through the Colosseum Proto-Megaproject
PEER REVIEWED PAPER
By Idris A. Adelakun and Arvin Prem Kumar
School of Applied Professional Studies,
College of Integrative Sciences and Arts,
Arizona State University
Arizona, USA
Abstract
Revisiting the Colosseum as a first-century megaproject, this study demonstrates that the foundational constructs now coined as stakeholder engagement and key performance indicators were operational in Roman state construction centuries before project management emerged as a formalized, standalone discipline. Although first-century constructors did not perceive project management, the Flavian dynasty, through its Colosseum Megaproject, demonstrates how stakeholder engagement and performance management were institutionalized within the imperial administration. Leveraging archaeological, inscriptional, numismatic, and engineering data, this research conceptualizes the Colosseum as a state-funded proto-megaproject organized around boundaries of scope definition, work packages segmented into staged delivery, and verifiable performance controls related to cost, schedule, architectural soundness, public security, and imperial credibility. When interpreted through the lens of contemporary stakeholder theory and performance management, these mechanisms reveal a level of engagement between the imperial stakeholders, the military labor forces, the technical experts, and the Roman citizens through structured accountability and reputation. In this manner, by situating the Colosseum as evidence of the early manifestation of stakeholder governance and metric-driven management, this research contends that the contemporary language of project management is merely the codification of practices that were already in place in ancient projects.
Keywords: ancient megaprojects, stakeholder engagement, Colosseum, performance measurement systems, key performance indicators
1.0 Introduction
Project management is frequently framed as a modern discipline emerging from twentieth-century industrial expansion, defense programs, and information technology development. However, large-scale, complex, and politically significant projects have existed for millennia. Monumental undertakings such as pyramids, temples, aqueducts, and amphitheaters required structured coordination, resource planning, stakeholder alignment, governance oversight, and performance monitoring long before the formalization of modern project management standards. Despite this reality, ancient megaprojects are rarely examined systematically through contemporary project management theory.
More…
To read entire paper, click here
How to cite this paper: Adelakun, I.A. & Prem Kumar, A. (2026). Reassessing the Origins of Project Management through the Colosseum Proto-Megaproject; PM World Journal, Vol. XV, Issue III, March. Available online at https://pmworldjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/pmwj162-Mar2026-Adelakun-Kumar-Colosseum-Proto-Megaproject-paper.pdf
About the Authors
Idris Adelakun, PhD
Arizona State University
Arizona, USA
Idris Adelakun, Ph.D., P.Eng., PMP, CPEM, SFC, GPM-s, CSPM-s, CAC, CPBA, SFC is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Arizona State University. Idris holds a PhD in Leadership (High Distinction) with a specialization in Organizational Management from Carolina University, USA, an MSc in Biosystems Engineering and a certificate in Supervisory Management from University of Manitoba. He also earned a BSc in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering from University of Ibadan and a diploma in Agricultural Engineering from the Polytechnic Ibadan.
Idris holds professional certifications including Project Management Professional (PMP), Professional Engineer of Manitoba (P.Eng.), Certified Professional in Engineering Management (CPEM), Certified Sustainable Project Manager Specialist (CSPM-s), Scrum Fundamentals Certified (SFC), Certified Agile Coach (CAC), and Certified Professional Business Analyst (CPBA). He can be contacted at idris.adelakun@asu.edu
Arvin Prem Kumar, PMP
Arizona State University
Arizona, USA
Arvin Prem Kumar, MPM, PMP, PMI-ACP, GPM-b, PMI-PMP is an Instructor at Arizona State University with industry experience spanning engineering, construction, and project delivery environments prior to transitioning fully into academia. His professional background includes applying structured project controls, schedule development, cost management, and stakeholder coordination within technical and infrastructure-focused settings, providing him with practical insights that inform his teaching. He holds a Master of Science in Project Management from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Anna University, Chennai, India. Arvin maintains multiple industry-recognized credentials, including Project Management Professional (PMP)®, PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, Certified Green Project Manager (GPM-b™), and PMI’s PMP® Train the Trainer designation.
Arvin also actively contributes to the profession through volunteer leadership, serving as a facilitator for the PMI-Arizona Chapter’s inaugural PMI-ACP® certification study group and supporting initiatives that advance professional development within the project management community. At ASU, he has worked at scale to systematically rebuild and modernize project management courses, leading comprehensive curriculum redesign efforts that strengthen alignment of learning outcomes, scaffold competency development across modules, integrate predictive and agile methodologies, enhance assessment rigor, and ensure vertical alignment across program levels. His work emphasizes instructional coherence, industry relevance, measurable learning performance, and sustainable course architecture designed to support long-term program quality and student success. He can be contacted at anola259@asu.edu
