SOCIO-ORGANO COMPLEXITY, PROJECT SCHEDULE PERFORMANCE AND UNDERDAMPED TRANSIENT MOTION

International Journal of Chaos, Control, Modelling and Simulation (IJCCMS) Vol.9, No.4, December 2020
DOI:10.5121/ijccms.2020.9401 1
SOCIO-ORGANO COMPLEXITY, PROJECT SCHEDULE
PERFORMANCE AND UNDERDAMPED TRANSIENT
MOTION
Dimitris N. Antoniadis
Director of Programme, Project and PMO, DANTON PROGM, London, UK
Senior Lecturer, London Metropolitan College, London, UK
ABSTRACT
Complexity is an inherent property of all systems and a result of interconnections. In projects various
systems come together to deliver the required outcome(s). The most common type of project complexity
mentioned / considered in practice is the technical complexity and this has always been considered a main
factor which affects project performance. Despite that, projects are delivered by people who interface
continuously and therefore are effected by complexity, and in particular that caused by socio-organo
interfaces and the boundaries between the various teams and parties. This has not been investigated.
Socio-organo complexity leads to reduction in performance if interconnections are not managed. Research
has been carried out to understand the effects of complexity through project management processes on
project schedule and performance, aiming towards the development of a tool and identification of actions
that will enable the management of these effects. The author presents results of five case studies, which
demonstrate that socio-organo complexity affects performance and these results have similarities with the
behaviour of underdamped control systems. The results have significant implications on the way socio-
organisational complexity can be managed, how processes are implemented, but also enable parallels to
be drawn between the fields of project management and control systems. Considering control systems
theory proposals are made in this paper for actions to be taken which will contribute towards the
management of the effects of socio-organo complexity on projects.
KEYWORDS
Complexity, Interconnections, Project Schedule Performance, Control Systems, Crisis Management
1. INTRODUCTION
In the majority projects involve a large number of parties and therefore interconnections.
Interconnections generate complexity [1], [2], [3] which has defined characteristics [4]. In the last
few years a number of suggestions have been made regarding the management of its effects [2],
[5],[6],[7], [8]. In practical terms the relationship between complexity and project performance
has been considered as an exponentially decaying function. Various recommendations have been
made for managing the technical and time element of complexity [2] but very little in terms of
the soft side / socio-organisational aspects of complexity of interconnections and its effects [9].
However, processes such as selecting team members, structuring the project team, or the
management style adopted (soft processes) and how these affect and are affected by complexity
have not been considered. The author presents results from five case studies, conducted in the
UK construction industry with client and construction organisations, and which investigated the
effect of socio-organo complexity on project performance, as well as wider issues. The results
demonstrate that the relationship is not that of an exponential decay curve but one of an
underdamped transient motion. They also verify that there is a strong relationship between

