Importance of Appropriate Selection of Project Management Application Systems

This unit portfolio discusses the importance of appropriate selection of project management application systems for successful project realisation. It covers the relevance of systems thinking, tools and techniques for project managers to solve project problems, and how systems engineering concepts and methodologies can help project, program and portfolio managers. The reading samples include SEBoK, Kerzner (2013), AS/NZS 15288:2015, and Raymond L. & Bergeron F. (2008).

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 5
Week 5: Explain the importance of appropriate selection of Project Management (PM) application systems in
regards to project realisation.
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
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Introduction to Life Cycle
Processes;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Life Cycle Models;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Concept Definition;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Systems Definition;
 Part 6: Related Disciplines - 'Knowledge Area:
Systems Engineering and Software Engineering';
 Kerzner (2013) Chapters 15.16-15.23; 23.5-23.6;
 AS/NZS 15288:2015 Chapter 6.3-6.4;
 Raymond L., & Bergeron F., (2008) "Project
management information systems: An empirical study
of their impact on project managers and project
success"
Optional Readings
 AS ISO 21504:2016
 SWEBOK V3 Guide.
Web Sites
 SAP
 Oracle Primavera
 IBM Maximo & BPM
 Microsoft Project.
1. Explain the
relevance of
systems thinking
to the project,
program and
portfolio
manager.
A project application system refers to is
a system that organizes the required
information used to plan, organize, and
execute a prohject successfully. The
application system can constitute a
single or more discrete software
applicatoions, working together in a
methodical process to collect and derive
value from project information.
Undoubtedly, the principles and theries
behind systes such as AS ISO 21504 on
Project are simple and self explanatory
from a theoretical point of view. The
challenge comes when they have to be
practically applied in a give project
situation. Issues to do with
organizational culture also affect its
effective use; traditional firms are less
likely to be successful in using
application systems in managing
projects that matrix type, project
oriented forms. For these reasons, BP
could not effectively use application
systems in managing projects so that
disasters as it experenced are avoided
or bettr managed. Firms need to
The concepts and
theories behind systems
is easy to understand;
the challenge comes
when they have to be
applied in a specific
project context
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(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 5
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
become project prineted and work
collaboratively to gain the full benefits
of project application systems
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Introduction to Life Cycle
Processes;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Life Cycle Models;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Concept Definition;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Systems Definition;
 Part 6: Related Disciplines - 'Knowledge Area:
Systems Engineering and Software Engineering';
 Kerzner (2013) Chapters 15.16-15.23; 23.5-23.6;
 AS/NZS 15288:2015 Chapter 6.3-6.4;
 Raymond L., & Bergeron F., (2008) "Project
management information systems: An empirical study
of their impact on project managers and project
success"
Optional Readings
 AS ISO 21504:2016
 SWEBOK V3 Guide.
Web Sites
 SAP
 Oracle Primavera
 IBM Maximo & BPM
 Microsoft Project.
2. Identify different
systems thinking
tools and
techniques to aid
project managers
solve project
problems.
Application suystems are software
modules that cost time and money to
procure, implement, and use
productively. The tpic give useful
insights and have helped me
understand the important issues to
consider when it comes to
implementing and successfully using
application systems in projects. The
structuring of the content prvides useful
insights on the expected learning
outcomes (Bonham, 2008)
The ideas are logically
and well presented and
act as a blue print for the
expected learning
outcoms for the course
unit
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
3. Assess the
relevance of
Based on past projects I have
participated in, the organization of te
Studyig Kerzners’ and
SEBoK concepts on
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(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 5
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
Knowledge Area: Introduction to Life Cycle
Processes;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Life Cycle Models;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Concept Definition;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Systems Definition;
 Part 6: Related Disciplines - 'Knowledge Area:
Systems Engineering and Software Engineering';
 Kerzner (2013) Chapters 15.16-15.23; 23.5-23.6;
 AS/NZS 15288:2015 Chapter 6.3-6.4;
 Raymond L., & Bergeron F., (2008) "Project
management information systems: An empirical study
of their impact on project managers and project
success"
Optional Readings
 AS ISO 21504:2016
 SWEBOK V3 Guide.
Web Sites
 SAP
 Oracle Primavera
 IBM Maximo & BPM
 Microsoft Project.
systems
engineering to
project cases.
unit and learning material borrow gratly
from project management principles.
The material gives useful insights into
how a course should be organized to
ensure the learning outcomes are
achieved. In this unit, I now have a clear
understanding of the synergy between
project management methods and
systems engineering methods
systems engineering has
give me a new
perspective on managing
projects, previously, I
was more concerned
with project
manamagemnt plans
alone, unaware of the
concept of systems
engineering
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Introduction to Life Cycle
Processes;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Life Cycle Models;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Concept Definition;
4. Describe how
systems
engineering
concepts and
methodologies
can help a
project, program
and portfolio
managers
While claims by forms such as IBM are
true, they must be taken with a ‘pinch
of salt’ systems by themselves are just
like tools; raw metaerials that must be
processed, their propertis learned, and
used appropriately. Knowing how to,
when to, and where to use the
application systems is of greater
importance than just having the
Tools such as application
systems are just that,
tool: knowing the
principles underlying why
, when, where, and how
they ought to be used is
wht is important and so
practical and technical
skills in project
3 of 10

