Are Public Projects Different than Projects in other Sectors? Preliminary Results of Empirical Research

This paper presents the first results of original empirical research on differences between public projects and projects in other sectors. First we will define the very concept of a public project, before presenting the results of research performed in over 60 countries. The research shows a greater complexity of managing public projects than of managing projects in other sectors. Relatively, in comparison to projects of other sectors, the most complicated public projects management areas are stakeholder management, procurement management, and communications management. These management areas therefore require that special training programs be developed in public institutions. This article also contributes to the theory of public projects management by proposing the fuzzy dimensional model of differences between public projects and projects of other sectors.