What is paradigm in project management?

Question

I keep on reading/hearing about the term "paradigm" in a project management context. What does it mean? Is it considered to be one of those project management "buzzes"? When was the first time the word paradigm used in project management and who used it first?

PS: I have checked the most important PM references and none of them mentioned this word.

Answer 1

A paradigm has come to refer to a philosphical or theoretical framework of any kind according to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradigm.  Since Project Management isn't theoretical or philosophical, it doesn't apply.  And I would guess that is why you don't find it mentioned in significant PM references.