Abstract:
There is sufficient empirical evidence that project performance continues to be problematic
despite over six decades of research and practice attention. Theories of project management
remain weak while research adheres to a dominant deterministic paradigm to search for
explanations through conceptual or empirical lenses. The premise that a non-deterministic
enquiry through the lens of variability would offer superior and theoretic explanations of
performance motivates this study. The premise is justified through a comprehensive review of
project management literature. The review uncovers trends in project management research.
Analysis of non-deterministic research shows that Complexity and Uncertainty are the
principal constructs of variability. Based on a thematic analysis, the study proposes a 5-
dimensional framework of variability. Anchored to structural and behavioural themes on the
framework, the study develops conceptual/analytical models to examine stochastic dependence
in series networks paths, sub-structure topological forms of stochastic activities, effect of
stochastic work rates on the interplay of procrastination and pacing behaviours, and gametheoretic
structure of manager-worker interactions. The models are corroborated from field
studies through a mixed quantitative and qualitative methods approach. The study makes
several original contributions to project management research. It shows the diffused state of
project management research, with the dominant deterministic stream showing signs of
maturing, and the non-deterministic enquiry remaining emergent. The models developed in this
study offer theoretic explanations into several aspects of project phenomena, and provide
instructive insights into structural and behavioural antecedents of variability in projects. The
study employs novel methodological approaches to developing taxonomies, assessing
influence of research themes, and using statistical or game-theoretic techniques to analyze
complex interactions of human behaviours, and thus contributes to the literature on research
methods. It delivers useful prescriptions to practitioners, and generates several avenues of
future research enquiry
