ABSTRACT
And win they did. Despite the technical difficulties, a man took a small step, mankind a giant leap. Could it happen today? The ‘science’ of Project Management (PM) has progressed hugely in the ensuing 50 years – we have a bagful of well-developed methods and tools, and a pretty much comprehensive Project Management Body of Knowledge.
Ironically, these things are probably why we would never leave the ground. Necessary, yes – but they aren’t enough, and relying on them alone won’t work. ‘Scientific’ management relies on the precise definition of the task in hand. The bigger and more complex a project gets, the more imprecise that definition. Dealing with uncertainty demands flexibility, and the tenacity to deliver in the face of unknown obstacles and difficulties.
