The Projectification of Society In Germany - Evolution, Situation and Prospects

Project management came to Germany in the 1960s and has enjoyed increasing popularity ever since. In the business world, for example, the proportion of working time spent on projects is rising steadily to over 40%, and the trend is continuing. Current trends such as digitalization, climate change and the energy transition, as well as challenges such as the Covid 19 pandemic, are leading to a further increase in the need for project management expertise. The increasing importance and number of projects is referred to in the academic world by the term "projectification" and has been studied in Germany primarily from the perspective of the economy. Developments in the area of public administration and in other areas of civil society have so far been neglected. A comprehensive analysis of developments at the level of society has been lacking. With my qualitative as well as quantitative research I have investigated causes, trajectories and the implications of projectification of society in Germany. This paper summarizes the main evolutions, the current situation and future prospects and points out the need for action for research as well as for the profession.