Which Organizational and Individual Factors Predict Success vs. Failure in Procurement Projects

Abstract

Project manager (PM) certification and other commonly-tested independent factors were deductively examined using logistic regression to develop an explanatory model of high-priced public procurement project success versus failure. Overall 59% were successful, and 41% failed. The model correctly classified 67.3% of the 2,692 projects, yielding a significant 12% effect size. Individual factors, PM experience, certification, and contractor quality, impacted performance, but contractor size, revenue, industry type, PM age, gender, and education had negligible effect on performance. Quality was in the opposite hypothesized direction. Certified PMs were more likely to achieve successful projects rather than encounter failures. Future research advice was offered.