Making Sense of the Temporary Organization in Innovation: A Case Description

Since the appeal by Packendorff (1995) to view projects as temporary organizations, in practice it is still tempting to view organisational structures as the solution to managerial problems. The case of an innovation project on future housing illustrates the issues of sensemaking within a temporary organizational form unfamiliar to the participants. It shows how underestimating uncertainty and complexity leaves these issues unattended, thereby prohibiting opportunities for collaboration and ultimately project success.