A project is a set of tasks related to each other, with specific objectives, in a set time period. A project has inputs,
is subject to constraints, is guided and executed by mechanisms including people and resources—it is a system.
An enterprise system extends a simple system and acknowledges the interaction of not only technical activities,
but human and process activities as well [9]. Using this as background, and for the purposes of this paper, we therefore define project management as an enterprise system, consisting of “people, processes, and technology interacting with each other, serving some combination of their own objectives, those of their individual organizations and those of the enterprise as a whole” [9] This different approach to project management, a systems approach is suggested because of our better understanding of the dynamic nature and ambiguity of system-of-systems.
The dynamics and uncertainty associated with complex development projects require expanding project management practice beyond tradition[10].
This paper uses systems, management science and the cognitive sciences to identify management principles suitable
for the effective management of system-of-systems development. The intent is to define a system-of-systems
project management principles that go beyond the methodism used in project management today.