A project management approach to competitive intelligence

Esteban Navarro, Miguel Ángel (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; García Madurga, Miguel Angel (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: The research problem that this study seeks to solve is to examine the relationship between competitive intelligence (CI) and project management (PM). These disciplines coincide in their threefold approach to action, collection of results, and ability to react in response to environmental signs. However, the academic and professional literature has not explored the possible synergies between CI and PM, with the exception of the seminal proposals by Prescott in 1988 and 1999. The aim of this opinion article is to propose a new methodological approach for the production and transfer of CI in accordance with the international standards of PM. The methodology consists of an inductive reasoning process from specific observations and evidence gathered in our professional experience as CI practitioners over twenty years, contrasted with the findings of the scientific literature, the PMBOK® Guide of the Project Management Institute, and with the CI model proposed by the most relevant Spanish technical standards in R&D;&I; management and strategic intelligence management. The paper discusses the vision of intelligence production and dissemination in a project with five phases or groups of processes: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closure. Also, the responsibilities of the human intelligence team are exposed. This proposal could be an alternative to the departmental-based intelligence cycle model more aligned with the organizational culture and the usual operational practices and business processes of companies, founded on the design and deployment of projects with a specific beginning and end that is carried out to create a product, service or unique result. It is concluded also that there is a need for undertaking experimental implementation and case studies of this proposal in companies and their assessment by future academic studies.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.37380/jisib.v10i3.636

Año: 2020

Publicado en: Journal of Intelligence Studies in Business 10, 3 (2020), 8-23
ISSN: 2001-015X

Originalmente disponible en: Texto completo de la revista

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.331 - Management Science and Operations Research (Q2) - Business, Management and Accounting (miscellaneous) (Q2)

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Organización de Empresas (Dpto. Direcc.Organiza.Empresas)
Área (Departamento): Área Comunic.Audiovis.Publici. (Unidad Predepartam. Period.Co.)