Relevance of Systems Thinking to Project Management

This report analyzes the relevance of systems thinking in project management, including the development of realism in cost and schedule estimates. It explores the importance of system engineering, tools and techniques for project managers, and the significance of selecting the right project management application systems. The study also discusses the benefits and drawbacks of electronic and manual project management systems and the use of project management application systems for monitoring performance and controlling changes.

Running head: RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Relevance of systems thinking to Project Management
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author Note

1RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Executive summary
The system thinking under project management as included the developing of realism. This is
regarding estimations of schedule and costs. It can be performed by assessing that the projects can be
deterministic in nature. Moreover, this is useful to develop integrity. Here, the product values have
been gained with the possible issues that go beyond probability. It includes the interfaces and then
the anticipation of various enabling tasks. Again, a closer relationship is established between the
project managers and systems that ensure the unintended surprises. At last, this is useful to develop
the assessment of stakeholder necessities around the widened project life-cycle. The following report
makes an analysis of various learning outcomes of system thinking of project management.

2RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Introduction:
The system thinking in project management has involved the development of realism
regarding estimates of cost and schedule. This can be done by analyzing that the projects have never
been deterministic in nature. Further, it helps in developing integrity. This the product value derived
through anticipation of probable concerns goes beyond possibility. This includes the interfaces and
anticipating of enabling activities. Here, a close relationship between the systems and the project
managers assures some unintended surprises. Lastly, it helps in enhancing the analysis of
stakeholder needs across the extended project life-cycle.
The following study makes in understanding the significance of system thinking towards
project, program and the portfolio managers. Further, various thinking techniques and tools are
identified for aiding the project managers for solving the issues with projects. Next, the study has
been helpful to analyze the relevance of system engineering for project cases. Apart from this, the
ways system engineering methodologies and ideas helping managers to organize projects are
understood. Again, the significance of the proper selection of project management applications is
demonstrated. Further, the use of a project management application system leading to smart PM
knowledge is discussed here. Next, different pros and cons of the various electronic and manual
application systems are understood here. Further, the ways the PPM systems can assist the project
managers for monitoring performances are evaluated here. Next, various application systems for
supporting the successful execution at various domains of industries are understood here. Lastly, the
contemporary developments for the application systems are demonstrated here.

3RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
2. Itemising the learning outcomes:
2. a. LO1: Relevance of system thinking:
2.a.i. Summary:
For the disaster of Texas City and Deepwater Horizon, the system thinking has helped to
optimize the risk margin. It has permitted the projects to fulfil the aims within time and budget.
Further, it helps in developing the workplace practices that have greater integration that has been
occurring between project management and system thinking. Again, this is useful in greater
engagement around the project. Further, it has led to a smart analysis of the actual solutions and
issues for different problems that are witnessed by BP.
2.b.ii. Evidence:
Stark (2015) has helped in understanding that the system thinking has helped in perceiving
the entire world to be systemic. This is emergence and the interconnectivity because of the founding
rocks.
2.b. LO2: Systems thinking tools and techniques for aiding project managers:
2.b.i. Summary:
The study has helped in understanding that Deepwater has involved the products and
processes. Further, it has included Agile planning such as scrums and sprints. It has also involved
measures of project planning. This has estimated the activities for using the self-contained task units.
These are called iterations and sprints. Again, Agile planning has been defining what items are to be
performed for all the sprint. It has also helped to develop repeatable measures to help the teams in

4RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
understanding the ways they can be achieved. Furthermore, the five stages of design thing have
involved the problems, ideating, prototypes and tests, emphasizing and defining. Further, it has
included the entire host of variables and methods of PSMs or the “Problem Structuring Methods”.
2.b.ii. Evidence:
Hornstein (2015) helps in understanding the system thinking and common archetypes for the
business provides the analysis to challenges faced. The author highlights how system thinking
improves problem solving and then inspire organizational learning.
2.c. LO3: Analyze the importance of system engineering for project cases:
2.c.i. Summary:
The Deepwater has needed to develop and defend the primary levels of monitoring, planning
and estimations of technical activities. This also involves identifying and mitigating risks. Further, it
also includes the involvement and finding of relevant stakeholders as the project life cycle goes on.
Besides, the system engineers have become the basic member of the leadership group and managing
projects. Effective communications have been capturing place between the project managers and
system engineers. They are vital to accomplish the missions.
2.c.ii. Evidence:
It is seen that from the analysis of Conforto et al. (2016) the system engineering has been a
better process in the hands for the customer. Further, it helps in reduced design lead time. The. The
reduced design changes are done and the errors are reduced in delivery of production with developed
of dependability.

5RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT

6RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
2.d. LO4: Ways in which engineering methods and ideas are helpful:
2.d.i. Summary:
Deepwater has been focusing on different types of pivot roles. Apart from this, BP and the
community has been concentrating on technology or information technology. This is through
highlighting the specific projects and various technical management qualifications. Further, the
program managers are finding to lead different end-to-end charges of different functions that are
cross-functional. Besides, the lack of suitable system engineering has lead BP under poor priorities
and funding initiatives. Again, it has been leading to control the interdependencies among projects.
2.d.ii. Evidence:
The study of Lee and Green (2015) helps in understanding the concurrent engineering
scenarios that comprise of various properties. It helps in reduced cycle time, overlapping of different
functional tasks and collaboration of functional decisions. Apart from this, Ison and Shelley (2016),
shows that there is concurrent evolution of various systems and component decisions. Lastly, there is
the critical sequencing.
2.e. LO5: Significance of suitable selection of PM application systems:
2.e.ii. Summary:
As far as Deepwater is considered, it has been useful to assign the tasks for various team
members. In this way, they have been able to analyses the tasks that have needed to be focused.
They have also been found to deal with the capability to share that externally. Further, the sharing of
activities and plans with different members at the PB has been a distinct concern. However, BP was

7RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
required to look for functionalities making the project data available for the individuals who are
outside the business. Thus, there has been reporting at real-time. Again, BP and the community has
needed to save a few time. This is helpful to determine whether there has been real time reporting.
2.e.ii. Evidence:
Virapongse et al. (2016) helps in understanding that project management is vital. The reason
is that it assumes that what is delivered has been right. It helps in delivering the actual values against
the business scopes. Again, it is vital since it has to bring leadership and various project directions.
Moreover, it is essential since it assures that there are suitable plans to execute the strategic aims as
per Redmond and Alshawi (2017).
2.f. LO6: The way in which the use of project management application systems has been
leading to smart PM knowledge with decision making:
2.f.i. Summary:
Deepwater is able to use that for ensuring that the employees have been on the same page.
Again, it has involved the policies and codes about the entire process to be transparent. Further, the
downscaling, mergers and acquisitions has been common practice for the project management at
Deepwater.
2.f.ii. Evidence:
The system of project management has been indicating the management of the project
through planning, managing and controlling various perquisites as analyzed by De Roo and Hillier
(2016). It relies on the sophistication of the project management systems. This involves the decision-

8RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
making controlling, change controls, risk management, quality management, resource allocations,
budget management and cost control, scheduling and activity estimation.
2.g. LO7: Comparing and contrasting benefits of various electronic and manual projects:
2.g.i. Summary:
The benefits and drawbacks of these PPM applications have been analysed in the study. At
the first stage, there are inventories where the process is fragmented. Again, the PPM has been
allowing the Deepwater for gaining various common visibilities for the overall scenario. Apart from
this, there are indulgements here the PPM allows the greater depth of engagement crosses the
verticals. Apart from this, there are various risks.
2.g.ii. Evidence:
Ackermann and Alexander (2016) mentioned that the same projects can be managed in
program management. On the other hand, portfolio management has been to control the non-similar
programs and projects. Nevertheless, the project portfolio management helps in the optimal
allocation and uses of resources among the programs and projects. It is useful to deliver a constant
support to programs and projects. Again, Wesselink et al. (2015) there are smaller conflicts with
smarter communications taking place among programs and projects. Next, there are effective
coordinators programs and projects.
2.h. LO8: Application systems to assist the project managers for monitoring performances and
control changes:
2.h.i. Summary:

9RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The study indicates that Deepwater has been putting the disposal of portfolio management.
This is to execute, select and funding of the elements. Further, the set of parameters has been
allowing the measures and report the performance portfolio for further decision making.
Nonetheless, BP and the community has been lacking proper parameters for permitting the reporting
and portfolio measures. It is the element performance to undertake decisions further.
2.h.ii. Evidences:
The project management tools have been evolving from easy spreadsheet products to sober
ones. This is the inevitable trend for project management software. Here the tools can be accessed
through the browsers and they have been currently having the ability to move in that direction as per
Haimes (2015).
2.i. LO9: Project for supporting successful program, project and portfolio execution:
2.i.i. Summary:
Apart from this, more comprehensive way of risk planning and tasks of mitigation has led to
higher confidence for ultimate schedule and final costs. Again, it includes the covering of different
activities having no missed features and requirements. This has been enabling more effective
acceptance having the phase of handover. Further, it has involved the between planning and progress
reporting with multidiscipline activities.
2.i.ii. Evidence:
Kordova and Frank (2018) highlights that apart from this, it has involved the conceptual
models, scenario designing with simulations and system dynamic modelling.

10RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
It includes the conceptual models, development of scenarios along with system dynamic modelling
and simulations.
2.j. LO10: Contemporary developments to use PPPM:
2.i.i. Summary:
Besides this, communication has needed to be implemented at the initial stage. It has
frequently been occurring. Again, it has evaluated all the activities, including the technical ones.
Further, it can be maintained as the life cycle moves on. Apart from this, the system management
planning is consistent with and developing with project management.
2.j.ii. Evidence:
Zhang et al. (2019) ensures that the aims of project levels are managed. Further, the program
managers of BP has found to report in a frequent manner. They have the liability for managing the
strategic initiates of spanning departments and different business units.
Discussion and Conclusion:
The above study demonstrates various challenges for managing innovation of projects of
deployments. Here, the concerns within the innovation of projects includes the uncertainties,
complexities and innovativeness. Further, the managing of uncertainty, complicacy and
innovativeness has needed flexibility. Gain, the projects of Deepwater and BP that are managed
through system thinking has been towards success. Further, proper system thinking constructs have
been casual connectedness and equanimity. Again, the system thinking has been permitting has been
to fetch things that have been totally different viewpoint. The study helps in see the overall instead
of the “prices” to know the relationship. Under the Agile development process one start to make a

11RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
better understanding of how every element of the process has been working together. Rather than
following the measures mechanically and rigidly, one fetch much as more the dynamic procedure.
Here, all the elements of the process have required to be adjusted for fitting the case. The study
highlights the approach of system thinking for studying e IT project management and display the
project managers to control the projects. Again, the system thinking is a holistic issue to resolve
issues under system behaviours that have been emerging from interacting with components of
systems. Within the cutting edge of the present corporate scenario, BP has been utilizing
monotonous methods. It has been and high concern for them. Further, it has needed mutual language
to communicate among different project contributors and common processes of project management.

12RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
References:
Ackermann, F., & Alexander, J. (2016). Researching complex projects: Using causal mapping to
take a systems perspective. International Journal of Project Management, 34(6), 891-901.
Conforto, E. C., Amaral, D. C., da Silva, S. L., Di Felippo, A., & Kamikawachi, D. S. L. (2016). The
agility construct on project management theory. International Journal of Project
Management, 34(4), 660-674.
De Roo, G., & Hillier, J. (2016). Complexity and planning: Systems, assemblages and simulations.
Routledge.
Haimes, Y. Y. (2015). Risk modeling, assessment, and management. John Wiley & Sons.
Henshaw, J. L. (2019). Systems Thinking for Systems Making: Joining Systems of Thought and
Action. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 32(1), 63-91.
Hornstein, H. A. (2015). The integration of project management and organizational change
management is now a necessity. International Journal of Project Management, 33(2), 291-
298.
Ison, R., & Shelley, M. (2016). Governing in the Anthropocene: contributions from systems thinking
in practice?. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 33(5), 589-594.
Kordova, S., & Frank, M. (2018, December). The Concept of Systems Thinking Education-Moving
from the Parts to the Whole. In 2018 IEEE International Conference on Industrial
Engineering and Engineering Management (IEEM) (pp. 303-306). IEEE.

13RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Lee, L. S., & Green, E. (2015). Systems thinking and its implications in enterprise risk management.
Journal of Information Systems, 29(2), 195-210.
Redmond, A. M., & Alshawi, M. (2017, June). Applying System Science and System Thinking
Techniques to BIM Management. In 2017 10th International Conference on Developments
in eSystems Engineering (DeSE) (pp. 3-8). IEEE.
Shrubsole, C. (2018). Systems thinking in the built environment: Seeing the bigger picture,
understanding the detail.
Stark, J. (2015). Product lifecycle management. In Product lifecycle management (Volume 1) (pp. 1-
29). Springer, Cham.
Usher, G., & Whitty, S. J. (2017). Embracing Paradox: Utilizing Design Thinking in Project
Management. In Innovate, Influence and Implement-Proceedings of the Australian Institute
of Project Management National Conference (pp. 1-14).
Virapongse, A., Brooks, S., Metcalf, E. C., Zedalis, M., Gosz, J., Kliskey, A., & Alessa, L. (2016). A
social-ecological systems approach for environmental management. Journal of
Environmental Management, 178, 83-91.
Wesselink, R., Blok, V., van Leur, S., Lans, T., & Dentoni, D. (2015). Individual competencies for
managers engaged in corporate sustainable management practices. Journal of Cleaner
Production, 106, 497-506.
Zhang, W., Zhang, X., Luo, X., & Zhao, T. (2019). Reliability model and critical factors
identification of construction safety management based on system thinking. Journal of civil
engineering and management, 25(4), 362-379.

14RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT

15RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Appendix:
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
Implementatio
n Examples
Kerzner (2013)
Chapters 2.1;
2.6 - 2.8; 2.21;
AS/NZS
15288:2015
Explain the
relevance of
systems
thinking to the
project,
program and
portfolio
manager.
System thinking is an effective framework to
fetch interrelationships instead of things.
This is to see the patterns in the pace of
various static snapshots. Further, this is the
set of common principle areas as diverse and
social and physical sciences management and
engineering. Here, the complicated projects
require the managerial and technical leaders
who are required to know other’s
requirements and needs and must
consequently work in an integrated manner.
System engineering and project management
have been adding value by decreasing the
necessity of rework and re-planning. The
Deepwater Horizon and Texas City disaster
it has helped in optimizing the risk margin,
permitting the projects for fulfilling the
objectives in time and within budget. This
helps in developed working practices having
Stark, J.
(2015). Product
lifecycle
management.
In Product
lifecycle
management
(Volume 1) (pp.
1-29). Springer,
Cham.
Usher, G., &
Whitty, S. J.
(2017).
Embracing
Paradox:
Utilizing
Design
Thinking in
Project

16RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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
Introduction;
Optional
Readings
AS ISO
21504:2016
Project,
programme and
portfolio
management—
Guidance on
portfolio
management;
higher integration taking place between the
system thinking and project management,
resulting in various outcomes. This helps in
higher stakeholder engagement across the
project. This leads to an effective analysis of
the issues and the actual solutions for various
issues faced by BP. Further, more
comprehensive risk planning and activities of
mitigation have been leading to greater
confidence in the ultimate schedule and final
cost. This involves the covering of various
tasks having no missed requirements and
features. It enables more successful
acceptance with a phase of handover. It
includes better progress and planning
reporting having multidiscipline tasks. It
helps in coming up with complexity. It leads
to a more realistic statement of the current
status of projects.
Management.
In Innovate,
Influence and
Implement-
Proceedings of
the Australian
Institute of
Project
Management
National
Conference
(pp. 1-14).

17RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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
Implementatio
n Examples
Kerzner (2013)
Chapters 2.1;
2.6 - 2.8; 2.21;
AS/NZS
15288:2015
Introduction;
Identify
different
systems
thinking tools
and
techniques to
aid project
managers
solve project
problems.
The approach for Deepwater includes the
process and products. It involves the Agile
planning like sprints and scrums. This
opposed to waterfalls. It includes the method
of project planning. It estimates the tasks to
use the self-contained tasks units known as
sprints and iterations. Further, Agile
planning defines what items have been done
for every sprint. This helps in developing
repeatable measures for helping the teams to
learn how they can be gained. Again, the five
stages of design thinking include the tests,
prototypes, ideating and problems, defining
and emphasizing. It also involves the overall
host of methods and various PSMs or
Problem Structuring Methods. It includes the
conceptual models, development of scenarios
along with system dynamic modelling and
simulations. However, in deploying the
Agile, there are various issues faced by the
Hornstein, H.
A. (2015). The
integration of
project
management
and
organizational
change
management is
now a
necessity.
International
Journal of
Project
Management,
33(2), 291-298.
Shrubsole, C.
(2018).
Systems
thinking in the

18RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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;
BP and its partners, as the scrums fail to gain
distraction with a distraction from the actual
task of the project. Moreover, the developers
have been accustomed to working in an
autonomous manner to seek that the Scum is
never needed and slowing them down.
Lastly, there are issues with efforts of
development that never simply fit the sprint
of time-boxed.
built
environment:
Seeing the
bigger picture,
understanding
the detail.
Mandatory
Readings
SEBoK:
'Introduction to
SEBoK'
SEBoK:
'Introduction to
Systems
Assess the
relevance of
systems
engineering to
project cases.
The project management planning is the
master document to plan for any projects.
Further, it has been demonstrating every task
that includes technical tasks. This can be
controlled an integrated as the program life
cycle goes on. Moreover, the system
management planning has been consistent
with and evolving in concert with project
Conforto, E. C.,
Amaral, D. C.,
da Silva, S. L.,
Di Felippo, A.,
&
Kamikawachi,
D. S. L. (2016).
The agility

19RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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
Engineering';
SEBoK: Part
7: Systems
Engineering
Implementatio
n Examples
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
portfolio
management. Additionally, some of the
clients have consisted of technical
management expectations and planning.
These are needed to be integrated by project
system management with different customer
activities and plans. Provided with the
significance of managing and planning of
technical elements of projects, smart system
engineers have required to have strong
foundations of prior experiences and
management skills. Deepwater has required
to defend and develop the basis of
estimations, monitoring and planning
technical tasks, mitigating and identifying
the risks. It involves the determination and
involving the related stakeholders as the life
of the project goes on. Again, the system
engineer has turned into the primary member
of the leadership team and project
management. On the other hand, efficient
construct on
project
management
theory.
International
Journal of
Project
Management,
34(4), 660-674.

20RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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
management—
Guidance on
portfolio
management;
communications have been taking place
between the system engineers and project
managers that are vital for accomplishing the
missions. Apart from this, communication
requires to be deployed earlier and has been
happening very frequently.
Mandatory
Readings
SEBoK:
'Introduction to
SEBoK'
SEBoK:
'Introduction to
Systems
Engineering';
SEBoK: Part
7: Systems
Engineering
Implementatio
Describe how
systems
engineering
concepts and
methodologies
can help a
project,
program and
portfolio
managers
organise a
project.
The system engineering ideas and methods
has been helping the portfolio, program and
project managers in many ways. It is seen
that the program manager can be seen as the
translation of different strategic objectives to
measurable business results. This is coupled
with the integration of various related
initiatives needed for the results to be
realized. Any person liable to manage
program is commonly regarded as the
program managers. Besides, the role of the
program manager has been varying
depending on organizations. For instance,
Lee, L. S., &
Green, E.
(2015).
Systems
thinking and its
implications in
enterprise risk
management.
Journal of
Information
Systems, 29(2),
195-210.
Ison, R., &

21RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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
n Examples
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
portfolio
management—
Guidance on
portfolio
management;
Deep-water has been emphasized in the
business aspects of various pivot roles.
Further, BP and its community have been
focusing on technology or IT by highlighting
the specific project and technical
management qualifications. Again, the
program managers have been leading to
various end-to-end charges of various
programs that are cross-functional. It has
been including the shaping of approaches for
delivering the set of intended results. The
lack of proper system engineering has lead
BP in poor prioritizations and initiatives of
funding. Further, there have been issues to
assure availability and resource capacity.
Moreover, this has been leading to manage
the interdependences taking place among
projects. Apart from this, it can also be
assured that the goals at the program levels
are gained. The program managers of BP has
Shelley, M.
(2016).
Governing in
the
Anthropocene:
contributions
from systems
thinking in
practice?.
Systems
Research and
Behavioral
Science, 33(5),
589-594.

22RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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
frequently been reporting and have the
liability to manage the strategic initiatives
spanning departments and various business
units.
Mandatory
Readings
SEBoK:
'Introduction to
SEBoK'
SEBoK:
'Introduction to
Systems
Engineering';
SEBoK: Part
7: Systems
Engineering
Implementatio
n Examples
Kerzner (2013)
Explain the
importance of
appropriate
selection of
project
management
(PM)
application
systems in
regards to
meeting the
internal and
external
objectives of a
project.
There is high importance for suitable
selection of PM or project management
application systems. First of all, there is the
ease of use. Initially, one requires to assure
whatever software is invested for the ease of
use. However, for BP and its partners has
been complicated. Here, users have needed
various methods to get trained. Here, the best
product has been anything to seek
straightforward to use and suits the teams.
Next, there is task management that involves
the Gantt charts. Hence, one requires to
manage the task features also. For
Deepwater, this has been helpful for
assigning tasks for the other members of the
Virapongse, A.,
Brooks, S.,
Metcalf, E. C.,
Zedalis, M.,
Gosz, J.,
Kliskey, A., &
Alessa, L.
(2016). A
social-
ecological
systems
approach for
environmental
management.
Journal of

23RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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
Chapters 2.1;
2.6 - 2.8; 2.21;
AS/NZS
15288:2015
Introduction;
Optional
Readings
AS ISO
21504:2016
Project,
programme and
portfolio
management—
Guidance on
portfolio
management;
team. Hence they have been able to
understand what work they have required to
concentrate on. It is also dealing with the
ability to share externally. The sharing of
plans and activities with a various team of
members at BP s different matter.
Nevertheless, BP was required to look for the
functionalities that make the project data
available for the people external to the
business. Next, there is real-time reporting.
BP and its community have required to save
some time to seek the product has real-time
reporting.
Environmental
Management,
178, 83-91.
Redmond, A.
M., & Alshawi,
M. (2017,
June).
Applying
System Science
and System
Thinking
Techniques to
BIM
Management.
In 2017 10th
International
Conference on
Developments
in eSystems
Engineering

24RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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
(DeSE) (pp. 3-
8). IEEE.
Mandatory
Readings
SEBoK:
'Introduction to
SEBoK'
SEBoK:
'Introduction to
Systems
Engineering';
SEBoK: Part
7: Systems
Engineering
Implementatio
n Examples
Kerzner (2013)
Chapters 2.1;
2.6 - 2.8; 2.21;
Describe how
the use of
project
management
(PM)
application
systems can
lead to
effective PM
knowledge
management
and decision
making.
There are many ways how the use of PMI
application systems has been leading to
smart PM knowledge management with
decision making. The knowledge
management with decision making has been
helpful to create and maintain a huge
knowledge database. This is helpful for
Deepwater to assure that all the employees
have been on a similar page. It includes all
the codes and policies regarding the overall
process is transparent. Apart from this,
acquisitions, mergers and downscaling are
the common practices for project
management at companies. Though using the
knowledge management system, the
employees are able to assimilate the different
offerings for the goals of every project and
De Roo, G., &
Hillier, J.
(2016).
Complexity and
planning:
Systems,
assemblages
and
simulations.
Routledge.

25RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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;
program apart from the planned aims of their
business. Despite the constant knowledge
management system and operative systems,
this has been problematic to undertake high
quality decisions in an opportunistic way.
This is helpful to provide solutions for the
consumers stimulating revolution and
novelty.
Under the cutting-edge of the current
corporate world, BP has been using
monotonous methodology. This has been an
issue for them. Moreover, it requires the
mutual language for communicating among
various project contributors and typical
procedure of project management. Apart
from this, staffs of BP has been rousingly
focusing on sharing what they have already
aware and what they have been currently
performing on the task. Again, the developer
efficiency, the people have required to

26RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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
comprehend the methods of nurturing the
scenario of sharing of knowledge.
Mandatory
Readings
SEBoK:
'Introduction to
SEBoK'
SEBoK:
'Introduction to
Systems
Engineering';
SEBoK: Part
7: Systems
Engineering
Implementatio
n Examples
Kerzner (2013)
Chapters 2.1;
2.6 - 2.8; 2.21;
Compare and
contrast the
advantages
and
disadvantages
of different
manual and
electronic
project,
program and
portfolio
(PPPM)
application
systems
within each
PPPM
knowledge
Pros and cons of various electronic and
manual PPPM applications are understood
hereafter. First of all, there are inventories
where the process gets fragmented. Here, the
PPM permits Deepwater to achieve common
visibilities for the entire scenario. Again,
there is the involvement where PPM permits
a higher depth of involvement around all the
verticals. Moreover, there are risks. Lumping
numerous programs together and resource
allocations have been permitting the business
to consider more tasks. This also assures that
the present project has been reaching
success.
However, for BP and its partners and
community, there have been various
disadvantages. Though it has seemed that
Ackermann, F.,
& Alexander, J.
(2016).
Researching
complex
projects: Using
causal mapping
to take a
systems
perspective.
International
Journal of
Project
Management,
34(6), 891-901.
Wesselink, R.,
Blok, V., van

27RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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;
area over the
life cycle of a
project,
program or
portfolio.
PPM is not a limit, as it comes to BP’s
benefit, the business can reap. Here, many
ways are there that have been going
dramatically wrong and upsetting the regular
operations. Next, the resources have been a
benefit as the responsibility is the program
gets shared. Here, the resources as being the
benefits as the program liabilities are shared.
This also leads to the downfall of project
portfolio management. Nevertheless, the size
of BP has been a sheer factor to determine
the success of their project portfolio
management.
Leur, S., Lans,
T., & Dentoni,
D. (2015).
Individual
competencies
for managers
engaged in
corporate
sustainable
management
practices.
Journal of
Cleaner
Production,
106, 497-506.
Mandatory
Readings
SEBoK:
'Introduction to
Identify how
project,
program and
portfolio
The PPPM applications are helpful to assist
the project managers of Deepwater for
monitoring performances. These are also
useful to control the changes under the
Haimes, Y. Y.
(2015). Risk
modeling,
assessment,

28RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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
SEBoK'
SEBoK:
'Introduction to
Systems
Engineering';
SEBoK: Part
7: Systems
Engineering
Implementatio
n Examples
Kerzner (2013)
Chapters 2.1;
2.6 - 2.8; 2.21;
AS/NZS
15288:2015
Introduction;
Optional
Readings
AS ISO
(PPPM)
application
systems can
assist project
managers to
monitor
performance
and manage
changes
within a
project.
projects. Here, the project portfolio
management is the core management of the
portfolios and included the identification,
prioritization, authorizing, controlling and
managing the programs and projects. This is
helpful to gain strategic business aims.
Moreover, the resources of Deepwater has
been putting the disposal of portfolio
management in executing, fund and selection
of the components. Next, the categorization
has been a grouping of potential elements to
categories for facilitating decision making
for the future. Again, the categories have
been linked to the elements with a common
set of strategic aims. Here, the set of
parameters has been providing permission
for measurements and reporting the portfolio
in the performance of future decision
making. However, BP and its community
have lacked a suitable set of parameters
and
management.
John Wiley &
Sons.

29RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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
21504:2016
Project,
programme and
portfolio
management—
Guidance on
portfolio
management;
permitting reporting and measurement on the
portfolio. This is one of the performances of
the element to make decision making further.
Mandatory
Readings
SEBoK:
'Introduction to
SEBoK'
SEBoK:
'Introduction to
Systems
Engineering';
SEBoK: Part
7: Systems
Engineering
Propose
appropriate
project,
program and
portfolio
(PPPM)
application
systems to
support
successful
project,
program and
. There have been various PPM application
system that has been helping to support the
execution of PPPM. Deepwater’s PPM
services have been starting from the initial
phase. Besides, it has been remaining until
the ending of the lifecycle of tool and
service. Having fast changes in business and
technology, one can help to plan with long-
term and short term IT implications. They
have been helping Deepwater in meeting
particular requirements and then void the
redundancies. Apart from this, scalable and
Kordova, S., &
Frank, M.
(2018,
December).
The Concept of
Systems
Thinking
Education-
Moving from
the Parts to the
Whole. In 2018
IEEE

30RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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
Implementatio
n Examples
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
portfolio
management—
Guidance on
portfolio
management;
portfolio
execution in
different
industry
domains.
flexible systems can be developed. Here, the
integration has been done seamlessly and
dependable on other tools. Moreover, it is
helpful for developing data and then access
security. However, lack of it has lead B to
develop stable systems that could have been
looking into consistent manner. Further sue
to this, they have been unable to provide
transparency around their organizational
hierarchy.
International
Conference on
Industrial
Engineering
and
Engineering
Management
(IEEM) (pp.
303-306).
IEEE.

31RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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
Implementatio
n Examples
Kerzner (2013)
Chapters 2.1;
2.6 - 2.8; 2.21;
AS/NZS
15288:2015
Introduction;
Discuss
contemporary
developments
in the use of
project,
program and
portfolio
(PPPM)
application
systems.
There have been various contemporary
developments found in using PPPM. It has
been an emerging aspect of Deepwater’s
business management. They have been
focusing on the ways how the projects are
chosen, then prioritized, integrated,
controlled and managed under the multi-
project context. Different competency
standards have been created by professional
bodies. Nonetheless, till date, there has been
a lack of attempt for BP to create the
competency standards at the level of
portfolio management. At first, there have
been various conceptual issues for BP,
including lack of cumulative traditions,
theoretical glues, clarity, applicability and
parsimony. One of the significant trends here
is the digital transformation that has been
fitting to resolve issues that BP had all along.
Apart from this, another trend here is the
Zhang, W.,
Zhang, X., Luo,
X., & Zhao, T.
(2019).
Reliability
model and
critical factors
identification
of construction
safety
management
based on
system
thinking.
Journal of civil
engineering
and
management,
25(4), 362-379.
Henshaw, J. L.

32RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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;
overall strategic transformation. This has
been changing the complete aim, product and
includes the latest segment of the business.
However, this has nothing to do with the
central segment.
(2019).
Systems
Thinking for
Systems
Making:
Joining
Systems of
Thought and
Action.
Systemic
Practice and
Action
Research,
32(1), 63-91.

33RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT