PMKS Theme, View or Project Goal
From the discussion of project management models described earlier, project
management is obviously complex. We are in the same position as the proverbial
elephant and the two blind men. The one feeling the tail concludes that it is
like a rope, while the one feeling the trunk concludes that it is like a snake.
Whereas we all know that it is really a huge oval supported on four pillars
(scope, quality, time and cost?) — with a variety of exotic attachments!
Project management is an overhead and its only justification is to ensure optimum
success in both the process and output, but particularly the output, compared
to what might otherwise occur. So, let us accept the proposition that "A successful
future depends on successful projects",[12]
and that this goes for both enterprises and individuals. So what view of project
management should we take in constructing our PMKS? Based on the issues described
earlier, we might well respond to questions like:
- What primary elements of project management should enterprises recognize
and refine to make their projects more successful?
- Or, given the Project Management Institute's existing project management
concepts as a baseline, what are the new primary elements that we should now
articulate to our sponsoring enterprises to enable more successful projects?
- Or, more simply, what view of project management must we convey to be successful
into the next century?
No matter the exact wording, the result should be roughly the same. So, where
do we start? Successful project management teaches us that we should first be
clear on our objectives, and then state our assumptions. After that, the starting
point for developing a new PMKS concept model must be the most fundamental things
we know about project management.
12. Forsberg, K., H. Mooz & H. Cotterham,
Visualizing Project Management, John Wiley & Sons, NY, 1996, p xvii.
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Concept
Mapping 
