Change Management in Sri Lankan IT Projects
Samarawickrama Wanniarachchige, Prabath (2024)
Samarawickrama Wanniarachchige, Prabath
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202405028716
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202405028716
Tiivistelmä
Change management is an influential segment of IT projects due to the uncertainty of achieving the planned target. It confirms the proper use of resources, reduces risk, and ensures successful changes in managing the project scope, new requirements, time frame, and dynamic technologies. However, prior researchers have yet to investigate the issue in a similar stream. Therefore, this study tries to identify the company's successful proactive strategies considering the factors that affect the IT project's change management. Sri Lanka has been selected for the research due to technological advancement, IT industrial collaboration, and the progressive nation. Moreover, qualitative research has been accomplished on the two IT case companies following Kotter's eight-step and Adkar's models. The data were gathered by interviewing three senior project managers and conducting web surveys of forty-one IT professionals using Microsoft Teams and Forms. The study conducted a thematic analysis with Microsoft Excel to identify, categorize, and evaluate the main themes and patterns of the collected data.
Empirical findings illustrate that proper communication, training, and leadership support are influential change management factors affecting IT project success. On the other hand, maintaining a sound knowledge management system, risk assessment, identification of the necessity of the change, and obtaining approval to accomplish the changes are the company's feasible strategies considering those factors. Project managers also play a pivotal role in successfully implementing changes. Furthermore, the findings indicate that Kotter's and Adkar's models should include a new dimension of sound knowledge management systems for further theoretical development because it enhances change management efficiency, particularly in IT projects.
The study also suggests that Sri Lankan companies should implement a proper management system for knowledge allocation, risk analytics, and adaptability to succeed in any impending changes in IT projects, considering project-specific training, communication, competent leadership, and expertise. Consequently, it will assist in sustainable project transitions toward contemporary technology changes and market demands.
Empirical findings illustrate that proper communication, training, and leadership support are influential change management factors affecting IT project success. On the other hand, maintaining a sound knowledge management system, risk assessment, identification of the necessity of the change, and obtaining approval to accomplish the changes are the company's feasible strategies considering those factors. Project managers also play a pivotal role in successfully implementing changes. Furthermore, the findings indicate that Kotter's and Adkar's models should include a new dimension of sound knowledge management systems for further theoretical development because it enhances change management efficiency, particularly in IT projects.
The study also suggests that Sri Lankan companies should implement a proper management system for knowledge allocation, risk analytics, and adaptability to succeed in any impending changes in IT projects, considering project-specific training, communication, competent leadership, and expertise. Consequently, it will assist in sustainable project transitions toward contemporary technology changes and market demands.