Complex projects present a welter of challenges and decisions.  Solving those challenges involves learning how to make good decisions quickly and intelligently.  Doing so will prevent your spinning wheels and losing time.

Whether your project is film, a writing project or a new sales campaign, addressing the following five aspects of your project will enable you to complete with less lost effort, resources and time: 

1) the length of time needed to complete it, 2) subdividing, 3) delegating pieces, 4) choreographing steps 5) creating aggressive but realistic “due by” dates.

1. Estimating the length of the project. Here the issue is being realistic. Projects take as much time as you give them.  That is, if you set a distant completion date, you will not finish beforehand because it fails to instill a sense of urgency.  On the other hand, occasionally projects need more time than is allocated.  The ideal is not to fall into either trap.  To complete a series of complex projects with steps that must be set in motion at crucial junctures, you must be realistic.  If you decide to master this, focus and you will rapidly become better.
2. Subdividing. I have broken this article down into five steps.  You have to break your project down into subprojects and action items.  These are often obvious, but not always.  What size chunks are required to translate what is massive into doable actions?  Complex projects require more subdivisions.  Complex steps need sub-steps.
3. Delegating pieces. Good help is essential.  Outsourcing is more efficient than doing every step yourself if you carefully choose to whom you delegate.  On the other hand, as soon as someone else is in on your project, complexity multiplies and quite possibly expense as well.  And if your project lends itself to electronic solutions, you may be able to do much more for less time and expense than was formerly the case.  Do not ignore, however, the not-so-subtle cost of missed opportunities.  If it takes a very long time for you to complete something what does that cost you by not having finished earlier?  Developing a reliable cadre, or constituency, of providers is key.  
4. Choreographing steps. This is your project.  No person is better equipped than you to map out the steps to completing it.  Be in charge of this.  Decide to be exceptional at this.  If you do not set this goal, you will not achieve it and your projects will suffer.
5. Creating aggressive but realistic “due by” dates. Here is where you deal with the problem of drift.  Set aggressive “due by” dates for you and for anyone working with you and make it clear that they must be met or not taken on.  If you do this, you will create a reputation of clarity and firmness that people respond to positively. You will complete far more projects in a timely fashion.