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complexity and project performance and confirm the non-linearity of project management. The
study outputs enabled the design, development and validation of a framework for the
management of effects of complexity. Additionally, enable parallels to be drawn from the theory
of systems control and which will allow for the implementation of actions that will enable the
management of the effects of complexity on projects.
2. BACKGROUND
It has been shown that the management of projects occurs in a complex environment [10], [11],
[12]. From earlier studies it has been shown that interfaces in projects have to be managed [1]
and that these generate complexity [13], [2], [5]. From the complexity theory side it has been
shown [3] that it is associated with the interconnection structures that connect / relate various
objects and not the objects themselves and it is defined as the natural outcome of the interactions
of dynamic relationships [9]. Applying complexity theory to the management of projects will
enable the systematic consideration of the conditions that give rise to such complexity and project
management can be defined as:
‘The management of transient, dynamic and complex adaptive systems / agents, so as to deliver
the expected change within certain parameters that are established by phenomenically ordered
and stable environments’ [9].
Previous studies [14], [15] highlight that in order to design more efficient project deliver systems
and subsystems, from the soft view point, we need to understand and optimise the structuring of
the interconnections of these systems and subsystems as well as the characteristics of the
interconnections. This will enable project managers to prepare the set-up of the project and be
ready to respond with the necessary actions at the appropriate stage.
From the review of three systems theories [4] has proposed that complexity has 18 distinct
characteristics. 16 of these characteristics were identified as directly relevant, they were mapped
onto project conditions and detailed description and relevance has been presented in [16].
Generally, in projects the environment is not only evanescent, but it is also characterised by
complexity and reflects a dynamic process involving non-linear procedures [12]. Work that was
done earlier on complexity in projects investigated mainly on the technical perspective [2], [6]but
has not directly addressed the complexity effects on project schedule performance. Also, only
recently the subject of complexity has been linked to non-technical project aspects such as
communication, behavioural and social issues [7], [8]. Even so, these investigations have not
been linked to the effects of socio-organo complexity of interconnections on project schedule
performance.
The effect of complexity on project performance has not been explored. However, it is frequently
assumed, in practical terms, that performance decreases as complexity increases. The relationship
is considered to be one of an exponential decay (e.g. e-x) similar to an overdamped or critically
damped system as those in Figure 1 below.

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Figure 1.Underdamped Oscillator. Theoretical harmonic oscillations of systems under the effect of
various damping devices.
In control systems the concept of motion, shown in Figure 1is a combination of two motions [17]
expressed by the general mathematical function:
x = [Ae(-t)
][sin((√(1-2
t)) + a)] (1)
where:
•  = undamped natural frequency
•  = damping ratio
The first part of equation 1, [Ae(-t)
], expresses the exponential decay element and the second
part, [sin((√(1-2
t)) + a)], expresses the circular frequency element [17].
In [18] the relationship between control systems and the effect of socio-organo complexity and
project performance was established. The authors established the correlation and looked at a
possible explanation / use of the equation of motion to describe project performance outcome.
In this paper the author describes the findings of the initial investigation and expands on the
proposals / concepts made regarding the use of the equation of transient motion to manage the
effects of complexity on project performance.
3. THE INVESTIGATION
The subject of the effects of socio-organo complexity of interconnections on project performance
was part of a wider research into complexity with particular interest in the processes of selecting
team members, structuring project teams, the management style adopted, and project schedule
performance. The relevant study question formulated for this particular objective was ‘to
investigate the inverse correlation between socio-organo complexity and project performance’.

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Having previously conducted interviews with project practitioners, in order to establish
applicability of [4] complexity characteristics in project management, the study question was
investigated by conducting closed design [19] multiple case studies.
In the timescales and commitment by respective organisations allowed, five projects were
selected as case studies for nine weeks, or two project reporting periods, using an adaptive and
flexible feedback mechanism. The number of case studies was considered appropriate because, as
[19] states, ‘if two or more cases are shown to support the same theory replication may be
claimed and results will be considered more potent.’ The decision to conduct multiple case
studies was also based on the need to:
• Cover the whole project life-cycle and therefore establish more reflective outcomes.
• Minimise fears of uniqueness and artificial conditions surrounding the case(s), and
• Enable literal replication logic [19].
Considering the above, and in particular covering the whole project life-cycle, it was decided that
the most appropriate method to investigate the study question, but not interfere with the
observations, would be to request project teams to use the project schedule and monitor / record
reasons for delay of the activities to be performed in the nine week predefined time. Results from
earlier interviews with practitioners were used to establish, as will be described below, means to
monitor delays. The project teams would monitor progress weekly and using a pick list they
would record reasons for delay. Activities in the working project schedules will be of one week’s
duration so that the length of delay could be reasonably recorded and reported. Pre-arranged
performance / progress review meetings with the researcher would enable capturing of data,
clarifying queries, checking recorded data / reasons for delay in the performance log and
confirming correctness of process followed. The extensive pick list of ‘reasons for delay’ was
developed from the interviews and focused mainly, but not exclusively, on the three areas under
investigation. An extract from this list is presented in Table 1.
Coding and brief descriptions were used to link ‘reasons for delay’ to one or more of the 16
complexity characteristics for ease of use by the project teams. The teams were also given
‘reasons for delay’ due to issues/causes raised prior to the commencement of the case studies.
However, when/if these were used the practitioners were asked to elaborate at the reviews.
During the reviews particular interest was paid to these reasons for delay since ‘unpredictability’
(a complexity characteristics), or incumbent pathogens [20] cause increase in complexity.
Additionally, in preparation for the reviews, various scenarios where complexity could have a
compounding effect on performance were identified so that these can be reviewed with the teams.

