Development of a method for assessing the quality of project management processes based on the entropy approach

Abstract

The object of this research is to assess the quality of project management processes. The conducted research is aimed at developing a method for assessing the quality of project management processes in accordance with modern requirements for management and its results. The study is based on the entropy concept of management, and entropy is considered as an integral indicator for assessing the quality of management processes, characterizing the «controllability» of the project and «confidence» in certain results of the project. It is proposed to use information entropy as an indicator of management quality, which is understood as the ability to assess and minimize, through preventive or adaptive measures, uncertainty or negative impact from outside and inside on the project, that is, to ensure the success of the project. The main factors influencing the level of entropy of the project are determined. It is substantiated that the role of management is to counteract entropy and create such conditions for the implementation of the project, under which its level tends to be acceptable. Only under this condition can the quality of management be defined as «high level» or «sufficiently high level». A scale for assessing the entropy level of a project is proposed, which is substantiated by experimental studies of the entropy level of various projects. The concept of «entropy index» of the project is introduced into consideration, as a relative indicator of the level of entropy of the project. The proposed approach is illustrated on the example of a specific project, which substantiated the adequacy of the results of applying the approach to the logic and experience of project implementation, and also demonstrated the practical applicability of the approach for assessing the level of project entropy and management quality. The results obtained make it possible to assess the quality of management processes at each stage of the project life cycle in order to identify problems early; and also form a theoretical basis for the further development of tools to ensure and improve the quality of project management processes.