How were processes of work on large construction sites coordinated and what did everyday life look like in these peculiar environments during the second half of the 20 century? These are the guiding questions of my current book project. I analyze media and practices of management on three construction sites in Beijing (1950s), East Berlin (1960s) and Nigerian Kaduna (1980s). Starting from the microhistory of practices I tell a story of management knowledge which crosses geographical, social, cultural and political boundaries. The global history of management knowledge and the history of workers’ exploitation on construction sites connect both sides of the supposed Iron Curtain as well as the Global North and the Global South.