Resumen
AbstractThe need for the study originated mainly from the political reforms in South Africa, which have incited public insistence on community involvement in the planning, decision-making and execution of projects which people perceive are of concern in their everyday lives. Many project managers in South Africa are faced with hitherto unknown social forces and elements in the execution of their missions, which they are often not adequately trained for. The purpose of the study is to extend the 'conventional' project management processes to include community participation, because in the past, the social system(s) within which projects are situated and the social dynamics inevitably evoked by the implementation thereof, were too often ignored. The article considers an appropriate meaning of community participation, which inter alia means that the community be enabled to influence the direction and outcome of projects. That implies that managerial decisions will in future have to involve social besides economic choices. The overriding importance of the search for common interests is emphasized. A model for involving the community in project-concept forming is presented. The article concludes with a basic truth, namely that there are many projects which will simply not succeed without full consultation with the community from the earliest possible stage.