- Virtual Project Management
- Virtual Teams and Fast Response Virtual Teams
- Best Practices in Project Management
- Project Management Assurance
- Pattern Theory
Our current work in this domain focuses on the effective management of virtual projects. We argue that virtual projects are fundamentally different from traditional projects in many ways. Project managers, however, are naturally inclined to carry their assumptions about and skills in traditional project management into a virtual environment.
Three things often keep project managers from rapidly adapting and being effective in this new environment – their existing mindset, skillset, and toolset. The rare manager who can combine all three things is someone who can manage through technology, rather than simply with technology. Being able to combine perspectives in a seamless way with skills and technology is something that could be taught if we had the blueprint.
The research described in this proposal addresses this issue and makes both theoretical and practical strides toward understanding and specifying such blueprints. We use the theoretical frame of patterns to propose an entirely new concept. Our underlying hypothesis is that effective (and ineffective) patterns of virtual projects can be identified.
We focus on three concepts as the underlying theoretical elements for identifying patterns:
- coordination
- communication, and
- control
We believe that these elements are uniquely different in virtual projects because of the reliance on communication technology, which defines the environment through which coordination, communication, and control take place. The technology both constrains and enables how each element is handled, as well as the balance or pattern among elements.
It is the existence and implications of such patterns that we are currently investigating. We are in the process of developing a method for identifying patterns for effective virtual project management.
Papers/Books/Software Products
Khazanchi, D. and Zigurs, I. (2011; Forthcoming). "A Systematic Method for Discovering Effective Patterns of Virtual Project Management". Essence.
Arora, P., Owens, D and Khazanchi, D. (2010, July). "A Pattern-Based Tool for Knowledge Management in Virtual Projects." The IUP Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. VIII, No. 3, pp. 60-80.
Zigurs, I. and Khazanchi, D. (2008, Spring). " From Profiles to Patterns: A New View of Task-Technology Fit ." Information Systems Management, Volume 25 Issue 1, pp. 8 –13.
Zigurs, I., Khazanchi, D. and Mametjanov, A. (2007). "The Practice and Promise of Virtual Project Management." In: Kock, N., Editor (2007, December), Encyclopedia of E-Collaboration, Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference (an imprint of IGI Global), ISBN: 978-1-59904-000-4, Chapter 116, pp. 1-7. Also published in Kisielnicki, J., Editor (2008, June), Virtual Technologies: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications, Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference (an imprint of IGI Global), ISBN: 978-1-59904-955-7, Chapter 1.13, pp. 177-184.
Khazanchi, D. and Zigurs, I. (2007, January 3-7). "An Assessment Framework for Developing and Using Patterns for the Effective Management of Virtual Projects." Proceedings of the Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS-40).
Khazanchi, D. and Zigurs, I. (2006, July-September). "Patterns for Effective Management of Virtual Projects: Theory and Evidence."International Journal of electronic Collaboration (IJeC) -- Special Issue on Collaborative Project Management, Volume 2, No. 3, pp. 25-49.
Khazanchi, D. and Zigurs, I. (2005, May 21st). "Patterns of Virtual Projects", PMI Project Management Research Programme Working Session", Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (part of the PMI Global Congress-EMEA). [Reported in July 2005 PMI Newsletter].
Khazanchi, D. and Zigurs, I. (2005). Patterns of effective management of virtual projects: An exploratory study. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute. ISBN: 1930699832. [To purchase this book, please visit the PMI book store]. [Read a review of the book]. [Read editorial comments about the book and study in redmonmag.com; Local version]
Khazanchi, D. and Zigurs I. (October 1st-April 15th, 2005; Completed). "A Simulation for Executive Sponsors of Projects." [Play with our innovative simulation].
Khazanchi, D. and Zigurs I (May 15th-August 15th, 2003; Completed). "A Simulation for Budding Project Managers." [Play with our innovative PM Simulation].
Khazanchi, D., Raghavan, V.V., and J.L. Webster (1994), "Relationship between information system project characteristics and project management activities: An empirical study." Journal of Information Technology Management, V:4, pp. 17-28.