April 2026
Intermediate
400 pages
9h 26m
English
Content preview from The Strategic Project Manager's Guide to Complex Projects
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22Mapping Complex Projects: An Online Model
22.1 Introduction to an Online Model
Complex projects present a unique set of challenges for project managers and organizations. As discussed in previous chapters, navigating these challenges requires a structured understanding of the sources and types of complexity present in a project.
To address this need, the online complexity model created by Herszon (2025) provides practitioners with a free systematic approach to assess, visualize, and respond to project complexity using fifteen distinct dimensions covered in Chapters 5–19. This section introduces the model, its theoretical foundation, and its practical relevance.
22.1.1 The Rationale for a Complexity Model
Modern projects are rarely simple. They often involve multiple stakeholders, ambiguous requirements, shifting technologies, and uncertain environments. Traditional project management tools may not fully capture the nuances of such complexity. The online complexity model was developed based on the author's doctoral thesis, with the goal of filling this gap by offering a simple but evidence‐based framework that allows users to diagnose and map complexity across a standardized set of dimensions. This mapping supports better decision‐making, risk management, and communication throughout the project lifecycle.
22.1.2 The Fifteen Complexity Dimensions
The model is built around fifteen dimensions, each representing a critical aspect of project complexity. These dimensions, derived ...
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