What further work is needed? The thesis very much supports further research into historical projects and the process of building up knowledge of historical projects and lessons
management, and expanding the general body of project management knowledge. With globalisation it is important to address the different cultural aspects of project
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management. Thus countries around the world can have their own examples of historical projects within their own culture to refer to and not be presented with just a western view of twentieth century project management they may not readily identify with. They need to determine which historical case studies to use and which to exclude.
6.5.1 Suggestions for Future Work
The principal recommendation for the future is that more individuals are encouraged to undertake research into historical projects. There are questions that need to be addressed such as the direction the research should take, and the source of this research? For
example, are there historical projects from periods of history like the heights of the Roman Empire, the Chinese dynasty, or the Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century? Are there specific historical projects to search for that are more useful in providing lessons? For example, are there historical projects that have certain characteristics akin to contemporary projects like the incorporation of new materials or emerging technologies, or coping with high rates of change, or dealing with certain types of external constraints? The Journal of Management History alsoprovides (figure 2.1) a useful guide here.
Another area is with the ontological framework proposed by Gauthier and Ika (2013, pp. 12) and determining the differing perceptions of project, project management, and project manager (figure 3.3) through historical eras. Ethnohistory could be explored further and possibly be used in the future.
Another area relates back to the perceived view that project management is a scientific discipline. One of the most significant discoveries in the research for The History of Project Management (Publication No 6) is the transition in project management over several hundred years with the renaissance, spread of printing, the scientific age, and the industrial revolutions. Before the transition project management was predominantly based on a qualitative experiential approach and inductive knowledge. After the transition project management shifted from observation/experiment to one based on scientific and
mathematical calculation. This allowed for the use of new materials, and new technologies, which led to a more scientific perception of project management.
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Finally, in support of establishing the discipline of project management, an International Journal of Project Management History could be initiated, the methodology presented in the thesis could be fully developed, and contributions could be made to the existing BoKs. In summary, there are historical project lessons which are very relevant today and are directly related to contemporary guides and theory. As a result, projects of the past should not be ignored but carefully analyzed for historical lessons that can be transformed and applied to contemporary projects. The impact that this will have on the role of Project Manager in the 21st Century is significant, because it will establish best practices and a lineage to the past as a discipline.
6.6 Summary
In reviewing the publications I have produced strong evidence of the relevance of historical project lessons to contemporary business practice, thus fully meeting the research question. When all my publications are put together they provide a collective body of knowledge that is being used for reference by the project management community. Therefore, I have made a contribution to the body of project management knowledge, and helped to bridge the gap between practice and research.
The thesis has also shown that the research methods and approach taken are in-line with those that historians would use although they may apply slightly greater rigour in areas like the causation and the antecedents to an event; a difference to be expected between historical publications and historical case studies for the business world. Also a limited quantitative approach was tried but at a future point should be considered through mixed methods, or, for example, through surveys of historians.
As a consequence of creating the publications I have put a series together, Lessons-from- History, to encourage other authors to do their own research on historical projects and through the series get these published. The publications from the series are not historical publications, but business publications that use history, or more specifically historical case studies. As the author of these publications my background and qualifications are that of a project management professional. I have a passion and interest for history but minimal
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formal academic qualifications. It is likely that other authors in the series will continue to be primarily business people (project managers) rather than historians, or academics.
6.6.1 Final Thoughts
Before starting the research for literature related to historical projects I was aware of several management journals but somewhat sceptical and convinced that the results would show just a minimal return. But this just has not been the case. The rich return of the
Journal of Management History and other material has by far superseded my expectations in the depth and quality of publications. Although most are not directly in the discipline of project management the use of historical case studies is very well established. My
exploration of these journals has very much encouraged me to further my research, as in that my own publications (in the Lessons-from-History series) are not unique. It has also inspired me to the possibilities of alternative approaches and to try new techniques with my future publications. This has motivated me to extend the series and to take it in new
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