Managing Multiple Projects in Uncertain Contexts: A Case Study on the Application of a New Approach Based on the Critical Chain Method

Unai Apaolaza and Aitor Lizarralde
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Unai Apaolaza: Mondragon Goi Eskola Politeknikoa, Mondragon Unibertsitatea, Loramendi 4, 20500 Mondragon, Spain
Aitor Lizarralde: Mondragon Goi Eskola Politeknikoa, Mondragon Unibertsitatea, Loramendi 4, 20500 Mondragon, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 15, 1-13

Abstract: Uncertainty and change are two features of modern project management. They strongly influence the project management needs to operate in such contexts. This is the case when a complete and accurate definition of the scope of a project is not available. Those situations require a project management approach capable of dealing with the special conditions that characterise said contexts. This study focuses on the application of the progressive elaboration approach and the Critical Chain method. We analysed the implementation process of the new procedure in a company that produces capital goods for the automotive industry. The work’s main focus is on the effect of this change from the multi-project perspective. We found that the change had a larger impact than was expected by the company. Firstly, we found that the new approach provided an opportunity to improve the performance of the company. Besides, the new approach uncovered significant problems that previously were ignored, as well as problems and obstacles to the change. Based on the results and findings of this work, we conclude that shifting to this kind of approach requires a global managerial perspective, and strong support from the management.

Keywords: project management; progressive elaboration; critical chain; agile (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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