EXAMINING THE DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROJECT CONTROL AND PROJECT SUCCESS: EVIDENCE FROM HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

The success of the project in current competitive and fast rotating business world mainly depends on not only technical capabilities but also powerful project controls. The project control (including monitoring, control and corrective action) is known as an important factor in determining Project performance.

Aim: The goal of this study was to explore whether project control among project-based organizations had any significant association with project success (successful project completion) of project professionals and if project control really predicts the success of any organization in any society.

Method: This was a cross-sectional sample of 281 participants. Evaluative ratings were made on Likert scale instruments which had been developed to measure project control and project success. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and linear regression analyses were run in SPSS to examine relationships and predictive power among the variables.

Results: Results of a descriptive analysis indicated moderate to high average levels of project control (M = 3.94, SD = 0.48) and project success (M = 3.82, SD = 0.58). The findings showed a significant positive correlation between project control and project success (r =. 402, p <. 001). Results Linear regression analysis supported project control as a predictor of project success (β =. 402, p <. 001) and accounted for 16.1% of the variation in project success (R²=. 161).

Conclusion: The results point out the need for adoption of formal project control practices in order to increase the probability of project success. Enhancements of control can effectively contribute to meeting project objectives and satisfaction of stakeholders.