Project management practices to direct and control the project planning and execution in R&D units

Projects lead organisations create utility, value and capabilities, by delivering innovative outcomes. Project managers must foster collaboration and people commitment in a coordinated effort involving feasibility and viability assessments and the application of project management practices and processes to kick off, direct, and control its execution. To know and better understand which project management practices are in use in organisations with research and development (R&D) units, this article presents a study analysing the frequency of use of project management practices and compares them with project management students' expectations of applying them as a professional. Seventy-seven practices have been analysed and evidence of significant differences has been found in 29 practices. The results provide inputs to direct and control projects reinforcing the importance of applying fundamental concepts, skills, and processes to meet the project objectives, giving us insights on the importance of training and recruiting project management professionals.