THE WELCH COMPANY
(3:1) Another objective for the Conference is to consider how the prescriptions in PMI's Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), are applied and hold up under scrutiny, per our meetings on Mar 7, ref d, and on May 29, ref e.
The attached draft is submitted for consideration to accomplish these goals.
Legal practice from the construction industry is used to show how technology can support leadership, as defined in the PMBOK (3:6). If you wish to submit this material at the Conference, it will give other speakers and attendees a body of ideas from which to ask questions, similar to submitting a brief before oral argument. They can take it with them to review for follow up action. PMI Communications may wish to quote or publish it, as the Editor is attending this event and will be looking for material to publicize it.
Mr. David Buoncristiani, Esq. Page 2 of 2 Thelen, Marrin, Johnson & Bridges Subject: PMI Asilomar Conference July 12 - 14, 1996
Leadership & Technology, Partenrship for the Future Documents, Dialog and Human Memory, a Legal Perspective The draft poses the "leadership aide" role of a para legal, or associate attorney, to develop ideas we have discussed on how legal practices and construction methods can be supported by technology and a new work role that might be called a "Communication Manager,", to improve the general practice of management. The draft exemplifies an application of that role, and the ideas behind it.
The insight Dr. Landauer was going to bring from cognitive science, about the fragility of human memory, is developed based on trial experience, (3:20) as we discussed on Jun 6. I used legal briefing format to illustrate an important aspect of legal work, called "knowledge space" (see 9:8), that provides a clue to technologists for supporting "management details" the way CAD-CAM technology creates "construction details." An alternate way to explain Communication Metrics is offered by a model of "Concurrent Discovery," similar to "Concurrent Engineering." (2:23) New terms are defined in relation to work practices which are generally familiar to attendees. Published authorities are cited to support the urgency and breadth of this solution. (11:20)
I realize the automated management tools that perform these tasks are not generally in use at this time. The paper is written as a set of objectives which technology can aim to support in the future, drawing on the culture of the law. Anyway, see what you think. The Conference is anxious to hear your views. This draft is only intended to expedite your efforts, and not in any way to constrain them. Thanks again for you energy and ideas.
Sincerely,
THE WELCH COMPANY
Rod Welch
Enclosures
P.S. Please let me know if these ideas are close to what you want to present at the conference, so we can assist other speakers in correlating their remarks.