Identifying the definition, measurement, research focuses, and prospects of project complexity: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Purpose

Project complexity is a critical issue that has increasingly attracted attention in both academic and practical circles. However, there are still many gaps in the research on project complexity, such as the differentiated conceptualization of complexity and disjointed operationalization in the measurements. Therefore, this paper aims to conduct a systematic and detailed literature review on the concept, dimensions, assessment, and underlying mechanisms of project complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review methodology was applied to search and synthesize the research on project complexity, and a final sample of 74 journal articles was identified.

Findings

This study first summarizes the concepts of project complexity from three different theoretical perspectives, and then identifies different approaches of measurement, evaluation, or simulation to assess project complexity. This paper finally establishes an integrative framework to synthesize the antecedents, mediators and moderators, and outcomes of project complexity, generating four suggestions for future research.

Originality/value

This study summarizes the definition and operationalization of project complexity to reduce the discrepancies in the existing research and offers an integrative framework to offer a broad overview of the current understanding of project complexity, providing a potential way forward for addressing project complexity.

Citation

Zheng, J., Gu, Y., Luo, L., Zhang, Y., Xie, H. and Chang, K. (2023), "Identifying the definition, measurement, research focuses, and prospects of project complexity: a systematic literature review", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 30 No. 7, pp. 3043-3072. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-05-2021-0425