An exploratory case study on the influences of actuality on IS project management and realisation in a large Maltese organisation

Abstract

This single case study is conducted from the perspective of the managers and analysts of the software development department of a large Maltese organisation. It explores the impact of the perceived organisational situation on the realisation of IS projects, and proposes that these should be contributing to the strategy of ABC by supporting the process of digital transformation; it further suggests that digitisation is intrinsically intertwined with customer centric processes and priorities. In this context, the study explores the relevant practices, more specifically the enterprise project management and software development processes, within the setting of the declared organisational values and observed behaviour. In an environment that is perceived to be struggling to prioritise project value delivery over project implementation as a key measure IS project success, it concludes that enterprise planning, project portfolio management and organisational agility may be serious limitations. Furthermore, the organisation appears to be impaired by its seeming inability to adhere to its declared organisational values – bold, simple, caring and curious. With this perspective in mind, the ensuing discussion and final report recommend a project strategy management process for the short term to put in place some of the important missing links between the projects and the strategy of the company, and a more holistic program of organisational improvements for the longer term that is guided by the elements factored in the McKinsey 7S model for organisational capability. Considering that organisational behaviour is such an important key success factor, it also suggests that that the organisation should re-align to its professed values, and that learning should become the fifth guiding value; this value is considered a critical factor for a modern organisation such as ABC, which is required to continuously improve and transform to face up to the challenge of constant and fast-paced change.