Project Management Practices and Critical Success Factors–A Developing Country Perspective

Abstract

The study sought to identify and assess the quality of project management practices as well as the criticalsuccess factors for projects in Ghana. The study adopted an exploratory approach and utilized a survey methodto collect data on project management practices of Ghanaian organizations. Purposive sampling was used inselecting the sample which comprised 200 managers from different economic sectors. Results from the studyindicated that the critical factors that contribute to the success of a project include top management support,effective communication, clarity of project purpose and goals, and stakeholder involvement. Documentation anddissemination of critical success factors and best practices in project management will improve the quality ofproject management in Ghana.

The absence of a structured system of documentation of project management practices among Ghanaian projectmanagers has resulted in a dearth of empirical data. The inability of the researchers to sample organisationsacross Ghana is considered as one of the study’s limitations, an example of a geographical constraint. Thisresearch focused on the key factors and best practices that lead to the success of projects in Ghana.