Project Management in Extreme Situations: Lessons from Polar Expeditions, Military and Rescue Operations, and Wilderness Exploration

Traditional project management practices are becoming obsolete due to the growing complexity of projects and the uncertainty inherent in innovative projects. This book presents case studies of managing extreme events as they happened during polar, mountain climbing, military, and rescue expeditions to show how to manage successfully projects in todays turbulent environment. It pushes the definitions of a project and project management to reveal new insight that benefits researchers, academics, and practitioners.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 316 pages
Publication date: 21 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The increasing intricacy of projects and the inherent unpredictability associated with innovative endeavors are rendering traditional project management approaches obsolete. The current era of rapid change and complexity necessitates a fresh perspective on project management to enable flexible adaptation and exploitation of change. What was once perceived as extreme uncertainty has become the norm, and the traditional approach to managing planned projects is being replaced by a dynamic approach that accommodates the evolution of projects.

Successfully navigating projects in challenging environments, such as polar and military expeditions, provides valuable insights into effective project management in today's turbulent landscape. Executed under the most stringent and unpredictable conditions, these projects offer invaluable lessons in managing unexpected and unforeseen situations as they arise. This book presents a comprehensive collection of case studies that chronicle the management of extreme events during polar, mountain climbing, military, and rescue expeditions.

A boat accident in the Arctic serves as a poignant illustration of the ambidextrous nature of an effective project manager. On the one hand, they must be capable of adhering to plans and executing them effectively. On the other hand, they must possess the flexibility to abandon those plans when disaster strikes and improvise new strategies in response. Polar expeditions further showcase how teams can leverage their limited information networks to acquire strategic insights by utilizing weak links. Fire and rescue operations demonstrate the transfer of knowledge from one team member to the entire team, highlighting the importance of collaboration and collective expertise. Military operations provide valuable case studies on how teams coordinate and harness the individual and collective competencies of their members.

This groundbreaking work redefines the boundaries of project management, offering a fresh perspective on the field. By embracing the complexities and uncertainties of today's world, organizations can unlock new opportunities for success and adaptability.

Weight: 580g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032477053