Project management in public health

Abstract

Background: Success is a central concept in project management (PM), yet the literature is relatively extensive and generalist concerning topics related to PM success. Several metrics and factors that influence the success of a project are common to diverse industries, although there are also particularities. In the case of projects and programs developed by public health action, the focus is on protection of the health of specific target groups or populations, and many of them are concerned with survival issues. Summary: As the result of a systematic literature review, this paper identifies general project success criteria and success factors and describes specific evidence for the public health field. Key messages: The success of public health projects needs to be managed systematically and evaluated with a set of comprehensive success criteria.