South African Journal of Information Management (Jul 2024)
Project leadership competencies influencing success in Information Communication Technology projects
Abstract
Background: Information communication technology (ICT) is pivotal in shaping knowledge creation, information management, and project outcomes in the 21st century. The success of ICT projects relies not only on technical proficiency but also on non-technical factors. This underscores the importance of addressing technical and non-technical aspects in ICT project management for optimal project outcomes. Objectives: This study highlights indispensable project leadership competencies for effective ICT project management and their roles in preventing project failures. The ultimate goal is to increase the success rate of ICT projects, by integrating the project leadership competencies in managing ICT projects. Method: The research is carried out utilising a quantitative data processing method, with data quantification and perceptions measured using the Likert scale. The researcher’s data-gathering method contains information acquired from a structured questionnaire. The data collected is analysed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 22.0) analysis tool. Results: The findings suggest that technical proficiencies are important; however, they are not the only attributes that matter. Although practitioners with technical skills are certainly indispensable, project managers (PMs) still require other competencies. As a result, the effectiveness of PMs’ technical expertise should be balanced with soft skills. Conclusion: The study indicates that there is no evidence suggesting that technical skills are less valuable than other competencies; however, it is evident that interpersonal skills are also crucial. Contribution: This research contributes to better understanding how specific leadership competencies influence the success of ICT projects, aiming to enhance project management practices in the ICT sector.
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