Introduction

A first visit to New York is not complete without ascending the Empire State Building. Before arriving at the viewing platform, visitors are treated to an exhibition of memorabilia which includes designs and plans from the 1930s when it was being built. Until one realises how sophisticated techniques were being used almost a century ago, it is easy to think that project management is a very modern undertaking. In point of fact, without it, the construction of 103 storeys in a year and 45 days would have been almost impossible.