Using Project management theories in dissertation works

From time to time, some information systems management and business management students ask me whether they can use project management theories in their dissertation works. I think it can be acceptable if the project management theories you are using are theoretically sophisticated enough. What does that mean? Basically, dissertation projects are projects. Thus, you can describe your dissertation projects in project management terms, such as GANTT charts. You can also make use of the concepts as explained in publications from the professional bodies of project management, such as Project Management Institute.

 

Since your dissertation works should have academic value, you need to consider some project management theories from the academic sources, such as:

1. Engineering Project Organization Journal, published by Taylor & Francis
2. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, published by Emerald,
3. International Journal of Project Management, published by Elsevier

In this case, project management theories can still make up the core theoretical framework underlying your dissertation works. Even with that done, you need to also consider other business concepts to be applied in your dissertation works. This, in turn, will require you to carry out some intellectual synthesis effort in your literature review.