Complex Project Management: Theory, Tools and Techniques

This paper discusses the theory, tools and techniques of complex project management. It explores the causes, environment and properties of complex projects and provides an overview of the tools and techniques used to manage complexity in projects. The paper concludes that complex project management is an effective process for maintaining the decision-making process within the project.

Complex Project Management
0 | P a g e

Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
Theory and idea of complex project management.......................................................................................2
Causes, environment, and properties of the complex project.......................................................................2
Tools and technique of complex project......................................................................................................3
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................4
References...................................................................................................................................................5
1 | P a g e

Introduction
Complex project management is the process where the action of the manager becomes difficult
to predict in the project. There are generally four elements in the project complexity that is
technical, cost, schedule and political. The primary purpose of the paper is to provide an
effective view of the complex project management within the field by providing a view of the
tools and techniques for the process.
Theory and idea of complex project management
Complexity theory is considered to be the mixture of ideas which generally seeks to explain the
phenomena and it is not explained by the help of traditional theories (Cooke-Davies, 2011). One
of the primary aspects of the complexity theory which helps to provides the effective view on the
chaotic form of business and project management process. Complex system theory is one of the
best theory that helps to provides understanding regarding the relationship of the component to
the other part in the system. It is the best process that draws the attention of the theorist towards
the process of system thinking. The idea of the new theory within the management of large
complex project effectively provides the view on the present theory. One of the most effective
ideas for complex project management is to strengthen the project foundation as well as the
framework (Ahern, Leavy, & Byrne, 2014)). With the help of this idea the complex project
management effectively provides the framework to the owners for their decision-making process.
In this system, there are various new technologies for the effective management system in the
field and also to provide a valuable process for project management. Another idea for the
complex project management is to consider to increment the focus on flows and also by
embracing the use of the contemporary technology.
Causes, environment, and properties of the complex project
The primary cause of the complex within the project management is due to the assumption that is
generally inherent in the traditional model of project management. The other cause of complexity
within the project management is due to unhelpful behaviour, then the failure of the appreciate
systemicity (Floricel, Bonneau, Aubry, & Sergi, 2014). Another cause of the complexity is the
model of project management then the simplistic of the project management along with the over-
ambitious planned management. The most effective and valuable working function within the
2 | P a g e

field needs to be developed effectively with the help of the governance environment. The
complex project management is the best and the effective way to develop the project within the
field. It can be seen that the idea of the emergent properties of complex project management is
the single fundamental system idea for the process of system thinking within the field. The four
concepts of the emergent properties in the complex project management layered the framework
as well as the procedure of effective communication and also control the wide range of system
capable surviving within the changing environment (Eriksson, Larsson, & Pesämaa, 2017). In
some of the cases, it can be seen that the construction is mostly considered as the complex as
well as the risky business. It can be seen that the single complex project can also create huge
complex within the process for data analysis and also decision making within the field. The
complex project is basically formed due to the complexity of the team members of the project
management.
Tools and technique of complex project
The tools along with the technique of the contemporary project management are required to help
the people along with the organisation to reduce the amount of the complexity in the project by
the help of breaking the complex activity (Svejvig, & Andersen, 2015). The advanced tools like
the social networking capabilities effectively transform the experience of working within the
project in a virtual way. If the tools are utilised in an unwise manner then it might lead to the
complexity of the project and this is the phase where the project manager has to effectively
demonstrate the sound judgement for the process. Work break down structure as well as the
technical design is one of the best tools that help to analyse the complexity of the project within
the field (Locatelli, Mancini, & Romano, 2014). The other tools and technique that is being
utilised for the complex project are the system anatomy tool than the time-linked semi
framework along with the earned values. The soft system thinking tools are also effective for the
complex project management within the field. The parallel processing tools are also effective for
providing the team motivation to manage the complexity within the project management. It is
one of the best ways to provide valuable and effective understanding and also the high
development of the process.
3 | P a g e

Conclusion
The paper eventually concludes the fact that complex project management is the effective
process for maintaining the decision-making process within the project. Moreover, the paper also
evaluates the fact that various tools and techniques are being utilised for reducing the complexity
of the project management and also to allow the team members for providing effective project.
4 | P a g e

References
Ahern, T., Leavy, B., & Byrne, P. J. (2014). Complex project management as complex problem
solving: A distributed knowledge management perspective. International Journal of
Project Management, 32(8), 1371-1381.
Cooke-Davies, T. (2011, August). Aspects of complexity: Managing projects in a complex
world. Project Management Institute.
Eriksson, P. E., Larsson, J., & Pesämaa, O. (2017). Managing complex projects in the
infrastructure sector—A structural equation model for flexibility-focused project
management. International Journal of Project Management, 35(8), 1512-1523.
Floricel, S., Bonneau, C., Aubry, M., & Sergi, V. (2014). Extending project management
research: Insights from social theories. International Journal of Project
Management, 32(7), 1091-1107.
Locatelli, G., Mancini, M., & Romano, E. (2014). Systems engineering to improve the
governance in complex project environments. International Journal of Project
Management, 32(8), 1395-1410.
Svejvig, P., & Andersen, P. (2015). Rethinking project management: A structured literature
review with a critical look at the brave new world. International Journal of Project
Management, 33(2), 278-290.
5 | P a g e