<p>The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of project management practices on project success in the Saudi Arabian construction industry, with a specific focus on the mediating role of project innovation. The research aimed to explore how key management dimensions such as planning, communication, risk management, cost management, and governance influence project outcomes through innovation. A quantitative research design was employed, and data were collected from 265 professionals working in Saudi construction firms. A structured questionnaire using validated measurement scales was utilized to gather responses. The data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4 to test the hypothesized relationships and mediation effects through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results revealed that project management practices significantly enhance both project innovation and project success. Furthermore, project innovation was found to positively affect project success and to mediate the relationships between management practices and success. These findings confirm that innovation acts as a dynamic capability linking structured managerial processes with improved project outcomes. This study contributes to the theoretical development of the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capability Theory (DCT) by demonstrating how innovation transforms project management practices into sustainable performance advantages. Practically, it offers valuable insights for construction firms aiming to integrate innovation within management frameworks to achieve long-term project success in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.</p>