Discretion Is the Real Product: Project Governance as a Generator of Legitimacy in the US Public Sector

📑 Executive Summary

This study and workshop outline challenge the dominant logic of project management in public governance byproposing that legitimacy—not deliverables—is the most important output of public projects.

Using a dataset of 1,000 simulated U.S. public sector projects, we analyze how discretion,stakeholder engagement, and transparency influence perceived legitimacy.

Results show only weak associations between traditional metrics and legitimacy, suggesting thatdiscretionary behavior is a more critical driver of public trust.

The study introduces a Planguage-based performance table and repositions project success using Jobs-To-Be-Done (JTBD) theory.

Practical guidance for public and nonprofit leaders is included.