Comparing criteria that satisfy different project management methodologies as used for ERP implementations in a Maltese context

Abstract

In today’s world, any form of project management can prove to be essential to a project’s success. Many ERP implementations fail for a variety of reasons, one of which is poor project management. For ERP implementations, one crucial sub-aspect of project management is the project management methodology (PMM) to be applied to implementation specific project. Due to the lack of literature on criteria for the selection of project management methodologies in ERP implementations, this study aims to explore the criteria that satisfy the different PMMs used in a local (i.e., Maltese) context. These criteria are then used to aid project managers in choosing the most appropriate project management methodology for an upcoming local ERP implementation. Based on field research in a Maltese context, criteria deemed relevant and important for a variety of project management methodologies were gathered and analyzed. All criteria are accompanied by a rating of importance and relevance to the respective PMM. The project management methodologies encountered and used in local implementations are both standard and hybrid, both for which criteria were gathered, based on project managers’ views of such PMMs. Results show how certain criteria are relevant for certain methodologies and are mandatory, while others are not and can vary. From this in-depth research, a web-based tool was created with the intention to help project managers choose the most appropriate and adequate project management methodology for the ERP implementation at hand. This study focuses on generic ERP implementations and is not tied to specific business lines.