2015 Proceedings of the Conference on Information Systems Applied Research ISSN: 2167-1508 Wilmington, North Carolina USA v8 n3674 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ ©2015 ISCAP (Information Systems & Computing Academic Professionals) Page 1 http://iscap.info Towards A Better Understanding Of Factors Affecting Software Project Complexity Olga Petkova petkovao@ccsu.edu Department of Management Information Systems Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CT 06050, USA Doncho Petkov petkovd@easternct.edu Department of Business Administration Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CT 06226, USA Abstract We propose a model for analysis and understanding of factors affecting software project complexity based on the Analytic Network Process and problem structuring methods. We draw on past research on software project complexity and on research on software development productivity and project contexts. The paper provides an analysis of existing research on software project complexity. The proposed network model of factors affecting software project complexity is illustrated on an example. The use of problem structuring methods for assisting better understanding of software complexity is also discussed. Keywords: software project complexity, Analytic Network Process, AHP, problem structuring methods. 1. INTRODUCTION A well-known definition of “project” is that it is “a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service” (Project Management Institute, 2000). Software projects are similar to other projects but at the same time they are also quite specific in nature. They are characterized with a significant degree of uncertainty and complexity. Hence understanding software project complexity is an essential precondition for better IT project management. According to Vidal et al (2011:718), today for projects the “usual parameters (time, cost and quality) are clearly not sufficient to describe properly the complete situation”. They conclude further that “identifying existing project complexity sources and levels of project complexity has thus become a crucial issue in order to assist modern project management.” Traditionally, complexity in software projects is measured implicitly: either by measuring the software project product (usually based on software cost and effort estimation techniques), or by measuring characteristics of the software process (Fitsilis, 2009). There have been attempts to generate more understanding of software project complexity. Thus a recent paper by Botchkarev and Finnigan (2015) synthesized a large pool of literature to generate a systemic framework of project complexity as a system of systems (Botchkarev & Finnigan, 2015). It