Leadership: a critical success factor in IT project management

Research on critical success factors in IT project management is increasingly recognising the importance of nontechnical factors, such as leadership. However, most of the current literature on technical project leadership is characterised by personal experience of writers resulting in fragmented advice. The current study sought a three dimensional (self, subordinate and superior) perspective of successful leadership characteristics in IT project management by testing the validity of transformational leadership theory supplemented by technical leadership related items. While recognising that there is no one leadership style that is effective in all project situations, the study recommends an underlying but flexible style characterised by organisational catalyst, intellectual stimulation, behavioural charisma and contingent reward behaviours for enhanced leadership effectiveness