THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MANAGEMENT BY WALKING AROUND

The Effectiveness of Management By Walking Around

The Effectiveness of Management By Walking Around

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of project management in terms of organizational structures, technical competency, leadership ability and the characteristics of an effective project manager. The subjects of this survey study were modern project-oriented business companies. The results indicate that organizational design is associated with project management effectiveness. For example, they indicate that project matrix and project team-based organizations are the most effective. Moreover, respondents are reasonably satisfied with the currently available selection of project management tools, yet a need was stated for multi-project management tool. The characteristics of an effective project manager were measured by means of leadership behavior in 14 managerial practices. The results suggest that planning/organizing, networking and informing are the most significant managerial practices in the leadership behavior of project managers. This study provides empirical evidence on project management effectiveness with the intent of contributing to a better understanding and improvement of project management practices.

I. Introduction

Companies are increasingly using projects in their daily work to achieve company goals. There is a growing need for the management of projects in business organizations. In recent years, researchers have become increasingly interested in factors that may have an impact on project management effectiveness. Prior research in the area has examined different ways of organizing project management. Projects carried out in a multi-project context have been studied.



A. Problem Statement

In addition, issues relating to technical competency, i.e. tools and methods in project management practices have been considered. In particular, final cost methods and earned value have been studied. Critical success and failure factors in project management point out the need for empirical studies of how project management tools and methods could be used to improve the quality of project management.

In addition, there is an increased need for knowledge about how these tools are used in actual project management practices within organizations.

B. Rationale

A human resource management (HRM) study in project management has indicated that HRM practices are little researched. It has been concluded that project management effectiveness requires project managers to combine technical competency, i.e. tools, with the ability to develop and display leadership. However, there is little research that shows how technical competency and the process of leadership in project management are combined .

C. Hypothesis

Hypothesis One: Most female inmates believe that Management by Walking Around at Lee Arrendale State Prison opens the lines of communication between management and inmates.

Hypothesis Two: Most female inmates believe that Management by Walking Around at Lee Arrendale State Prison increases the professionalism of the line staff that they come in contact with on a daily basis.

Hypothesis Three: A higher percentage of female inmates at Lee Arrendale State Prison believe that the practice of Management by Walking Around increases the safety of the facility and makes them feel safer and secure in the prison environment.

II. Literature review

The research addressing project management effectiveness in project-oriented business organizations includes the following themes: (1) organizational structures, ...