The Effect of PMBOK Knowledge Areas on Critical Success Factors in Oil and Gas Projects in Iran: A SEM Modelling

AbstractThe complicated nature of oil and gas projects demands the deployment of integrated and effective project management methodologies to achieve the project objectives including the scope, cost and timing of the project. However, the availability of alternative methods such as PMI/PMBOK, IPMA, and PRINCE۲, high rate of project failure, and limited available resources can make decision making a challenge for project managers. Identification and ranking the most important factors in project management could be done through different methods i.e., MCDM, Regression analyse, or Structural equation modelings depends on the nature of data and the purpose of research. The main purpose of this research is to provide insight to project managers and oil and gas companies on the effect of PMBOK's ۱۰ knowledge areas including Integration Management, Scope Management, Time Management, Cost Management, Quality Management, Human Resource Management, Communication Management, Risk Management, Procurement Management, and Stakeholder Management on critical success factors in oil and gas industry in Iran. PMBOK knowledge areas were measured through the Project Management Planning Quality (PMPQ) survey and the dependent variables which are critical success factors were operationalized through the Project Implementation Profile (PIP) questionnaire. A total of ۱۰۰ questionnaires were distributed among project managers, senior managers and project experts in oil and gas organizations in Iran and ۷۲ acceptable responses were received and analyzed through structural equation modelling (SEM). The model is statistically significant and accounts for ۳۳.۷ % of the variation of CSFs. The SRMR value of the modified model is ۰.۰۹۸ and therefore the model fit is appropriate. The overall positive relationship between the variables is observed. The results of SEM analysis indicated that the scope management is the most effective knowledge area with the weight equals to ۰.۸۵۵ followed by communication management and risk management with the weights equal to ۰.۸۱۸ and ۰.۷۵۶ respectively.