Strategic Engineering Management SOFT SKILLS FOR PROJECT SUCCESS RATE DISSERTATION

DISSERTATION
EVALUATING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFT
SKILLS FOR PROJECT SUCCESS RATE
MSc Strategic Engineering Management

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DECLARATION & STATEMENTS PAGE
This dissertation is a product of my own work and is the result of nothing
done in collaboration.
I consent to Arden University’s free use including* online reproduction,
including* electronically, and including adaptation for teaching and
education activities of any whole or part item of this dissertation.
(Student signature)
(ANAS AL-KHATIEB)
Word Count 18874

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Abstract
The research aims to evaluate the impact of project soft skills on the success of a project. A
survey has been designed to identify various factors as well as mediating the variables, which are
addressed in the survey for measuring impact on project success. At current days, soft skills in
project management become more important and effective for the organization to implement the
projects with soft skill management, it is important to evaluate the importance of soft skills in
project management. With rapid development of competencies, it becomes challenging to get
success in the project. The major reasons for failure in projects are not considered as technical.
The factors are responsible for improving soft skills as well as mediating the variables addressed
in the research. On the other hand, a theoretical model can be suggested in order to provide
validity of particular point. Moreover, a qualitative analysis has been conducted based on the
selected case studies for supporting the outcomes of quantitative analysis. On the other hand, the
study has followed deductive approach in the qualitative part of the research for producing
distinctive model for supporting the model. The outcomes of research have provided the impact
of soft skills related to project management in order to get success of the project. The findings
generated from quantitative analysis part suggest that it is important to focus on soft skills in a
project in order to improve success rate in the projects. The study has revealed the value of soft
skills in the project management discipline. It also illuminates the method followed by the
project managers that is applied in different projects. On the other hand, it produces significant
conclusions about the procedure of investing soft skills in the projects for enhancing success rate
in the projects.
Keywords: Soft skills, communication, leadership, conflict management, negotiation, project
attributes and success, project stakeholders

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Acknowledgement
Conducting this research has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. The
contribution of this research to enhance my knowledge base and analytical skill has been
paramount. It gave me the opportunity to face challenges in the process and overcome them. This
would not have been possible without the valuable guidance of my professors, peers and all the
people who have contributed to this enriching experience. I would like to take this opportunity to
thank my supervisor Shane McMordie for the constant guidance and support provided to me
during the process of this research. It would not be justified if I did not thank my academic
guides for their important and valuable assistance and encouragement throughout the research
process. I would also like to thank my friends who had provided me with help and
encouragement for collecting primary data and valuable resources. Finally, I would like to thank
the professionals from the retail industry who have participated in the research survey and
provided with valuable inputs into the subject. The support of all these people has been inspiring
and enlightening throughout the process of research in the subject.
Heartfelt thanks and warmest wishes,
Yours Sincerely,
Anas Al-Khatieb

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction......................................................................................................14
1.1 Background of the study..........................................................................................14
1.2 Research Aims and Objectives................................................................................15
1.2.1 Aims of the study..................................................................................................15
1.2.2 Objectives of the study.........................................................................................15
1.3 Research Questions..................................................................................................16
1.4 Scope of the study....................................................................................................16
1.5 Rationale of the research.........................................................................................17
1.6 Research Hypothesis................................................................................................18
1.7 Structure of the study...............................................................................................18
Chapter 2: Literature review..............................................................................................19
2.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................19
2.2 An overview of project management soft skills......................................................19
2.3 Factors responsible for success of a project............................................................24
2.4 Project management success models and theories...................................................25
2.5 Impact of project management soft skills on project success..................................28
2.6 Challenges faced for implementing soft skills in project........................................29
2.7 Conceptual framework.............................................................................................38
Figure 4: Conceptual framework...................................................................................38
2.8 Summary..................................................................................................................38
Chapter 3: Research methodology.....................................................................................39
3.1 Introduction:............................................................................................................39
3.2. Method outline:.......................................................................................................39
3.3. Research philosophy:..............................................................................................40
3.3.1. Justification of the chosen philosophy:................................................................40
3.4. Research approach:.................................................................................................41
3.4.1. Justification of the chosen research approach:....................................................42
3.6. Design of this research:..........................................................................................42
3.5.1. Justification of the chosen research design..........................................................42
3.6 Research strategy.....................................................................................................43
3.7. Data collection process:..........................................................................................43

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3.7.2. Data analysis techniques......................................................................................43
3.8. Sampling technique................................................................................................43
3.9.2. Sample size:.........................................................................................................44
3.10 Use of secondary data............................................................................................44
3.12 Accessibility issues................................................................................................45
3.13Validity...................................................................................................................45
3.14 Timeline.................................................................................................................46
3.15 Summary................................................................................................................46
Chapter 4: Data analysis and findings...............................................................................47
4.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................47
4.2 Quantitative analysis................................................................................................47
4.3 Data analysis and findings.......................................................................................72
4.5 Qualitative analysis..................................................................................................91
4.5.1 Interview...............................................................................................................91
4.5.2 Case study analysis...............................................................................................92
 First case study: Development of dividends distribution software..........................92
 Second case study: Purchasing business intelligence software..............................95
Chapter 5: Conclusion and recommendations.................................................................100
5.1 Conclusion.............................................................................................................100
5.2 Linking with objectives.........................................................................................100
5.2 Recommendations..................................................................................................101
5.2 Future research.......................................................................................................102
5.3 Limitations of the research....................................................................................103
References....................................................................................................................105
Appendix......................................................................................................................110

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List of tables
Table 1: Gantt chart...........................................................................................................38
Table 2: Regression analysis (1)........................................................................................67
Table 3: Regression analysis (2)........................................................................................69
Table 4: Regression analysis (3)........................................................................................73
Table 4: Regression analysis (3)........................................................................................75
Table 5: Descriptive statistics............................................................................................79
Table 6: Regression analysis (4)........................................................................................81

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List of figures
Figure 1: Basic mode of communication.......................................................................................16
Figure 2: Examples of communication as a transaction................................................................18
Figure 3: Perceived negative risks of making unethical behaviour in terms of negotiation..........27
Figure 4: Conceptual framework...................................................................................................32
Figure 4: Nationality of the respondents......................................................................................44
Figure 5: Marital status of the respondents...................................................................................44
Figure 6: Sex of the respondents..................................................................................................45
Figure 7: Job status of the respondents..........................................................................................45
Figure 8: Age of the respondents..................................................................................................46
Figure 9: Time of working of the respondents.............................................................................46
Figure 10: Academic qualification of the respondents.................................................................47
Figure 11: Soft skills have a significant effect on project success...............................................47
Figure 12: Maintaining and enhancing soft skills of project management is significant for project
activities.........................................................................................................................................48
Figure 13: Soft skills are considered more vital than hard skills in project management.............49
Figure14: It is easier to develop hard skills than soft skills...........................................................49
Figure 15: Project management should have a good balance between hard skills and soft skills in
the projects.....................................................................................................................................50
Figure 16: Soft skills are required more than hard skill at the time of execution of the project...50
Figure17: Importance of soft skills for maintaining activities and keep them going....................51
Figure18: communication skill is the most important skill in every phase of the project.............51
Figure 19: Importance of communication skills for maintaining activities and keep them going 52
Figure 20: Communication skill supports project managers in specific activities........................53