Small Doesn’t Equal Simple
We often think complexity is a function of size; in business, the bigger the company, the more complex its operations and infrastructure. According to Forrester analyst Jost Hoppermann, complexity is based on the number of interdependent and interconnected stakeholders, the various technology systems, and the organizational structures in place in a business. So, a mom-and-pop with two employees is, of course, simpler than a multinational corporation. No one told that to mom and pop. When it comes to project management, and consulting in that area, complexity is often times inversely proportional to size.
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Size doesn’t necessarily dictate complexity as far as project management. Sometimes, smaller companies pose a much greater challenge. Why?
- Managing large budgets is a nightmare – but so is managing a small one!
- There is often no process for change or project management in place, which means you are starting from the ground up. Large corporations have done project management; they have those frameworks. But small companies do not have that same infrastructure in place. In some ways, that can be a positive, though, because you can make sure you’re building a strong foundation for this project as well as others.
- The impact of any change is immediate; you are working with four or five people, and the impact may be on the end-customer. Change doesn’t trickle down slowly; it’s now.
- The owner has an intimate connection with the company. Obviously. This person started this company and poured his/her blood and tears into it. It is very difficult to tell this person that they might consider a different approach, or that they have to let someone else in to help them grow. This person was good at building a business; he may not be as suited to running it on a day-to-day, ground-level basis.
Small doesn’t necessarily mean simple. Sometimes it is the smallest of companies that require the most intense work. But those small companies are crucial to the Canadian economy and are well worth the effort. When they successfully manage initiatives and the resulting change, they are much better equipped to handle the challenges that the world throws at us.
