A model of projects as a source of stress at work

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the relationship between project work and stress. It examines how the conditions of project work negatively impact on an individual’s mental and physical state of well-being, consequentially reducing organisational performance. Design/methodology/approach The authors systematically review the project management literature for sources of stress or stressors as it relates to Cooper and Marshall’s (1976) model of stress at work. The authors perform a thematic analysis on these stressors to reveal the “sub-stressor” conditions of project work. Findings A “model of projects as a source of stress at work” is developed. It shows the relationship between the sub-stressors of project work and the ill effects they have on mental and physical well-being of the project workforce. Research limitations/implications The findings of this study are constrained by the limits of a literature review process. This study has implications for research on stress in project work, as studies can benefit from the “model of projects as a source of stress at work”, which can be continually advanced to gain insights on the minimisation of physical and mental distress. Practical implications Many sectors including health, education, policing, aviation and military provide scenario-based training. In project management, a greater understanding of stressful scenarios and counter measures would improve health outcomes for project staff, human relations and project outcomes. Originality/value The study presents a comprehensive model of projects as a source of stress at work. It draws attention to the burden and cost of anxiety and stress placed on the project workforce. It makes the case for organisations and employees to take responsibility for the well-being of project staff.

What Generation Z needs: the role of project-based organizations in creating career sustainability

“…The commonality of the early career experiences and needs of Gen Z members of the PM profession may be due to the nature of PM work. Regardless of sector, projects are one-of-a-kind endeavors that are constrained by time, budget and quality; are often unpredictable, challenging and accompanied by a sense of urgency (Darling and Whitty, 2019); require the management of many stakeholders; and involve unexpected risks (Jepson et al. , 2017); and frequently involve long hours, pressure and stress (Anantatmula, 2015).…”

“Project Burnout”: Proposing a New Definition for Burnout in the Project Management Context with the Purpose of Supporting Sustainable Project Economies

“…Thus, it can be identified as a gap in the literature and a promising domain of research, considering the importance of projects in a global business arena and the prevalence of project management approaches in the business life. Project management corresponds to roughly 20% of all global economic endeavors, which is around 30% for the emerging countries and economies (Darling and Whitty, 2019). Project management is an established industry on its own, receiving attention from both academic and business environments.…”

“…Since project managers are accountable and responsible but they possess little or almost no real authority in the organizations, this is a cause of stress. Unachievable deadlines, ambiguity of goals and roles and high expectations are some of the several factors that make the case even worse (Darling and Whitty, 2019).…”

“…Patanakul et al investigate the project personnel working in multiple projects simultaneously, which can be identified as project system variety or interdependencies within project system parameters under organizational complexity (Patanakul et al, 2016). Meanwhile, Darling and Whitty model projects as sources of stressors at work, categorizing stressors into two as intrinsic to job and role in an organization, which corresponds to technological and organizational complexity, respectively (Darling and Whitty, 2019). Still, it is fair to state that existing studies clearly show that burnout in the context of project management can be directly linked to project complexity, since they are identifying several parameters from the project complexity scheme as a source.…”

Preparing Construction Employers for the Gen-Z Workforce: A Case Study

“…Work environments in the 21st century have been described as both dynamic and complex, which is intensifying the natural and unique stress levels that workplaces have on their employees (Darling & Whitty, 2020). In the last couple of years, stress levels reached staggering peaks as industries continue to navigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which riddled every work environment (Borg et al, 2021).…”