What will be the first organization in the world to establish a Behavioral Project Science Unit?
In 1972, the United States FBI established their Behavioral Science Unit (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_Science_Unit). Now, mind you, it was focused on the psychology of criminals. However, it was the first time the organization really formally recognized the psychology of the people they were dealing with.
In 2010, the United Kingdom founded their Behavioural Insights Team, sometimes called the Nudge Unit (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioural_Insights_Team). This team focuses on applying behavioral science to government policy.
In 2015, the United States formed the Social and Behavioral Sciences Team (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_and_Behavioral_Sciences_Team), also with an emphasis on improving the implementation of government policy across multiple federal agencies. The team is now dissolved due to a change in administration, but made some great progress on efforts.
McKinsey & Company also reported great strides in organization improvements for private organization Behavioral Science Teams, which they state in their article here: https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/lessons-from-the-front-line-of-corporate-nudging
Why don't we have behavioral science teams for project management yet?
That is the purpose of this page. What are your ideas or suggestions for implementation of a Behavioral Project Science Unit?
- What organization would be the best place to start?
- What is the best industry?
- What challenges would need to be overcome?
- What organizations are especially innovative?
- Are organizational leaders ready for this next phase of project management?
- What other questions should we be asking?
- Would highly predictive or highly evolutionary projects benefit most?
- Do you see a place for a Behavioral Project Science Unit in your own organization?
Let us know your thoughts!
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Use behavioral science to work out a strategy for rolling out BPM
The questions I would start with is "who is most open to a new approach?" "Who already has an awareness and appreciation for behavioral science?" "Who are the iconoclasts in industry?" "Which organizations are trying to take on the challenge of big business in their field and want a new way of doing things to hasten their progress?" For example, Walmart taking on Amazon. An organization that is facing setbacks and is looking to change the way they recognize and respond to opportunities. For example, government, pharma, healthcare, some financial companies who have been facing lawsuits and bad press. Any organization that feels they have a good handle on their process and their future (Amazon, Google etc.) is likely to be a harder sell in my opinion. The most innovative companies are also arguably the companies who are most confident in the processes they already have in place. Organizational leaders who are aware of the challenges ahead and who are not satisfied with the results of their organization's current process will be ready to consider something new. One final question, what does behavioral science tell us about how attitudes change and who is open to experimentation?