Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Skip to main content

IT Project Management Complexity Framework: Managing and Understanding Complexity in IT Projects in a Remote Working Environment

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
HCI in Business, Government and Organizations (HCII 2024)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a sudden shift towards remote working in almost all industries, including the IT sector. Even after the lifting of lockdown restrictions, many IT companies have opted to continue with a remote or hybrid work situation. However, with the increase in remote working, new challenges have emerged, such as decreased effective communication among developers and between developers and customers. This decrease in communication can lead to misunderstandings about project requirements, system domain knowledge, and team standards and protocols, thereby increasing the risk of scope, cost, and time impediments. As technology continues to advance in the 21st century, IT project complexity naturally increases. However, a lack of understanding of the complexity of an IT system further increases the risk of project impediments. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze current Agile methodology practices and propose new or adjusted practices to mitigate the risk associated with complexity. This paper outlines an Agile framework incorporating these adjustments, which can help IT companies manage their projects more effectively and efficiently. However, further research into this topic is necessary to investigate the concept of project complexity. It is widely misunderstood, and focusing on complexity in IT projects can help IT companies better understand and manage the risks associated with complex projects. Additionally, research can be carried out on remote and hybrid working, specifically regarding team communication and misunderstanding. Such research can help companies overcome the challenges that arise due to remote working and ensure that they can continue to work efficiently and effectively even in a remote or hybrid work environment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. The high cost of low performance: The Essential Role of Communications. Project Management Institute (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Al-Habaibeh, A., Watkins, M., Waried, K., Javareshk, M.B.: Challenges and opportunities of remotely working from home during Covid-19 pandemic. Global Trans. 3, 99–108 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glt.2021.11.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Badewi, A.: The impact of project management (pm) and benefits management (bm) practices on project success: Towards developing a project benefits governance framework. Int. J. Project Manage. 34(4), 761–778 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2015.05.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Cerezo-Narváez, A., Pastor-Fernández, A., Otero-Mateo, M., Ballesteros-Pérez, P.: The influence of knowledge on managing risk for the success in complex construction projects: the IPMA approach. Sustainability 14(15), 9711 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159711

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Cristóbal, J.S.: Complexity in project management. Proc. Comput. Sci. 121, 762–766 (Nov 2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2017.11.098

  6. Danielak, W., Wysocki, R.: The impact of remote work during the covid-19 pandemic on the development of competences in selected areas of project management. Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Skłodowska, sectio H - Oeconomia 56(2), 7–20 (2022). https://doi.org/10.17951/h.2022.56.2.7-20

  7. Delany, K.: What challenges will organisations face transitioning for the first time to the new normal of remote working? Hum. Resour. Dev. Int. 25(5), 642–650 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2021.2017391

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Dybå, T., Dingsøyr, T.: Empirical studies of agile software development: a systematic review. Inf. Softw. Technol. 50(9–10), 833–859 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infsof.2008.01.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Emblemsvåg, J.: Risk and complexity - on complex risk management. J. Risk Fin. 21(1), 37–54 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1108/jrf-09-2019-0165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Erickson, J., Lyytinen, K., Siau, K.: Agile modeling, agile software development, and extreme programming. J. Database Manage. 16(4), 88–100 (2005). https://doi.org/10.4018/jdm.2005100105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Felfe, J., et al.: Working from home: Opportunities and risks for working conditions, leadership, and health, pp. 335–341 (12 2022). https://doi.org/10.24405/14574

  12. Ferrara, B., Pansini, M., De Vincenzi, C., Buonomo, I., Benevene, P.: Investigating the role of remote working on employees’ performance and well-being: an evidence-based systematic review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 19(19), 12373 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912373

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. George, G., Lakhani, K.R., Puranam, P.: What has changed? the impact of covid pandemic on the technology and innovation management research agenda. J. Manage. Stud. 57(8), 1754–1758 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12634, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/joms.12634

  14. Jafari Navimipour, N., Charband, Y.: Knowledge sharing mechanisms and techniques in project teams: literature review, classification, and current trends. Comput. Human Behav. 62, 730–742 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.05.003, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563216303211

