Analyzing the Impact of Project Size and Complexity on Life Cycle

This report explores the impact of project size and complexity on the project life cycle. It highlights how larger and more complex projects can negatively affect each phase of the project, leading to potential delays and increased costs. The report discusses the increased challenges in stakeholder management, communication, and cultural factors, especially in larger projects. It also examines how project complexity influences cost estimation and the duration of each project phase. The research references key academic sources to support the conclusions, emphasizing that the size and complexity of a project significantly impact its life cycle, influencing project timelines and overall success. The report underscores the need for careful planning and management to mitigate these challenges.

Running head: PROJECT LIFE CYCLE
Project life cycle
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PROJECT LIFE CYCLE
Question: What impact do you believe a project’s size and complexity has on the
project’s life cycle?
Complexity and the size of a project can have a direct adverse impact on each phase
of a project life cycle (Kermanshachi & Safapour, 2020). The degree of control changes
along with the size of the project as well as the complexity of a project. Cost estimation of a
project is directly associated with the complexity of a bigger project and the increase in the
cost of each phase of a bigger project can delay completion time of the project (Luo et al.,
2017). The dependencies and the interrelationships among the stakeholders of a project
increase with increase in the size of a project, and this can also have an impact on the
completion time of the project. Conflicts among the stakeholders is one of the prime
challenges which are faced in complex projects and it usually delays the subsequent phases of
the construction projects.
The other challenge which is faced in both smaller and bigger complex project is the
communication issue among the stakeholders of the project and this issue can have a direct
impact on the progress of the project and it might delay each phase of the project life cycle
(Jazouli & Mitchell, 2017). Cultural factors is the other essential factor that is associated
mostly with bigger complex projects and it also has the capability to delay the different
phases of the project (Velte et al., 2017). Huge investments are required in each phase of the
bigger and complex projects, hence the duration of each phase of the project life is very much
dynamic as well. Thus, it can be said that the size and complexity level of a project delays
each phase of a project life cycle.

2PROJECT LIFE CYCLE
References
Jazouli, A., & Mitchell, B. (2017). THE RISE OF COMPLEXITY DUE TO
STAKEHOLDERS STRUCTURE ALONG THE LIFECYCLE IN PROJECT
MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONS. In Proceedings of the International Annual
Conference of the American Society for Engineering Management. (pp. 1-11).
American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM).
Kermanshachi, S., & Safapour, E. (2020). Gap Analysis in Cost Estimation, Risk Analysis,
and Contingency Computation of Transportation Infrastructure Projects: A Guide to
Resource and Policy–Based Strategy Establishment. Practice Periodical on
Structural Design and Construction, 25(1), 06019004.
Luo, L., He, Q., Jaselskis, E. J., & Xie, J. (2017). Construction project complexity: research
trends and implications. Journal of construction engineering and management,
143(7), 04017019.
Velte, C. J., Wilfahrt, A., Müller, R., & Steinhilper, R. (2017). Complexity in a life cycle
perspective. Procedia CIRP, 61, 104-109.