Adaptive Project Framework: An Excerpt

Adaptive Project Framework: An Excerpt

Projects are unique, and are never repeated under the same set of circumstances. A well-thought-out approach that deals with the vagaries of the project is needed.

“All project managers, whether the most senior or simply the ‘wannabes,’ are
challenged to think about how to effectively adapt their approaches to managing
projects rather than routinely follow yesterday’s recipe. –Robert Wysocki’s
Adaptive Project Framework

“Change or die.” – Alan Deutschman

The traditional world of project management belongs to yesterday. There will
continue to be applications for which the traditional linear models we grew up with are
appropriate, but as our profession matures we have discovered a whole new set of
applications for which traditional project management (TPM) models are totally
inappropriate. The majority of contemporary projects do not meet the conditions needed
for using TPM models. The primary reason is the difficulty in specifying complete
requirements at the beginning of the project. That difficulty arises from constant
change, unclear business objectives, actions of competitors and other factors.

The contemporary business climate is one of unbridled change and speed. Requirements
are never really established; they continue to change throughout the life of the
project. Cyclical and recursive models are coming into vogue; yet, many organizations
continue to try to fit square pegs into round holes. How foolish, and what a waste of
time and money. The paradigm must shift, and any company that doesn’t embrace that
shift is sure to be lost in the rush. Alan Deutschman’s axiom “change or die” was never
truer than it is in today’s project-management environment.

This excerpt, provided by Heather Fox at Pearson Education, Inc. was taken from the
book Adaptive Project Framework: Managing Complexity in the Face of Uncertainty ,
authored by Robert Wysocki, published by Addison-Wesley Professional, ISBN 0321525612,
Feb. 2010, Copyright 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. For a complete Table of Contents,
please visit the publisher site: www.informit.com/title/0321525612

The attached Zip file includes:

• Intro Page.doc
• Cover Sheet and Terms.pdf
• Adaptive Project Framework Excerpt.pdf