Construction project complexity
Improving Infrastructure Delivery: Project Initiation Routemap, Handbook, Version 2 June 2016, published by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, states: ‘Project complexity is a measure of the inherent difficulty of delivering a project based on factors such as stakeholder alignment; interconnectedness of projects; systems & organisations and the level of innovation required etc. The Routemap uses the Delivery Environment Complexity Assessment (DECA) published by the NAO for complexity assessment.’
Project Routemap, Setting up projects for success, Organisational Design & Development, UK Module, published by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority in 2021, states: ‘In the context of Routemap, project complexity is a measure of the inherent difficulty of delivering a project. This is assessed on factors such as the stability of the wider delivery environment, the level of innovation required, and the number of stakeholders involved.’
ICMS: Global Consistency in Presenting Construction Life Cycle Costs and Carbon Emissions, 3rd edition, November 2021, published by the ICMS (International Cost Management Standard) Coalition, defines Project Complexity as: ‘The relative intricacy of a Project or Sub-Project by reference to its form, design, site constraints, method or timing of construction, renewal, operation, maintenance or end of life activities.’
Cost prediction, Professional Statement, 1st edition, published in November 2020 by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), defines complexity as: ‘The number of elements, their interactions and the strength of impacts on a defined system with regard to decision making, project control and predictable asset delivery.’
See also: Complexity theory and Complex project.
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