The Future Use of Cloud-based Virtual Technologies to Enhance Project Management in West Coast governments: A Delphi Study

Abstract

The future use of advanced cloud infrastructure technologies has continued to receive increased attention from theory and practice. However, there is a persistent lack of consensus among information technology on the future use of cloud-based technologies to enhance project management in government agencies. This study sought to obtain the consensus of the information technology experts on the West Coast on the future use of cloud-based technologies to enhance project management in West Coast governments. The study adopted a qualitative research method grounded on the Delphi design in which data was collected in three cycles/rounds. A sample of 20 information technology experts sourced from LinkedIn were engaged in semi-structured interviews to generate data. Data collected was interviews was transcribed verbatim to generate a Microsoft Word document, which was subjected to coding. Codes bearing similar meanings were combined to form themes, which were analyzed using the thematic analysis technique. The study findings confirmed that there is a consensus among information technology experts that cloudbased virtual technologies will become increasingly relevant in project management environments due to intensified expectations for efficiency and productivity in project management. The study recommended that government agencies should be abreast of technological advancements and adopt cloud-based virtual technologies to continue optimizing the outcomes of project management in the future.