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Table 1. Extract from list for ‘Reasons of activity delay’ given to case study project managers.
Code Complexity Characteristic Reason
D300 Self-reproduction R01 - Lack of appropriate level of induction
D700 Emergence R03 - Team cohesion
B300 Undefined values – structure R04 - Inter-team issue (please elaborate)
D100 Co-evolution – team R06 - Lack of Flexibility within the team
C500,
C300
Attractors / Non-equilibrium R08 - No expertise within the team – external input
requested
C402 Non-linear – structure R09 - Structure of team required improvement
C420 Non-linear – management R10 - Authoritative approach caused problem in team
D400 Downward causation - team
selection
R11 - Team selection could have been better in terms of
tackling the task
D410 Downward causation –
structure
R12 - Definition of work structure needed clarification
D420 Downward causation –
management
R13 - Line of command needed clarification
B100 Unpredictability R14 - Problem from initial phases of project re-surfaced
and caused delay
D110 Co-evolution – structure R16 - Communication between team and others
C210 Instability - structure R17 - Clarity of communication / instruction cause
confusion to the team which took some time to react to the
misunderstanding
C101,
C310
Autonomous Agents – team
Non-equilibrium - structure
R18 - Restriction in people availability did not allow for
appropriate level of expertise
C211
D510
D511
D500
D520
D800
Instability,
Mutability,
Phase changes
R19 - Unexpected activity due to:
R20 - Non-availability of material
R21 - Change in higher level programme
R22 - Causing an upset in the team (who probably did it
again)
R23 - Caused by unreasonable insistence by others
R24 - Caused by not ‘listening’ to team feedback /
expertise
A simple method of performance measurement was established, discussed and agreed with
participants. This is as follows:
• Activity performance = (Planned Duration * % Performance reported); and
• Total Performance = (Σ of Duration Achieved / Σ of Duration Planned)
irrespective of the time elapsed for the activity to be completed.
Five major construction organisations (clients and contractors) accepted to participate, and Board
Directors were briefed on the requirements. The organisations agreed to put forward projects at
the three different phases of the project lifecycle - feasibility, construction and commissioning –
with Project Managers (PMs) that had 10 or more years of experience. The PMs with the project
teams were briefed extensively on the purpose and the process to be followed and were asked to
provide the weekly progress data required. They were also asked to provide other project relevant
information (Project Management Plans, etc) and the weekly meetings were arranged.
The relationship between project schedule performance and complexity, and in particular for the
16 complexity characteristics will be established by analysing the relationships between ‘weekly
% drop in performance against reason of delay’, ‘frequency of occurrence of coded reasons for
delay’ as well as ‘frequency of complexity characteristics causing delay’.

