New Operating System for Project Management: Consequences and Opportunities

Abstract

This paper follows “Construction Engineering: Reinvigorating the Discipline.” That paper argued that a new flow-based operating system was poised to replace the activity-centered operating system of traditional project management and that a coherent organizational and contractual approach would evolve. Shifting to a new operating system based on the theory, principles, and practices of production system design will reduce waste, spur learning and innovation, and deliver more value to clients and other participants. After a reflection on a model for making sense, the paper explores the consequences of this shift from a number of perspectives and speculates on the impact on practice and research. The paper closes with a brief reflection on teaching in times of rapid change.