Against Plato: toward a philosophical-theoretical basis for the management of complex projects

This thesis has a twofold aim: To establish the philosophy of Pragmatism as a valid mirror to hold up to the theory and practice of project management in uncertain evironments, and to apply this mirror to a selection of the tools, techniques and methods described in the International Centre for Complex Project Management (ICCPM) Complex Project Manager Competency Standards (2012). Plato represents the kind of aprioristic world view which has been problematic for management theory and practice since at least the nineteenth century. Pragmatism on the other hand privileges lived experience over a priori objects, and so arguably is the more suitable philosophy for informing management in uncertain environments, where adaptability and a systemic pluralist approach are required. The thesis critiques the concepts of becoming, antipositivism, dialectics, personality typing, humility, bounded rationality, Black Swan events, and others, for their value in the management of complex projects