Authors:
Ernest L. Owens Jr.
1
;
Ameeta Jaiswal-Dale
2
and
Abby Bensen
3
Affiliations:
1
Department of Project Management, Opus College of Business, University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105 U.S.A.
;
2
Department of Finance, Opus College of Business, University of St. Thomas, 1000 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403 U.S.A.
;
3
Department of English, University of St. Thomas, 2115 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105 U.S.A.
Keyword(s):
Curriculum Integration, Fractal, Course Design, Pedagogical Improvement, Project Management, Interdisciplinary Courses, Business Risks, Business-Ready Graduates, Capstone Course.
Abstract:
This position piece, based on 30 years of teaching, argues for incorporating the notion of fractals into project management education to create business-ready graduates who can tailor a project process method to the project. By looking at the project in smaller pieces (fractals) and the relationship between those pieces, practitioners can achieve a deeper understanding of the project without being overwhelmed by its complexity. Project management pairs well with fractals because of its interdisciplinary nature—the idea of fractals in project management incorporates application of numerous business disciplines, creating graduates who are comfortable with both theory and practice.