This study investigates the factors influencing project success within the context of a cost-saving operational project at Viettel Network Company. The study’s findings reveal that transformational leadership is a vital factor contributing to project success. Specifically, transformational leadership cultivates team resilience, which subsequently serves as a motivating force propelling the project toward success. This highlights the importance of leadership styles that inspire, motivate, and empower team members in achieving project goals. Interestingly, while transformational leadership was found to foster organizational innovativeness, the study did not uncover a positive impact of organizational innovativeness on success of this cost-saving operational project. The findings emphasize the importance of transformational leadership in nurturing team resilience and driving project success, particularly in cost-saving operational initiatives. Organizations should prioritize developing transformational leadership capabilities within their project management teams. However, the effect of organizational innovativeness on project success warrants further investigation to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and contextual factors.