Importance of Systems Thinking in Project Management

(
Insert Student Name) / (
Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 1
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
Implementati
on Examples
 Kerzner
(2013)
Chapters 2.1;
2.6 - 2.8;
2.21;
 AS/NZS
15288:2015
Introduction;
Optional
Readings
 AS ISO
21504:2016
1. Explain the
relevance of
systems
thinking to the
project,
program and
portfolio
manager.
The objective of the week 1 lecture content is to identify
the differences and relationship among system
engineering and the system thinking. System thinking is
referred to as a holistic approach that is used to create
interrelationship between the dimensions of complex
organizational problems. It has been determined that if
these relationships are not primarily defined and
established by the project associates then the portfolio
manager will fail to take correct organizational decision.
This week 1 learning is focused on deepwater horizon and
Texas city disasters. It has been identified that due to lack
of operational and functional strategies the project
manager and the entire organization is facing major
application level challenges those are required to be
resolved. Not only the owner company but also the
partners and broader community are also facing major
challenges. It has been experienced that the project
managers would be able to improve overall organizational
multidisciplinary structure with the help of this application.
However, for a better understanding and to design a
suitable analysis framework the project and portfolio head
should use concept of system thinking and system
engineering. The project and application level gaps will be
identified and reduced with this application.
Hirschnitz-
Garbers, M., Koca,
D., Sverdrup, H.,
Meyer, M., &
Distelkamp, M.
(2018).
System
analysis for
environmental
policy–System
thinking through
system dynamic
modelling and
policy mixing as
used in the
SimRess project.
1 of 12

(
Insert Student Name) / (
Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 1
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
Project,
programme
and portfolio
management
—Guidance on
portfolio
management;
Mandatory
Readings
 SEBoK:
'Introduction
to SEBoK'
 SEBoK:
'Introduction
to Systems
Engineering';
 SEBoK: Part
7: Systems
Engineering
Implementati
on Examples
 Kerzner
(2013)
Chapters 2.1;
2.6 - 2.8;
2.21;
 AS/NZS
15288:2015
Introduction;
2. Identify
different
systems
thinking tools
and
techniques to
aid project
managers
solve project
problems.
The week 2 lecture slides or lecture classes are focused on
the application of different system thinking techniques as
well as tools those are essential for project manager’s
duties. In other words, the project and portfolio managers
are required to use proper tools and techniques to resolve
project level risks. The common risks that may negatively
impact the project outcomes are over running project
budget, over allocation of resources and over shooting
project budget etc.
Before initiating the project, project managers must
identify the potential risks and respectively identify the
system thinking tools that will positively reduce the
operational challenges and functional risks as well.
Different kinds of system thinking techniques are there
used by the managers for minimizing the project risks such
as problem structuring, dynamic modeling, casual loop
diagram, scenario planning and modeling, implementation
and organizational learning and fishbone diagram.
If the techniques are properly used by project managers
and portfolio managers then, risks will be successfully
resolved or minimized. Apart from that, there are certain
Roychoudhury, A.,
Shepardson, D. P., &
Hirsch, A. S. (2017).
System thinking and
teaching in the
context of climate
system and climate
change. Teaching
and learning about
climate change, 29-
42.
2 of 12

(
Insert Student Name) / (
Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 1
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
Optional
Readings
 AS ISO
21504:2016
Project,
programme
and portfolio
management
—Guidance on
portfolio
management;
more structural thinking tools such as graphical functional
diagram, policy structure diagram and structure behavior
diagram etc. These tools are to be used by the managers
to meet the primary project objectives and organizational
requirements.
Mandatory
Readings
 SEBoK:
'Introduction
to SEBoK'
 SEBoK:
'Introduction
to Systems
Engineering';
 SEBoK: Part
7: Systems
Engineering
Implementati
on Examples
 Kerzner
(2013)
Chapters 2.1;
2.6 - 2.8;
2.21;
3. Assess the
relevance of
systems
engineering to
project cases.
Week 3 learning outcome identifies the significance of
system engineering to different project scenario. It is
determined that system engineering offers effective values
to system engineering. System engineering and
organizational management approaches both are operable
in same project environment.
Therefore, development and portfolio managers are
required to use proper system thinking techniques to
access the definite relevance between system engineering
to project cases. It has been learnt that for effective
project and organizational outcomes companies should
use system engineering design and framework. The
project managers, portfolio manager and project team
members can deal with complex project issues with the
help of this technique. During the project initiation and
planning phase the project managers and team associates
should use this techniques and methods.
Fleming, P. A.,
Ning, A., Gebraad,
P. M., & Dykes, K.
(2016).
Wind plant
system
engineering
through
optimization of
layout and yaw
control. Wind
Energy, 19(2),
329-344.
3 of 12

(
Insert Student Name) / (
Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 1
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
 AS/NZS
15288:2015
Introduction;
Optional
Readings
 AS ISO
21504:2016
Project,
programme
and portfolio
management
—Guidance on
portfolio
management;
The individuals who are failing to meet the project
objectives must use this application to meet the
organizational goal. The verification structure and the
interdependency will also become much clear with this
application.
Mandatory
Readings
 SEBoK:
'Introduction
to SEBoK'
 SEBoK:
'Introduction
to Systems
Engineering';
 SEBoK: Part
7: Systems
Engineering
Implementati
on Examples
4. Describe how
systems
engineering
concepts and
methodologie
s can help a
project,
program and
portfolio
managers
organise a
project.
This week 4 learning details define the position of project
management and system manufacturing. The system
engineering is referred to as a concept of design and
delivery. It has been determined that, it helps to give
clarity in responsibilities for mutual understanding.
I have learnt that scheme engineering concept as well as
methodology assists the project managers and portfolio
head while organizing any project. If the concept is not
appropriately used by the project managers and project
team members then the project may fail to meet the
actual objectives, goal and aim. Key Performance
indicators and business cases are effectively identified
through this application. In addition to this, the project
head and portfolio lead can analyse the project level
Bahr, N. J.
(2018). System
safety engineering
and risk assessment:
a practical approach.
CRC press.
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