Single-Loop Project Controls: Reigning Paradigms or Straitjackets?

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Authors
Abdel-Hamid, Tarek K.
Subjects
feedback
mental models
multiloop nonlinear systems
planning and control
simulation
system dynamics
Advisors
Date of Issue
2011-02
Date
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Abstract
This article reports on the results from an ongoing research program to study the role mental models play in project decision making. Project management belongs to the class of multiloop nonlinear feedback systems, but most managers do not see it that way. Our experimental results suggest that managers adopt simplistic single-loop views of causality, ignore multiple feedback interactions, and are insensitive to nonlinearities. Specifically, the article examines single-loop models of project planning and control, discusses their limitations, and proposes tools to address them.
Type
Article
Description
The article of record as published may be located at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pmj.20176
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Department
Information Sciences (IS)
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Citation
Project Management Journal, Vol. 42, No. 1, 17–30, February 2011
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.
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