Modelling project complexity

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enhance the understanding of what project complexity is, what drivers and factors that influence complexity and how consequences for organizational performance can be assessed.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is explanatory and based on literature review, model development, interviews and case studies. The model is validated through a case study.

Findings

The findings are a model for identifying and analyzing complexity drivers and complexity factors. The model starts with generic complexity drivers such as ambiguity, uncertainty, unpredictability and pace. These drivers are in each project influenced by nature and by socio-political, economic and technological surroundings to result in complexity factors that are specific to the project analyzed. The model can be used to analyze project complexity and to define requirements for the organization of the project and guidelines for the execution.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to large projects with a technical delivery of some kind of facilities.

Practical implications

The model can be used to assess the required capability of the organization for successful project execution.

Originality/value

The contribution of the research is a new model for understanding project complexity. The distinction between project complexity drivers and factors is essential as well as the taxonomy for the factors building on and adding to already published research.

Citation

Rolstadås, A. and Schiefloe, P.M. (2017), "Modelling project complexity", International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 295-314. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-02-2016-0015