It’s probably no surprise that managing a digital project in a complex environment is a challenge. Not only that, but technology is advancing at breakneck speeds; AI is disrupting entire industries, inflation (ALMOST even worse = “shrinkflation” gah!), and having to become a forever learner. Still, despite all of that, orgs can help ensure successful project delivery with the right strategies and best practices.
Before we dive in too deep, refer back to the title of this article. If you’re unfamiliar with what qualifies as a “complex environment,” don’t fret! Here’s a quick rundown. In general, complex environments mean workplaces that are more challenging to navigate (whether due to bureaucracy, regulations, or highly technical). In such (complex) environments, inciting change becomes even more difficult with the additional complexity. As humans, we are “biologically programmed” to be change-averse. Yay.
So, where does this leave us?
Well, spoiler alert: there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for change management paired with change aversion!
*boo hiss*
Still, though, humans are a resilient bunch!
This blog post explores key practices for managing digital projects (pssst: know the difference between a project and a program) in a complex environment. Woot!
So, from effective communication and stakeholder management to agile project management methodologies, I’ll provide a few insights and practical tips to help you navigate digital project complexities. Then, by implementing some of these into your best practices, your org can hopefully enhance project success rates, mitigate additional risks, and drive more successful outcomes in this continually evolving, dynamic, mystical, and ever-changing virtual landscape we call technical or digital project management.
With that, let’s get to it!
Key Tips for Managing Digital Projects
1. Define Clear Project Goals and Scope
As with any project, defining clear goals and scope is crucial, especially for managing digital projects in complex environments. Of course, they help better and more clearly articulate the project’s objectives, outcomes, and deliverables. Moreover, they help to engage stakeholders to ensure a shared understanding of project goals and align expectations. Furthermore, they help define project scope boundaries (which you must also document in a project charter, statement of work, or a project overview section). Then, ultimately, the clarity of project goals and scope sets the foundation for effective planning, execution, and stakeholder management (make sure to define roles clearly).
Pssst: note the domino effect.
2. Foster Effective Communication and Stakeholder Engagement in Digital Projects
So (in my humble opinion), effective communication and stakeholder engagement are essential for managing digital projects in complex environments. If you’ve read my stuff on digital transformation before, you always want to establish a communication plan (with related internal training plans) that outlines channels, frequency, and critical messages. Using digital collaboration tools, you also want to regularly update stakeholders on project progress, risks, and changes.
Why is this important?
Fostering open and transparent communication helps ensure project alignment and assists in managing everyone’s (and I mean EVERYONE — including clients and customers) expectations. Doing so can help you to actively engage stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle, seek their input, and address concerns promptly. Then, as a result, effective communication and stakeholder engagement build trust, enhance collaboration, and drive project success.
3. Utilize Agile Project Management Methodologies
Next, there are good reasons why agile project management methodologies like Scrum or Kanban are favorites for managing digital projects in complex environments. It’s because they’re well suited to embrace iterative and incremental approaches to project delivery! Ultimately, they help to break projects into manageable tasks and prioritize them based on business value. Plus, those approaches allow us to foster collaboration (*ahem* again, another reason, in my opinion, as to why I think communication is the most critical component in digital transformation). From there, they also help to empower self-organizing teams (in-person, hybrid, and digital) and embrace flexibility to adapt to changing requirements. Of course, these tactics must be regularly reviewed to help ensure continuous improvement, customer satisfaction, and more.
In other words, agile methodologies enable organizations to navigate complexity, deliver value early, and effectively respond to evolving project dynamics. If you run multiple projects at a time, consider a PMO.
4. Robust Risk Management
Managing risks is critical in complex digital projects because it is important to identify and assess risks early in the project lifecycle. This approach can help us develop the project’s risk management plan and establish mitigation strategies for high-priority items. Once we have those in place, we can regularly monitor and evaluate risks throughout the project, adapting mitigation measures as necessary.
On the flip side, suppose the project team isn’t engaged in risk management activities, and proactive risk identification is not encouraged (*ahem*, this ultimately boils down to communication). In that case, anticipating and addressing potential challenges is impossible and would increase the likelihood of project delays or failures.
5. Effective Change Management
When working on complex digital projects, it’s common to encounter changes in processes, technologies, company culture, or organizational structure. It’s crucial to manage these changes effectively. Furthermore, this involves assessing how changes affect stakeholders, creating a change management plan (or a Talent Strategy), and communicating the benefits of digital transformation and the reasons behind the changes. It’s also important to include stakeholders in the change process, provide them with necessary training and support, and proactively address any resistance. Ultimately, managing change effectively minimizes disruption, acceptance is fostered, and the project gets set up for success.
6. Continuous Monitoring and Adaptation
Last but not least, continuous monitoring and adaptation are essential best practices to help manage digital projects in complex environments. To do that, we must establish project metrics and performance indicators to track progress and measure success. Then, we must regularly review project status, milestones, and deliverables.
Once all of that is out of the way, we’ll be adept at identifying areas for improvement and take corrective actions promptly. Throughout this process, you may see a culture of learning and continuous improvement arise if you are still focused on becoming more data-driven in your efforts (this may also be a great time to consider implementing a citizen development program or a tech for good initiative). As a result, orgs can better adapt project plans and strategies that align with their ever-evolving business needs.
The takeaway
Managing digital projects in complex environments requires combining practices, communication strategies, and stakeholder engagement. Through that, and by defining clear project goals and scope, employing agile methodologies, mitigating risks, and embracing change management, organizations can navigate complexity and achieve successful project outcomes. Overall, if we pair all of that with continuous monitoring and adaptation, orgs can begin to foster project resilience and ensure alignment as business needs change.
