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The strategy of parallel approaches in projects with unforeseeable uncertainty: the Manhattan case in retrospect

Author

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  • Sylvain Lenfle

    (CRG - Centre de recherche en gestion - X - École polytechnique - IP Paris - Institut Polytechnique de Paris - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UCP - Université de Cergy Pontoise - Université Paris-Seine)

Abstract

This paper discusses the literature on the management of projects with unforeseeable uncertainty. Recent work demonstrates that, when confronted with unforeseeable uncertainties, managers can adopt either a learning, trial-and-error-based strategy, or a parallel approach. In the latter, different solutions are developed in parallel and the best one is chosen when enough information becomes available. Studying the case of the Manhattan Project, which historically exemplifies the power of the parallel approach, has lead us to show that the either/or logic underlying the existing literature on the parallel approach oversimplifies the question. The Manhattan case demonstrates that managers must not necessarily choose between solutions, but can also combine them or add new ones during the project.

Suggested Citation

  • Sylvain Lenfle, 2011. "The strategy of parallel approaches in projects with unforeseeable uncertainty: the Manhattan case in retrospect," Post-Print hal-00658346, HAL.
  • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00658346
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-00658346
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Thomas Gillier & Sophie Hooge & Gérald Piat, 2013. "Framing the scope of value in exploratory projects: An expansive value management model," Post-Print hal-00824354, HAL.
    2. Thomas Gillier & Sophie Hooge & Gérald Piat, 2013. "Framing the scope of value in exploratory projects: An expansive value management model," Grenoble Ecole de Management (Post-Print) hal-00824354, HAL.
    3. Dibiaggio, Ludovic & Nasiriyar, Maryam & Nesta, Lionel, 2014. "Substitutability and complementarity of technological knowledge and the inventive performance of semiconductor companies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(9), pages 1582-1593.
    4. Sylvain Lenfle & Christoph Loch, 2017. "Has Megaproject management lost its way ? Lessons from History," Post-Print hal-03640779, HAL.
    5. Gilles Garel, 2022. "Innovation and Covid-19: time pacing of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine project [Innovation et Covid-19 : de la vitesse de développement du vaccin Pfizer/BioNTech]," Post-Print hal-03584682, HAL.
    6. Aga, Deribe Assefa, 2016. "Factors affecting the success of development projects : A behavioral perspective," Other publications TiSEM 867ae95e-d53d-4a68-ad46-6, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    7. repec:hal:gemwpa:hal-00824354 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Luz Stella Cardona-Meza & Gerard Olivar-Tost, 2017. "Modeling and Simulation of Project Management through the PMBOK® Standard Using Complex Networks," Complexity, Hindawi, vol. 2017, pages 1-12, December.
    9. Lenfle, Sylvain & Söderlund, Jonas, 2022. "Project-oriented agency and regeneration in socio-technical transition: Insights from the case of numerical weather prediction (1978–2015)," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(3).
    10. Pascal Le Masson & Sylvain Lenfle & Benoit Weil, 2013. "Testing whether major innovation capabilities are systemic design capabilities: analyzing rule-renewal design capabilities in a case-control study of historical new business developments," Post-Print hal-00881700, HAL.
    11. Akin Osman Kazakçi, 2013. "On the imaginative constructivist nature of design: a theoretical approach," Post-Print hal-00982964, HAL.
    12. Akin Osman Kazakçi, 2012. "On the imaginative constructivist nature of design: a theoretical approach," Post-Print hal-00770648, HAL.
    13. Creemers, Stefan & De Reyck, Bert & Leus, Roel, 2015. "Project planning with alternative technologies in uncertain environments," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 242(2), pages 465-476.
    14. Quentin Plantec & Pascal Le Masson & Benoit Weil, 2019. "Inventions and Scientific Discoveries: Impact of Designers’ Collaborations on Creativity. An Analysis Towards Fixation Effects," Post-Print hal-02262242, HAL.

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    Keywords

    Manhattan Project; Project Management; Parallel Approach; Combination; Unforeseeable uncertainty; Innovation; Manhattan Project.;
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