Preface xxv Acknowledgments xxvii AI Disclaimer xxix About the Companion Website xxxi Part I Understanding Complexity in Modern Projects 1 1 Introduction to Complexity 3 1.1 Definitions and Perspectives 3 1.2 Project Complexity 7 1.3 Exercises and Discussions 11 Individual or Group Exercises 11 Discussion Points 11 Multiple-Choice Questions 12 References 13 2 The VUCA World and Complex Projects 17 2.1 Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA) 17 2.2 How VUCA Impacts Project Management 20 2.3 Case Studies and Examples 29 2.4 Exercises and Discussions 31 Individual or Group Exercises 31 Discussion Points 33 Multiple-Choice Questions 33 References 34 3 Introduction to Complexity Dimensions 37 3.

1 Overview of Factors Influencing Complexity 37 3.2 Methodology for Identifying Complexity Factors 43 3.3 Exercises and Discussions 46 Individual or Group Exercises 46 Discussion Points 47 Multiple-Choice Questions 47 References 48 Part II Navigating the Drivers of Complexity 51 4 Behavioral Issues 53 4.1 Organizational and Human Behavior 53 4.2 Explanation and Implications 56 4.3 Strategies for Management 60 4.4 Exercises and Discussions 62 Individual or Group Exercises 62 Discussion Points 63 Multiple Choice Questions 64 References 65 5 Budgetary Constraints 67 5.1 Explanation and Implications 67 5.

2 Strategies for Management 71 5.3 Exercises and Discussions 76 Individual or Group Exercises 76 Discussion Points 77 Multiple Choice Questions 77 References 78 6 Clarity of Goals 81 6.1 Explanation and Implications 81 6.2 Strategies for Management 85 6.3 Exercises and Discussions 91 Individual or Group Exercises 91 Discussion Points 91 Multiple Choice Questions 92 References 93 7 Communication Quality 95 7.1 Explanation and Implications 95 7.2 Strategies for Management 99 7.3 Exercises and Discussions 104 Individual or Group Exercises 104 Discussion Points 105 Multiple-Choice Questions 105 References 106 8 Degree of Trust 107 8.

1 Explanation and Implications 107 8.2 Strategies for Management 111 8.3 Exercises and Discussions 117 Individual or Group Exercises 117 Discussion Points 117 Multiple-Choice Questions 118 References 118 9 Dependencies and Interdependencies 119 9.1 Explanation and Implications 119 9.2 Strategies for Management 122 9.3 Exercises and Discussions 128 Individual or Group Exercises 128 Discussion Points 129 Multiple-Choice Questions 129 Reference 130 10 Knowledge and Experience 131 10.1 Explanation and Implications 131 10.2 Strategies for Management 136 10.

3 Exercises and Discussions 142 Individual or Group Exercises 142 Discussion Points 142 Multiple-Choice Questions 143 Reference 144 11 Organizational Capability and Maturity 145 11.1 Explanation and Implications 145 11.2 Strategies for Management 151 11.3 Exercises and Discussions 156 Individual or Group Exercises 156 Discussion Points 157 Multiple-Choice Questions 157 References 158 12 Pace and Speed to Market 159 12.1 Explanation and Implications 159 12.2 Strategies for Management 163 12.3 Exercises and Discussions 168 Individual or Group Exercises 168 Discussion Points 168 Multiple-Choice Questions 169 Reference 170 13 Political Influence 171 13.1 Explanation and Implications 171 13.

2 Strategies for Management 174 13.3 Exercises and Discussions 179 Individual or Group Exercises 179 Discussion Points 179 Multiple-Choice Questions 180 References 181 14 Product and Project Size 183 14.1 Explanation and Implications 183 14.2 Strategies for Management 186 14.3 Exercises and Discussions 191 Discussion Points 191 Multiple-Choice Questions 192 References 193 15 Risks 195 15.1 Explanation and Implications 195 15.2 Strategies for Management 198 15.3 Exercises and Discussions 202 Individual or Group Exercises 202 Discussion Points 203 Multiple-Choice Questions 203 References 204 16 Stakeholder Interaction and Engagement 205 16.

1 Explanation and Implications 205 16.2 Strategies for Management 209 16.3 Exercises and Discussions 213 Individual or Group Exercises 213 Discussion Points 214 Multiple-Choice Questions 214 Reference 215 17 Technological Innovation and Change 217 17.1 Explanation and Implications 217 17.2 Strategies for Management 221 17.3 Exercises and Discussions 225 Individual or Group Exercises 225 Discussion Points 226 Multiple-Choice Questions 226 References 227 18 Time Frame 229 18.1 Explanation and Implications 229 18.2 Strategies for Management 233 18.

3 Exercises and Discussions 237 Individual or Group Exercises 237 Discussion Points 238 Multiple-Choice Questions 238 References 239 19 Uncertainty 241 19.1 Explanation and Implications 241 19.2 Strategies for Management 245 19.3 Exercises and Discussions 249 Individual or Group Exercises 249 Discussion Points 250 Multiple-Choice Questions 250 References 251 20 Other Factors Influencing Complexity 253 20.1 Additional Factors and Considerations 253 20.2 How It All Connects 257 20.3 Exercises and Discussions 261 Individual or Group Exercises 261 Discussion Points 261 Multiple-Choice Questions 262 References 263 Part III Expanding the Complexity View 265 21 Leveraging Artificial Intelligence 267 21.1 AI and Complexity 267 21.

2 AI Tools and Techniques 270 21.3 Case Studies and Best Practices 272 21.4 Exercises and Discussions 277 Individual or Group Exercises 277 Discussion Points 277 Multiple-Choice Questions 278 References 278 22 Mapping Complex Projects: An Online Model 281 22.1 Introduction to an Online Model 281 22.2 How to Use the Model 284 22.3 Exercises and Discussions 287 Individual or Group Exercises 287 Discussion Points 288 Reference 289 23 Program and Portfolio Management 291 23.1 Definitions 291 23.2 Overview of Complexity in Program Management 294 23.

3 Overview of Complexity in Portfolio Management 297 23.4 Exercises and Discussions 300 Individual or Group Exercises 300 Discussion Points 300 Multiple-Choice Questions 301 References 302 24 Complexity Management and the Project Manager Career Path 305 24.1 Traditional Career Path 305 24.2 Current Career Path 307 24.3 How Complexity Can Impact the Career Path 309 24.4 Exercises and Discussions 313 Individual or Group Exercises 313 Discussion Points 314 Multiple-Choice Questions 314 References 315 Part IV From Insight to Action 317 25 Simplifying Complexity 319 25.1 Recommendations 319 25.2 Benefits 325 25.

3 Exercises and Discussions 330 Individual or Group Exercises 330 Discussion Points 330 Multiple-Choice Questions 331 References 332 26 Developing a Personal Strategy for Managing Complexity 335 26.1 Creating Your Toolkit 335 26.2 Metrics for Complex Projects 342 26.3 Exercises and Discussions 347 Individual or Group Exercises 347 Discussion Points 347 Multiple-Choice Questions 348 References 349 Conclusion 351 Index 353.