MANAGEMENT OF INNOVATIVE PROJECTS IN THE IT SERVICES MARKET IN THE CONTEXT OF CHANGES AND RISKS OF OUR TIME
Authors: K. Pavlov; O. Novosad; Yuriy Opashnyuk; Maksym Bereziuk; Mykhailo Korytko
Year: 2024

Managing innovative ideas in the IT services market is an essential task nowadays. The  overall dynamics of technology development, constant changes in customer requirements, and growing competition pose severe challenges to companies operating in this area. Innovation is becoming the key to success in this market segment, as it allows companies not only to survive but also to actively develop, providing competitive advantages and meeting customers' growing needs. Therefore, studying innovation project management in the IT sector in the face of changes and risks is significant for practice and theoretical development. The article studies strategies for managing such projects in an unstable environment. It examines critical management aspects, such as risk identification and analysis, adaptation to change, innovative management methods, and efficient use of resources. 
In the current information technology services market, innovation initiatives are becoming a strategic element of companies' competitive advancement. However, changes in the technological landscape, evolving consumer demands, and regulatory changes pose significant challenges to managing such projects. A significant part of the challenge is effectively managing innovation projects in the face of uncertainty and risk, ensuring their successful implementation and market competitiveness. It is essential to consider strategic management approaches allowing enterprises to adapt to change and effectively utilize innovative opportunities to ensure their success. Innovation project management is a complex and essential process in modern business that requires various theoretical and methodological approaches to achieve the goal. This text will consider the main theoretical and methodological aspects of innovation project management, including strategic planning, risk management, use of project management methods and tools, and the specifics of innovation implementation. 
Strategic planning is a crucial stage of innovation project management. It includes defining the project goal, analyzing market conditions and the competitive environment, setting strategic directions for development, and developing plans to commercialize innovative products. Strategic planning is critical to addressing the main challenges and determining the best way to achieve project success. 
Risk management plays a vital role in the context of innovation project management. Since such projects often involve much risk, effective risk management becomes critical to their successful implementation. This includes identifying potential threats, assessing their impact on the project, developing risk minimization strategies, and planning crisis management measures. 
Managing innovative projects in the IT services market in the face of change and risk is a complex task that requires an integrated approach and consideration of various factors. 
The study allows us to draw several vital conclusions. First, the need for change has become a steady reality of the modern IT services market, and therefore, companies should be prepared to adapt quickly to new conditions. Stable change management is becoming a crucial success factor in this area. 
The second conclusion relates to the importance of effective risk management, which is integral to any innovative project, especially in information technology. Businesses must be prepared to identify, assess, and manage risks to reduce their negative impact on projects. 
The third conclusion emphasizes the need to use modern project management methods and tools, such as Agile, SCRUM, Lean, etc., to manage innovative IT projects successfully. These methodologies allow for effective responses to changes and the implementation of innovative ideas. 
Finally, the fourth conclusion emphasizes the importance of considering organizational aspects such as corporate culture, communication with stakeholders, and creating an enabling environment for innovation development. 
Overall, the findings emphasize that managing innovation projects in the IT services market in the face of change and risk requires a comprehensive approach and professionalism from the project management and team. Success in this area can only be achieved by carefully considering all factors and using modern methods.