A project management investigative framework establishing links for better project outcomes

Abstract

This paper makes a contribution to knowledge by proposing a project management (PM) investigative framework with seven constructs and 60 sub-scales. The research consisted of an eight-step process. First, a project management assessment (PMA) tool was developed through an extensive literature review. Second, the PMA tool was evaluated through an expert panel. Third, the PMA tool was used to evaluate 330 projects, producing 330 PMA results. Fourth, an investigative framework linking the different PMA constructs was developed and tested. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to find links in the investigative framework for each of the PMA constructs, and 19 hypotheses were tested, all of which were accepted. The results provide interesting lessons for researchers and for project management practitioners. Finally, a discussion of the results, the study’s limitations, and suggestions for further research are presented.