Project Success Criteria Evaluation for a Project-Based Organization and Its Stakeholders—A Q-Methodology Approach

Abstract

The criteria that define project success change from one project to another, also from organization to organization, making success contextual for both the project organization and its stakeholders. This paper proposes a way to bridge this gap between what project success means to an organization and to its stakeholders in the context of Research and Development (R&D) projects. To achieve this, the available literature on project success has been analyzed to convert the different aspects identified into tangible units, allowing us to define and analyze the success criteria of a project in different dimensions. Subsequently, using Q-Methodology, which allowed us to determine among subjective opinions of Project Managers (PMs) of a project-based organization and their internal stakeholders, we will determine which criteria, within the previously identified dimensions, they consider as the most important for the success of a project, aiming to identify common success criteria that can be measured and controlled in the projects. Achieving the project goal, customer satisfaction regarding the quality of the activities, and knowledge generation turned out to be the most important criteria for PMs and stakeholders.