Complexity in the Context of Information Systems Project Management

• Main Authors: Alexei Botchkarev, Patrick Finnigan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: UTS ePRESS 2015-06-01
• Series: Organisational Project Management
• Subjects: complexity; project management; systems approach; information system
• Online Access: http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/opm/article/view/4272

Complexity is an inherent attribute of any project. The purpose of defining and documenting complexity is to enable a project team to foresee resulting challenges in a timely manner, and take steps to alleviate them. The main contribution of this article is to present a systematic view of complexity in project management by identifying its key attributes and classifying complexity by these attributes. A “complexity taxonomy” is developed and discussed within three levels: the product, the project and the external environment. Complexity types are described through simple real-life examples. Then a framework (tool) is developed for applying the notion of complexity as an early warning tool. The article is intended for researchers in complexity, project management, information systems, technology solutions and business management, and also for information specialists, project managers, program managers, financial staff and technology directors.