Process Management

Complex construction and engineering processes increasingly unfold within dynamic environments shaped by social, political, and technological factors. These environments involve diverse actors—such as decision-makers, regulators, technology providers, stakeholders, and risk-bearing participants—each with different interests, resources, and perspectives. As a result, many initiatives in this domain lack clearly defined goals, timelines, or organisational structures, challenging the traditional boundaries of project management. This Master's-level course introduces process management as a complementary approach to project management, essential for navigating the uncertainties and complexities of multi-actor systems, particularly for those endeavours where project management falls short. Students will gain theoretical and practical insights into how processes are initiated, shaped, and influenced through interaction among actors in uncertain and evolving contexts.

The course emphasises the development and application of strategies, tools, and institutional arrangements central to process management. Key themes include stakeholder alignment, negotiation and decision-making under uncertainty, and the governance of adaptive and transitional processes. While rooted in the context of infrastructure and construction, the concepts explored have broader applicability across sectors engaged in complex systems change. Particular attention is given to transition management and adaptive management—critical approaches for addressing major societal challenges such as climate resilience, infrastructure modernisation, and sustainable urban development. Through case studies, simulations, and interactive analysis, students will be equipped to engage with and lead complex change processes in their future professional roles.