7 June

How do I get from the recently released and quite extraordinary film United 93 to good project management? Let's give it a try. The film recreates the story of the fourth plane hi-jacked by terrorists on 11 September which did not make its intended target, The White House. It stands above any docu-drama I've seen as far as intensity and the level of the actors' performances go. It also vividly portrays the complete chaos and confusion experienced by the various authorities on that morning. Given the lack of precedence of such an incidence that's understandable but it's still shocking to witness the lack of co-ordination between the army and aviation authorities whilst the attacks were tacking place. It's somewhat similar to the London tube attacks last July. Monday's London Asesembly inquiry findings show a similar level of miscommunication across different emergency agencies. So both incidents are characterised by individual heroism and quick thinking and bureaucratic incompetence. Surely a job for a good project or programme manager to address?