Get your International Journal of Project Management paper right the first time: a ready-made structure with the right abstract and citations, so editors see your science, not formatting slips.
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Authored by Sumalatha Gangadhar | Published on 17 August, 2026
Submitting to International Journal of Project Management goes smoothly when your draft already matches the journal's own rules. Editors screen new manuscripts against the International Journal of Project Management guide for authors before peer review, so formatting, structure, and required statements should be right on the first draft rather than repaired during upload. This template sets that structure up for you.
It is a manuscript shell aligned to International Journal of Project Management. It covers front matter, the abstract the journal expects, a body organized to the journal's article types, and a reference list in the journal's required style. Confirm current scope and article types on the International Journal of Project Management journal page before you draft.
Prepare the title, authors, affiliations, and ORCID iDs. Write the abstract to the journal's rule and word limit, organize the body to the article type, and apply the required reference style from the first citation. Complete every declaration (ethics, competing interests, funding, data availability) the International Journal of Project Management guide for authors lists, and cite figures and tables in order.
The common failure modes are formatting or reference style that does not match the guide for authors, missing required statements, and an incomplete portal checklist. Clear all three against the International Journal of Project Management guide for authors before you submit.
The shell mirrors what editorial staff check first: article-type fit, the abstract rules, required declarations, and the journal's reference style. For more detail see the author resources. When your draft is ready, upload it through the journal's submission system.
| Element | Int J Project Manag requirement |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Concise and factual abstract not exceeding 150 words. The abstract should briefly state the purpose of research, principal results and major conclusions. Abstracts must be able to stand alone. Avoid references unless essential (cite author(s) and year(s) if included). Avoid non-standard or uncommon abbreviations (define within abstract at first mention if essential). Structure: unstructured |
| Main text | Most accepted manuscripts are between 8,000-10,000 words long including figures and tables but excluding references. Count each figure and table as 300 words (approximately 33 pages of double-spaced manuscript, counting each figure or table as one page). Manuscripts that deviate significantly from 8,000-10,000 words will not be considered for publication. Font size 12 or 11 pt, double spaced, single-column format with 2.5 cm margins. Include page numbers. Essential sections: Abstract, Keywords, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Conclusions, Artwork and Tables with Captions. Supplementary/online-only material not included in word count |
| Declarations | Ethics approval/consent as applicable; competing interests; funding; data availability |
| Figures/tables | Publication-ready; cited in order |
| Supplemental | Upload separately when used |
| Keywords | 2 to 7 keywords required for indexing purposes. Keywords should be written in English. Avoid keywords consisting of multiple words (using 'and' or 'of'). Use abbreviations in keywords only if firmly established in the field |
| References | Author-date style (Harvard variant). In-text citations: single author by name and year; two authors by both names and year; three or more authors by first author's name followed by 'et al.' and year. Reference list arranged alphabetically then chronologically if necessary. Multiple references from same author(s) in same year identified by letters 'a', 'b', 'c' after year. Journal names abbreviated according to LTWA. At submission, references can be in any consistent style or format; journal reference style applied at proof stage after acceptance |
| Peer review | Double-blind/double-anonymized review process. Author identities are concealed from reviewers and vice versa. Submission initially assessed by editors for suitability, then typically sent to minimum of two reviewers for independent expert assessment. The title page (with author details) and anonymized manuscript (without author details) must be submitted as separate files |
| Submission | submit.elsevier.com/JPMA |
Read the International Journal of Project Management guide for authors once before drafting and once before upload. Draft the abstract after results are stable. Set the reference style before adding citations. Keep a cover letter that states your contribution and fit to International Journal of Project Management in under a page.
Skim two or three recent Int J Project Manag papers to calibrate depth and figure style. Make the novelty clear in the first two pages. Deposit data and code when the policy on the International Journal of Project Management journal page requires it. Disclose any preprint or conference version with identifiers in the cover letter.
Do one focused pass against the International Journal of Project Management guide for authors: scope, length, reference style, required declarations, and figure quality. Then submit through the journal's submission system.