IT Project Management Complexity Framework: Managing and Understanding Complexity in IT Projects in a Remote Working Environment

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a sudden shift towards remote working in almost all industries, including the IT sector. Even after the lifting of lockdown restrictions, many IT companies have opted to continue with a remote or hybrid work situation. However, with the increase in remote working, new challenges have emerged, such as decreased effective communication among developers and between developers and customers. This decrease in communication can lead to misunderstandings about project requirements, system domain knowledge, and team standards and protocols, thereby increasing the risk of scope, cost, and time impediments. As technology continues to advance in the 21st century, IT project complexity naturally increases. However, a lack of understanding of the complexity of an IT system further increases the risk of project impediments. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze current Agile methodology practices and propose new or adjusted practices to mitigate the risk associated with complexity. This paper outlines an Agile framework incorporating these adjustments, which can help IT companies manage their projects more effectively and efficiently. However, further research into this topic is necessary to investigate the concept of project complexity. It is widely misunderstood, and focusing on complexity in IT projects can help IT companies better understand and manage the risks associated with complex projects. Additionally, research can be carried out on remote and hybrid working, specifically regarding team communication and misunderstanding. Such research can help companies overcome the challenges that arise due to remote working and ensure that they can continue to work efficiently and effectively even in a remote or hybrid work environment.