Managing complex projects and systems: a literature synthesis

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive synthesis of the seminal literature in complex systems to identify a group of key complex systems parameters and models relevant to both systems engineering and construction project management. The key research question addressed is whether the traditional practice of engineering, particularly as applied to project management and systems engineering projects, would benefit from recognising the large body of work of complex adaptive systems. A conceptual framework, which applies to both complex construction projects and systems engineering projects is presented to assist your system engineers and project managers in dealing with project complexity. Adaptivity is required in complex projects and this responsibility needs to be at the enterprise level of programs and portfolios. Complex adaptive systems models such as Ashby's law of requisite variety, fractals and Power Laws, emergence, self-organisation and dynamic systems could benefit project based enterprises and system engineers. A group of complex systems tools, which are often neglected, such as mindfulness, preoccupation with failure, normalising deviance and humility are highlighted. A group of non-functional requirements for systems engineering projects is also proposed.

Socio-Technical and Political Complexities: Findings from Two Case Studies of Large IT Project-Based Organizations

“…Open and axial coding This study used abductive logic referring to the existing frameworks of project complexity factors [4,5] to run an iterative series of coding on the empirical data collected through the series of interviews.…”

“…Complexity hampers timely project delivery, stakeholder satisfaction, value delivery, and the realization of benefits. The success or failure of a project is directly related to the complexity inherent to that project and the ability of the management team to adopt relevant instruments [3][4][5]. Multiple projects fail to achieve their objectives and exhibit poor performance due to the inability of project management teams to recognize, evaluate, and manage complexity.…”

“…Multiple projects fail to achieve their objectives and exhibit poor performance due to the inability of project management teams to recognize, evaluate, and manage complexity. Every recent project has exhibited some degree of complexity [4][5][6]. Constant technological advancements and fundamental developments in management complexity have been noted as essential aspects of project management [7].…”

“…Current research demonstrates the importance of recognizing complexity in project management [4,6,8,9]. Several reasons are identified, including challenges in determining planning, coordination, and control requirements; correct identification of the objectives in large IT projects; effectiveness in determining the appropriate form of organization; and the experience that project team members are required to have [10].…”

A Chaotic Fish Swarm Algorithm-Based Model for Assessing the Mental Health Status of Older Adults

“…e raw respiratory signals and recordings acquired by existing thoracic or patch devices are subject to different noise interferences such as EMG, baseline drift, noise at the electrode contact, and industrial frequency interference of the instrument, like the ECG signals mentioned above [20].…”