Integrating Left and Right Brain Management Skills
In late 2003 AIPM Members were invited to participate in a survey as part of the Master of Science (Project Management) thesis "Intuitive Project Management: Integrating Left and Right Brain Management Skills" by Andrew Wright at Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia. This survey investigated the personal management styles of project managers, and compared and contrasted the findings against similar research undertaken upon the personal management styles of general managers.
Of particular interest is the approach Andrew has taken in analysing Left and Right Brain influences in this intuitive decision making process, and how this varies between managers with different industry backgrounds and different levels of experience, and also the differences in the levels of intuition used between male and female project managers.
THESIS ABSTRACT
"The research investigated the extent to which project managers use intuition in the management of projects. A project management style test instrument assessed the underlying potential intuitive decision making ability, intuitive-integrative style and dominant brain style of project managers from a purposive self-selected sample of the Australian Institute of Project Management’s membership.
The project management style test instrument’s results were analysed for differences in the extent to which project managers use intuition according to their gender, management level and industry. These results were also compared and contrasted against, and found to be consistent with, the classic intuitive management research undertaken by Weston H. Agor (1984).
The findings of this research show that project managers appear to use intuition to assist with the management of projects, and the extent of this use varies according to the project manager’s gender, management level and industry. Additionally, the use of intuition by project managers appears to be comparable to the use of intuition by general managers." Andrew Wright, November 2003
Thesis Table of Contents
Obtaining a Copy of the Thesis
Because of their participation in producing these results, AIPM members can request a full electronic copy of this completed Masters Thesis by simply filling out the AIPM Document Request Copyright Declaration.
Interested academics, researchers, project managers and members of the public who would like to see the full thesis or discuss its findings can contact Andrew directly:
Andrew Wright
Sinclair Knight Mertz
Level 7, 263 Adelaide Terrace
Perth WA 6000
Ph: 08 9268 4400
Fax: 08 9268 4324
E: awright@skm.com.au
See more surveys on the AIPM Surveys page
