A project management model based on shared understanding

Traditionally in industrial system development, the total project is decomposed into phases. The result from one phase, normally a document or a system component, is passed to the phase(s) to follow. The deliverables from the "phases" are often prescribed in standards or corporate guidelines. This metaphor where understanding is packaged into documents, has been a cornerstone for our educational systems as well as for organizing engineering or social development projects. It is assumed that the understanding once achieved by the author(s) of the document will be transferred to its reader(s). In three longitudinal case studies of industrial development projects, a new view has evolved. The analysis team develops a capability to answer questions occurring on the fly, rather than writing down answers to initially stated issues. Our aim is to define a model based upon developing and making available shared understanding. The paper presents a survey of the case studies. In a fourth project an embryo of the new system development model is being applied and evaluated.