Abstract
In many organisations, information technology (IT) agile projects are undergoing digital transformation, in line with the dictates of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). Technology allows project teams to respond to issues that arise throughout the stages of the project and make any necessary changes at the right time, thereby saving resources and helping to deliver successful projects on time and within budget. For all this to be achieved, it is necessary for the project manager to be aware of the technology that is being used in each project to ensure that it is applied correctly, to deliver agile projects successfully. It is impossible for project managers who do not have the essential digital competencies and skills to run agile projects that use 4IR technologies effectively.
Thus, the main objective of this research was to investigate project managers’ digital competencies for implementing agile projects. To achieve this objective, the research began by discussing the various 4IR technologies and their impact on organisations and their agile projects.
The researcher made use of the quantitative research approach to answer the research questions and objectives in this study. The study surveyed 102 participants who were working closely with agile in a broad range of industries. The participants were able to identify different technologies that were being used to drive change in agile projects. In addition, the participants managed to make sound evaluations of the impact of 4IR technologies and their effects on agile projects. The participants outlined some of the benefits and disadvantages of the aforesaid technologies. Lastly, the participants were able to identify the skills that project managers needed to implement and manage 4IR agile projects in organisations. The results of the study showed how important it was for project managers to have the requisite technical skills for effectively managing projects and their respective teams using 4IR technologies. Future research could investigate the frequency and impact of workshops that are organised to educate project teams on newest 4IR technologies, which are growing so fast that those which organisations are currently using may become obsolete in the next three to five years; hence, it is important for project teams to keep up with technology trends. It is important for organisations to organise workshops and short courses for employees so that they can continue to reskill themselves to be able to drive technology related projects successfully.
Keywords: Digital competencies, agile project, project managers, fourth industrial revolution