Project Management is a pretty young discipline, but its development is dynamic and in the same time ambiguous. This is why the research of project management is so important. Some people argue project management evolves through its practice, others point out that it lacks a foundation in theory and research. Ideally, both approaches should be combined and thus, research and the advancement of the discipline in practice should go hand in hand.

A new book of the renowned Gower Applied Business Research Series picks that idea up and elaborates on “Designs, Methods and practices for Research of Project Management”. Edited by Beverly Pasian, a former member of the IPMA Research Management Board, Chair of the Dutch National Research Group and an active researcher, the books brings together the “who-is-who” of research in the field of project management. It provides a tour de force on a broad range of research designs, methods and practices. It provides insights into foundational issues, focussing the research efforts, specific data collection and analysis techniques as well as examples of mixed methods strategies. Through unique examples of research the book allows us to see behind the curtains of projects related to innovation,  post-conflict societies and oil and gas exploration. The last two parts of the book focus on “writing as future researcher” and “benefitting from experience: supervisors and publications”.

Thanks to Beverly, who performed one of the most difficult tasks, managing more than 60 contributors to deliver what they promised. The book is a “must-have” for all researchers, students, supervisors, tutors, instructors, lecturers, and for practitioners moving the profession forward.