Date of Conferral

5-25-2024

Date of Award

May 2024

Degree

Doctor of Information Technology (D.I.T.)

School

Information Systems and Technology

Advisor

Dana Haywood

Abstract

Automating network services is vital for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to remain viable and competitive, but implementation has challenges. Without evidence-based strategies to help IT project managers curb those challenges, the transition to automating network services could be hindered. Grounded in Lewin’s change model, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the methods used by IT project managers in network engineering to curb the challenges they face when automating network services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 10 IT project managers from non-governmental SMEs in Florida, US. The data were thematically analyzed, and four themes emerged. One theme highlighted the skills and knowledge managers require to successfully lead the transition process. The second theme described the approaches needed by managers to manage the members of the team involved in the transition process. The third theme highlighted the hurdles faced during the transition, and the final theme described the solutions to the highlighted challenges. A key recommendation for IT project managers is to prioritize continuous learning and skill development to enable them to lead their teams through complex projects effectively. The implications for positive social change include the potential for SMEs to remain viable and contribute to the local economy by enhancing business processes through network automation.

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