PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2: Systems Thinking Tools and Techniques

(MOHAMMED ABDUL BAKHI) / (12067067) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
Week 2: Identify different systems thinking tools and techniques to aid project managers solve project
problems.
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
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'Introduction to SE
Transformation';
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'SEBoK Users and
Uses';
 Part 6: Related
Disciplines -
'Knowledge Area:
Systems
Engineering and
Project
Management'
 Kerzner (2013)
Chapters 2.1; 2.6 -
2.8; 2.21;
 AS/NZS
15288:2015
Introduction;
Optional Readings
 AS ISO
21504:2016
Project,
programme and
1. Explain the
relevance of
systems thinking to
the project,
program and
portfolio manager.
It has been identified that the process of system thinking is a process which has
its deep roots in the principles, Fundamentals and the models of management
and foundational systems sciences. The systems thinking are critically applied in
the project management through the medium of systems engineering
processes. This helps the project manager to effectively manage the lifecycle of
a project and also collaborate various other functions such as management,
engineering and discipline in the project management. It should be noted that
the traditional application of the implementation of systems engineering is seen
product development but in the modern context, it has been analysed that the
application of this systems is also seen in the enterprise and service systems.
Thus it should be noted that the approach of systems engineering is a
collaborative approach and in this, it is essential to work with the engineering
systems and management disciplines. The major advantage that is perceived
from the method of systems engineering is that it helps the project manager to
effectively and efficiently collaborate the processes that are implied in the
development of the project. This helps the project to be completed within the
specified deadlines and also in an enhanced manner (Sebokwiki.org., 2018).
PPMP20012 Unit Profile
PPMP20012 Moodle
Website
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you can add other units
you have studies or
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(MOHAMMED ABDUL BAKHI) / (12067067) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
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
portfolio
management—
Guidance on
portfolio
management;
Case Study
 Chief Counsel's
Report - Chapter 5
(PDF 700KB),
2. Identify different
systems thinking
tools and
techniques to aid
project managers
to solve project
problems.
It should be noted that there are various tools of system thinking which may
help the project manager in an effective and efficient manner. These tools of
systems thinking can be effectively categorised into three major segments which
can help the project manager to enhance the development of the project and
solve the issues and contingencies that may arise during the lifetime of the
project. These tools are:
Brainstorming Tools
In brainstorming tools, the majorly used diagram is the fishbone diagram which
helps in analysis of the cause and effect relationship. This diagram is used to
analyse and structure the free flow of thoughts to the point of focus i.e. issue.
The thoughts are effectively categorised in the hard and soft variables here.
Image: Fishbone diagram
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(MOHAMMED ABDUL BAKHI) / (12067067) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
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
Dynamic Thinking Tools
In Dynamic thinking tool, the most common tool which is used by the project
manager is the tool of Behaviour Over Time graph. This tool is effectively used to
get insights into the interrelationships between the variables. This helps in
analysis of the past, current and future behaviours of the employees.
Image: Behaviour Over Time graph
Structural Thinking Tools
In the structure thinking tools, the most used tool is the Policy Structure
Diagram. This diagram can be explained as the conceptual map of a decision
making the process that is embedded in an organisation or in the project. Here
the weighing of the project is done for each decision and this can also be used in
order to build a stack of generic structures (The Systems Thinker., 2018).
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