Complexity of Information Systems Development Projects: Conceptualization and Measurement Development

This paper conceptualizes and develops valid measurements of the key dimensions of information systems development project (ISDP) complexity. A conceptual framework is proposed to define four components of ISDP complexity: structural organizational complexity, structural IT complexity, dynamic organizational complexity, and dynamic IT complexity. Measures of ISDP complexity are generated based on literature review, field interviews, focus group discussions and two pilot tests with 76 IS managers. The measures are then tested using both exploratory and confirmatory data analyses with survey responses from managers of 541 ISDPs. Results from both the exploratory and confirmatory analyses support the fourcomponent conceptualization of ISDP complexity. The final 20-item measurements of ISDP complexity are shown to adequately satisfy the criteria for unidimensionality, convergent validity, discriminant validity, reliability, factorial invariance across different types of ISDPs, and nomological validity. Implications of the study results to theory development and practice as well as future research directions are discussed.