An empirical study on the critical success factors of small-to medium-sized projects in a South African mining company

Abstract

Projects that fail, for whatever reason, can impact negatively on society, organisations, and other stakeholders. A number of researchers have identified various critical success factors (CSFs) that can influence the outcome and success of a project. This research therefore aims to determine the CSFs that influence various success measures of small- to medium-sized projects at a South African mining company, Exxaro Resources’ Grootegeluk Coal Mine. Other objectives of this research include determining the extent of the impacts of these CSFs on the different success measures of a project. The investigation suggests that there are correlations among CSFs, and that certain factors impact the outcome of projects far more than others. This research finds that the single most important CSF for small- to medium-sized projects is the selection of a competent project manager. The competent project manager is characterised by a group of interrelated CSF factors: good leadership, commitment, and learning from past experiences. Based on the research results, other CSFs are discussed and explored in order for recommendations to be made on how this mining company, and possibly other organisations, can achieve greater project success.

Mislukte projekte kan negatiewe impakte op die samelewing, organisasies en ander belanghebbendes hê. In die literatuur is daar reeds verskeie kritiese suksesfaktore geïdentifiseer wat die uitkoms en sukses van ‘n projek kan beïnvloed. Hierdie navorsing mik daarna om die kritiese suksesfaktore wat verskeie suksesmaatstawwe van klein- tot mediumgrootte projekte by Exxaro Resources se Grootgeluk steenkoolmyn in Suid-Afrika beïnvloed. Nog ‘n doelstellings van die studie sluit in die bepaal van die mate van die impak van hierdie kritiese suksesfaktore op die verskillende suksesmaatstawwe van ‘n projek. Die ondersoek dui daarop dat daar korrelasies onder kritiese suksesfaktore bestaan en dat sekere faktore ‘n baie groter invloed op die uitkoms van projekte het as ander. Die belangrikste kritiese suksesfaktor vir klein- tot mediumgrootte projekte is die aanstel van ‘n bevoegde projekbestuurder. ‘n Bevoegde projekbestuurder word gekenmerk deur etlike onderlinge kritiese suksesfaktore, naamlik goeie leierseienskappe, toewyding en ervaring. Ander kritiese suksesfaktore word op grond van hierdie studie bespreek en ondersoek om aanbevelings te maak oor hoe die mynboumaatskappy, en moontlik ander organisasies, verbeterde projek sukses kan behaal.