Managing Complexity

  • terms and definitions,
  • internal vs. external complexity, system delineation, types and drivers of complexity,
  • projects and organizations as complex social systems,
  • human factors research findings on complexity management,
  • management approaches and their effect on the dynamic of systems,
  • using the CYNEFIN framework to control projects,
  • strategies for dealing with insecurity, uncertainty, complexity (individual, team, project, organization)

Mode of delivery

face to face

Type

compulsory

Recommended or required reading and other learning resources/tools

tbd

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

lecture, group tasks, presentation, discussion

Assessment methods and criteria

assessment of the quality of student assignments and participation

Prerequisites and co-requisites

Decision-Making and Change

Infos

Degree programme

Projectmanagement & Organisation (Master)

Cycle

Master

ECTS Credits

2.00

Language of instruction

English

Curriculum

Part-Time

Academic year

2023

Semester

3 WS

Incoming

No

Learning outcome

After successfully completing this course, students will be able to

  • explain the key terms “complexity”, “insecurity“, “uncertainty“ and “risk“ and relate these to each other,
  • understand the internal complexity of systems as (attempt at) depicting external complexity as well as identify and illustrate essential drivers of complexity in organizations and projects,
  • explain projects and organizations as complex social systems and understand the contribution of humans (as complex element in organizations) both to complexity and also as reaction to complexity (for the solution of complex tasks in organizations),
  • understand and assess the characteristics and principles of different management approaches (classical, agile, etc.) in their effect on the dynamic of systems, and
  • develop strategies to deal with insecurity, uncertainty and the momentum of complex systems und to reduce complexity at individual, team, project as well as organization level.

Course code

0388-20-01-BB-DE-23a