HC-4-PM: A heterarchical communication framework for project management

Communication software can significantly facilitate the management of large-scale, multi-disciplinary, and complex projects. However, most specialised communication software tools for project management are designed according to hierarchical structures, thus resulting in ineffective project planning and scheduling. To that end, heterarchical communication architectures could allow local decision-making hence enabling agility and robustness against disturbances during project implementation and execution. Furthermore, the majority of software tools and platforms currently applied in project management are commercial while any open-source alternatives overlook features that enable the heterarchical communication among project stakeholders. This research develops HC-4-PM, a heterarchical communication software tool for project management, to facilitate direct interaction among project implementation and execution teams. Specifically, the architecture of HC-4-PM is based on the principles of Cybernetics (particularly on the Viable System Model) and Operations Research to enable a horizontal project organisational structure and ensure that project management stakeholders share the same level of authority whilst having distinct responsibilities (i.e. heterarchical). HC-4-PM, a first-effort open-source heterarchical communication software tool, contributes to a project’s self-regulation and could further assist projects’ administration in developing effective project management strategies. This research contributes to project management by providing an open-source software tool for the effective management of communications among project implementation and execution actors in a heterarchical way.