Distinguishing Leadership of Information Assurance Teams

Distinguishing Leadership of Information Assurance Teams by Bamidele A. Bankole MBA, University of Phoenix, 2005 BS, Bowie State University, 2003 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University June 2015 Abstract Information assurance (IA) projects are essential components of the information technology industry and often fail due to budget overruns, missed deadlines, and lack of performance by the project teams. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the strategies necessary to improve IA project team performance. Lewin’s situational leadership theory was used as the conceptual framework for this study.Information assurance (IA) projects are essential components of the information technology industry and often fail due to budget overruns, missed deadlines, and lack of performance by the project teams. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the strategies necessary to improve IA project team performance. Lewin’s situational leadership theory was used as the conceptual framework for this study. Interviews were conducted with 20 IA professionals located in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area. The data were transcribed, coded, and clustered for the identification of common patterns based on the Moustakas’ modified van Kaam analysis. The major themes that emerged from the interview data included the importance of: communication and teamwork, technical knowledge, training, hiring of skilled resources, and balanced project teams. An organization-wide internal training program emerged as an overarching best practice to improve the leadership strategies within the IA sector. The study results may help improve project success and grow the IA industry by creating more jobs. Distinguishing Leadership of Information Assurance Teams by Bamidele A. Bankole MBA, University of Phoenix, 2005 BS, Bowie State University, 2003 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University June 2015 Dedication First and foremost, I, Bamidele Adetokunbo Bankole dedicate this Doctoral Study to me. After 5 years of struggling whether to attain a Doctorate Degree or not; I stand in awe of myself as I have fulfilled one of the biggest academic dreams I have ever had—to have the “Dr” title beside my name the easy way (easier than attending medical school anyways). Completing my Doctorate Degree has been a chosen destiny filled with life’s ups and downs; Nevertheless, I persevered. I give all thanks and glory to my Lord, my God, my Savior—Jehovah. Without him, I would have never found the grace, persistence and humility to pursue and complete such a prestigious degree. Thank you Jesus! Throughout this process, I learned to stay true to my work, know my worth, and keep diligence at the forefront of my character. Secondly, I dedicate this Doctoral Study to the mother of all mothers. The source of my existence and inspiration; My mother, Eunice I. Bankole. As a new mother myself, it is my hope that I can be as loving, forceful, relentless, ever-praying, everencouraging, strong and compassionate as you are. I can stand here yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever to state without any doubt whatsoever that you are the best mother anybody can ever have and I am grateful that God thought me worthy to be your daughter. Mommy, I love you, I thank you and I appreciate you! E bami duro fun mama mi. Thirdly, I dedicate this Doctoral Study to my younger sisters, Tolulope T. Bankole and Moyosore O. Bankole. I do not know where or how to start thanking them. Whether I was complaining about a professor or emailing them about a perfect score I received on one of my seminar course work papers. Regardless of what they were doing, they dropped all that they were doing to encourage me and gently nudge me along the way. I can remember a conversation I had with Tolulope stating my frustration halfway through my Doctorate program. I said “why did I decide to pursue a Doctorate degree? I was relaxing, going to work, going to the gym, hanging out with my friends for the past five years—now what have I gotten myself into? ” Then Tolulope said, “well sister, remember that day about a year ago, we were sitting in mommy’s living room and you said “wouldn’t Dr. Bamidele sound so amazing? ” I laughed so hard, but my sense of purpose for this Doctorate was now refreshed. Last but definitely not the least, I dedicate this Doctoral Study to the purpose of my life, my reason for being, and the apple of my eye; my daughter, Lillian U. O. Bankole-Osadebe. I hope that throughout out your journey of life, I can continue to be an endless source of inspiration. Acknowledgements I will like to acknowledge the most patient, consistent and persistent mentor in the world—Dr. Lionel de Souza. He tirelessly guided me in assessing the information assurance industry, took the time to listen to my passion and strategized my research into the outstanding study it is today. Thank you Dr. de Souza for being my superb first chair, confidant, therapist, best friend and scholar! I will like to acknowledge Joy Spencer, Stephanie Davis, Kandice Smith, and Marie Bakari (the only four women in my life outside of my family who knew I was pursuing a Doctoral Degree) for their encouragement of my goals; Four awesome women who are currently making great contribution towards positive social change. I will like to acknowledge the information assurance industry and its professionals. It is my passion for this industry that gave me the drive to want to be a positive contributor in strengthening our field.