Facilitative Leader and Leadership Development of a Project Team During Implementation Phase – A Case Study
Paper Title:
Facilitative Leader and Leadership Development of a Project Team During Implementation Phase - A Case Study
Abstract:
Organisations are turning to project managers to deliver one-of-a-kind or complex initiatives required to remain competitive. Despite the formalisation of the project management profession up to 65% of industrial capital projects fail to meet business objectives. Research literature suggests that project managers require leader and leadership skills to contribute to the successful completion of projects, meeting business objectives and ensuring customer satisfaction throughout the project life cycle. Fortunately leader and leadership skills can be developed, but due to the uniqueness and temporary nature of projects different methodologies are required to develop these skills.
This study utilised a case study research approach and evaluated the benefits of facilitative leader and leadership development of the project management team on a mega project over a two year period. Facilitative development combined the benefits of on-the-job training linked to a strategic business goal, action learning, coaching and the development of the emotional intelligence of the project management team.
This research shows that the development of the emotional intelligence of the project management team during the project contributed to both the personal development of each team member and enhanced the efficacy of the management team. The two year development process entrenched the learning and development of the leader and leadership skills of the project team members. This development contributed to the successful completion and ramp up of the project.
The model developed from this research can contribute to the continuous development of project managers and project teams to enhance the success rate of especially capital projects.
