The effect of systems engineering on project management success

In the Dutch civil engineering industry, clients increasingly prescribe Systems Engineering as a tool to manage projects. Studies have identified a positive relationship between Systems Engineering and Project Management Success. Whether these relationships are present in the Dutch civil industry is unknown. This research explores if a relationship is present in the Dutch civil industry between Systems Engineering and Project Management Success. Based on a literature study, a measurement tool was created. The tool measures; (1) the extent to which Systems Engineering is applied, (2) the perceived quality of Systems Engineering, based on employees’ views, and (3) Project Management Success, expressed as three KPI’s. With the help of the measurement tool, eight cases were analysed. The data shows that the extent to which Systems Engineering is applied has no relationship with Time Performance and Price Increase. Systems Engineering has a relationship with Profit Performance in three projects. But, other cases prove the contrary. Other factors have been identified which have more impact on Project Management Success than the extent to which Systems Engineering is applied. In the end, recommendations are stated that help to exploit Systems Engineering to its full extent.