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Results will be deemed acceptable if replication is established between two or more cases
[19]and by conducting validation interviews with PM / practitioners from different organisations.
4. RESULTS
Overall implementation was over a period of ten months (2007 – 2008) and as described above
the five case studies covered the whole project life-cycle (see Figure 2 below).
Figure 2. Project Life-cycle and respective case studies.
The case studies investigated and the type of organisation are shown below in Table 2.
Table 2. Case study contributors by project stage
Case Study Project Stage Description
CS.1.3 Feasibility Waste Water Treatment works
CS.1.1.2 Design / Early Construction Terminal Forecourt extension
CS.1.1.4 Construction Redevelopment of Lounge
CS.2.1 Construction Building – 28 luxury flats
CS.1.2 Commissioning Chemical removal plant
Results from two of the five case studies – CS.1.1.2 and CS.2.1 – are shown below.
Figure 3. Case study CS.1.1.2 (Design/Early Construction). Indicates % drop in performance versus
number of complexity characteristics affecting performance during the nine weeks.
Number of Complexity characteristics & % Drop in Performance
0%
43%
55%
58%
56%
50%
49%
52%
55%
50%
0
6
13
10
11
10
11
13 13
12
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Wk0 w k1 Wk2 w k3 w k4 w k5 w k6 w k7 w k8 w k9
%
Drop
in
Performance
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Num.
of
characteristics
Drop in Performance
Num ofComplexity characteristics
Feasibility / Design
CS.1.3 / CS.1.1.2
Early Construction / Construction
CS.1.1.4 / CS.2.1
Commissioning
CS.1.2

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Figure 4. Case study CS.2.1 (Construction). Indicates % drop in performance versus number of complexity
characteristics affecting performance during the nine weeks.
Another way of indicating drop in performance was that of ‘Cumulative planned durations’
versus ‘Cumulative achieved durations’ which as can be seen in Figures 5 and 6 for case studies
CS.1.1.2 and CS.2.1 only 57% and 43% of the planned activity durations was achieved (or 373
days of the 654 for CS.1.1.2 and 252 days of the 590 for CS.2.1) respectively.
Figure 5. Case Study CS.1.1.2. Drop in performance measured against duration planned against duration
achieved during the case study period.

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Figure 6. Case study G2.1. Drop in performance measured against duration planned against duration
achieved during the case study period.
Results from all five case studies are shown below in Figure 7 and Figure 8 represents the
average drop in performance for all the case studies.
Figure 7.Summary of drop in performance due to the effects of complexity from all case studies.
Modelling Performance
590
252
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Wk0 wk1 Wk2 wk3 wk4 wk5 wk6 wk7 wk8 wk9
Total
Dus
Cum. Planned Du
Cum Achieved Du
Case Study Performance comparison
CS G2.1 - Cnstr
CS G1.1.2 - Cnstr
CS G1.3 - Dsgn
CS G1.2 - Cmsng
CS G1.1.4 - Cnstr
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
w k0 w k1 w k2 w k3 w k4 w k5 w k6 w k7 w k8 w k9
%
Drop
in
Performance

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Figure 8. Average percentage performance dropdue to complexity for all case studies.
Validation of results was conducted through saturation interviews with project practitioners from
different organisations, from the levels of Project Director to PM and the results were accepted as
a true representation of the issues faced when delivering projects [9].
5. ANALYSIS
Analysis of results is carried out holistically in order to establish inclusive and integrated
deductions as well as replication [19]. The results shown in Figures 3 and 4 establish the inverse
correlation between socio-organisational complexity of interconnections and project schedule
performance and therefore prove the study question. Also, all the results, in particular that shown
in Figure 8, indicate a clear correlation to the theoretical curve of underdamped transient motion
(see Figure 1). Furthermore, the results from case studies CS.1.3 and CS.1.2 confirm relevant
theory [21] regarding project team effectiveness at the initial as well as at the latter stages of the
project life-cycle.
The results indicate that as the effects of the complexity impact work performance drops. Then as
corrective actions are taken they introduce a positive effect (on the performance) but these do not
bring back the performance to the required levels but at a plateau. From the progress reviews it
was found that corrective actions included, bringing forward activities that can be performed at
the time, pulling in additional resources, deferring activities, etc. For example, the PM of case
study CS.2.1 had to delay groups of fit-out activities to a later stage. The case of the performance
plateau and the reduction of the effects of complexity is also evidenced in case study CS.1.2
(Commissioning phase) where the project actually was delivered four weeks late.
All case study results, irrespective of the project phase, support the study question of inverse
correlation between socio-organo complexity and project performance. Also, there is replication
as well as consistency of the results. Additionally, there is clear resemblance with the long-
established theory of underdamped transient motion [17].
Further analysis on the findings and the relation between socio-organo complexity characteristics
and project performance was conducted in the earlier paper [18] and these points will not be
% Drop in Performance - Average of all Case Studies
0%
40%
37%
40%
39%
40%
39%
40% 39% 37%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
w k0 w k1 w k2 w k3 w k4 w k5 w k6 w k7 w k8 w k9
%
Drop
in
Performace

