Characteristics of highly uncertain and complex projects

The purpose of this article is to find characteristics of highly uncertain and complex projects. These characteristics can be used for developing project management theory. The Formal Systems Model is used to identify characteristics of highly uncertain and complex projects. A points of attention model is proposed as an initiation for a tool to support managing highly complex and uncertain projects. Part of this model is a stakeholder value theory. The insights from the Formal Systems Model and the two theories are tested using two cases. One of a highly complex and uncertain project, while the other case is moderately complex and uncertain, for this classification the models of Shenhar and Kuchta & Skowron are used. The paper is meant as initiation of project management theory for complex and uncertain projects.