ABSTRACT
A key factor underpinning the complexity of working in projects is that, although we would like them to be stand-alone entities that we can manage as such, they are actually embedded in a wider ecosystem. Projects are not closed systems but, rather, they are open and necessarily interact with their organisational environment. This significantly adds to the challenge that managers face and even seemingly simple and straightforward projects often belie their complexity. Sometimes the complexity is clearly apparent – perhaps it involves new technologies or innovative methods and processes. However, the complexity often lies in the less apparent, such as a diverse range of stakeholders or changing market conditions.
