Paper Type
Completed Research Paper
Abstract
The traditional approach to assess information system (IS) project success is adherence to planning (ATP) – meeting budget, schedule, and requirements. Today, scholars agree that ATP is insufficient to adequately assess IS project success, but an agreed-on set of success criteria is still missing. Many works on this topic are based on theoretical considerations rather than empirical inquiries. We analyze practitioners’ perspective by investigating which criteria IS project managers consider relevant for IS project success assessment. We interview eleven experienced project managers in Germany, applying Repertory Grid and laddering to minimize potential biases. Our results yield eight success criteria, indicating that criteria like process efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction must be considered beside ATP. Scholars can use our findings applying the identified success criteria in future studies. Practitioners gain insights into the expert perspective on project success and might rethink the way of assessing success in their projects.
Recommended Citation
Pankratz, Oleg and Basten, Dirk, "Project Managers’ Perceptions of IS Project Success Criteria – A Repertory Grid and Laddering Investigation" (2013). AMCIS 2013 Proceedings. 9.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2013/ITProjectManagement/GeneralPresentations/9
Project Managers’ Perceptions of IS Project Success Criteria – A Repertory Grid and Laddering Investigation
The traditional approach to assess information system (IS) project success is adherence to planning (ATP) – meeting budget, schedule, and requirements. Today, scholars agree that ATP is insufficient to adequately assess IS project success, but an agreed-on set of success criteria is still missing. Many works on this topic are based on theoretical considerations rather than empirical inquiries. We analyze practitioners’ perspective by investigating which criteria IS project managers consider relevant for IS project success assessment. We interview eleven experienced project managers in Germany, applying Repertory Grid and laddering to minimize potential biases. Our results yield eight success criteria, indicating that criteria like process efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction must be considered beside ATP. Scholars can use our findings applying the identified success criteria in future studies. Practitioners gain insights into the expert perspective on project success and might rethink the way of assessing success in their projects.