The Need for Integrating Cloud-Based Project Management Tools in IT Curricula: Insights from Sri Lanka’s Software Industry

Cloud-based project management software is heavily used in the software development industry, with cloud computing advancements. As such software usage is becoming popular in the industry, empirical evidence suggests that investigating the efficient integration of cloud-based project management software into Information Technology degree programmes is crucial in bridging the gap between university education and industry requirements. Therefore, this mixed-method study was carried out in Sri Lanka, where the software development industry is a significant player in the service sector. To analyse the current uptake of such software, 102 firms were given a closed-ended questionnaire. The fact that 93% of respondents are using these tools and that they specified that their use is crucial for project success suggests that they should be integrated into the academic curricula of IT degrees. Thirteen interviews were also done with industry professionals. The thematic analysis showed that professionals who had studied using cloud-based project management software in their degrees found it easier to adopt them in the workplace than those who had not, suggesting the need for integrating them into academic curricula. Effective integration strategies included offering cloud-based project management tools as practical components required for use in projects, industry-led workshops, and online courses as assignments. These results can help higher education establishments improve their curricula, including the latest industry practices, to bridge the gap between academic and industry requirements.