Images as action instruments in complex projects

Abstract

Images such as Gantt, WBS, PERT, and CPM have always played an important role in project management. In recent years, new types of images have emerged in complex development projects. The purpose of this paper is to make an inquiry into how project management activities are supported by these alternative images, and suggest reasons why the more traditional images appear to be inadequate during turbulent and complex circumstances. In conclusion, we find that the alternative images are a means to managing integration activities and critical dependencies in a project. Typically, they emphasize common understanding and comprehensibility over formalism and rigour. These alternative images seem to be resonant with how our mental cognitive apparatus conceives coordination, thus making it easier to manage complex development tasks. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd and IPMA.