Preparing the mind for dynamic management

This position paper presents the background to a pilot course that explored an integrative learning model to develop project management and executive thinking skills.In a discussion with an executive the point was made that project management, over the past two decades or so, seems to have been reduced to a prescriptive approach that is akin to trying to produce a masterpiece using a paint-by-numbers approach.It seems that in project management education we have replaced “old-fashioned” intuition with modern processes, procedures, tools and techniques that are, more often than not, prescriptive. Observation of world-class project managers in action has shown that the best of these will intuitively know exactly what has happened on their projects and how this will affect every aspect of what they are trying to achieve. Numerical reports, analysis and application of standard project management techniques alone will not provide this information. Or, if it does, it will do so too late.We look at the three traits that distinguish the best project managers from the rest. And then we identify the intuitive mind skills that are required to develop and master these traits. This paper provides a high level view of some of the relevant neuro-science, and then proposes an approach to improved education of project managers. A prototype course that has been run for four years is briefly described, together with some of the outcomes. The paper concludes with a suggestion for a three level approach to project management education.