The main project complexity factors and their interdependencies in defence projects

This research identifies 18 main project complexity factors affecting defence projects and four new factors to the literature. Many interdependencies among the factors were identified, suggesting they form a contextualised project complexity network capable of creating emerging behaviours that would not be observable if they were analysed in isolation. These interdependencies make the project adapt and self-organise, resulting in emergent behaviour and unintended consequences beyond the team's ability to cope with them. These characteristics challenge the classic view of project management based on objectivity, reductionism, control, and predictability in favour of new approaches based on subjectivity, systemic thinking, and adaptability. Moreover, the lower the team's delivery capacity, the greater the perception of the project complexity's effects, given that the project team will not have the capacity to manage and respond to these many interactions and elements. This systemic view contrast with the usual functionalist approach used on project complexity frameworks.