Stop sanitizing project management education: Embracing Desirable Difficulties to enhance practice-relevant online learning

By resisting the temptation to “sanitize” project management education, we show how embracing unpredictability and authenticity can enhance learning. In response COVID-19 restrictions, moved an interactive role-play online explored resultant learning through analysis of student performance students’ individual reflections. Findings suggest that boosted by exposing students a challenging environment, which included tasks stretched their capabilities thus enhanced level “Desirable Difficulties”. Drawing on concepts Desirable Difficulties “role-play-as-rehearsal”, discuss benefits formative “testing” propose new concept: “role-play-as-testing”. Additionally, were attributed setting, reflects increasing virtualization practice. We hope inspire other educators embrace resist sanitize education create opportunities for future leaders test in authentic settings.