Agile Project Management and Complexity: A Reappraisal

This research monograph explores the impact and current status of complexity-related concepts in the early stages of development of Agile Project Management (APM). It argues that more profound inter- and multi-disciplinary studies are needed to address the challenges of complexity in project management. The book is written for the research community and offers a conceptual framework for further theoretical studies and ways to improve and refine APM to deal with complexity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 114 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive research monograph delves into the profound impact and current status of applications of complexity-related concepts in the early stages of development of Agile Project Management (APM). Serving as an introductory guide, the findings shed light on the potential for exploring deeper connections between complexity-related ideas and APM in the future.

The emergence of Agile Project Management in the 1990s was primarily driven by the increasing complexity of software projects and their dynamic environments. This complexity necessitated the development of a family of methodological frameworks, known as Agile Project Management. The foundation of APM lies in a broad area of research known as complexity science or complexity theory, which draws upon complex adaptive systems (CAS) and their distinctive characteristics. These characteristics include complexity, chaos, the edge of chaos, emergent properties, non-linearity, self-organization, and more.

In the 21st century, with Agile's expansion beyond software development, the challenges posed by the complexity of projects and environments have become even more urgent and compelling. This necessitates a more profound inter- and multi-disciplinary exploration of these phenomena. This book aims to examine the impact of applications of complexity-related ideas derived from intuitive complexity and complexity science in the early stages of the development of Agile methodological frameworks in project management. It also considers the current status of these applications and raises questions about their usefulness in practice and theory of APM.

Furthermore, the book proposes a conceptual framework for further theoretical studies and offers several ways to improve and refine Agile Project Management to effectively address the broad complexity encountered in project management. The research is intended for professionals with a medium-level knowledge of complexity studies and a background in project management. By delving into the interplay between complexity-related concepts and APM, this monograph contributes to the ongoing development and refinement of project management approaches in the face of rapidly evolving challenges.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032006543