  15. Jamal, M., Anwar, I., Khan, N., Saleem, I.: Work during Covid 19: assessing the influence of job demands and resources on practical and psychological outcomes for employees. Asia-Pacific J. Business Adm. 13, 293–319 (02 2021). https://doi.org/10.1108/APJBA-05-2020-0149

  16. Keeler, J.B., Scuderi, N.F., Brock Baskin, M.E., Jordan, P.C., Meade, L.M.: How job resources can shape perspectives that lead to better performance: a remote worker field study. J. Org. Effective.: People Perform. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1108/joepp-04-2023-0154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Kermanshachi, S., Dao, B., Shane, J., Anderson, S.: An empirical study into identifying project complexity management strategies. Proc. Eng. 145, 603–610 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.04.050

  18. Kermanshachi, S., Dao, B., Shane, J., Anderson, S.: Project complexity indicators and management strategies - a delphi study. Proc. Eng. 145, 587–594 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.04.048

  19. Li, R., Yang, N., Zhang, Y., Liu, H.: Risk propagation and mitigation of design change for complex product development (cpd) projects based on multilayer network theory. Comput. Indust. Eng. 142, 106370 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2020.106370, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360835220301042

  20. Luo, L., He, Q., Jaselskis, E.J., Xie, J.: Construction project complexity: Research trends and implications. J. Construct. Eng. Manage. 143(7) (2017). https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)co.1943-7862.0001306

  21. Marle, F.: An assistance to project risk management based on complex systems theory and agile project management. Complexity 2020, 1–0 (Oct 2020). https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3739129

  22. Nyman, H.J., Öörni, A.: Successful projects or success in project management - are projects dependent on a methodology? Int. J. Inform. Syst. Project Manage. 11(4), 5-25 (Dec 2023). https://doi.org/10.12821/ijispm110401

  23. Okpara, L., Werner, C., Murray, A., Damian, D.: The role of informal communication in building shared understanding of non-functional requirements in remote continuous software engineering. Require. Eng. 28(4), 595–617 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00766-023-00404-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Padalkar, M., Gopinath, S.: Are complexity and uncertainty distinct concepts in project management? a taxonomical examination from literature. Int. J. Project Manage. 34(4), 688–700 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2016.02.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Ramesh, B., Cao, L., Baskerville, R.: Agile requirements engineering practices and challenges: an empirical study. Inf. Syst. J. 20(5), 449–480 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2575.2007.00259.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Reed, A.H., Knight, L.V.: Effect of a virtual project team environment on communication-related project risk. Int. J. Project Manage. 28(5), 422–427 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2009.08.002, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026378630900088X

  27. Sathe, C.A., Panse, C.: Analyzing the impact of agile mindset adoption on software development teams productivity during Covid-19. J. Adv. Manage. Res. 20(1), 96–115 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1108/jamr-05-2022-0088

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Taleb, H., Ismail, S., Wahab, M.H., Rani, W.N.: Communication management between architects and clients. AIP Conf. Proc. (2017). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5005469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Turk, D., Robert, F., Rumpe, B.: Assumptions underlying agile software-development processes. J. Database Manage. 16(4), 62–87 (2005). https://doi.org/10.4018/jdm.2005100104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Umaji, K., Paireekreng, W.: A study of the remote working efficiency in it project implementation during the Covid-19 pandemic. WSEAS Trans. Bus. Econom. 20, 400-409 (Feb 2023). https://doi.org/10.37394/23207.2023.20.37

  31. Wang, C.M., Xu, B.B., Zhang, S.J., Chen, Y.Q.: Influence of personality and risk propensity on risk perception of Chinese construction project managers. Int. J. Project Manage. 34(7), 1294–1304 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2016.07.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Yan, K., Xia, E., Li, J., Gao, F.: Do teams need their employees to work remotely? a simulation analysis based on a multi-layer interactive system. Expert Syst. Appl. 236, 121372 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2023.121372

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tevin Moodley .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Evans, M.R., Moodley, T. (2024). IT Project Management Complexity Framework: Managing and Understanding Complexity in IT Projects in a Remote Working Environment. In: Nah, F.FH., Siau, K.L. (eds) HCI in Business, Government and Organizations. HCII 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14721. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-61318-0_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-61318-0_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-61317-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-61318-0

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics