Managing The Edge Of Chaos

Authors

John Clark, Harrisburg University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

The purpose of this research sought to investigate the relationship between project management competencies and project complexity upon project success. A literature review indicates that project complexity is a primary source of project failure. A gap exists concerning how project management competencies and project complexity predict project success. The first research question was, “To what extent do project management competencies predict project success?” The second research question was, “To what extent does project complexity predict project success?” A quantitative method nonexperimental research design, using a correlational approach, was deployed. The theory of complexity explains that the relationship between project management competencies and project success is influenced by project complexity. The standard project management model and the expanded standard project management model were used to relate the three variables. The study population was project management professional certified project managers, who operated in the United States of America, and who completed a project within the last six months from the time of this research. Research results showed that project management competencies positively predict project success. Results were inconclusive concerning whether project complexity predicts project success. The predictive model involving project management competencies and project complexity upon project success is a good model. The predictive model offers insight into managing project complexity. Using project management competencies, project managers can establish an environment built on collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Using collaboration and knowledge-sharing, project managers can seize creativity and ingenuity, available in complex systems through interdependence, to influence project success.

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