Dynamic project management strategies for UK fashion SMES

The Fashion Industry has passed through many phases, from handmade to modern technologies of manufacturing. Accordingly, the management practice in the industry has evolved from being manufacturer driven to consumer driven. In recent years, Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) businesses in this industry are facing tough competition and challenges due to latest trends in fast fashion. Furthermore, requirements of bespoke designs made by designers in line with customer trend and actual demand. To tackle the supply and demand issues, businesses came closer and supply chain players strived to improve their operations and business strategies. Every project in fashion production follows a unique set of procedures to complete the production and sales. This necessitates a dynamic approach. In this research, we explore the basic routine operations and strategies for a successful project management. The research has rooted from the basic understanding of the UK fashion SME case operations; further knowing their PM practices and developing these PM practices as their Dynamic Project Management (SMEs competitive strategy). Case observations, semi-structured interviews and follow up interviews are the key information source for this research. We have used NVIVO to analyse the data. Our analysis shows that projects in the fashion industry need basic understanding of Project Management (PM). This comes from knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques that SMEs use in completing their FI projects. Additionally, this research is contributing in completing these projects as well as exploring and developing the strategies for their successful completion. By doing an in-depth case analysis, we suggest a Dynamic Project Management Capabilities (DPMC) Framework for UK fashion SMEs to improve their project management capabilities in the agile environment. Our findings from the case analysis will support the interested companies in improving their dynamic project management to survive the competition. Our case analysis sheds interesting insights on the current situation of UK fashion SMEs and their business relationship with big brands in the form of multiple small orders. These orders need fast replenishment due to the growing trends. As big manufactures are not able to manufacture or outsource them quickly, SMEs get these small-scale orders. Our Dynamic Project Management Capabilities (DPMC) framework could support SMEs for availing this opportunity in dealing with ever-changing demands of this industry.