Project Complexity, Parametric Estimation and Public Policy Analysis

This discussion forum post, submitted by a student, examines the relationship between different dimensions of project complexity (scale, uncertainty, pace, socio-political) and the four categories of complexity (structural, technical, directional, temporal). The student explores how structural and dynamic complexity concepts relate to each other and to parametric estimation techniques. The post then analyzes the connection between parametric estimation and the concept of "wicked problems" as discussed by Ms. Lynelle Briggs in the context of public policy. The student considers whether Mr. Shermon's observations on managing project complexities are applicable to the Australian Public Service, particularly in relation to cost and schedule estimates, and whether parametric estimation could be applied to address issues within the Australian Public Service projects. Finally, the post discusses the potential of big data paradigms in this context.

Running head: MANAGING PROJECT IN COMPLEX WORLD
Managing project in complex world
Name of the Student:
Name of the University
Author Note:

2MANAGING PROJECT IN COMPLEX WORLD
3rd Discussion forum
Question 1: Is there a relationship between each of these and "The four categories or
dimensions”.
Yes, there is a relationship between each of the most common high-level categorization
of complexities have a unique similarity within themselves. Strategically examining each of the
categories may led to having a deep understanding of the uncertainty associated with the tasks
considering the socio-economic complexities. The facts understood from the categorization of
the complexities is directly related with the four different categories of complexities associated
with complicated projects such as the temporal complexity, directional complexity, technical
complexity and the structural complexity as complicated projects can be categorized on the basis
of the complexities which are associated with the project (Trucco, Negri & Birkie, 2018). The
project managers are really useful for this categorization of the risks involved in the complicated
projects. The complications associated with the complicated projects can be addressed with the
help of these four categories.
o Yes, scale can be considered as the structural complexity as the complexities of the
bigger tasks can be addressed with the help of the structural complexity.
o Yes, the unknown risks of the project can be solved effectively with the help of the
technical complexity.
o Pace which states about the issue of time associated with the project can be solved
effectively with the help of the directional complexity.
o The interactions with the different parties of complicated projects can be solved with the
help of temporal complexity.

3MANAGING PROJECT IN COMPLEX WORLD
Question 2: Does then the concept of Structural and Dynamic Complexity alter your initial
opinion as discussed by Carver and Maylor in Ch. 5? Do you see both concepts agree or
disagree with each other?
Besides the acceptance level of these two complexities, there is nothing to similar
between the definitions of the two categories of complexities. Chapter 5 helps in understanding
that structural complexity and the dynamic complexity are both related in a dynamic
environment. However, in chapter 6 we understand both the meaning with different contexts
(Fischi, Nilchiani & Wade, 2016). From chapter 6 it can be considered that structural
complexities deal with the complexities present in the structure of the project. The levels of
dynamic complexity are discussed in chapter 6. The impact of the changes in requirements falls
under the category of the structural complexity.
Both the discussed concept of these two categories of complexities are similar to each
other. The interrelated issues of a project can be addressed with the help of understanding the
cultural and the dynamic issues.
Question 3: Does the concept of Mr Shermon and the concept of parametric estimation
work together in eliminating the degree of complexity? Explain what do you think and
Why?
The degree of complexity can be addressed with the help of the concepts provided by Mr.
Shermon and the concept of parametric estimation. The business parameters of the complex
projects should be professionally considered by the project managers as they can be effectively
minimized with the help of the concepts provided by Shermon and estimation of the work.

4MANAGING PROJECT IN COMPLEX WORLD
Cost budgeting and Project scheduling are two most common business parameters which
are needed to be solved in early stages. The process involved in parametric estimation such as
the data gathering process, normalization, cost estimation relationships historical trend analysis
can be very much impactful to understand the degree of risks involved with this project. Based
on the impact of complexity, project and cost scheduling techniques project managers can decide
the following steps needed to be taken for the mitigating those risks (Efthymiou et al., 2016).
Each degree of complexity associated with the complicated projects can be understood with the
help of the parametric estimation.
The relationship between the variables of the project can be used by the project managers
for calculation of the cost and timeframe of the project. The future costs of the complicated
project can be also understood with the help of the parametric cost estimation procedure.
According to me, parametric equations are very much helpful for measuring the costs
involved in the project. The physical resource equipment’s of the project can be also determined
with the help of the parametric estimation techniques. The different categories of the cost
estimation models can be very much important for estimating the cost associated with each
project, as every project as different business needs and requirements so specific cost estimation
models can be applied.
Question 4: How do you see this concept with the concept of wicked problems discussed in
Ch 1 by Ms Lynelle Briggs paper regarding wicked problems "Tackling wicked problems:
A public policy perspective".
The concept of wicked problems as discussed by Ms Lynelle Briggs helps in
understanding the complexities in forming policy in Australian society. The entire governance

