Towards a new theory of project management: could client-side, construction, project management be a form of strategic management?

Paper


Usher, Greg. 2014. "Towards a new theory of project management: could client-side, construction, project management be a form of strategic management?" 2014 IPMA Research Conference: Theory Meets Practice in Project Management. Tianjin, China 01 - 02 Dec 2014
Paper/Presentation Title

Towards a new theory of project management: could client-side, construction, project management be a form of strategic management?

Presentation TypePaper
Authors
AuthorUsher, Greg
Year2014
Web Address (URL) of Paperhttp://www.ipma.world/research/ipma-research-conferences/
Conference/Event2014 IPMA Research Conference: Theory Meets Practice in Project Management
Event Details
2014 IPMA Research Conference: Theory Meets Practice in Project Management
Event Date
01 to end of 02 Dec 2014
Event Location
Tianjin, China
Abstract

Project management researchers and practitioners are becoming aware of a growing divide between the foundational theory of project management and the methodologies, tools and systems required to deliver modern-day construction projects. This paper challenges the traditionally accepted, underlying theory of client-side, construction project management (transformational, production management) and proposes the strategic management body of theory as a more valid foundation. This paper examines the assumptions which underpin both the transformational, production management body of theory and the strategic management body of theory and uses comparative analysis to identify correlations and deficiencies between these assumptions and observed practices within the field of client-side, construction, project management.
This paper finds that transformational, production management fails to provide sufficient theoretical explanation of the environment in which client-side, construction, project managers operate, or the practices they require to deliver projects. Based on these findings this paper concludes that the strategic management body of theory provides a more valid theoretical basis for client-side, construction project management and as such challenges researchers and practitioners to widen their understanding of the profession in search of new methods, systems and tools.

KeywordsProduction management, Project management, Strategic management.
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020359999. Other commerce, management, tourism and services not elsewhere classified
Public Notes

This paper has been presented at the conference, however the IPMA is yet to publish the proceedings.

Byline AffiliationsSchool of Management and Enterprise
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q33zv/towards-a-new-theory-of-project-management-could-client-side-construction-project-management-be-a-form-of-strategic-management

Download files


Accepted Version
IPMA_2014 (USHER) - 141102.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 1737
    total views
  • 357
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 3
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Next decision node (NDN) planning: an ambidextrous planning model
Usher, Greg S.. 2021. "Next decision node (NDN) planning: an ambidextrous planning model." International Journal of Managing Projects in Business. 14 (2), pp. 390-411. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-03-2019-0069
Creating confidence amongst complexity: the ‘lived experience’ of client-side project managers in the Australian construction sector
Usher, Gregory. 2018. Creating confidence amongst complexity: the ‘lived experience’ of client-side project managers in the Australian construction sector . PhD Thesis Doctor of Philosophy. University of Southern Queensland. https://doi.org/10.26192/5f697d1ddccd8
The client-side project manager: a practitioner of Design Thinking
Usher, Greg and Whitty, Stephen Jonathan. 2018. "The client-side project manager: a practitioner of Design Thinking." Project Management Research and Practice. 5. https://doi.org/10.5130/pmrp.v5i0.6147
The final state convergence model
Usher, Gregory and Whitty, Stephen Jonathan. 2017. "The final state convergence model." International Journal of Managing Projects in Business. 10 (4), pp. 770-795. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-11-2016-0090
Project management Yinyang: coupling project success and client satisfaction
Usher, Greg and Whitty, Stephen Jon. 2017. "Project management Yinyang: coupling project success and client satisfaction." Project Management Research and Practice. 4 (January-June). https://doi.org/10.5130/pmrp.v4i0.5523
Identifying and managing drift-changes
Usher, Greg and Whitty, Stephen J.. 2017. "Identifying and managing drift-changes." International Journal of Project Management. 35 (4), pp. 586-603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2017.02.015
Rethinking Project Management theory: A case for a paradigm shift in the foundational theory of client-side construction project management
Usher, Greg. 2014. "Rethinking Project Management theory: A case for a paradigm shift in the foundational theory of client-side construction project management." Delivering Benefits and Value: the Australian Institute of Project Management National 2014 Conference. Brisbane, Australia 12 - 15 Oct 2014 Sydney, Australia.