Complexity in the Context of Information Systems Project Management

Main Article Content

Alexei Botchkarev
Patrick Finnigan

Abstract

Complexity is an inherent attribute of any project. The purpose of defining and documenting complexity is to enable a project team to foresee resulting challenges in a timely manner, and take steps to alleviate them.

The main contribution of this article is to present a systematic view of complexity in project management by identifying its key attributes and classifying complexity by these attributes. A “complexity taxonomy” is developed and discussed within three levels: the product, the project and the external environment.

Complexity types are described through simple real-life examples. Then a framework (tool) is developed for applying the notion of complexity as an early warning tool.

The article is intended for researchers in complexity, project management, information systems, technology solutions and business management, and also for information specialists, project managers, program managers, financial staff and technology directors.

Article Details

Section
Research Articles (PEER REVIEWED)
Author Biographies

Alexei Botchkarev, Adjunct Professor, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada

Alexei Botchkarev is an Adjunct Professor at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE. Dr. Botchkarev is a Senior Information Management Advisor with the Health Data Branch, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Ontario. Alexei holds a Bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering from the Kiev Aviation Engineering Academy (1975), Ukraine, and Ph.D. from the aerospace R&D Institute (1985). Also, he is a Project Management Professional (PMP) certified by Project Management Institute (PMI) and Certified Modelling and Simulation Professional (M&SPCC NTSA/NDIA).

Patrick Finnigan, Instruments & Information, Toronto, Canada.

Patrick Finnigan is a Professional Electrical Engineer, and Senior Member of the IEEE. He spent a 40 year career mainly building commercial software products like compilers and databases, but also helping to architect and build several  large enterprise-wide software applications. He holds a B.Sc.Physics (York) and an M.Math (Waterloo, 1994).

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