Abstract
The design and production of a holistic framework for project management (PM) in the 21st century is developed to guide the delivery of projects in different contexts. This paper details the process that has been undertaken in synthesizing and distilling findings across an international research programme in developing and proposing a final framework. Focus groups and interviews took place to develop and refine the proposed framework. Academic and practitioner partners within the project participated in proposing the final holistic framework which encompasses a multi-disciplinary perspective for managing projects in the 21st century. A series of models and explanatory narratives combine to form the final holistic framework, which integrates results of all WPs and responds to the trends and challenges of project management. to the framework reflects environments at the macro, meso and micro level, incorporating purpose, process, and people aspects of and for effective PM. The framework provides an evidence-base for the mix of management practices required for effective and efficient PM. It promotes a multi-disciplinary perspective in the design and implementation of PM systems and in the advancement of PM Bodies of Knowledge.