Strategic parallels between military operations and R&D project management: a comprehensive approach to innovation and foresight

Purpose This study aims to explore strategic parallels between military operations and research and development (R&D) project management. It demonstrates how military strategies – such as situational analysis, risk management and adaptive planning – can enhance innovation management in complex projects. Design/methodology/approach This research integrates military strategy principles with R&D management frameworks, using historical military campaigns as case studies. These insights are applied to R&D contexts, particularly in strategic planning, resource allocation and risk mitigation. Findings This study finds that military planning methods, including detailed situational analysis, adaptability and clear exit strategies, can significantly improve R&D project success rates. Tools such as wargaming and scenario planning support effective decision-making under uncertainty, aligning well with the needs of contemporary innovation environments. Practical implications This study suggests that R&D managers can adopt selected military principles to manage uncertainty, allocate resources efficiently and implement effective exit strategies. For example, situational analysis (e.g. wargaming and red-teaming) can support early-stage technology assessments; command clarity can improve cross-functional coordination and decision-making; and exit strategies inspired by military disengagement protocols can help prevent escalation of commitment in underperforming projects. Strategic foresight and scenario planning, analogous to military campaign planning, can also inform technology roadmapping under uncertainty. These approaches offer not only metaphorical insight but also practical frameworks for navigating complexity in innovation initiatives. They contribute to improved project outcomes and greater alignment between innovation efforts and organizational objectives. However, each thematic area explored in this study – due to its complexity – requires more detailed treatment in future research. Originality/value This research presents an interdisciplinary approach by merging military strategy with R&D management, offering a novel perspective on the governance of innovation projects. It draws upon both classical military literature and modern R&D practices, introducing a new conceptual framework for strategic project leadership.