Project Management Cinema

Below is my initial attempt at listing movies I have used or would consider using to illustrate
project management principles. Suggestions are always welcomed.

The Italian Job

I use the opening heist sequence in Venice to illustrate the

sequencing of parallel activities.

The Flight of the Phoenix (original)

There are a lot of project management gems in this movie

including how to work on an international team and
creative problem solving.

The Dirty Dozen

This movie does a good job of illustrating team building

techniques (in particular creating a common enemy), but
I show the segment where they use a nursery rhyme to
communicate the project plan to convey the importance
of communicating in a way your audience will
understand.
Apollo 13

I use the second half of the movie (when things go

wrong) to illustrate creative problem solving and risk
management.

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (VHS

only)

One of the best movies on film making gone awry. I have

used this documentary to illustrate risk management,
scope creep, international project management, managing
creative projects, and the meaning of project success.

The Bridge on the River Kwai

I have used the power struggle between the Japanese and

British commanders to discuss the meaning of authority
as well as the commando raid to illustrate contingency
responses.
Battle of the X-Planes

Inside story behind the competition between Boeing and

Lockheed Martin to win the bid for a next generation
fighter plane.

The Great Escape

This is a good film on risk management as well

generating a debate over what is a successful project and
conducting a post project retrospective.

The Pentagon Wars

Funny account of the development of the Bradley Infantry

Fighting Vehicle. I use this film to illustrate scope creep and
organizational politics.