Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls? How Complexity Demands More Agile Project Management Approaches to Municipal Strategy Implementation

Abstract

Project management has emerged as an important component of strategy implementation. In the private sector, traditional “waterfall” project management approaches have been supplemented by “agile” methods that are more iterative and recursive. However, less attention has been paid to the efficacy of agile project management approaches in the public sector. This study examines the contextual effectiveness of waterfall, agile, and hybrid project management approaches in public organizations. Regression analysis of 207 strategic initiatives from 43 US municipalities confirms that the effectiveness of project management approach is contingent upon implementation complexity. Further, a descriptive analysis indicates there is no discernable pattern to project management approach by these municipalities, therefore risking the viability of their adopted strategies by selecting ineffective project management methods. These findings emphasize that public organizations should thoughtfully employ project management as they implement strategic plans.