Executive Summary: SEA™ Case-Based Project Management

At a Glance

Reading Time: 10 minutes
Target Audience: Executives, decision-makers, knowledge work leaders
Key Takeaway: Case-based PM enables discretionary workflows that adapt to reality.

The Business Case for Case-Based PM

The Opportunity

SEA™’s case-based approach enables transformative project management for knowledge work:

• 70% reduction in manual coordination — PM-Agent handles routine orchestration
• Artifact reuse across projects — Intellectual Capital becomes organizational asset
• Flexible workflows — Discretionary tasks activate based on events, not schedules
• Immutable lineage — Every work product traces to its origin

The Challenge Without Case Management

Organizations managing knowledge work face critical risks:

The Imperative

Traditional PM creates friction for knowledge work. SEA™ case-based PM enables by treating work as discretionary and event-driven rather than prescriptive.

What This Handbook Delivers

CMMN Integration

SEA™ adapts CMMN (Case Management Model and Notation) for knowledge work:

Core Value Propositions

1. Discretionary Workflows

• 🎯 Tasks activate based on events, not fixed schedules
• ✅ Sentries gate progression based on actual conditions
• 🔄 Stages can run in parallel or skip entirely

2. Artifact Pipeline

• 📝 Cognitive Artifacts: Notes, sketches (mental load reduction)
• 📚 Intellectual Artifacts: Specs, SOPs (synthesized knowledge)
• 💻 Information Products: Software, campaigns (market value)
• 💰 Intellectual Capital: Enterprise assets (capitalized value)

3. PM-Agent Orchestration

• 🤖 AI conductor manages hybrid human-AI teams
• 📊 Task assignment based on capabilities and context
• 🧠 Knowledge Base integration for contextual decisions
• ⚖️ SDS-031 authority rules for privileged actions

4. Provenance Gating

• 🔗 TransitionTokens track every state change
• 🚫 “No teleportation” — artifacts require lineage
• 📊 IFL (Internal Federated Ledger) immutable audit trail
• 💎 Intellectual Capital valuation via Exchange Rate Policies

Strategic Implementation Approach

Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-2)

Objective: Understand CMMN and create first case

Key Activities:

• CMMN fundamentals training
• Case template selection
• PM-Agent configuration

Deliverables: First pilot case, trained team

Investment: 20-30 hours

Phase 2: Artifact Pipeline (Weeks 3-4)

Objective: Establish four reification stages

Key Activities:

• Define artifact types per stage
• Configure TransitionToken generation
• Set up Exchange Rate Policies

Deliverables: Working artifact pipeline, capital valuation

Investment: 30-40 hours

Phase 3: PM-Agent Integration (Weeks 5-6)

Objective: Enable AI orchestration for hybrid teams

Key Activities:

• Configure PM-Agent task assignment
• Define custom sentries
• Integrate Knowledge Base

Deliverables: Automated orchestration, reduced manual PM

Investment: 20-30 hours

Phase 4: Scale and Optimize (Ongoing)

Objective: Expand to all knowledge work

Key Activities:

• Create domain-specific case templates
• Refine sentry patterns
• Measure artifact reuse and capital formation

Deliverables: Organization-wide case management, measurable ROI

Investment: 10-15 hours/month

Return on Investment

Efficiency Gains

Knowledge Work Specific Benefits

• Research: Literature reviews become reusable Intellectual Artifacts
• Development: Specs progress through pipeline to deployed code
• Consulting: Client deliverables capitalize as firm IP
• Creative: Concepts and iterations preserved as Capital

Competitive Advantages

• Organizational learning: Knowledge compounds across projects
• Faster onboarding: New team members access Intellectual Capital
• Client value: Demonstrate artifact lineage and provenance
• Strategic planning: Measure knowledge asset growth

Critical Success Factors

1. CMMN Adoption

✅ Requirement: Team understands discretionary vs prescriptive workflows
❌ Risk if missing: Revert to waterfall thinking

2. Artifact Discipline

✅ Requirement: Consistent use of four reification stages
❌ Risk if missing: Pipeline breaks, no capital formation

3. PM-Agent Trust

✅ Requirement: Team trusts AI orchestration for routine tasks
❌ Risk if missing: Manual override defeats automation

4. Provenance Rigor

✅ Requirement: All artifacts have TransitionToken lineage
❌ Risk if missing: “Teleportation” undermines trust

Decision Framework for Executives

Should We Adopt Case-Based PM?

YES, if you answer “yes” to 3+ questions:

• Do we manage knowledge-intensive work (research, consulting, creative)?
• Do our projects have discretionary, event-driven workflows?
• Do we lose knowledge when projects end?
• Do our PMs spend excessive time on manual coordination?
• Do we want to measure and capitalize intellectual work?

Next Steps for Leadership

Immediate Actions (Week 1)

1. Assign case management sponsor
2. Review this handbook with key stakeholders
3. Select pilot project (moderate complexity, willing team)
4. Complete readiness assessment via Quick Start Guide

Short-Term Actions (Month 1)

1. CMMN training using Enablement curriculum
2. Create first case with Tutorial
3. Configure PM-Agent using Technical guide
4. Establish artifact pipeline with Pipeline management

Conclusion: The Path Forward

Knowledge work requires discretionary orchestration—not rigid plans.

SEA™’s case-based PM transforms project management from a constraint into an enabler. Work adapts to reality. Artifacts become assets. AI handles routine orchestration. Humans focus on judgment.

The cost of case-based PM is predictable and manageable.
The cost of rigid workflows for knowledge work is lost opportunity.

Ready to begin? Start with the Quick Start Guide for a practical 30-day launch plan.

Last Updated: January 2026
For Questions: Contact Case Management lead