★ Master's Thesis · ESIEE Paris, France
Can project-start data help identify schedule delays before delivery is at risk?
Predictive Analytics for Improving IT Project Delivery Outcomes
Analysed 18 real IT projects using project-start predictors and leave-one-out cross-validation. Multiple Linear Regression and Random Forest estimated delay duration; Logistic Regression and Random Forest classified delay risk.
Python
Random Forest
Logistic Regression
Scikit-learn
LOOCV
83.3%Reported LOOCV accuracy
8.21RF regression MAE (days)
3Model families compared
18Real IT project records
Key finding: Reduced average delay-prediction error by 31% versus linear regression (8.21 vs 11.90 days), demonstrating the value of testing non-linear models for early project-risk assessment. Random Forest also improved on the 9.84-day mean baseline. Results are exploratory across 18 projects; large delays remained difficult to predict.
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Academic Endorsement
I have the great pleasure to recommend Madam Rukayat Rauf to any employer. I had the opportunity to be her Professor and her thesis tutor. She is a smart and hardworking person with unparalleled self-drive to excel in her undertakings. She wrote and presented an excellent thesis. Consequently, she had one of the best grades of her class of 2026. For all her qualities mentioned above, I strongly believe that she will have a great career.
Doudou Sidibé
Associate Professor, ESIEE Paris, University of Gustave Eiffel | Professor & Master's Thesis Tutor