| dc.description.abstract | Cloud-based project management software is heavily used in the software development industry, with cloud
computing advancements. As such software usage is becoming popular in the industry, empirical evidence
suggests that investigating the efficient integration of cloud-based project management software into Information
Technology degree programmes is crucial in bridging the gap between university education and industry
requirements. Therefore, this mixed-method study was carried out in Sri Lanka, where the software development
industry is a significant player in the service sector. To analyse the current uptake of such software, 102 firms
were given a closed-ended questionnaire. The fact that 93% of respondents are using these tools and that they
specified that their use is crucial for project success suggests that they should be integrated into the academic
curricula of IT degrees. Thirteen interviews were also done with industry professionals. The thematic analysis
showed that professionals who had studied using cloud-based project management software in their degrees
found it easier to adopt them in the workplace than those who had not, suggesting the need for integrating them
into academic curricula. Effective integration strategies included offering cloud-based project management tools
as practical components required for use in projects, industry-led workshops, and online courses as assignments.
These results can help higher education establishments improve their curricula, including the latest industry
practices, to bridge the gap between academic and industry requirements. | en_US |