5MANAGING PROJECT IN COMPLEX WORLD
structures are considered in this complicated project where the term wicked can be used to
understand the high resistance in the Australian society while implementing any kings of policy
(San et al., 2018). Tackling with this problem is a significant disadvantage associated with this
project as it has to consider the different categories of the business factors associated with the
project (Samy, AlGeddawy & ElMaraghy, 2015). The role of the public service managers is very
much important to tackle with the complexities of policy implementation in the Australian
society.
The concept of the parametric estimation and the degree of complexities of the project can be
both aligned in the implementation of public policy in Australia (Padalkar & Gopinath, 2016).
The complications of this project can be considered with the help of the above-discussed
techniques.
Question 5: Can both concepts viewed together, Could the observations of Mr Shermon be
applied in the cases that Ms Briggs discusses in the kinds of needs within the Australian
Public Service?
The observation of Mr Dale Shermon regarding managing the complexities of a project
can be applied in the case discussed by Ms. Briggs regarding the implementation of public policy
in Australian society.
Yes, both the concepts can be viewed together as like every other project, the
implementation of the public policy in Australian society also have different categories of
complexity which falls into the discussions made by Mr. Shermon.

6MANAGING PROJECT IN COMPLEX WORLD
Question 6: In other words, could parametric be applied to the Australian Public Service
projects and as a consequence reconcile some of the issues they experience with Cost and
Schedule estimates?
Parametric estimation can be very much applied in the Australian Public Service projects
as the concept of parametric estimation would help the prime stakeholders of the project for
estimation of the duration of the project considering the complexities involved in the project and
the time required for the successful completion of the project.
The number of units of external force and the costs associated for the force can be
quantified with the help of the parametric estimation technique. The future overhead costs of the
project can be also identified with the help of the parametric estimation (Bode & Wagner, 2015).
Thus, it can be stated that the issues and challenges associated with the project such as the
schedule and costs can be effectively minimized with the help of the parametric estimation.
Question 7: Could this be an example of a useful application for the 'big data' paradigm
that is often discussed by the Federal Government? Explain why do you think so?
Yes, the successful implementation of big data which is often discussed by the federal
government can consider the parametric estimation technique in order to solve the issue of time
management and cost management associated with the project.
The implementation of big data in society has different categories of complexities associated
with it, such as the cost of the implementation procedure, time duration of the installation
process (Apostolopoulos et al. 2018). These challenges can be resolved with the help of the
parametric estimation technique. Hence, the above discussion can be hugely useful regarding the
implementation of big data in Australian society.

7MANAGING PROJECT IN COMPLEX WORLD
Reference
Apostolopoulos, Y., Lemke, M. K., Hosseinichimeh, N., Harvey, I. S., Lich, K. H., & Brown, J.
(2018). Embracing Causal Complexity in Health Disparities: Metabolic Syndemics and
Structural Prevention in Rural Minority Communities. Prevention Science, 19(8), 1019-
1029.
Bode, C., & Wagner, S. M. (2015). Structural drivers of upstream supply chain complexity and
the frequency of supply chain disruptions. Journal of Operations Management, 36, 215-
228.
Efthymiou, K., Mourtzis, D., Pagoropoulos, A., Papakostas, N., & Chryssolouris, G. (2016).
Manufacturing systems complexity analysis methods review. International Journal of
Computer Integrated Manufacturing, 29(9), 1025-1044.
Fischi, J., Nilchiani, R., & Wade, J. (2016, April). System and architecture evaluation framework
using cross-domain dynamic complexity measures. In Systems Conference (SysCon),
2016 Annual IEEE (pp. 1-7). IEEE.
Padalkar, M., & Gopinath, S. (2016). Are complexity and uncertainty distinct concepts in project
management? A taxonomical examination from literature. International Journal of
Project Management, 34(4), 688-700.
Samy, S. N., AlGeddawy, T., & ElMaraghy, H. (2015). A granularity model for balancing the
structural complexity of manufacturing systems equipment and layout. Journal of
Manufacturing Systems, 36, 7-19.

8MANAGING PROJECT IN COMPLEX WORLD
San Cristóbal, J. R., Carral, L., Diaz, E., Fraguela, J. A., & Iglesias, G. (2018). Complexity and
Project Management: A General Overview. Complexity, 2018.
Trucco, P., Negri, A., & Birkie, S. E. (2018). The influence of structural and dynamic
complexity factors on supply chain resilience: a qualitative study. In EurOMA
confererence.