System Fundamentals: Understanding Complex Systems in Project Management

Running head: SYSTEM FUNDAMENTALS
SYSTEM FUNDAMENTALS
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

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How does knowing a system is complex help me
Knowing a system helps me a lot to understand the system precisely. As an example it
can help me understand a situation of corruption in a company and analyze the complexity of
the problem and take important decision to solve the problem (Heagney 2016). Corruption is
a major issue in trade and often it is very crucial to take necessary decision for the managers
in order to resolve the same (Kerzner and Kerzner 2017). The Kurtz and Snowden’s Cynefin
framework is a conceptual framework which can be used by the managers or policy makers
to reach at a decision of a critical case such as ethical dilemma or corruption in trade and so
on(Lock 2017). The Kurtz and Snowden’s Cynefin framework has a total of five decision
making contexts(McLeod and Childs, 2013). The domains are named as
simple, complicated, complex, chaotic, and disorder (Childs and McLeod 2013). These five
contexts help managers to perceive situations and to make sense of their own. Corruption in
trading has been a major issue for any business firm. The reasons of corruption are various
and not only the taking of bribe is considered as corruption but also other activities which can
harm the organization for some individual’s own benefits(Puik and Ceglarek 2015). The
reasons of corruption in trade are mainly because of intention to earn more and without any
effort(O'Connor and Lepmets 2015).
The process of knowing a system has helped me to understand the critical problems
and deal with it in the field of project management. The concept helped me to understand the
various aspects of the problem related to project management and deliver solution of it
effectively. I am now able to understand what are the consequences of the decision taken by
me and the benefit company to resolve the issue. Knowing a system plays a crucial role
where the decision which has to be taken is sensitive in nature. The corruption can severely
harm the trade and is unethical according to business ethics standard. The case of corruption

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comes under the complex context of the cynefin framework(French 2013). The framework
has made me understood how the dilemma and situation can be solved by taking proper
decision as a project manager and help the company and other stakeholders to work properly
and ethically(Flynn and Speier 2014). As an example I can say a such situation is when a
supervisor sales some products at cheaper price to clear the stock of the company. Here the
company is getting lower amount of money for selling the product though the mid level sales
supervisor is unethically earning some money from the customers by providing them the
products at a much lower price than the printed price of the product. The case here is the sales
manager though clearing the old stocks and avoiding loss due to expiry of product but at the
same time the company is earning less to do that. The lesson has taught me how to take care
of all the stakeholders of the company and provide a suitable solution. My case understanding
was backed by the concept of the subject and the process of decision making was also done
by me taken into consideration all the factors.
Systems engineering
The systems engineering is another key concept of the course which I learnt. I have
got the basic concepts of system engineering. The system engineering has empowered me to
execute an interdisciplinary which ensures that the consumer along with other stakeholder's
demands are met in a great quality, believable, low in cost, quick efficient in working and
compliant with the schedule manner throughout a system's entire product cycle(Girault and
Valk 2013). This method is mainly a combination of the below mentioned seven
tasks: describe the problem, Investigate other options, Model the system, Integrate, Launch
the system. SIMILAR which is acronym
of : State, Investigate, Model, Integrate, Launch, Assess and re-evaluate (Schumacher,
Fernandez-Buglioni, Hybertson, Buschmann and Sommerlad, 2013). The process of knowing

3SYSTEM FUNDAMENTALS
a system has helped me to understand the critical problems and deal with it in the field of
project management. The concept helped me to understand the various aspects of the problem
related to project management and deliver solution of it effectively (Hitomi 2017). I am now
able to understand what can be the consequences of the decision taken by me and the benefit
company to resolve the issue. It is very crucial to consider the fact that the procedure of
Systems Engineering does not happen in chronological manner. The functions are done in a
parallel and repetitive manner(Adams, Hester, Bradley, Meyers and Keating 2014.). I have
learnt how systems engineering can cater the needs of the project manager and helps to
efficiently manage the project and ultimately contributing to the common goal of company’s
financial growth. The concept has taught me how the cross functional teamwork can be the
backbone of success of any project. Despite of the method of roles distribution up on an
assigned project, the most suitable process to eliminate any type of confusion is to
unambiguously demonstrate the roles to be played and job duties of the project manager and
the systems engineer, and obviously other concerned members of the project team (Sadraey
2013). The Project Management Plan (PMP) and the Systems Engineering Management Plan
(SEMP) are actually the two most important documents those are used to characterize the
processes and methodologies of the project will use to complete the project and supply a
product or service provided. The successful completion largly depends on how the system
was monitored and managed by the project manager. I have understood that the project has
several points where important decisions have to be made. The system engineering plan or
SEP is a vital system to execute a project properly. Apart from the technical skills the project
management skill is equally important. The example can be given such as a new project
manager who is inexperienced if appointed to a project which is previously monitored by any
senior supervisor of the company then in that case the new project manager has to understand
the whole machinery and the integrated management involved in it. A project manager can