Retaining project management competence — Antecedents and consequences

• Published in: International journal of project management Vol. 34; no. 2; pp. 145 - 157
• Main Authors: Ekrot, Bastian, Kock, Alexander, Gemünden, Hans Georg
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2016; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Career development planning; Career path; Lessons learned; Organization development; Organizational learning; Project management; Project management competence retention; Project success; Structural equation modeling; Studies; Success; Lessons learned; Career path; Structural equation modeling; Project management competence retention; Project success
• ISSN: 0263-7863; 1873-4634
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijproman.2015.10.010

Using a sample of 177 firms with matched dyads of middle managers and senior managers, we developed a model on the antecedents and consequences of project management competence retention (PMCR). Our results reveal that providing project managers formal developmental perspectives in project management, such as a career path or qualification opportunities, as well as establishing a formal lesson learned system both positively relate to PMCR. Moreover, our results show that PMCR is positively associated with average project success of the organization. Finally, our results confirm the substantial importance of average project success for overall business success in project-oriented organizations. •Application of competence retention to the context of project management•Career system as important antecedent of competence retention•Lessons learned system as important antecedent of competence retention•Impact of project managers' competence retention on average project success•Relationship between project and business success of project-oriented organizations