Project Management as a Decision Framework
Project management is a disciplined approach to planning and executing complex projects, emerging from construction and engineering, and formalized through techniques like Gantt charts and dedicated roles. It became a recognized profession after World War II.
THE IDEA
One Side of the Coin: Building, Change Management and Project Management
If we consider the construction of the Eiffel Tower, the Titanic or an aircraft, there would have been a good understanding of the problems that might arise during the building and construction phases and how to head them off. Indeed, this will have involved creating a written plan of what would be built and the intention to follow this through, making adjustments where things were not going to plan. It may not have been called ‘project management’ then, but that was what was happening.
The necessary skills and capabilities to manage programmes and projects broadened and deepened during World War II, where, for example, the Manhattan Project utilised the discipline of Gantt charts [2] and dedicated programme management roles.[3] And after World War II, it became increasingly clear that the construction of a building, a machine or a production plant required similar skills.[4] As a result, project and programme management has become a recognised profession, supported by institutes that disseminate relevant know‐how, tools and techniques.[5]
When to use it
Managing the construction of a large building or bridge
Coordinating the development and launch of a new product
Overseeing a major organizational change initiative
Planning and executing a large-scale event like a conference or festival
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Eiffel Tower Construction
The construction of the Eiffel Tower involved detailed planning and adjustments, exemplifying early project management techniques.
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project used Gantt charts and dedicated programme management roles to coordinate a complex, large-scale effort during World War II.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
In what ways does project management help anticipate and mitigate problems in complex endeavors?
How did the Manhattan Project demonstrate the evolution of project management practices?
What are the key elements of project management that apply to both physical construction and software development?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Beyond the Five Whys Root Cause Analysis and Systems Thinking (James C. Paterson)