The role of big data analytics for decision-making in projects: uses and challenges

ABSTRACT

The utility of big data analytics (BDA) for data-driven decision-making is growing. However, its role in project decision-making remains under-researched though data is used in every phase of projects. Addressing the gap, data collected through twenty-five interviews was analysed using NVivo. The results show that there is a sense of confusion about the scope and utility of BDA for decision-making in projects. While BDA facilitates transparency in decision-making by enabling consistent evaluation of information and aids decision-making across a variety of domains, including risk, procurement and fraud management, it can also be used to mask inaccuracies, leading to poor decisions.

KEYWORDS:

• Big data analytics
• Information systems decision-making
• project life cycle
• quality and risk management
• nvivo

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data will also be made available on request from the corresponding author.