APM research finds global audience

Academics from the across the globe gathered to discuss the latest research in the field of managing projects at IRNOP 2015, which was sponsored by APM. 

‘The Power of Projects’ theme proved a major attraction with more than 130 delegates in attendance. This was the first time that APM has sponsored the prestigious event, part of its ongoing efforts to develop its research function. 

Keynote speakers included former APM chairman Professor Peter Morris, who talked about the need to apply project management principles to tackle climate change. Peter continues this conversation at the ITER Conference on Friday 4 September.

The event was organised by long-time APM corporate member The Bartlett School of Construction & Project Management at University College London (UCL). 

“By supporting key academic conferences such as IRNOP, APM wanted to recognise the importance of academia in advancing the profession,” said APM research manager Daniel Nicholls. 

“Since the launch of APM’s research function in spring 2015 we have been busy shaping our own range of research initiatives. IRNOP 2015 provided us with a platform to build upon our research activities to date such as Conditions for Project Success and Salary and Market Trends Survey 2015.”

The three-day International Research Network on Organising Projects (IRNOP) event saw speakers on a range of topics including ‘Project-Based Organisations’, ‘Innovation’, ‘Strategic Management of Portfolios, Programmes and Projects’, ‘Megaprojects’, ‘Knowledge Routines and Learning’.  

Professor Jennifer Whyte and Dr Sunila Lobo from the University of Reading talked about the growing influence of digital delivery such as CAD and BIM on project teams. Professor Whyte asked: “How do project-based firms that work on complex projects develop new project capabilities for digital delivery?” 

The changing dynamics of delivery also featured in talk by Lehmann, Frangioni and Dube who used the idea of ‘living labs’ to highlight new ways of acquiring and sharing knowledge. She said “end users don’t always know best” and it is often left to “project managers to act as advisors” when it comes to achieving successful projects. 

With the next IRNOP event set to take place at Boston University in 2017 APM is currently looking into methods of disseminating the latest research from academic and research conferences for practitioners.  

Visit UCL’s website for more information on IRNOP 2015 and an event write up.

Image: UCL