The term 'simple project' is an oxymoron - every project is complex, some are big and complicated as well.
What do you people think? Saving Changes...
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Deepesh RammoorthyICT Project Manager ( PMP®AgilePM®Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®))| Australian Red Cross Blood ServiceTarneit, Vic, Australia
Easy way to understand is Communication Channels. how many stakeholders does your project have , besides yourself.??...25.....You have 300 communication channels. your project is already complex.
Possibly you could time box simple projects and say ..if the project ends in six months it's a lot simpler. Some Feasibility projects, Prototyping ones or projects that are kicked off with a small budget just to give you an order of magnitude of the much bigger project that may be initiated at the back of it , could technically be a simple project , but it's really subjective Saving Changes...
Complexity is related to different layers (technical layer, orrganisational layer, process layer, relationship layer between people involded and communication, project environment like government rules and compliance regulations) plus the neuroscience fact how our human brain deals with complexity, it is impossible to define a "complexity standard identification set of rules" for projects. It always depends on the individual project situation and the people being involved. Saving Changes...
Heidi CookManager, Nuclear Fleet Projects| Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)Summerville, Ga, United States
I agree that all projects have a degree of complexity. A project most likely gets approved because it is important to SOMEONE at your organization - shrugging it off as easy not only sets you up for failure as the project manager, but also is a disservice to your key stakeholders that want to make sure that their benefits get achieved. Saving Changes...
Projects can have varying levels of complexity, and a large project can be simple. I think a more critical factor in project success is the complexity of the organization and the environment in which the project is being performed. I distinguish between this and project complexity because it is independent of the project. The outcome of a project may increase or decrease organizational complexity, or have a net zero effect. Saving Changes...
Vishakha SharmaPMP, PSM, Sr Project Manager, Agile and Scrum, Delivery Manager| Artha Learning, Swiftwin, Tech Mahindra Ltd, Upside Learning Solutions Pvt LtdPune, Maharashtra, India
A project might seem ‘simple’ if there are many similar projects done earlier. Either the project manager has executed similar projects earlier, or there is ample amount of documentation (knowledge) available for a particular project. In this case, a project might turn out to be simple.
Complexity can come in if we take up a completely new initiative. With more stakeholders, more budget, more risk and many uncertainties. A small project can also turn complex if the risks have not been identified well.
Larger project teams can be managed well if one has done a proper planning and the plan is being followed. I wont say that it will eliminate the complexity, but it will definitely reduce it to greater level. Saving Changes...
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