If we seek effectiveness, be aware of the observer effect, and let’s accept that multiple solutions exist that might be impacted by this observer effect. So, let’s the team performs the work without being affected by the leaders’ guidelines.
Trying to understand the unpredictable.
The application of the principles of Quantum Theory in Project Management is still in the development phase, which requires more study and testing. However, given the innovative and relevant aspects of this approach and its great potential in Project Management, it is worth evaluating.
As is well known, the Quantum theory has at its root the management of uncertainty, and uncertainty is a crucial factor in the origin of the deviations that may occur during any project execution. Therefore, the key questions arise for the Project Manager or Planner when faced with a deviation in the execution of the project that threatens the schedule and the planned cost: How could it have been avoided? and What should be done?
Answering this question, some experts in this field have appealed to the principles of quantum mechanics that deal with uncertainty. These principles are Superposition and Complementarity.
The Quantum Superposition proposes that in any process, the defined state does not exist, and what really exists are different overlapping states at the same time, then the definition of any state is forced once the process is intervened. That is, the result affects the state prior to the intervention and the origin and consequence of any act are connected and interact with each other (see Schrödinger's cat paradox).
How would the Superposition be applied in Project Management?
From this principle, it is important to be aware of the "observer effect" which means that the mere act of observing or intervening will eventually alter for good or bad the outcome in progress, regardless of the actions previously taken to achieve a favorable result, since by interfering the planned actions they become blurred. Then, under this principle the challenge in project management would be to collect information from the unobservable and take action not affecting the course of the ongoing and in front of an inevitable intervention/observation of an ongoing process, trying to do so with minimal damages, and for that, it should be known, at least, when and how to do that.
• When to intervene? Eventually, it will depend on the situation, and in doing so should be considered the observer effect.
• How to intervene? It seeks to control the unavoidable damage due to the intervention. That is, the intervention would consist of capturing and evaluating the results of the current plan, without requesting them (as if there were no observer).
It is worth noting that this quantum principle makes the application of the continuous improvement strategy based on the Deming circle seem inadvisable, which recommends Planning, Executing, Evaluating, and Acting (corrective actions). However, the discrepancy disappears if just the results are evaluated and not the still active or ongoing process. Thus, the evaluation of the results of the plan would be carried out at the end of the planned production cycle, and then the pertinent corrective measures would be applied.
Quantum Complementarity indicates that the ambiguities complement each other, that is to say, that for a certain behavior, different explanations to this behavior, exclusive or disposable in itself, with a more exhaustive explanation it can be concluded that in fact, both explanations are not incompatible but rather they cohabit or complement each other.
How would Complementarity be applied in Project Management?
Accepting that multiple states or solutions exist, even if they are incompatible with each other, we should promote multiple possible solutions as opposed to a single expected or planned one. Therefore, let´s accept that multiple solutions exist and then allow the team to perform the work without being affected by the leaders´ guidelines.
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Interesting but difficult to grasp. Why not add practical, understood, examples to illustrate the point: examples of actual events/interventions in a project for superposition and complementarity.
ReplyDeleteA fun read! I think therefore I am, and in so affect the outcome of my projects. To not think about it would remove the human reasoning. Every action in planning supported by applied cost has a starting reaction and it is the human experiences recording the reaction that give reasoning for your study. Fulfill the principle.
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