Examining Project Management Approaches in Institutional Repository Implementation: A Literature Review

Abstract

This article reviews literature on project management approaches applied in the implementation of institutional repositories (IRs) within academic libraries, with a focus on Zambia. The review synthesizes global, regional, and local perspectives, highlighting the status of IR adoption, the application of project management principles, and the challenges encountered. Findings indicated that while institutional repositories had become central to academic communication worldwide, African institutions continued to face infrastructural, policy, and resource constraints. Reported studies emphasized that structured project management frameworks, including Waterfall, Agile, and hybrid models, had been applied to improve repository sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with institutional goals. However, empirical evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa revealed deficiencies in monitoring, evaluation, and stakeholder coordination. The review concluded that context-sensitive project management models were essential for enhancing repository uptake and sustainability in Zambia.