Program and Portfolio Information System 2022

Running head: PROGRAM AND PORTFOLIO INFORMATION SYSTEM 1
Program and Portfolio Information System
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

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Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
Learning outcomes......................................................................................................................................3
a. LO1: Relevance of system thinking to project management............................................................3
b. LO2: Identify different systems thinking tools and techniques that aid project managers solve
project problems......................................................................................................................................4
c. LO3: Assess the reliance of systems engineering to project cases...................................................5
d. LO4: Describe how systems engineering concepts and methodologies can help a project manager
organize a project....................................................................................................................................6
e. LO5: Explain the importance of appropriate selection of project management (PM) application
systems in regards to project realization..................................................................................................6
f. LO6: Describe how the use of PM application systems can lead to effective PM knowledge
management and decision making...........................................................................................................7
g. LO7: Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of different manual an electronic
PM application systems within each PM knowledge area over the life cycle of a project.......................8
h. LO8: Identify how PM application systems can assist project managers to monitor performance and
manage changes within the project..........................................................................................................9
j. LO9: Propose appropriate PM application systems to support successful project execution in
different industries...................................................................................................................................9
j. LO10 and 11: Discuss contemporary developments in the use of PM application.........................10
Discussion and conclusion.........................................................................................................................11
References.................................................................................................................................................13
Appendix of the weeks..............................................................................................................................15
Week 1 Topic: Explain the relevance of systems thinking to PM..............................................................15
Week 2: Identify different systems thinking tools and techniques to aid project managers solve project
problems....................................................................................................................................................21
Week 3: Assess the Relevance of Systems Engineering to Project Cases..................................................29
Week 4: Describe how systems engineering concepts and methodologies can help a project manager
organise a project.......................................................................................................................................49
References.................................................................................................................................................56
Week 5: Explain the importance of appropriate selection of Project Management (PM) application
systems in regards to project realisation....................................................................................................57
Week 6: Describe how the use of PM application systems can lead to effective PM knowledge
management and decision making.............................................................................................................69
Week 7: Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of different manual and electronic PM
application systems within each PM knowledge area over the life cycle of a project................................80
Week 8: Identify how PM application systems can assist project managers to monitor performance and
manage changes within the project............................................................................................................87

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Week 9: Propose appropriate PM application systems to support successful project execution in different
industries...................................................................................................................................................94
Week 10 and 11: Discuss contemporary developments in the use of PM application systems................103
References...............................................................................................................................................112

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Introduction
System thinking is an approach of seeing a system as a whole rather as distinct parts.
Therefore, systems thinking recognizes the interrelation between interconnected elements (Naim,
Gosling, Lin, & Holweg, 2019). In doing this, systems thinking aids to identify to leverage points
where interventions will have a greater effect not only over a short period but for longer time.
The core goal of this paper is to provide a summary of each week learning outcomes and
evidence reflection. Therefore, the paper will provide a reflection of the learning outcome for
each week in form of summary and evidence for the ten weeks. Thereafter, the paper will discuss
the relevance of these learning outcomes to the learner and finally provide a conclusion
regarding the course.
Learning outcomes
a. LO1: Relevance of system thinking to project management
i. Summary
System thinking plays a critical part in solving multifaceted problems in project
management. For example, system thinking improves project management
integrity therefore, the value of the product is delivered in anticipation for
probable challenges. Nonetheless, the close correlation between project managers
and system engineers work to ensure less unanticipated surprises. System thinking
improves the realism of schedule and cost estimates by acknowledging that the
project is not deterministic (Naim, Gosling, Lin, & Holweg, 2019). In a project
the chances of extra tasks coming are often high that were not initially anticipated
in form of rework, hence this is likely to dramatically slow the project progress.
However, system thinking aids to anticipate and manage such effects.