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repeated in this paper. The discussion that follows will focus on the some of the results
mentioned above but mainly bring up possible common points between control systems theory
and the management of effects of complexity on project performance.
6. DISCUSSION
The results and analysis presented confirm replication. Furthermore, there is a clear indication
that as the effect of complexity of interconnections increases, or not managed, project
performance decreases. In particular the case studies for projects in construction indicate a circa
57% drop in project performance (see Figure 7) and an overall drop in performance of an average
circa 39% for all project life-cycles (see Figure 8). This raises a number of questions regarding
managing and delivering projects performance to the required level, how can this be improved,
the level(s) of training and the tools available to the PMs and the teams, which will enable them
to manage the effects of complexity and therefore project manage successfully and satisfactorily.
Also, questions are raised regarding project performance in the construction industry in the last
15 – 20 years since the publication of the Latham and Egan reports. It is obvious that, as we
cannot say that complexity in projects is a new phenomenon and also the ‘reasons for delay’ are
something new, we have not provided the appropriate tools to the PMs and their teams to
improve project performance. As mentioned, [22] project management has remained static in a
60’s time warp influenced basically by control mechanisms. It is also questionable if further
innovations based on the same principles (including those of conflict and risk management) will
improve project performance.
The results proved that there is inverse correlation between socio-organo complexity of
interconnections and project performance and that there is a direct relationship on the areas
investigated. However, the characteristics of complexity of interconnections are and should be
affecting the project management sub-processes, e.g. conflict management, monitoring and
control, efficient use of resources, etc. [23]. Therefore, there should be a many-to-many
relationship between complexity characteristics and project management sub-processes. The
overall drop recorded should not change, but the management of the effects of socio-organo
complexity could be enabled further through the other processes which then become contributory
factors.
Let us reflect on the above findings and how actions taken when a crisis arises results from
projects delivered under crisis management are always better than normal day-to-day projects.
As is always the case on a crisis the PM is asked urgently to pull together a team that will deliver
the project within the required parameters. Therefore, from experience, but not limited, we
almost always:
(please note: the corresponding complexity characteristics are shown in italics)
• Have a time limited project – management of Phase changes;
• Are given names of the stakeholders to whom they have direct / immediate access –
management of non-linearity;
• Have all red-tape removed – management of downward causation;
• Have anyone they want in the team that is an expert on the field(s) required, or the PM sets
up their own team with no obstacles from anyone – introducing attractors;
• Have a small team working closely together – co-evolution and non-uniformity;
• Are allowed to self-organise – in addition to self-organisation we have self-modification,
non-standard and mutability;

