What can be Learnt from the Icelandic National Team's Managers, in Project Management and in Shaping Group Dynamics?

Abstract

Football is one of the most popular sports in the world. The football environment is demanding and challenging. In the last years there are more financial resources involved and social demand is increasing. Football is about creating the correct winning environment, overcoming significant challenges and handling expectations and pressure. At first sight, this environment seems very similar to the project management environment, but is it really? What can be learnt from the Icelandic national football team's managers in project management and in shaping group dynamics? The IPMA eye of competence is used as a framework for this thesis with a focus on leadership, strategy, team building and how to lead successful teams. The thesis is built up in two ways: qualitative study and quantitative study. In the qualitative study, two in depth interviews were conducted with the Icelandic national team's managers. The conclusion is that the main building blocks of the team are a structured working environment, values that support the organizational structure, appropriate combination of task- and social leadership style and team cohesion. In the quantitative study, a questionnaire was sent out to the Icelandic national team members. The conclusion is that the key success factors from the training processes are a structured working environment, discipline, mutual trust, mutual respect and repetition. It is our conclusion that the football environment provides a good testing ground for project management, but since fewer variables affect the outcome in football it can be difficult to apply it directly to business.