis on the delivery outputs by the supplier rather than the achievement of beneficial outcomes by the project owner.
Design/methodology/approach
As a conceptual paper, this paper reviews extant PM bodies of knowledge, life cycle models, the context of organisational transformation and benefits realisation, and the distinction between a project owner’s and the project supplier’s capabilities.
Findings
A new PM knowledge framework is provided as an advanced research frame for future works by enhancing Peter Morris’ Management of Projects framework by employing the conceptual lens of Winch’s Three Domains of Project Organising model.
Originality/value
The advanced model emphasises the necessity of distinguishing a project owner’s and a supplier’s PM capability and knowledge to achieve successful IS-enabled organisational transformation. Through this effort to resolve the fragmentation and specialisation problems in PM disciplines, the model can be used as a theoretical groundwork for the advancement of PM research.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
An earlier version of this paper was presented at the European Academy of Management Conference in Glasgow in 2017. This paper has benefited from comments and feedback from conference participants and colleagues in the University of Manchester. The authors also acknowledge the productive suggestions from the Associate Editor and anonymous reviewers.
Citation
Cha, J., Newman, M. and Winch, G. (2018), "Revisiting the project management knowledge framework: Rebalancing the framework to include transformation projects", International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 1026-1043. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-11-2017-0147
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited