ASSESSING THE USEFULNESS OF SIMPLIFIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORKS IN A SMALL ENTERPRISE CONTEXT

Purpose: The study aims to evaluate the applicability and perceived usefulness of a light weight project management methodology tailored for small-scale projects, particularly within environments with limited project management experience and resources. Design/methodology/approach: An experimental research design involving multiple student led teams executing real-world small projects over four months was employed. The methodology under evaluation was systematically applied by each team, supported by trained mentors. Data were collected through structured surveys assessing various dimensions of the methodology’s practicality and effectiveness, including documentation, role clarity, stakeholder engagement, and risk management. Findings: The findings indicate that simplified project management approaches can effectively support small project environments. Respondents reported high satisfaction levels with the ease of use, clarity of documentation, and effectiveness of core tools such as role assignment mechanisms, project boards, and deliverables mapping. The methodology also demonstrated utility in enhancing stakeholder communication and managing evolving project requirements. Minor challenges were observed, primarily related to stakeholder engagement variance and unforeseen risks. Research limitations/implications: The study’s limitations include student teams in an academic setting, not fully reflecting commercial pressures or dynamics. Mentor involvement may have inflated performance, limiting findings’ generalizability and needing further research. Practical implications: The study suggests that small enterprises and nonprofit organisations can benefit from adopting streamlined methods that emphasise clarity, frequent feedback, and simple documentation. Originality/value: This study contributes to the limited empirical literature on project management in small-scale and resource-constrained environments. It provides evidence-based insights into minimalist project management methodologies' practical benefits and limitations, offering value for researchers, practitioners, and educators seeking adaptive, accessible tools for managing small projects in SMEs, NGOs, and student settings.