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• The team achieves the pick of maximum effort and effectiveness by achieving the required
‘Emergence’ levels – in addition to emergence we have also non-standardisation;
• Time response (that is ‘t’)to anything urgent is so small that in many occasions it is barely
noticed (further details on ‘t’ will be discussed below).
Therefore, unknowingly, teams working on crisis projects are managing the effects of the
complexity characteristics and achieve the required project performance. However, this does not
mean that we have to treat everything as in a panic / crisis mode, because it will be unsustainable
for any organisation.
The results prove the non-linearity of project management and the curve of drop in performance
resembles that of an underdamped transient motion and therefore linking to the well-established
theory of control systems.
Therefore, it should be possible to consider, transform and implement relevant ‘solutions’ from
the control systems theory to project management.
With this in mind and in addition to points made in [18], some simple thoughts for further
discussion are presented below.
In [18]a proposal was made to consider the formula of motion in underdamped systems and that
this could be used to improve project performance by:
a) Minimise the circular frequency element [sin((√(1-2
t))+a)],
b) Identify the values of the damping ratio () and natural frequency (), which then will
c) Make the exponential decay function to equal A (see formula 1 above). Thus: Ae(-t)
= A,
which therefore would mean that performance is near the 100%. As depicted in Figure 9 below.
So, using the control systems theory there has to be a way to use relevant characteristics for ‘’
and ‘’ in project teams so that the: lim(-t) → 0
Figure 9. Graphical depiction of underdamped control systems curve applied to project performance.
Therefore, considering the above points and the formula of motion, shown again below, we could
make the following inferences:
x = [Ae(-t)
][sin((√(1-2
t)) + a)] (1)

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1) For a human system (team in the project environment) the ‘ = natural frequency’ has to
be relevant to the individuals’ characteristics that come together to perform the required
activities. The issue to be address here is that as in any ‘high order’ system the ‘resonance’
of the system has to be minimised in order to avoid catastrophic collapse.
Therefore, we could use Belbin’s individual’s characteristics to build the team.
For example, using Belbin’s theory, if you put together A-type individuals you will never
have a team environment as each individual is trying to lead the others. As we build the
team using Belbin’s characteristics, as well as carrying out Myers Briggs, then ‘‘can be
managed, therefore reducing resonance, and the team acts in self-organising way;
2) Regarding the ‘ = damping ratio’ for a human system (again in a project team
environment), we can literally consider using the complexity characteristics as the elements
that will dampen / manage the effects of complexity in the project through the respective
processes.
So, we will need to propose which complexity characteristics can be included in ‘‘. It
should actually be that for each project management process the respective complexity
characteristics are selected as part of the ‘’ that will enable minimising the circular
frequency as well as the exponential decay elements of the formula of motion.
3) For ‘t’, the time element, this has to be the speed with which the team is informed and are
able to react / respond to the events that will tend to overthrow the balance of the system
through the interconnections formed between the systems. The faster the realisation and
reduction of the ‘t’ the quicker the reduction of both the circular and exponential elements
of the formula of the motion.
However, ‘t’ depends on the amount of information (received and/or transmitted) / events
that occur, which unavoidably links to the amount of Entropy ‘S’ in the information
(Shannon Entropy, [24]) received and transmitted. Shannon entropy is the expected value
of the information in a message. The more uncertain, the higher the entropy of the
transmitter.
As ‘t’ or ‘t’ depends on the amount of information / ‘newness’ introduced, this means that
it will depend on the amount / level of surprise through information received and/or clarity
of the information transmitted and with which the team will have to deal with. Therefore,
by understanding and providing the means to manage the information uncertainty the PM /
Team should be able to manage and reduce the reaction time ‘t’/‘t’. However, because of
the effect of ‘Entropy S’ on information flow ‘t’→0 cannot be true, but it can be managed
to minimise response time ‘t’.
6.1. Further Thoughts in Addition to the Above Points.
In a project, as well as any ‘high level’ system, an event occurs that will tend to affect
performance and therefore push down the underdamped system curve (the performance part).
Therefore, it tends to increase the amplitude ‘A’ of the circular and exponential curves. The
intensity of the effect of the event will depend on:
• The number of complexity characteristics that feed into it (through the respective
processes);
• The importance of these and their effect at the particular point in time;
• What each complexity characteristic is and its dependence on the other characteristics;
• The leading process(es) at that point in time.

