Professional project management: A shift towards learning and a knowledge creating structure

'Professional' project management aims for continuous improvement with every project. This paper presents learning as the key strategic variable for project management. Looking at project management from a learning perspective will develop reflective practices to improve the ability to generate knowledge, make it explicit and capable of being shared within the organisation as new projects are undertaken. Based on action research undertaken in a large aircraft manufacturing company, a project network structure is proposed: a flexible structure created through a network of self-managing teams where the organisational breakdown structure is determined by the work breakdown structure and further coupled with the cost breakdown structure. The project network structure enables effective learning with project management because it enhances knowledge creation and improves the quality of information transfer within and between projects. Thus, it provides the organisation with dual benefits: short-term achievement and building learning capacity for long-term capability. Critical success factors for implementation of the project network structure in new product development projects are further discussed. Copyright

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