Experience Drives Success in SME Projects

Technology projects in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often fail not because of technical hurdles, but because complexity is underestimated and experience is not systematically applied. Over the course of two decades, Holger Barth analyzed 65 real-life projects within a German company. The study reveals that project leaders with experience and a structured approach significantly increase the success rate. This is especially true in complex projects, where rising complexity correlates with increased risk. However, those who combine experience with the right methodology can deliver reliable results even under difficult conditions. The key lies in the ability to accurately assess requirements, identify complexity early on, and apply methods in a context-sensitive, rather than schematic, way.

Discover how to objectively assess project complexity and why experienced project leaders are 57 times more likely to choose the right method. The analysis offers practical approaches for improved project management in SMEs: from selecting appropriate tools to strategically aligning experience with project demands.

All Participants will Receive the Academic Paper:
Managing Technology Projects in Medium-Sized Enterprises: The Role of Project Complexity and Project Manager Experience in Achieving Success or Failure.