Introduction and Evaluation of a Project Management Software Tool in the Context of the Administration of Science and Research Projects

Abstract

Projects are increasing in complexity in the current business world. This is also evident in a working group of the Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics in the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. To facilitate project management and tackle overall problems, a project management software has been introduced in the group. This study shows the impact of this introduction. The state of the art provides an overview on the most relevant information on project management, showing the importance and benefits of project management software tools. The current situation in the group is analyzed by conducting semi-structured interviews. Based on a criteria catalogue, the software Microsoft Project is selected to be introduced with four testing project managers. To evaluate the impact the introduction of the software tool had, the situation after the introduction is analyzed. The pre-introduction analysis shows that the current project management approach of the project managers needs changes. The post-introduction analysis shows the impact areas of Microsoft Project. The tool had positive impacts on the project managers, such as keeping a better overview, transparency, structuring and control over projects. All project managers believe that the tool has the potential to improve their project management sustainably in the long run. In conclusion, a recommendation of action can be given to continue the usage of the tool.