Análise da implementação de abordagens híbridas para o gerenciamento de projetos: o caso de uma concessionária ferroviária de cargas atuante na região sudeste do Brasil

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the adoption of hybrid approaches in project management within a freight railway concessionaire located in Southeast Brazil. Grounded in a qualitative, exploratory approach, a case study was employed as the primary method. Evidence collection followed the principle of data triangulation, encompassing the three departments responsible for delivering the company’s most strategic projects. The methodological phases included: conducting a literature review; administering an adapted HELENA questionnaire; carrying out semi-structured interviews with key professionals from the respective departments; and documentary research. Questionnaire data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while interview data were examined through thematic content analysis. The investigation revealed that, given the complexity and heterogeneity of the company’s projects, the adoption of hybrid approaches emerged as a spontaneous alternative capable of reconciling the predictability of traditional practices with the adaptability of agile practices. These combinations are not formally standardized; rather, they are customized according to each project’s specific needs and the teams’ accumulated learning. Although clear differences were observed in the intensity and governance of hybridization across the three departments, the results indicated positive impacts on management efficiency, team integration, communication, and stakeholder satisfaction. In addition, the use of hybrid approaches helped improve work organization and ускорate the availability of information for decision-making. Primary barriers to consolidating hybridity were also identified, including teams’ limited knowledge of project management approaches, resistance to change among professionals more accustomed to the traditional model, and the absence of clear guidance when selecting the most suitable approaches for each type of project. Finally, based on the findings, recommendations are presented to support organizations and professionals seeking to strengthen project management in similar contexts.