Only Dynamics Can Absorb Dynamics

Abstract

A study conducted in Israel, among ten excellent on-site construction project managers (PMs), examined the ways in which they cope with the dynamic project environment of the modern construction site (complex, uncertain, and fast). Empirical data gathered by means of structured observations led to the development of the Star Model, which offers a multidimensional description of the dynamic patterns of the managers’ activities, namely, their managerial dynamics. In addition, characterization of the level of environment dynamics with which managers were required to cope in their work, led to the identification of a tentative relationship between contextual conditions that characterize the project environment and the level of managerial dynamics practiced by the managers. This tentative relation, which basically suggests that managers should adapt their level of managerial dynamics to the level of dynamics they find on-site, apparently holds one of the keys to the managers’ excellent job performance.