Towards an alternative foundation for managing product life-cycles in turbulent environments

Softw Process Imprv Pract

2005

Abstract. In order to manage the complexity of the alignment problem we introduce the construct of workpractices as the main unit of analysis. A workpractice is a meaningful, goal oriented social entity where some actors produce a result that other actors need. The development of products or services provided by an organization is accomplished by coordinating the results of cooperating workpractices. Alignment is achieved by either adjusting the coordination between workpractices or adjusting internal workpractice elements such as processes and support systems. To make this approach operational, we suggest structuring a workpractice according to the Activity Domain Theory -a new theory for coordinating human activity. In this theory, particular emphasis is placed on the achievement of shared understanding among the actors. Some results from applying this approach in the Ericsson telecommunication company are discussed. The findings indicate that the proposed approach is a promising way towards achieving and maintaining alignment.

Section: Product Life-cycle Management As Coordination Of Workpracticesmentioning

confidence: 73%

Section: Element Mappingmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A sociotechnical approach towards alignment

Softw Process Imprv Pract

2005

“…How should this model be expressed in order to enhance the construction of communal meaning about it? A discussion of this issue is found in Taxén & Svensson (2005).…”

Section: B Strategy Focusmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Activity Domain Theory

Knowledge Management and Business Strategies

2008

In this contribution, the Activity Domain Theory is introduced as a theoretical lens for guiding the alignment of business and knowledge strategies. Alignment is focused around the activity domain, which can be comprehended as a human workpractice where socially organized actors process a work object into a required outcome. An organization is seen as a constellation of activity domains, each providing a specific outcome. The products or services provided by the organization are realized by coordinating the domains. The main target for the business strategy is the constellation of activity domains. The target of the knowledge strategy is the knowledge needed to produce the outcome of each domain and the knowledge needed to coordinate the domains. In this way, the activity domain provides a common target for business and knowledge strategies. We argue that this approach makes it possible to operationalize an integrated alignment of business and knowledge strategies.

“…Examples of such images are: anatomies [3,4,5,6,7], dependency diagrams [8], release matrices [9], and information flow diagrams [10]. Recent findings indicate that alternative images are useful for coordinating complex projects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Images as action instruments in complex projects

International Journal of Project Management

Lilliesköld

2008

Images such as Gantt, WBS, PERT, and CPM have always played an important role in project management. In recent years, new types of images have emerged in complex development projects. The purpose of this paper is to make an inquiry into how project management activities are supported by these alternative images, and suggest reasons why the more traditional images appear to be inadequate during turbulent and complex circumstances. In conclusion, we find that the alternative images are a means to managing integration activities and critical dependencies in a project. Typically, they emphasize common understanding and comprehensibility over formalism and rigour. These alternative images seem to be resonant with how our mental cognitive apparatus conceives coordination, thus making it easier to manage complex development tasks.