Plausible Explanations for Trends in Project Programmatic Findings

This paper investigates several published hypotheses to determine which might explain the observed cyclic pattern in programmatic findings by independent review teams over a ten-year period. The data does not neatly support any of the intra-project theories considered; however, something is obviously triggering these findings. A closer examination of the narratives associated with the programmatic findings did reveal consistency. The recurring themes that appeared with more numerous findings were unclear roles and staffing problems. Other explanations, external to the project teams, were also explored and the data supported a distributed political influence on project performance.