Software Project Complexity and Project Success: Mediating Role of Project Dynamism and Moderating Role of Agility-Based Project Management

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between project complexity and project success while investigating the mediating role of project dynamism, and the moderating role of agility-based project management approach with the application of contingency theory. Quantitative approach has been used for data collection and analysis throughout this study. Data was collected [n = 341] from employees working at different management levels in software project-based firms across Pakistan. For data analysis, SPSS Process Macro was used with simple mediation (model 4) and moderated mediation analysis (model 14). The moderated mediation model 14 depicted that project complexity does not have a significant negative effect on a project’s success, whereas project dynamism mediates the relationship between project complexity and project success. Furthermore, the agility-based project management approach plays a vital role being the only moderator between project dynamism and project success. The present study findings suggested to policy or decisions makers that adoption of agility-based project management practices in dynamic environment can significantly enhance the chances of project success. This study has highlighted the concern that projects with greater number of complexities and dynamism should be handled using agility-based project management approach in order to achieve project success. Organizations must learn implementing agility-based project management approach for projects that are both complex and dynamic in nature.