This paper presents a method that enables project managers to evaluate the complexity of an intended new product development project and adapt it to ensure fit with the organization's capacities and the project setting. Central hypothesis is that complexity drivers of the project are causing resource consumption and thus costs. Therefore, a systematic evaluation of complexity drivers and their subsequent demand placed on the resources of the organization for each activity of the project needs to be conducted. For this purpose a novel approach based on a resource-oriented process cost calculation method has been developed. The approach includes a consideration of uncertainties regarding the complexity impact and definition of a capacity to tolerate complexity. Consequently, by analyzing the project's complexity for its cost and resource impact as well as comparing it with the organization's capacities, planners are able to identify critical complexity drivers upfront that would disrupt project execution and develop countermeasures.
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