An attempt to understand complexity in a government digital transformation project

Abstract

Digital transformation projects will become one of the dominating tools for mastering digital transformation in governments. Studies show that such projects are complex undertakings and increasingly difficult to manage. The purpose of the paper is to provide a better understanding of the factors that cause complexity in government digital transformation projects. The authors use an in-depth case study approach to investigate factors of complexity in an ongoing digital transformation project. The results indicate that complexity in this project is rooted in dynamic relationships between multiple dimensions of organization, technologies, and innovation. The authors conclude that when organizational structuring, the introduction of new technology, and efforts to innovate and create added value for citizens and businesses operate in tandem, the pervasive complexity associated with delivering government digital transformation projects becomes increasingly difficult to manage.