Planejamento adaptativo em gestão de projetos complexos: caracterização e proposta metodológica para o contexto de P&D colaborativo em nanotecnologia

Abstract

Although in the literature the use of adaptive approaches for complex PM is already discussed since traditional methodologies are not prepared to deal with dynamic and unpredictable scenarios, they are discussed, mainly in Information Technology (IT) projects, and so far have not had their consolidated application in the field of nanotechnology. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the use of an adaptive/flexible approach to contribute to the management of complex new product development (NPD) projects in the area of nanotechnology. Thus, a single in-depth case study was carried out of a collaborative RD&I project at the Center for Technologies in Nanomaterials and Graphene at UFMG (CTNano/UFMG) in partnership with a multinational industry. For this purpose, a combination of process tracing approaches - process tracing - was used from the perspective of chaining events instigated by agents, with the dimensions of complexities. The methodological structure was applied during the project's evolution and was based on the cognitive mapping of the narratives of the main actors involved in the project, on documentary research and on participant observation. The mapping, combined with the dimensions approach, allowed describing each event in terms of agent, action, object, instrument, product and challenge It was possible to build a map in temporal evolution with the dimensions of complexities, which presented elements of complexity in four dimensions: sociopolitical, uncertainty, structural and pace. The model, when applied in real time, provided greater clarity about the reality of the project and supported the agents' decision-making, allowing adaptations and adjustments to the plan as the project progressed. The results obtained indicate the possibility of using an adaptive project management approach, capable of contributing in real time both to the understanding of complexities and to decision-making by (project) managers. Implications for research include the contribution of the event map and the dimension approach to the project management literature, based on the proposal of an adaptive model. This result can be seen as the starting point for further studies aimed at advancing the investigation of adaptive approaches to project management using nanotechnology.