A Meta-Analysis of Agile and Lean Project Management Methodologies in Large-Scale Engineering and IT Integration Projects

Abstract

This study examined the performance problem faced by large-scale engineering and IT integration projects, where schedule delays, cost overruns, rework, weak stakeholder alignment, resource inefficiency, and changing requirements often reduce project success. The purpose was to assess how Agile practices, Lean practices, Agile Lean integration maturity, stakeholder collaboration, project adaptability, and project complexity methodology fit influence project performance. A quantitative, cross-sectional, case-based design was applied using survey data from 180 professionals involved in engineering integration, IT integration, digital transformation, infrastructure, automation, cloud, and enterprise system cases. The key variables included Agile project management practices, Lean project management practices, stakeholder collaboration, project adaptability, Agile Lean Integration Maturity, Project Complexity Methodology Fit, and project performance. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s Alpha reliability testing, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression modeling. The findings showed strong reliability across constructs, with the overall instrument achieving Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.93. Descriptive results indicated high mean scores for Agile practices (M = 4.12), Lean practices (M = 4.05), stakeholder collaboration (M = 4.18), project adaptability (M = 4.09), Agile Lean integration maturity (M = 3.92), methodology fit (M = 3.88), and project performance (M = 4.11). Correlation results confirmed significant positive relationships between project performance and Agile practices (r = 0.62), Lean practices (r = 0.59), stakeholder collaboration (r = 0.65), adaptability (r = 0.61), Agile Lean maturity (r = 0.68), and methodology fit (r = 0.57), all at p < 0.01. Regression analysis showed that the model explained 59.8% of project performance variance, R² = 0.598, F(6,173) = 42.86, p < 0.001, with Agile Lean integration maturity as the strongest predictor (β = 0.31, p < 0.001). The study implies that organizations can improve cost control, schedule performance, quality outcomes, stakeholder satisfaction, adaptability, and integration success by using a mature, hybrid, contingency-based Agile Lean approach.