The neuroscience basis of project management is quite intriguing, with research in the last couple of decades that has added quite a bit of knowledge in our understanding of the brain and its functions under certain elements. Here are just a few fMRI scans that show how selected neuroscience research applies to project management.

Time Pressure

Megías, A., Navas, J. F., Petrova, D., Cándido, A., Maldonado, A., Garcia-Retamero, R., & Catena, A. (August 01, 2015). Neural mechanisms underlying urgent and evaluative behaviors: An fMRI study on the interaction of automatic and controlled processes. Human Brain Mapping, 36, 8, 2853-2864.

Optimism Bias

Sharot, T., Riccardi, A. M., Raio, C. M., & Phelps, E. A. (2007). Neural mechanisms mediating optimism bias. Nature, 450(7166), 102-5. http://dx.doi.org.tcsedsystem.idm.oclc.org/10.1038/nature06280

Risk

Mohr, P. N., Biele, G., & Heekeren, H. R. (January 01, 2010). Neural processing of risk. The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 30, 19, 6613-9.

Weber, B. J., & Huettel, S. A. (October 09, 2008). The neural substrates of probabilistic and intertemporal decision making. Brain Research, 1234, 104-115.

Rudorf, S., Preuschoff, K., & Weber, B. (January 01, 2012). Neural correlates of anticipation risk reflect risk preferences. The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 32, 47, 16683-92.

Ingroup Bias

Molenberghs, P., & Louis, W. R. (October 01, 2018). Insights From fMRI Studies Into Ingroup Bias. Frontiers in Psychology, 9.

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