Transformations  in
Business & Economics

UNVEILING KEY FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL IT PROJECTS IN KAZAKHSTAN: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION
Assel Kuketayeva, Gulmira Mukhanova, Agnes Csiszarik-Kocsir, Akkyz Mustafina

ABSTRACT: The IT market in Kazakhstan has experienced remarkable growth, surpassing $1.35 billion in 2020, with a substantial number of companies operating in the industry. However, mere investment in IT projects does not guarantee their success; it requires using appropriate management tools, methods and critical success factors (CSFs). This article aims to empirically identify the key success factors for IT project management in Kazakhstan by conducting research within IT companies. An anonymous online survey was conducted in March/April 2022 to gather data. The study employed the Structural Equation Method (SEM) for data analysis, enabling the simultaneous testing of multiple relationships and exploring causal connections between factors. The findings reveal that team experience and motivation, risk management, change management monitoring and control, stakeholder engagement, and communication are the most significant factors contributing to the success of IT projects in Kazakhstan. These factors are relevant across different IT projects, including developing new systems/services, expanding existing ones, and maintaining current systems/services. The SEM model provides explicit graphical representations of the relationships between the identified factors and project performance and success. Consequently, organisations in Kazakhstan are encouraged to prioritise the development of these critical success factors to increase the likelihood of successful outcomes in their IT projects. In conclusion, this article unveils the essential factors necessary for successful IT project management in Kazakhstan, enabling organisations to focus their efforts and resources effectively. By implementing these critical success factors, organisations can enhance their chances of achieving successful outcomes in IT projects.

KEYWORDS:  empirical investigation, IT projects, project management, Structural Equation Method, Kazakhstan.

JEL classification:  M15, L86.