Explain the relevance of systems thinking to the project, program and portfolio manager

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Week 1 Topic: Explain the relevance of systems thinking to PM.
Reading samples Learning
outcomes of the
unit
Learnings from your weekly study, experience, this
and prior unit readings and assignments
Supporting
documentation
including any
prior learning
Mandatory Readings
● SEBoK:
'Introduction
to SEBoK'
● SEBoK:
'Introduction
to Systems
Engineering';
● SEBoK: Part 7:
Systems
Engineering
Implementation
Examples
● Kerzner (2013)
Chapters 2.1; 2.6
- 2.8; 2.21;
● AS /N ZS 15288 :2015
Introduction;
Optional Readings
● AS ISO 21504:2016
Project, programme
and portfolio
management—Gui
1. Explain the
relevance of
systems thinking
to the project,
program and
portfolio manager.
After I have read the mandatory as well as the optional materials
that was recommended in this context, I have identified that the
system thinking and the project management has similarity in terms
of their applications.
The purpose of the system thinking is not to analyze the things
themselves, but to analyze the inter-relations between them.
Therefore, the application is to identify patterns rather than some
statistical analysis. When technical leaders and managers apply
this in project execution, they recognize requirements of each other
and their needs, which provides the context, to ensure collaboration
and integration in executing the activities of the project to ensure
success in the project execution.
The project manager, program manager or portfolio manager of an
organization apply the SEPM (Systems Engineering and Project
Management) for ensuring that the project, program or the portfolio
is executed successfully even if there is an variation in the
consumer needs, project constraints and expectations of the
consumers. The integration of the system thinking with the project,
program or portfolio management is to ensure that technical and
management approach is integrated properly to ensure success of
project, program or portfolio.
Sometimes projects are not successful due to lack of integration
technical and managerial approach and therefore the SEPM with
system thinking is important for ensuring success in the project.
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dance on portfolio
management;
Mandatory Readings
● SEBoK:
'Introduction
to SEBoK'
● SEBoK:
'Introduction
to Systems
Engineering';
● SEBoK: Part 7:
Systems
Engineering
Implementation
Examples
● Kerzner (2013)
Chapters 2.1; 2.6
- 2.8; 2.21;
● AS /N ZS 15288 :2015
Introduction;
Optional Readings
● AS ISO 21504:2016
Project, programme
and portfolio
management—Gui
dance on portfolio
management;
2. Identify different
systems thinking
tools and
techniques to
aid project
managers solve
project
problems.
Project managers deploy different types of system thinking tools for
solving different problems in the project and some of these tools are
affinity diagram, graphical analyzation, decision matrix, effective
analysis, functional analysis, influence diagram and intangible
model. These tools are described in details in this context:
Affinity diagram: it is a representation of innovative ideas that are
applied for solving issues in the project. This is a simple yet
effective system thinking tool that integrate different innovative
ideas in an meaningful way that enhances the problem solving skill
of the team in the project
Graphical analyzation: the main application of this tool is to identify
and analyze the system related data through the graphics. two
important methods through which this technique is implemented are
frequency plot and time series plot
Decision matrix: it is applied in projects when there is an
requirement to reduce large number of options to two or three to
solve some issues in the project
Effective analysis: it is applied to prioritize the effects and causes
that are identified for the project not being successful
Functional analysis: it is a structured approach to select and
develop design concepts for achieving the functions required for the
project
Influence diagram: it is a system thinking tool that identifies and
develop important relationships among the different components
that are related with the system
Intangible model: it is a system thinking tool that provides the
project team the context for developing a behavioral or operational
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model in reference to the system
Mandatory Readings 3. Assess the
relevance
of
systems
Different researches have been conducted over the years that has
analyzed the relation between the system engineering and project cases.
According to the research done by eminent research analyst, Elm et al.,
system engineering has the capability to improve the project or program
performance of it is properly applied in the project. Another research
conducted by the researcher Bruff has described that performance in
project budget is enhanced by different aspects of the project such as
project planning, management of project requirements followed by craft
studies along with the system architecture.
Along with the research results, analyses of the materials has described
that the system engineering reduces the project risks and it also improves
the technical performance of the project as well. When technical
performance of the project is improved, it helps to prioritize the system
engineering process as well.
The project management plan along with the system-engineering plan that
defines the effective project process and the project methodologies that
ensures that the products and services that are defined in the project are
delivered successfully.
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● SEBoK: engineering to Have you any insights
'Introduction to Project cases. you can add from other
SEBoK'
● SEBoK:
units you have studies or
readings you’ve made?
'Introduction to
Systems
Engineering';
● SEBoK: Part 7:
Systems
Engineering
Implementation
Examples
● Kerzner (2013)
Chapters 2.1; 2.6 -
2.8; 2.21;
● AS /N ZS 15288 :2015
Introduction;
Optional Readings
● AS ISO 21504:2016
Project, programme
and portfolio
management—Gui
dance on portfolio
management;
Mandatory Readings
● SEBoK:
4. Describe how
systems
engineering
concepts and
methodologies can
help a project,
The system engineering concept model, which is developed by the
systems engineering body of knowledge (SEBOK), integrates different
concept related to the system engineering. This model is known as the
concept map and through proper application of this, concept map project
as well as program managers easily prioritize and organize different
activities related to the project.
The system engineering if analyzed in details is a tool, which provides the
context to effectively realize successful system. The main application of
system engineering is to ensure that the execution of the project is
consistent with the consumer requirements. Some of the important
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'Introduction to
SEBoK'
● SEBoK:
'Introduction to