What makes managing megaprojects so challenging? Technical difficulties, modifications to operating and design specifications, cost hikes, accountability issues, and new legislation are some of the causes. Project complexity typically rises with project size, and complexity can lead to uncertainty and an inability to predict the challenges, shifting circumstances, and unexpected possibilities that will arise after the project starts. In this essay, we contend that innovating during the project is one strategy to manage the uncertainties. Furthermore, we think that our recommendations apply to any long-term, large-scale initiatives, not simply those with enormous budgets.
RE: Do Big Projects Deliver Effective Solutions in a Complex World?
Ethiopia
Hailu Negu Bedhane
cementing engineer
Ethiopian electric power
Posted on 08/04/2025
What makes managing megaprojects so challenging? Technical difficulties, modifications to operating and design specifications, cost hikes, accountability issues, and new legislation are some of the causes. Project complexity typically rises with project size, and complexity can lead to uncertainty and an inability to predict the challenges, shifting circumstances, and unexpected possibilities that will arise after the project starts. In this essay, we contend that innovating during the project is one strategy to manage the uncertainties. Furthermore, we think that our recommendations apply to any long-term, large-scale initiatives, not simply those with enormous budgets.