Cutting Wood with Scissors: Effective Approaches to Project Data Management and the Consequences of Using Inadequate Tools

Project management, as a discipline, has come a long way over the ages, with technical advancements such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), that have significantly impacted our approach to delivery. However, despite many strides forward and the continued professionalisation of project and data management, modern projects continue to encounter budget and time difficulties. This study examines the relationship between project outcomes and data quality, and offers practical improvement strategies for organisations to consider. The research is based on analysis of academic project management literature combined with practitioner literature and interviews with industry professionals who have implemented AI. This eclectic approach triangulates multiple sources to provide insights into the historic, academic, and real-world aspects of project delivery and data management. The findings highlight three key themes: that data is an inevitable part of life and projects, that people and behaviours are critical to successful outcomes, and that value and insight can be gained from data through a balanced approach to analysis and visualisation. A set of recommendations are identified, offering practical strategies for organisations to increase data accuracy and reliability, enabling them to effectively leverage AI tools to improve project delivery and overcome complex challenges related to project delivery, sustainability, and resilience.