Understand, reduce, respond: project complexity management theory and practice

“

In working with organisations globally, the topic of complexity is at or near to the top of the agendas of CEOs. The discussions initiated by the field of complexity science have been most helpful in creating an understanding of the effects of complexity on organisations - both positive and negative. The complexity science approach has been predominantly a hard systems one, and I have found this limiting in application to practice. A richer, soft systems view, has the experience of managers in their attempts to deliver complex projects at the fore. I have applied the understand-reduce-respond approach in many organisations, yielding improved project portfolio performance. In addition, I use it to frame my teaching, with each of the elements of complexity providing the need for a response. For instance, this includes basic PM process as a response to predominantly structural complexities, stakeholder engagement and leadership as a response to socio-political complexities, and agile, risk and 'advanced project thinking' (contact for details) as responses to emergence. I would be more than happy to discuss any of these aspects further, as I see this as an important and growing conversation.

”