HELP - A Research Essay

I would think that the importance/criticality of the project is the determining factor for deciding on how to manage it. The more important a project is, the more attention that managing it will receive.

Bernard Ertl
InterPlan Systems Inc. - Project Management Software, Project Planning Software

I would also say it depends on how much control and visibility the project Sponsor wants / needs. Some don’t mind a very loosely managed project and some almost impose micro-management on the poor PM.

Additionally, a technically complex project may be technically complex but in a single discipline. So one, dedicated and skilled engineer could do it all, start to finish.

Once you introduce more disciplines, more designers, more contractors and different layers of customer (all with conflicting wants and needs), that is where management is necessary. It may not be technically complex, but the project environment is.

Namaste

"...complexity of the work..." work eq. project ?

"..best managed.." manage the work = project.

Shall i put it this way:

Case A: To build a single toilet . Place an MBA personnel to manage the work / project.

Case B: To build mega hightech buildings with hundreds CCTV/sensor/hiden camera fit-in toilets systems within. Place a PMP personnel to manage the work / project.

Case C: Place a business mgmt theorist in the toilet to figure out whats the toilet are for.

peace

Hmmmm,

The complexity does, and does not, affect how the project is managed. As one reply says, if it is all in one discipline then that’s a lot easier.

Complexity is a Systems Engineering issue. If the project is complex, how big is your WBS?, then you need tools from the Systems Engineering field.

However, these things run along a continuous spectrum and you’ll only notice the difference when you make large changes in complexity. Check out some work by Shenar and Dvir.

Hope this helps.

Sorry about the delay in replying; I’ve noticed in a number of cases, that the way in which the project is managed depends not just on technical complexity but on political considerations as well, notably who the project sponsor is.

The nature, extent and degree of project management can often be determined by the project’s "buildability"...in other words, how simple or complex is it to turn hundreds of pages of documentation, specifications and drawings into a definitive three dimensional structure...?

I never fail to appreciate the ability of humans to be able to convert hard-copy paper or electronic data or even the engineer’s and architect’s indeterminate concepts into some of the world’s most incredible buildings and structures!!
Stuart
www.rosmartin.com