While it is easy to develop a feeling about project complexity (and thus unpredictability), having clear criteria for that purpose is more difficult. On the basis of available literature, we have developed a tentative set of criteria to determine the degree of complexity of a project, and thus anticipate the need for a different approach to project management and leadership. The result is available in our new White Paper 2021-01 ‘How to Measure Project Complexity?’
Complexity in a given system is directly related to the number of contributors and their alignment to the overall purpose. Complex as a concept is different from complicated. A complicated system can be quite reliable and predictable (such as a watch or a complicated industrial facility).
Complex systems demonstrate specific behaviours such as for example:
- Emerging properties (the system is more than the sum of its parts)
- Possible transitions of state that create deviations far beyond normal statistical deviations; thereby creating unpredictable outcomes.
Complex projects require different approaches than simple projects in terms of planning and management. Risk management also require specific approaches involving systemic approaches. In any case, complexity should aim to be minimised as much as possible at the onset and shaping phases of the project.
From the available literature, we have retained a set of criteria and built a scale to provide an idea of the complexity of an individual project.
Assessing project complexity is a difficult endeavour and not adequately addressed in existing literature. Based on our experience in combination with available literature we propose an operational scoring system to assess the actual complexity level of an industrial project. We plan to use this framework in the future to further refine it and ensure its applicability across multiple industrial project types and industries.
Read our new White Paper 2021-01 ‘How to Measure Project Complexity?’ for a method to assess project complexity.
If you can’t access the link to the white paper, copy and paste the following link in your browser: https://www.projectvaluedelivery.com/_library/2021-01_Complexity_Measure_v0.pdf
