Ledelse mod Værdiskabelse i IT-projektporteføljen - et Kvalitativt Casestudie af Vidensledelse i en Offentlig Organisation

Abstract

Som felt har IT-projektporteføljeledelse de senere år udviklet sig hen imod en værdiorienteret strøm- ning, hvilket manifesterer sig gennem et klart kundefokus. Med afsæt i et litteraturstudie skrevet i vinteren 2020, tager indeværende undersøgelse afsæt i den værdiorienterede strømning ud fra et vidensledelsesmæsigt perspektiv med henblik på at afdække og forstå de underliggende faktorer for, hvordan viden og ledelse deraf kan muliggøre værdiorienteret IT-projektporteføljeledelse. Dermed ud- foldes en praksisnær og hidtil ikke belyst facét af IT-projektporteføljeledelse; vidensledelse. Formålet med koblingen af disse to felter er et forsøg på, i højere grad, at aktivere de praksisnære aspekter af IT-projektporteføljeledelse, samt i øvrigt at nytænke programniveauets opgaver. Dette er muliggjort gennem ekspertbidrag fra Adjunkt og PhD Lars Kristian Hansen fra Institut for Virksomhedsledelse ved Århus Universitet, der har bidraget med unikke indsigter i feltet, Professor Jeppe Agger Nielsen der, med sin ekspertviden indenfor IT-systemers strategiske rolle i en offentlig kontekst har vejledt og guidet undersøgelsen gennem hele processen, samt de fra Aalborg Universitets IT Services, der har stillet op til interviews og i øvrigt efterlevet samtlige forespørgsler på information og materiale. Der lyder en ydmyg tak til alle hver især for deres bidrag til at kunne realisere visionen om at skabe dette produkt.

Framework of the study: This study analyses value-creation in an IT-project portfolio in the Danish public sector within the context of Knowledge Management (KM). The studied case is Aalborg University IT Services (ITS), who are currently undergoing a strategic transition from traditionally oriented towards value-oriented Information Technology Project Portfolio Management (ITPPM). Thereby, the purpose is to study how ITS can realise a value-oriented focus in their IT project portfolio, enabled by KM. The theoretical framework couples ITPPM with KM to create a theoretical ideal model on how to enable a value focus in the IT project portfolio, whereby the theoretical apparatus in itself acts as a contribution to the field of ITPPM. Additionally, the foundation of the framework is based upon a litterature review, that identifies two continuums within ITPPM; deliverable/value-orientation, and a dynamic/static focus. In order to capture the multi-layered complexity of the case, the analysis is conducted by deploying a qualitative, embedded single-case study research design. This asserts the need for a multimethod, abductive approach in order to activate the interaction between the theoretical apparatus and the empirical data, consisting of interviews, and strategic documents. The study is compartmentalised into three individual sections; 1) how ITS are currently managing their IT-project portfolio, 2) what challenges they face in order to realise their strategy, and 3) how a value focus can be realised. Results of the study: The results suggest ITS as currently managing IT projects with a predominantly deliverable-oriented static focus – however, with aspects leaning towards a value-orientation. The theoretical ideal creates the basis to propose four challenges that ITS is facing in order to succeed with a value-oriented focus, rooted in the need for actively applying KM; there is a need for decentralising autonomy on the project level, while centralising knowledge and management hereof on the programme level. In turn, this can aid in ensuring correct processes for knowledge exploitation on all three organisational levels. Furthermore, this transition and upholding of a value focus relies on implementing learning- and performance loops, which ensures the accumulation and creation of new, explicated knowledge. Additionally, value-oriented ITPPM is supported by the use of a Knowledge Management System (KMS). To conclude, the context of ITPPM in the Danish public sector enables a discussion on how the statically-oriented public sector project models define the limitations of ITPPM in public sector organisations. Thereby, the study places itself within the field of ITPPM by enabling dynamic, value- oriented ITPPM by coupling it with KM.

A master thesis from Aalborg University

Ledelse mod Værdiskabelse i IT-projektporteføljen - et Kvalitativt Casestudie af Vidensledelse i en Offentlig Organisation

[Managing Value Creation in the IT Project Portfolio - a Qualitative Case Study of Knowledge Management in a Public Sector Organisation]