Product Development: Imagines versus Practice

: The increasingly agile environment requires quick responses, including technological solutions and project management decisions. Former investigations aimed to explore expert opinions about project success factors. This study enhances the investigations to student opinions for establishing a more comprehensive view of the critical issues. A harmonious collaboration based on agreed values and methods has been appreciated. The study used a survey among engineering and business students (n=155) about the success factors of product development projects. The goal was to explore their opinions and compare those with expert opinions. The results show that clear goals are considered very important by both groups. Project meetings, cooperation, and other soft factors are recognized as more important by the experts than by the students. The results confirm that the order of the opinions is significantly different. The cluster analysis marked three distinctive patterns of opinions. Improving the performance of the mixed project teams reflected in project success calls for action. Accepting the more professional approach the experienced project team members, the lack of students’ competencies can be designated. Changes must be supported by training activities and rethinking the curricula in the field.