IMPORTANCE OF ALIGNMENT OF STRATEGY AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Traditional project management starts from the assumption that each proposed project is in line with the organization's strategic goals and contributes in a certain way to the achievement of the goals and positive results of the organization. However, some projects entirely support the organization's strategic goals, some support only in some parts, and some do not support them at all. The problem arises when the organization's strategic goals are not clearly expressed or measurable or because a certain number of managers do not understand them or do not understand them in the correct way. Thus, it is necessary to establish a strong connection between clearly set business strategy and correctly chosen projects and that the relationship is continuously strengthened and maintained during project implementation. Tis is enabling to achieve optimal results in the realization of each project and optimal results on the organization level as well. This is representing a new approach to the development of the project management - strategic project management. Its task is to assure the alignment of the realization of strategical organizations' goals and implementation of organizations' projects. This paper is presenting basic elements of this new approach in project management which connects organizations strategy and implementation of a set of projects. Authors will show the link between strategic goals and project management on the example of the Zagrebacki holding. Finally, we will present the research results and propose further research to understand the importance of alignment project management with fulfilling organization's strategy.