Project conceptualization using pragmatic methods
By: JOHAM, Carmen
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Contributor(s): METCALFE, Mike | SASTROWARDOYO, Saras.
Material type: 
ArticlePublisher: Exeter, UK : Elsevier, November 2009International Journal of Project Management 27, 8, p. 787-794Abstract: An important and difficult part of project management is the conceptualization stage particularly when dealing with multiple powerful stakeholders and messy situations. Pragmatism provides a way forward that makes central the concepts being used to conceptualize the project (e.g. timeliness or sustainability). This paper argues for a sequence of two approaches suggested in the literature that combine this pragmatism and soft systems thinking to conceptualize projects. These are Alexanders Synthesis [1] and Checklands CATWOE [2]. The first identifies concepts or worldviews, the second uses these to draft a series of what needs to be done statements. In the way of Pragmatic Systems Inquiry, these approaches suggested from the literature are then compared to a real case study: the LC-25 project.
An important and difficult part of project management is the conceptualization stage particularly when dealing with multiple powerful stakeholders and messy situations. Pragmatism provides a way forward that makes central the concepts being used to conceptualize the project (e.g. timeliness or sustainability). This paper argues for a sequence of two approaches suggested in the literature that combine this pragmatism and soft systems thinking to conceptualize projects. These are Alexanders Synthesis [1] and Checklands CATWOE [2]. The first identifies concepts or worldviews, the second uses these to draft a series of what needs to be done statements. In the way of Pragmatic Systems Inquiry, these approaches suggested from the literature are then compared to a real case study: the LC-25 project.
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