Key success factors when implementing strategic manufacturing initiatives

In: International journal of operations & production management, Band 25, Heft 2, S. 151-179

Abstract

PurposeThis paper reports the study of key success factors (KSFs) in the project management of the implementation of strategic manufacturing initiatives (SMIs).Design/methodology/approachIn order to gather the experience and knowledge of many industries, from different geographic locations, in a broad range of types and sizes of SMIs, a questionnaire‐based survey of practitioners worldwide was selected as the most appropriate research method among those available.FindingsThe identification of those tasks and activities that must be done well in order to succeed in the implementation of a SMI in practice.Practical implicationsPractitioners focusing their attention on the KSFs identified are more likely to succeed. Once these factors have been identified, the value of benchmarking project management methodologies then comes from drawing attention to those tasks that are key to the success of the implementation of SMIs.Originality/valueThe paper presents new thinking by bringing project management into the operations strategy implementation literature as an important mediating factor for success. In this context the factors that are required for successful implementation are identified.