Efficiency in Event Planning Through Agile Project Management: A Study in Event Planning Companies in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study examines how Agile Project Management (APM) practices affect the performance of event planning firms in Sri Lanka. The event planning industry involves high uncertainty due to fluctuating client demands, complex logistics, and strict budget constraints. Conventional project management approaches may contribute to delays, cost overruns, and limited stakeholder communication. The study considers the impacts of Agile practices, such as Scrum Methodology, Kanban methodology, iterative improvement, and flexibility, on efficiency (timeliness, resource usage, and customer satisfaction). A questionnaire survey was conducted among 121 event planners using purposive sampling. Hypotheses were tested using statistical analysis using correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis, grounded in Agile theory. The findings indicate that Scrum, Kanban, and iterative improvement significantly enhance efficiency, with Kanban showing the strongest association, while flexibility shows no significant direct effect. The research revealed that current usage of Agile practices is minimal, and that they can bring change in the way operations are performed in the Sri Lankan event industry. The findings are context-specific and should be interpreted accordingly. This research contributes empirical evidence on Agile implementation beyond the IT sector and offers practical insights for enhancing project management practices in the local event planning industry