Key Success Factors in Implementing System Dynamics in Project Management: Coping with lack of understanding and trust

摘要

The main challenge of system dynamics (SD) implementation in project management (PM) lies at its implementation stage. Moreover, SD tends to fail to make an impact when there is a lack of support from key stakeholders. In a separate work, we identify potential root causes to this and conclude that the main issue is a lack of understanding and trust in the model. By interviewing SD practitioners, this research builds on these findings as it identifies the key success factors to cope with the identified challenges. The key success factors are: establishing SD education in project-based organizations, using a more-familiar term (i.e. 'project simulation') to introduce the model, applying a participative approach in model design, managing key project stakeholders, and developing an independent modelling entity.