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Tools and techniques of system thinking help project supervisors in generating
and organizing information about a system. As a result, this permits the project
leader to explore and respond to tasks related to a unified system methodology.
Some of the system thinking tools and techniques include decision matrix,
conceptual diagram, and affinity diagram among other tools. For example, the
affinity diagram is a technique that aids the project manager to collect volumes of
data and then organize it into groups based on their correlation.
ii. Evidence
Using systems thinking in project management allows for the smooth running and
accomplishment of the project without experiencing any constraints because the
manager works anticipation of surprises. Systems thinking allows the integration
of both internal and external stakeholders to ensure the project become successful.
b. LO2: Identify different systems thinking tools and techniques that aid project
managers solve project problems
i. Summary
Project management intersect with systems thinking. There are a various tools that
could be used to help project supervisors in solving project problems. For
example project managers use tools such as structural thinking, idea mapping and
mind maps, for brainstorming about the project requirements. Similarly, when it
comes issues of decision-making process systems thinking tools such as structure
stock and graphical function are used.
In addition to that, graphs are used for showing the relationship between several
aspects in a project over time.

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Systems thinking tools help project managers in creating theoretical models that
can be computer-driven that comprises stock diagrams, casual flows, graphs and
loops. Indeed, these tools are used to realize a vision into a broader multifaceted
condition.
ii. Evidence
I have learned that systems well-structured problems results into the right answer
by applying an appropriate algorithm. To control a problem a problem in a project
is predictable and simple. For example for each problem it has to be grouped with
a particular solution. Normally, the solutions to the problem is described through
procedure manuals, organization workflow descriptions and training resources.
Therefore to solve problems it calls for a holistic approach, which should consider
the pattern and correlation between all things. For instance, for an organization
which is a whole system that is connected with many subsystems that should
work together to brings about success of the entire organization system.
c. LO3: Assess the reliance of systems engineering to project cases
i. Summary
A project or a program is based on requirements. It is therefore important for a
business, monitoring and market project for the program outcome as well as
performance essentials where the outcome is assessed. The outcome has to be
designed to ensure that it achieves the requirements for the outcome while differently
realizing the wants of consumers and the guidelines of the project (Archibald, &
Archibald, 2016). However, it has to be understood that the end-user and the client

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can be different entities when the organization get another system from a different
vendor.
ii. Evidence
This learning outcome reveals that system engineering matches project management
through in terms of roles and project elements. System engineers deals with the
technical prototype of an outcome in the advancement stage and project manager
deals with project lifecycle. Consequently, project manager and system engineer have
similar wants, organization roles and maintaining the project track.
d. LO4: Describe how systems engineering concepts and methodologies can help a
project manager organize a project.
i. Summary
The integration of systems engineering during bidding of proposal and making a
application for proposal involves a systematic approach to reduce on the negative
effects. At the same time integrating systems engineering in projects aids project
managers to control project risks. As a result, high profile programs have gone
past their cost limitations and scheduling and at the separating technical irregular
performance.
ii. ii. Evidence
According to the previous learning outcomes it is evident that the existence of risk
within a project entails measuring the probable ability to realize predefined
project schedule, cost and performance goals as well as the adverse effects related
to project failure.

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e. LO5: Explain the importance of appropriate selection of project management (PM)
application systems in regards to project realization.
i. Summary
Research has found that the success of a project directly depends on the quantity
and authority of the project manager. As a result, corporations are advancing to
PPPM to support the emergencies experienced in project management arena. At
the project level, the major concern is the autonomy level a project needs to be
realized effectively.
ii. ii. Evidence
The best approach of project planning is managing them in accordance to the
current operational structure of the company. Different groups should be provided
with specific operational division to ensure accountability as part of the entire
project. The success of a project is achieved through average management
approaches.
f. LO6: Describe how the use of PM application systems can lead to effective PM
knowledge management and decision making.
i. Summary
For an operational application system it poises appropriately both the company
and project requirements by outlining the restrictions between the parent
company and the project in regards to distribution of resources, interconnection
of project results into essential activities and administration (Sharon, De Weck, &
Dori, 2013). Projects are executed over a certain period Therefore, projects are