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PM-04 -4 th Exploring complexity in construction projects

Conference Paper · May 2008

DOI: 10.13140/2.1.3543.6808

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4 authors:

Dimitris Antoniadis F. T. Edum-Fotwe

ISCM Foundation Loughborough University
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Antony Thorpe Ronald Mccaffer

Loughborough University Loughborough University
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 PM-04 - 4th SCPM & 1st IPMA/MedNet Conference
“Project Management Advances, Training & Certification in the Mediterranean”
29-31 May 2008, Chios Island, Greece.

Exploring complexity in construction projects

Dimitris Antoniadis
(Loughborough University, Lough., UK)

Francis Edum-Fotwe
(Loughborough University, Lough., UK)

Antony Thorpe
(Loughborough University, Lough., UK)

Ronald McCaffer
(Loughborough University, Lough., UK)

Abstract
Construction projects involve and generate a number of interfaces between the
various parties as these come together to deliver the output. Projects are typically
characterised by complexity and previous analyses have been conducted mainly
from the technical perspective. Only recently the subject of complexity has been
linked to non-technical project aspects such as behavioural, social, cultural and
interconnections. This paper is set out to describe the initial findings from 31
interviews with construction Project Managers which were carried out as part of an
extensive investigation into socio-organisation complexity and its characteristics as
this is created by the interconnection structures. In addition to the interviews, a
postal survey and five case studies have been carried out all focusing in the areas
of selecting project team members, structuring the project team and the
management style followed by the Project Managers. Results indicate that
complexity although recognised is not defined and is identified predominantly by
the control and mechanistic parts of project management processes.

Keywords
Project Complexity, Complexity Characteristics, Project Performance, Construction

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