Towards a Methodology for Bio-inspired Programme Management Design

Programmes are a means by which to realise complex change and corporate transformation. In management, the inherent uncertainty and ambiguity of programmes cannot be handled by a mechanistic way of thinking. The organic management system, which has its roots in building analogies between natural and anthropological systems, is said to be a better basis from which to conceptualise programme management. It is argued in this paper that biomimetics, the discipline of using principles derived from living systems for design solutions, can be leveraged to develop bio-inspired programme management solutions. The paper presents an overview of programmes and bio-inspired approaches in management and organisational theory. The discipline of biomimetics is introduced. In combination, these observations are used to conceptualise a process model for the implementation of bio-inspired programme management design based on a biomimetics approach.