How does organizational culture influence the selection, sponsorship, prioritization, and ultimate success of projects?
The culture of an organization derives from the basic principles by which that organization does business. (Schein, 1990) When discussing the influence an organization's culture has on project selection, sponsorship, priority, and success, management and decision-makers must understand how it dictates its business practices.
Organizational culture is made up of the attitudes, values, beliefs and behaviors of its employees, reflecting the values and principles of the organization. Ideally, management prefers project alignment with organizational culture, inline with strategic planning and implemented to support an organization's corporate strategy and corporate objectives. This alignment ensures projects receive the required attention and support of senior management and the company resources for success. Culture is also one of the defining aspects of an organization that sets it apart from other organizations even in the same industry.
Understanding and assessing your organization's culture can mean the difference between success and failure of a company's project planning. The direction of any proposed plan must take into consideration an organization current dynamic. For example, if an organization is strongly influenced by leadership, sponsorship will be a key factor in whether employees follow the proper practices. The employees will expect the leaders to endorse the practices through public and private statements of support. Leaders must communicate the strategy throughout the organization, if not the employees will sense that compliance is not critical and will abandon the needed practices. If a proposed project requires in ...