Towards a New Theory of Project Management
March 25th, 2003 by HalThe Theory of Project Management: Explanation to Novel Methods
After reviewing their argument for calling the underlying theory of project management obsolete, Koskela and Howell introduce a proposal for a new basis. In this paper they propose to additions to current theory rather than replacements to it. (Those additions are identified in bold text in the following table.)
| Subject of theory | Relevant theories |
| Project | Transformation Flow Value generation |
| Planning
Execution Control |
Management-as-planning Management-as-organizing Classical communication theory Thermostat model |
©2002 Koskela and Howell
Koskela and Howell are careful with their comments on new theory.
It is clear that what has been presented does not yet provide a unified and complete theoretical foundation for project management. However, this foundation shows manifestly that a better theoretical foundation can be created for project management.
Future research will extend and unify the ingredients found until now.
Tomorrow I will explore how the authors say the Last Planner System™ conforms to the evolving theory. The following day I will examine Scrum. Finally, I will offer summary comments on the paper.
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