Exploiting organizational knowledge in developing IS project cost and schedule estimates: An empirical study

• Published in: Information & management Vol. 44; no. 6; pp. 598 - 612
• Main Authors: Henry, Raymond M., McCray, Gordon E., Purvis, Russell L., Roberts, Tom L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-09-2007; Elsevier Science; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Computer science; control theory; systems; Duration and cost estimating; Estimating techniques; Exact sciences and technology; Impact analysis; Information systems development; Information systems. Data bases; Information technology; Knowledge; Memory organisation. Data processing; Organizational knowledge; Predictability; Predictions; Project management; Project planning; Software; Studies; Organizational knowledge; Duration and cost estimating; Project planning; Predictability; Project management; Information systems development; Formal method; Information system; Empirical method; Duration; Information technology; Formal specification; Bottom up method; Budget; Cost analysis
• ISSN: 0378-7206; 1872-7530
• DOI: 10.1016/j.im.2007.06.002

Project management is vital to the effective application of organizational resources to competing demands within and across projects. The effective application of project management, however, is predicated upon accurate estimates of the project budget and schedule. This study assesses primary and supporting activities that exploit knowledge within an organization's memory to develop project schedule durations and budgets. The study further assesses the subsequent impact of predictability on project success. Two hundred and sixteen survey responses from IT professionals with project management responsibilities were analyzed. Results found use of the primary activities of using parametric estimating techniques (use of formal models), bottom-up estimating techniques (formulating estimates at the task level), and the support activities of team reliance, realistic targets, and professional experience all impact the predictability of estimates for project cost and duration. Predictability in turn was found to directly impact project success with regards to meeting cost and duration objectives. While use of analogous estimating techniques (using similar previous projects) was not found to be useful for project managers with more experience, it was used by project managers with less experience in determining predictability.