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 5
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
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Systems Definition;
 Part 6: Related Disciplines - 'Knowledge Area:
Systems Engineering and Software Engineering';
 Kerzner (2013) Chapters 15.16-15.23; 23.5-23.6;
 AS/NZS 15288:2015 Chapter 6.3-6.4;
 Raymond L., & Bergeron F., (2008) "Project
management information systems: An empirical study
of their impact on project managers and project
success"
Optional Readings
 AS ISO 21504:2016
 SWEBOK V3 Guide.
Web Sites
 SAP
 Oracle Primavera
 IBM Maximo & BPM
 Microsoft Project.
organise a
project.
systems. This requires managers and
decision makers to be well grounded in
project management principles; the
aplication systems are just tools through
which the skills of project management
can be applied for successful project
execution (Gardiner, 2014)
management are still
essential in achieving
project objectives
use=ing the application
systems
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Introduction to Life Cycle
Processes;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Life Cycle Models;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Concept Definition;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Systems Definition;
 Part 6: Related Disciplines - 'Knowledge Area:
Systems Engineering and Software Engineering';
 Kerzner (2013) Chapters 15.16-15.23; 23.5-23.6;
 AS/NZS 15288:2015 Chapter 6.3-6.4;
5. Explain the
importance of
appropriate
selection of
project
management
(PM) application
systems in
regards to
meeting the
internal and
external
objectives of a
project.
The selected reading material are well
though out and will help achieve the
learning outcomes for the lesson
The materals are
however too much for
the desired learning
outcomes
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(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 5
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
 Raymond L., & Bergeron F., (2008) "Project
management information systems: An empirical study
of their impact on project managers and project
success"
Optional Readings
 AS ISO 21504:2016
 SWEBOK V3 Guide.
Web Sites
 SAP
 Oracle Primavera
 IBM Maximo & BPM
 Microsoft Project.
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Introduction to Life Cycle
Processes;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Life Cycle Models;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Concept Definition;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Systems Definition;
 Part 6: Related Disciplines - 'Knowledge Area:
Systems Engineering and Software Engineering';
 Kerzner (2013) Chapters 15.16-15.23; 23.5-23.6;
 AS/NZS 15288:2015 Chapter 6.3-6.4;
 Raymond L., & Bergeron F., (2008) "Project
management information systems: An empirical study
of their impact on project managers and project
success"
Optional Readings
 AS ISO 21504:2016
6. Describe how the
use of project
management
(PM) application
systems can lead
to effective PM
knowledge
management and
decision making.
The course is designed in such a way
that a learner knows what they should
be compeent on, and relevant material
to reach this competency is provided
There is a lot of learning
material to cover in a
week; however, it
provides options so an
nividual can slect the
best approach to use
applications systems in
knowledge management
for better decision
making
5 of 10