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Therefore, using concepts from systems controls, complexity and team building methods we can
provide project teams with an approach that will enable them to (a) manage the effects of
complexity and (b) increase project performance in the evanescent project environment.
7. CONCLUSIONS
As part of a wider research on managing complexity in project teams and in order to identify the
effects of socio-organo complexity on project performance five case studies were conducted in
construction projects. The results, for the three sub-processes investigated, proved the inverse
relationship between complexity of interconnections and project performance, the non-linearity
of project management as well as the correlation between the project performance drop and the
theory of underdamped control systems. Replication was established between all five case studies
with some minor variations for the projects in early design and commissioning.
The results indicated a considerable overall average drop in performance as complexity of
interconnections increased significantly. However, the interlinked properties of the characteristics
and those of the reasons for delay did not allow for establishing singularity of results, or
otherwise overcoming the difficulty of identifying singular characteristics as causes of the drop in
performance. Furthermore, the detection of the significant drop in performance is attributed to
the fact that the case studies sought and extracted details that are not reported frequently, or seen
as small issues that will be overcome, otherwise known as ‘the devil is in the detail’.
The results indicate that PMs and their teams currently have no means available to manage the
effects of complexity. Therefore, a requirement is identified for developing a framework that will
enable the management of the effects of complexity through its characteristics. Further work has
been carried out by the author in deciphering and mapping the complexity characteristics to the
project management processes as well as the development of such a framework, which, however,
will not be discussed further in this paper.
As highlighted in the discussion, findings also established links between actions taken under
crisis management and complexity characteristics, which, unknowingly, are used to deliver
successfully projects. Therefore, it is even more profound, as crisis management is not a
sustainable solution, that understanding the effects of complexity and the application of measures
to address its characteristics by project practitioners will enable earlier resolution of issues and
successful delivery of projects.
The level of training and implementation of appropriate actions, when selecting project team
members, structuring the project team and when considering the management style to be adopted,
is also questioned by the results obtained. Therefore, the industry will need to consider improving
the timing of implementation of actions and techniques. Construction organisations, from all
sides, will also need to consider how to improve adjusting of behaviours and speed of response,
reduction of wasted effort and improving acceptance of change in order to minimise the effect of
complexity of interconnections.
In addition, the establishment of correlation between the effects of complexity on project
performance and that of the underdamped systems provides the basis for interlinking solution
modes. By drawing parallels between the two theories and providing possible solutions
practitioners can be armed from the very early stages of the project(s) to manage both the effects
of complexity as well as ensure improved project performance without the need for been in a
continuous crisis management mode.

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The findings provide areas for further research in the:
• Applicability of the proposed variables from the underdamped systems and their use for
improving project performance. That is, maximising variable ‘A’ whilst managing damping
ratio ‘‘, using complexity characteristics, and natural frequency ‘‘, through individual /
team characteristics;
• Detailed investigation of complexity characteristics and their use for project management
in crisis management mode.
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AUTHOR’S SHORT BIOGRAPHY
Dimitris has more than 30 years’ experience in Programme and Project Management
positions having covered project phases from concept to handover and operation /
maintenance.
He held Senior Management posts in major utilities, infrastructure and construction
organisations delivering programmes of works ranging from £250M to £3.2Bn.
As Head of Programme Management Office (PMO) he has set up and run the departments within
challenging partnering environments, setting up all the processes from governance to reporting.
He has also led / co-led major business transformation programmes for Client organisations in UK and
abroad integrating project management software tools with ERP systems.
He is the author of the book ‘Demystifying Project Control’; contributed chapters in books on complexity,
leadership and other project management topics and has written a number of journal and conference
papers. He has been a guest speaker at International conferences on various project management topics; he
has lectured the complete project management module for undergraduates and also a guest lecturer to
postgraduate courses at UK Universities.
He was awarded the PhD, from Loughborough University, UK, for his research on the subject of
‘Managing Complexity in Project Teams’.
He is a Fellow of the APM and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
Parts of his work can be seen in www.danton-progm.co.uk

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