Fundamental guidelines for integrating success management into standard and custom project management methodologies

Purpose This study aims to present guidelines for integrating Success Management activities into standard and custom project management methodologies. Design/methodology/approach The research follows a multi-approach design, combining theoretical analysis and empirical insights. It draws from a comprehensive literature review and case studies to formulate practical guidelines for implementing Success Management activities throughout the project life cycle, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and closing. Findings The study provides actionable guidelines to integrate Success Management with both standard and custom project management methodologies. These guidelines support practitioners in creating improved project management methodologies to better align project objectives with stakeholder expectations, ultimately leading to increased value and project success rates. Practical implications Practitioners can use the proposed guidelines to systematically incorporate Success Management activities into their project management practices. This practical guidance is especially valuable for organisations using custom or hybrid methodologies. Originality/value This research bridges the gap between theoretical concepts of Success Management and practical application within diverse project management environments. It offers a novel approach by incorporating Success Management into organisation-specific (custom) methodologies, which are often overlooked in project management research literature.