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 5
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
 SWEBOK V3 Guide.
Web Sites
 SAP
 Oracle Primavera
 IBM Maximo & BPM
 Microsoft Project.
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Introduction to Life Cycle
Processes;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Life Cycle Models;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Concept Definition;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Systems Definition;
 Part 6: Related Disciplines - 'Knowledge Area:
Systems Engineering and Software Engineering';
 Kerzner (2013) Chapters 15.16-15.23; 23.5-23.6;
 AS/NZS 15288:2015 Chapter 6.3-6.4;
 Raymond L., & Bergeron F., (2008) "Project
management information systems: An empirical study
of their impact on project managers and project
success"
Optional Readings
 AS ISO 21504:2016
 SWEBOK V3 Guide.
Web Sites
 SAP
 Oracle Primavera
 IBM Maximo & BPM
 Microsoft Project.
7. Compare and
contrast the
advantages and
disadvantages of
different manual
and electronic
project, program
and portfolio
(PPPM)
application
systems within
each PPPM
knowledge area
over the life cycle
of a project,
program or
portfolio.
Insightful material providd that have
elped me understand the manual and
electronic tyopes of application
systems. Material logically arranged; for
this, I feel that application systems are
useful tools in project management, but
how they are used and knowledge of
the theoretical principles of project
management is still crucial to their
successful use (Ter Haar, 2008)
The reading material
provide comprehensive
information for achieving
the learning outcomes
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(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 5
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
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Introduction to Life Cycle
Processes;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Life Cycle Models;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Concept Definition;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Systems Definition;
 Part 6: Related Disciplines - 'Knowledge Area:
Systems Engineering and Software Engineering';
 Kerzner (2013) Chapters 15.16-15.23; 23.5-23.6;
 AS/NZS 15288:2015 Chapter 6.3-6.4;
 Raymond L., & Bergeron F., (2008) "Project
management information systems: An empirical study
of their impact on project managers and project
success"
Optional Readings
 AS ISO 21504:2016
 SWEBOK V3 Guide.
Web Sites
 SAP
 Oracle Primavera
 IBM Maximo & BPM
 Microsoft Project.
8. Identify how
project, program
and portfolio
(PPPM)
application
systems can assist
project managers
to monitor
performance and
manage changes
within a project.
PPPM application systems are effective
tools, when used proprly and based on
project management principles, for
project moonitoring
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Introduction to Life Cycle
Processes;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
9. Propose
appropriate
project, program
and portfolio
(PPPM)
application
The readings offer insights on what to
consider before choosing an
appropriate PMIS to ensure the
successful excution of the project. I now
have a better understanding of how
PMIS systems ought to be used and
7 of 10

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 5
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
Knowledge Area: Life Cycle Models;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Concept Definition;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Systems Definition;
 Part 6: Related Disciplines - 'Knowledge Area:
Systems Engineering and Software Engineering';
 Kerzner (2013) Chapters 15.16-15.23; 23.5-23.6;
 AS/NZS 15288:2015 Chapter 6.3-6.4;
 Raymond L., & Bergeron F., (2008) "Project
management information systems: An empirical study
of their impact on project managers and project
success"
Optional Readings
 AS ISO 21504:2016
 SWEBOK V3 Guide.
Web Sites
 SAP
 Oracle Primavera
 IBM Maximo & BPM
 Microsoft Project.
systems to
support
successful
project, program
and portfolio
execution in
different industry
domains.
their different commercial models: as a
result, am now able to choose the most
suitable depending on the desired
outcoms for a project
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Introduction to Life Cycle
Processes;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Life Cycle Models;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Concept Definition;
 Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management:
Knowledge Area: Systems Definition;
 Part 6: Related Disciplines - 'Knowledge Area:
10. Discuss
contemporary
developments in
the use of project,
program and
portfolio (PPPM)
application
systems.
The PPPM application systems are
increasinglybeing used in project
management; the success of projects,
from what I have learned, depend on
the effective use of PPPM application
systems in the entire project life cycle,
not in some instances where they seem
easy to use (Grönevall & Danilovic,
2014)
Projects suceed when
project management
systems, implemented
using application systems
as tools, are used
through the entire life
cycle of a project
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(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 5
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
Systems Engineering and Software Engineering';
 Kerzner (2013) Chapters 15.16-15.23; 23.5-23.6;
 AS/NZS 15288:2015 Chapter 6.3-6.4;
 Raymond L., & Bergeron F., (2008) "Project
management information systems: An empirical study
of their impact on project managers and project
success"
Optional Readings
 AS ISO 21504:2016
 SWEBOK V3 Guide.
Web Sites
 SAP
 Oracle Primavera
 IBM Maximo & BPM
 Microsoft Project.
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(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 5
References
Bonham, S. S. (2008). Actionable strategies through integrated performance, process, project, and risk management. (Actionable Strategies
Through Integrated Performance, Process: Artech House.
Gardiner, P. D. (2014). Creating and Appropriating Value from Project Management Resource Assets Using an Integrated Systems
Approach. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 119, 85-94. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.03.012
Grönevall, R., Danilovic, M. (2014) Designing an Integrated Project, Program and Portfolio System: A Case Study of Healthcare. Journal of
Modern Project Management, 2(2): 78-85
Ter Haar, R. (2008). Project, program and portfolio management in large Dutch organizations(Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University
of Twente, Enschede.
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