Project Management of Complex Systems (Manufacturing and Services)

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue on “Project Management of Complex Systems (Manufacturing and Services)” explores the multifaceted challenges of managing and integrating systems in environments where development, production, and service operations intersect. By nature, these contexts require a deep understanding of how systems evolve, adapt, and interface with diverse elements—ranging from defining and adjusting requirements and meeting tight contractual deadlines to achieving performance targets and quality standards. Success hinges not only on robust project management practices but also on innovative strategies that enable organizations to respond proactively to complexity and change.

A critical factor in achieving outstanding results lies in cultivating strong synergies among people, processes, and technologies, all framed within a systems perspective that spans everything from early design studies to full-scale implementation. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, 5G, and collaborative robotics now offer unprecedented opportunities to streamline complex operations, automate essential tasks, and support decision making. When effectively harnessed, these innovations enhance transparency, traceability, and customization, highlighting the importance of intelligent project portfolios and resilient supply chains.

This Special Issue invites contributions that offer emerging insights, methods, and best practices for project management within intricate systems. We particularly welcome submissions that demonstrate how a systems-oriented perspective can strengthen collaboration, drive value creation throughout the supply chain, and foster organizational and technological innovation in both industry and services.

For this Special Issue, we invite articles that address, among other topics, the following:

• Complex Systems Management
• Systems Engineering in Project Management
• Decision-Making in Complex Project Management
• Systems Engineering and Artificial Intelligence
• Complex Supply Chain Management Systems
• Needs and Requirements in Project Management for Complex Systems
• Product Lifecycle Management in Complex Systems
• Complex Services
• Additive Manufacturing in Complex Systems
• Cybersecurity in Manufacturing and Services
• AI and Generative AI in the Factory of the Future
• Clean Technology Manufacturing

Prof. Dr. Alencar Bravo
Prof. Dr. Darli Rodrigues Vieira
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Systems is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• complex systems
• systems engineering
• project management
• manufacturing
• services
• product lifecycle management
• decision-making