The research on information systems shows significant project failure rates. The requirements-related problems and the lack of management and leadership skills are the most cited causes. Thus, this study uses a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to explore which types of leadership competencies (emotional, intellectual, and managerial) are the most relevant for each activity in the requirements phase. This study also examines whether gender and holding a project management certification contribute to the success of this phase. The results show that different activities call for different leadership competencies and that gender is the most consistent condition that leads to success. The findings also indicate that formal certification may not be a proxy for all the required skills and knowledge needed in the requirements phase. These results enable a better fit for those professionals that are involved in the requirements phase to improve their success probabilities.

Introduction

Projects in information systems (IS) have been a hot research topic for decades, particularly as regards the key factors that lead to successful projects. Nevertheless, recent surveys continue to show significant failure rates with no great improvement from previous ones (PMI, 2018; The Standish Group International, 2013, 2015). One of the major causes of project failure is the requirements phase, which involves the early activities in the IS project’s life cycle (Pressman & Maxim, 2015; The Standish Group International, 2013). The requirements phase is very much dependent on project managers and teams, who have to apply the most adequate tools and skills to meet the desired outcomes (Russo, Ruiz, & Cunha, 2005; Skulmoski & Hartman, 2010) and who should be able to effectively involve and communicate with the relevant stakeholders (The Standish Group International, 2013). In this respect, the CHAOS report, one of the most popular reports on IS projects, provides a list of the ten main causes of project failure. This report consistently includes topics related to unclear or inadequate requirements along with inadequate stakeholder involvement, poor skills and expertise, and the lack of emotional maturity of both team members and the project manager (The Standish Group International, 2013). The Project Management Institute (PMI) has recently reported that projects also fail due to the lack of standardized project management practices (PMI, 2018).