Drivers of Complexity in Engineering Projects

Abstract

This chapter investigates drivers of complexity in engineering projects. Based upon literature and empirical data, the TOE (technical, organizational, external) framework is developed, which captures the drivers of complexity in engineering projects. The empirical data was gathered by means of case studies in which interviews were held with three persons of six different projects. The resulting TOE framework consists of elements related to technical aspects, organizational aspects and external aspects of the project, all potentially contributing to project complexity. This chapter shows that organizational aspects can be considered as the particular drivers of project complexity. The interviewees seem to be well educated to deal with technical aspects; external aspects seem harder to recognise.