Project managers' ability to explore and exploit predictive and iterative best practices

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: Project managers face decisions every day and those decisions result in an “either or” situation. This is also true when it comes to the choice of a project management approach, i.e. predictive versus iterative. A case is made in this article that project managers should be ambidextrous and apply practices that are beneficial to the project, irrespective of the origin of the practices. Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on a questionnaire focussing on six themes. The results of 290 projects were analysed using ANOVA and boxplots to test for skewness and variances. Findings: Based on the analysis of 117 practices, most of these projects could be classified as either hybrid or iterative projects. The results indicate that irrespective of the classification of the projects or the industry, projects are managed using a hybrid approach, with a tendency to incorporate more iterative practices than predictive practices. Originality/value: This article contributes to the current debate on which approach is the best given certain circumstances.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)126-151
Number of pages26
JournalInternational Journal of Managing Projects in Business
Volume16
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • Agile approaches
  • Ambidexterity
  • Exploit
  • Explore
  • Leadership
  • Reflection
  • Traditional approaches

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business and International Management
  • Strategy and Management
  • Management of Technology and Innovation

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