Is strategy being implemented through projects? Contrary evidence from a leader in New Public Management

This paper reports on the effectiveness of the project management and investment frameworks in the State of Victoria. It finds project management and investment practices comparable to best practice but also finds 100 billion dollars invested in projects over the past decade without any evidence of improvement in strategic goals. It concludes that there may be systemic deficiencies in our project management and investment frameworks. It suggests that deficiencies in the way projects are currently selected and managed limit the capability to realise strategic goals. Future research to develop programme management, portfolio management and project governance is recommended to increase the likelihood that strategy will be implemented.

► Projects in an exemplary case appear not to be contributing to strategy. ► There appear to be deficiencies in the way projects are selected. ► Research is recommended in project governance, programme and portfolio management.