From the hard paradigms towards multimethodology in project management

Abstract

Traditional project management techniques rely on detailed models of a component of a project with the main object of providing tactical and operational advice. However, the interrelationships between the project's components are more complex than that suggested by traditional methods. Project management is now being applied to non-traditional areas where change may be common, only broad goals may be scheduled and defined, and the negotiation of these goals may be as important to success as efficiency of project delivery. In this context, a major role for new approaches is suggested, particularly at the front-end of projects, where project managers need to use softer tools within a ?hard? framework of decision point milestones. Multimethodology can be seen as a possible means to facilitate this rapid problem structuring. In this paper, different methodological paradigms are distinguished and utilized as a framework to map a number of management science methodologies. It is the aim of this paper to help project managers to take a systemic view of the project, identifying a suitable combination of methodologies that provides a means to manage the project successfully.