Strategies to Control Internal Factors Affecting Information Systems Projects

Strategies to Control Internal Factors Affecting Information Systems Projects in Puerto Rico by Annie L. Román Acevedo MBA, University of Phoenix, 2005 BS, University of Puerto Rico, 2002 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University November 2016 Abstract Many project managers and business leaders lack effective strategies to control internal factors that affect information systems (IS) projects, which may impede leadership’s ability to respond to market changes. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies used by 6 purposefully selected project managers who successfully implemented information system development (ISD) projects by controlling the internalMany project managers and business leaders lack effective strategies to control internal factors that affect information systems (IS) projects, which may impede leadership’s ability to respond to market changes. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies used by 6 purposefully selected project managers who successfully implemented information system development (ISD) projects by controlling the internal factors that affected different ISD project phases in Puerto Rico’s telecommunication service industry. The framework that guided this study was coordination theory. The data collection process included semistructured interviews and project documentation including business requirements, project charters, project plans, and lessons learned which also served as resources for member checking and validation to strengthen the trustworthiness of the study. Analysis of the data occurred following Yin’s 5 analytical steps of validating, coding, interpreting, summarizing, and generating themes. The 5 themes that emerged were top management support, clear requirements, communication, project plan, and lessons learned. Each theme corresponded to a phase of the project life cycle. Top management support and clear requirements were the top critical factors (TCF) in the initiating and planning phases. Communication and project plan were the TCF in the executing, monitoring, and controlling phases. Lessons learned were the TCF in the closing phase of the project. Implications for social change include helping IS project managers successfully implement IS projects, providing innovative services to customers, and improving an organization’s position so it can provide jobs and economic stability in the region in which it operates. Strategies to Control Internal Factors Affecting Information Systems Projects in Puerto Rico by Annie L. Román Acevedo MBA, University of Phoenix, 2005 BS, University of Puerto Rico, 2002 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University November 2016 Dedication I dedicate this doctoral study to my family who has been supportive throughout this journey. To Alejandro, Alejandro Gabriel, and Ariana Marie, thank you for all of your understanding and patience and for trusting that all of our sacrifices will lead us to a better quality of life. I also dedicate this to God for all of the angels He sent me throughout this journey. To my loving parents, Mom whom I know is smiling down on me and Dad whom is the person I dream to be, thank you for teaching me that family is all that matters and that hardwork pays off. To the rest of the gang, thank you for motivating me to keep moving forward. To all of you, my love! Acknowledgments I am grateful for the encouragement and support from my family, peers, mentors, and academic experts during this journey. You made a tremendous impact on my research. Special thanks to Dr. Jaime Klein; you stepped up to become my chair when I needed you most. Thank you for all your wise words and for all the support you gave me. To Dr. Patsy Kasen and Dr. Alexandre Lazo, thank you for all the great advice that kept me pushing towards excellence. This study was possible because of your persistence and mentoring.