Complex Project Management (PPMP20014): GERD Project Analysis Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project, focusing on its inherent complexities. It identifies and evaluates the five complexity factors, mapping them to the GERD case and highlighting any missing elements. The report also assesses the five ICCPM outcomes, discussing their relevance and mapping within the project context. Furthermore, it examines the external varieties as per Ashby's Law, evaluating their relevance to the GERD case. The analysis extends to the types of complexity, specifically temporal complexity, and provides relevant examples within the project. The conclusion summarizes the key findings, emphasizing the project's complexity and the need for strategic insights for its successful execution. The report is based on a group assignment for the Complex Project Management course (PPMP20014) completed in 2020.

Feedback and evaluation: Part 1A Individual Feedback
 In the comment column you need to provide brief evaluation with short answers.
 You need to provide relevant and ad hoc feedback at the end of each point
(highlighted in red)
 Your feedback won’t affect the report grades. It rather intends to evaluate your
understanding to the report.
 Based on your comments, give a mark out of 10 for each point
ITEM Comments
Give brief comments here
Final
points
(out of
10)
Five Complexity Factors
The report has indicated that the GERD dam is a complex project
with relevant justifications
The project is a complex one
considering that Egypt, for
instance, has raised concerns
regarding the reduction of water
flow into Egypt. Besides, the
project is likely to affect rural
subsistence farmers, peace and
security, as well as lead to
environmental changes. It is also
likely to result in human
displacement.
The project only identifies three
of the five complexity factors.
The cost, schedule, and context
factors were mapped with the
GERD case
The three factors are well
detailed in the case whereby
their impact has been effectively
addressed
There are two missing factors and
they include financing and
technical factors
/10
Has the report identified the FIVE complexity factors as detailed in
Ch.1
Were these factors mapped with the GERD case?
Are there enough details about these factors?
What are the missing factors?
ICCPM Outcomes
Has the report provided FIVE of the ICCPM outcomes?
If not, how many outcomes are there?
The report has effectively
discussed the five ICCPM
outcomes. The outcomes
discussed in the case of the GERD
dam case comprise of
/10

stakeholders’ expectations,
governance, product and project
success, and leadership skill.
The report has discussed the five
outcomes in detail. For instance,
people are the main stakeholders
in the project and are likely to be
relocated from their existing
habitats. Besides, when
discussing leadership, the report
notes that effective leadership
skill is needed.
The five outcomes are well
mapped in the report where for
instance, the wrongdoings of the
engineers show that there exists
poor leadership in the project.
Has the report provided detailed discussion to the provided
outcomes?
Are they relevant and well mapped?
SHBY LAW
Has the report indicated the external varieties as per Ashby Law? The report has provided five
external varieties that conform to
Ashby Law. The external varieties
identified comprise of financing,
water security concerns,
engineering concerns, as well as
poor planning. According to
Ashby Law, for a system to deal
with the challenges that are
produced by the environment, it
has to have in place responses to
deal with these challenges.
The identified external varieties
are relevant to the case because
the project can only succeed if
these challenges are identified
and response developed to
overcome the aforementioned
challenges. For instance, water
security, financing, and engineer
concerns need to be addressed.
/10
How relevant these varieties to the GERD dam case?
Complexity Types
Has the report discussed the complexity types Scholars assert that there exist
four types of complexity that are
essential in determining the
/10

selection of a project. Based on
this report, the author discusses
the temporal complexity that is
closely linked to the GERD dam
case. Temporal complexity define
projects that have an uncertain
environment. Such uncertain
factors may include
environmental changes and
unexpected changes in
legislation.
Based on temporary complexity
discussed as linked to FERD dam
case, the report identifies some
examples of such an uncertain
environment. Examples include
time-related challenges such as
resource shortages and funding
among other factors such as
political influence in the two
countries.
What are the examples the report provided
Conclusion and Feedback (100- 150 words)
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has proved to be a complex project. For instance, the construction of
this dam could in regional environmental changes, affect the region’s peace and security, as well as lead to
human displacement. Also, regional temperatures could rise thus challenging water resources along the Nile
basin. The factors of complexity identified fall under the categories of cost, schedule, and scope. The
external varieties identified include financing, water security concerns, engineering concerns, as well as
poor planning. Finally, the project is classified under the temporal level of complexity because it will
experience funding and resource shortage challenges. The government should thus focus on more insights
on how the project should be carried out on a large scale.