Critical thinking is a good substitute word for cognition in this post. Critical thinking is a course in most college programs, so we know that cognition can be taught. However, it is that 1% innovative thinking I bright to light in this post. This is a unique thought process. Similar to entrepreneurial thinking. You know a lot about this. You weren’t necessarily taught to think this way as much as you developed it over time based on your past experiences.

So for project managers, I argue that it is important to continuously develop critical thinking skills, but also try to identify those 1% unknown opportunities that most people don’t see to innovate your projects.

Travis

Critical thinking is a good substitute word for cognition in this post. Critical thinking is a course in most college programs, so we know that cognition can be taught. However, it is that 1% innovative thinking I bright to light in this post. This is a unique thought process. Similar to entrepreneurial thinking. You know a lot about this. You weren’t necessarily taught to think this way as much as you developed it over time based on your past experiences.

So for project managers, I argue that it is important to continuously develop critical thinking skills, but also try to identify those 1% unknown opportunities that most people don’t see to innovate your projects.

Travis

I’m confused by your use of the word cognition throughout this post. It seems to me that cognition is a physiological ability you are born with; the thought processes we all use on a daily basis. So, I don’t agree that it is “based on past experience”.

If I substitute “critical thinking skills” for “cognition” in your post it starts to make more sense to me. Critical thinking skills are something that can be taught and refined through experience. The ability to think critically when responding to changes and challenges, formulating strategy, etc. is crucial.

You CAN select a PM, SE, or other roles on an innovative project based on past experience. What history does the individual have that demonstrate the same critical thinking skills and ability to innovate and solve difficult problems?

You’re making an unstated assumption that “high-risk, complex, innovative endeavors” require brand new solutions and ways of working. That’s not true. Many times, the proven and institutionalized methods have been refined over many years and projects, and they work best. You can innovate new products using the “same old” proven methods; organizations do it all the time.

I’m not discouraging the advancement of project management as a discipline; far from it. Let’s just not conflate the innovation of products with our processes to create them.

I’m confused by your use of the word cognition throughout this post. It seems to me that cognition is a physiological ability you are born with; the thought processes we all use on a daily basis. So, I don’t agree that it is “based on past experience”.

If I substitute “critical thinking skills” for “cognition” in your post it starts to make more sense to me. Critical thinking skills are something that can be taught and refined through experience. The ability to think critically when responding to changes and challenges, formulating strategy, etc. is crucial.

You CAN select a PM, SE, or other roles on an innovative project based on past experience. What history does the individual have that demonstrate the same critical thinking skills and ability to innovate and solve difficult problems?

You’re making an unstated assumption that “high-risk, complex, innovative endeavors” require brand new solutions and ways of working. That’s not true. Many times, the proven and institutionalized methods have been refined over many years and projects, and they work best. You can innovate new products using the “same old” proven methods; organizations do it all the time.

I’m not discouraging the advancement of project management as a discipline; far from it. Let’s just not conflate the innovation of products with our processes to create them.