Key success factors when implementing strategic manufacturing initiatives

TLDR

The study introduces project management as a key mediating factor in operations strategy implementation, offering new insights into strategic manufacturing initiatives. The paper investigates the key success factors in project management for implementing strategic manufacturing initiatives. A worldwide questionnaire survey of practitioners across diverse industries and SMI types was used to collect data on project management practices. The study identifies specific tasks and activities—key success factors—that, when executed well, increase the likelihood of successful SMI implementation and highlights the value of benchmarking project management methodologies to focus on these critical tasks.

Abstract

Purpose This paper reports the study of key success factors (KSFs) in the project management of the implementation of strategic manufacturing initiatives (SMIs). Design/methodology/approach In order to gather the experience and knowledge of many industries, from different geographic locations, in a broad range of types and sizes of SMIs, a questionnaire‐based survey of practitioners worldwide was selected as the most appropriate research method among those available. Findings The identification of those tasks and activities that must be done well in order to succeed in the implementation of a SMI in practice. Practical implications Practitioners focusing their attention on the KSFs identified are more likely to succeed. Once these factors have been identified, the value of benchmarking project management methodologies then comes from drawing attention to those tasks that are key to the success of the implementation of SMIs. Originality/value The paper presents new thinking by bringing project management into the operations strategy implementation literature as an important mediating factor for success. In this context the factors that are required for successful implementation are identified.