I believe that there are project management tools that are consistent with action inquiry approaches. A good example is Responsibility Charting. This tool can be used in a very interactive and participatory way to engage a group of stakeholders who all have some connection to a common set of tasks or decisions that must be made in carrying out a 'project'. The process is used to compare how different stakeholders currently perceive their roles, to identify discrepancies, and then to reach consensus on how decisions ought to be made. It can be quite a good design activity, and in the end produces a clear picture of the interrelated roles and relationships that must be managed to accomplish the project. It usually produces a lot of learning for the participants as well.

As with many management tools, the important thing is how it is utilized. It can be used in a bureaucratic manner that precludes participation, or in an interactive way that encourages exploration and action learning.

Please click below for examples of responsibility chart:

• Chart 1
• Chart 2
• Chart 3

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