2. Newer technologies
To increase the efficiency of delivering projects, most project managers prefer using advanced technologies. Depending on the industry you’re in, you may go for blockchain, the internet of things, machine learning and artificial intelligence, and more. These tools, however, are expensive to buy and maintain.
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On top of that, your team members would need time to be equipped with the skills necessary for using such technologies. For this reason, newer technologies, although helpful, may present another dimension of difficulty. The best PMP® practice exams often contain questions related to this kind of project complexity.
What principle of project management to use? When you face the dilemma of adopting new technologies, the best way to approach it is with the principle of stewardship, defined as the responsible planning and management of resources. Here’s how you can apply it to overcome project complexity:
- Before you invest in new technologies, collect data on existing tools you have. Are they maximized and optimized well? Will an upgrade be more cost-efficient than a new technology? Ask for feedback from your team members to know how existing technologies are being used. Determine if a new set of tech can help boost the returns on investment on your complex project.
- Create a resource management plan that details key aspects: specific requirements, allocation, and utilization. The necessary resources should be in a hierarchical list so you can readily see which ones are the priorities amid the project complexity.
- Assign the right human resources to the project, making sure that they're available and capable. If not, adjust the schedule of team members or include training sessions in your project’s timetable.
3. Multiple stakeholders’ involvement
The more stakeholders are involved in a project, the more complex it becomes. Take, for example, government projects, which typically require engagement with local authorities, contractors, consultants, special interest groups, and citizens, among others.
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With different stakeholders having different views, it’s sometimes difficult to find consensus about the details of the project. As the project develops, there could be miscommunication, misunderstandings, and missed expectations, making a highly complex project a complicated one.
What principle of project management to use? In this scenario, excellent stakeholder engagement is likewise crucial. As mentioned earlier, talk to your audience early on and often. Get as many inputs as possible, but make sure that everything is aligned to your overall goal.
Aside from stakeholder engagement, embrace the value of tailoring. Create a unique delivery approach based on your context, specifically the large stakeholder network you’re dealing with. Here are some tailoring steps you can follow to overcome this type of project complexity:
- Draw inspiration from the processes, tools, and techniques from the A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) when creating your unique methodology. Find one that closely resembles the multi-stakeholder nature of your project. Or, at the very least, find relevant approaches that you can scale up.
- As you execute the project, regularly assess if the elements you have selected to be part of your methodology work to the benefit of your team. If members are constantly modifying the process or completely not using it at all, that's a sign that the method isn't fit for the complex project you're handling. Regroup and adjust.
- Don’t forget to document the methodology you used so that you can use or tweak it for future complex projects which may have a huge stakeholder network.
4. Multiple partners’ involvement
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What principle of project management to use? What you need in a complex project like this is the value of strong leadership. You must be able to plan, decide, oversee, and inspire team members effectively. These are some ways you can tackle this project complexity with the leadership principle of project management:
- Create a thorough project plan. This is the most important leadership step. Without plotting your goals, scope, deliverables, and project schedule, you'll find yourself changing requirements every now and then. Your partners will be left overwhelmed and confused. With a good project plan, you’ll have a high-level picture of the project vision, know what kinds of skill sets and technologies you need, and ultimately reduce project complexity.
- Assign clear roles and responsibilities. To reduce functional overlaps and dependencies, make sure that each of your service providers has a clear idea of their team's scope, tasks, and deliverables.
- Measure the performance regularly. From the outset, have the right key performance indicators for each team. This will help in evaluating progress. Enforce regular reporting. If possible, create an incentive program that encourages excellent work amid the complex project you’re trying to accomplish.
5. Interdependence on multi-systems
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What principle of project management to use? To tackle this project complexity, you should adopt the principle of holistic thinking. Ask yourself always, “what’s the big picture?” Channel holistic thinking with these action steps:
- Inform your service providers regularly. From the start of your complex project, the service providers must understand what the other teams are doing. Throughout the implementation of integration, they must have regular updates so they can see the big picture and make adjustments to their timelines, if necessary.
- Plot a realistic project schedule. When you’re thinking holistically, you take into account the fact that integration of multiple systems takes time. Rather than pressuring providers to provide a shorter time frame for delivery, provide buffers for the delays that would accommodate additional tasks along the way. With this, you’ll be able to manage expectations from the complex project you’re handling.
- Create a causal loop diagram, a visual representation of the interconnected variables. Understanding how one element affects another, you'll be able to improve the integration of systems and reduce project complexity.
6. New territory or new market
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What principle of project management to use? Change management is the guiding concept you must remember when taking on new territory. These are some relevant strategies for overcoming this project complexity:
- Ask team members these key questions: what's your goal in entering the new market? What current need will your product or service address? Who’s your competitor? By asking these questions, you gradually get your team members’ buy-in for this huge transition you're embarking on, an important step in change management.
- Research and share market insights. Knowledge is power when leaping into new territory and dealing with a huge change and complex project in the organization. The more that you know, the better you can prepare. Therefore, conduct market analysis. Learn about the size of the market, the potential and existing customers, and their buying behaviors.
- Get expert opinions. They’re the ones who are deeply familiar with the uncharted territory you’re entering. It pays to consult with professionals about emerging trends in the industry. With their guidance, you will not only reduce project complexity but also tackle this major transition with better preparation.
From the start, project complexity is a crucial element every project manager must take into account. It will not only drive your endeavor to success, but also help you get there more efficiently even within the triple constraints of schedule, cost, and scope.
If you want to know more about project management principles, continue to visit our blog page. Feel free to use our exam simulator as you prepare for the certification test. The updated PMBOK® Guide, which contains the principles of project management, will not be included in the exam yet, but it's important to be familiar with the concepts already.