Critical Analysis: Systems Thinking in Project and Organization

This essay critically analyzes the application of systems thinking in project management and organizational contexts, drawing upon resources like the SEBoK, Kerzner (2013), AS/NZS 15288, and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill report. It examines the relevance of general systems management, organizational structures, engineering risk, portfolio alignment, business value, portfolio management, and organizational maturity. The analysis identifies how systems thinking tools and techniques can aid project managers in solving complex problems, referencing examples like the Texas City and Deepwater Horizon disasters to illustrate the importance of effective risk management, communication, and organizational oversight in project development and execution. The paper concludes that a comprehensive understanding and application of these concepts are crucial for achieving organizational goals and ensuring project success.

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Table of Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................2
The analysis of the SEBoK........................................................................................................2
Engineering Risk and Risk Management...................................................................................2
Analysis of a system approach to scheduling, planning and control Kerzner, 2013..................3
Analysis of AS/NZs 15288: 2013 system engineering system life cycle process.....................3
Deepwater Horizon oil spill:......................................................................................................4
References:.................................................................................................................................6

Introduction:
Critical thinking is one of the most draw conclusions by analyzing any situation or scenarios.
Thus, to analyze any scenario, effective system thanking approach and tools is used in order
to relate the consequence with scenario. The critical aspect attracts the analyzer’s attention
while analyzing any case study or scenario. Hence as per project manager these tools are
significant in identifying risk, conflicting situation and functional problems related to the
scenario of any project development stages (Fahrenkrog, Haeck, Abrams, & Whelbourn,
2003). This paper explains the concepts of critical thinking approaches and various function
al tools.
The analysis of the SEBoK
The prose of this book is to assist author in understanding the system engineering body of
knowledge for identifying the curriculum related to advance system engineering projects. The
interdiscipanary approach of system engineering enable the life cycle of efficient and
successful system architecture. These life cycle compromises of various issues, functional
area of sustain most and development standard (Guide to the Systems Engineering Body of
Knowledge (SEBoK), 2017). Thus, book elaborates all these stages and the concept related
these stages with respect to overview of systems. In addition, it also recognizes the economic
value creation of the sustainable system development life cycle in relation to various
scenarios involved within the system development and critical concepts.
The SEBOK has different segment which consist of role of system engineering foundation
requested for the system engineering, application of the system engineering, management of
life cycle of system engineering, discipline and rule required for managing the development
system engineering standard within the project and practices. Hence, all of the above-
mentioned aspect is functional related to the business value, general system management, risk
management and risk management concept (Guide to the Systems Engineering Body of
Knowledge (SEBoK), 2017). The general system management is one of the most popular
approach for analyzing the concept of SEBok. All these theories and the general system
process of the general system process management priorities the functionality of the system
process and system architecture.
Thus, signifies that all the outcome system development life cycle from any project are
countered within the general system management process. Additionally, the SEBOK also
explain about the relevance and application of system engineering approaches and standard
life cycle of the system which includes the impacts and significance of business value formed
within any system development process. One of the specific segment of the SEBOK is related
to is concern of team, knowledge and relation, with people involved within any project team
describes business values creations process.
Engineering Risk and Risk Management
These are other two aspect which can’t be ignored during the development of system
development life cycle or project management. Hence it is important to consider the issues
and problems while identify and managing risk with any engineering system architecture.
Thus, it can be said that identification and management of risk are vital for managing system
development approach and functionalities. All other concept is also included in this book
which is used at all time for managing and elaborating concept along with functionality of
standard life cycle development of system engineering concept (Guide to the Systems
Engineering Body of Knowledge (SEBoK), 2017). The SEBOK is also helpful in providing
effective knowledge development concept and functionality on system engineering required

within any project organization. The book also presents the important business development
values within the organization to create sustainability of the system architecture.
The identification of risk, business values providences along with risk management are
significant and efficient system thinking to analyses the content present inside the book.
It considers knowledge scope and values creation as system development approaches which
is used in any system development aspect.
Analysis of a system approach to scheduling, planning and control Kerzner, 2013
This is one of the most sought book for project management concepts and theories which are
applicable within any organization the book explains all the concepts and applications
required for the project management like project management plan, project scheduling,
project development phase etc. All of these concepts and description is presented in this book
explains all the consequences that a project manager must consider during the project
development plan (Kerzner, 2013). This book not only explains the project management
rules and regulations but and also the general systems management concerns and its
consequences involved within the projects.
Although there exit various types of logical explanation that are used in any project
development plan and project management (Kaisera, Arbib, & Ahlemann, 2014). The
business value, risk management, organizational maturity and genera system management
along with the assessment are proven to be the efficient project management tools for the
analyzing different context and scenarios.
The general system management is also considered one of the important concept which is
required for managing the project and development of organization in relation to various
function involved within an organization (Kerzner, 2013). It also considers the positive
outcomes from the project which is managed with respect to system tools and techniques.
The organizational maturity is one of another aspect which is used for better understanding
the project management methodology involved within any project development structure and
stages (Miller, 2002).
Traditional organizational workflow approaches of project management are explained in this
paper and these approaches are analyzed with respect to organizational maturity. Thus,
organizational maturity states those organization which have enough experience over their
past includes that can manage development of projects (WATT, n.d.).
Thus, book also explains about the risk identification and risk management process in relation
to concept of financial areas of project development aspect and concern.
Analysis of AS/NZs 15288: 2013 system engineering system life cycle process
Due to various consequences and functionalities of system development life cycle, the system
development approaches are getting complex (McDonald, 2016). The level of complexities
has increased the opportunities and challenges for the business organizations and projects.
Therefore, to manage these complexities of the system development life cycle, there has to be
some set of standards and regulatory measures.
There are standards published by the Australian government which are helpful in managing
the management and development of System engineering concepts within any project
management. Organizational structures, risk management, engineering risk along with the
organizational maturity (Viana & Maria, 2016). These all concepts are often used as a tool for
analyzing the concepts in the system development life cycle in order to gain competitive
advantage. The paper analyzes the different stages of system development engineering
processes which has to be evaluated critically with respect to selected theories and processes.
The possibility of developing any system within the organization or project, system life cycle
processes, confirmation of system development plan, enterprise environment for resource

management etc. are explained in this journal in order to brief about the system development
life cycle with its consequences.
The organizational structure is considered to be one of the important measure required for
any system development with respect to the considerations involved within the system
development life cycle or enterprise process. It determines the functional measure that helps
in managing the system development concepts as the organizational structure directs the
objectives and elements behind the system development and system engineering concepts.
As per AS/NZS 15288:2013 System engineering-system life cycle process: It is found that
project planning and investment management processes are explained in regards to the
concept of System development approaches which can be analyzed with respect to
organizational maturity concepts in any project or organization. The depth knowledge of
organizational maturity determines where does the company stands in regard to investment
standards and project planning concepts.
Above all the concepts explained in the paper, risk management and engineering risk are two
vital aspects which can manage the functional errors and issues within the system
development life cycle approaches. The AS/NZS 15288: 2013 System engineering system
life cycle process journal explains about the project control processes and risks management
plan that can reduce functional issues and possibility of errors within the system development
approaches and other application measures involved within the system management
processes. Thus, the system engineering and system development methods incorporates
several security aspects that are analyzed with respect to risk management and engineering
risks system tools within this paper.
Deepwater Horizon oil spill:
It is also known as the Gulf of Mexico oil spill that occurred in 2010. It was the biggest
marine oil spill that took place in the Gulf of Mexico. It was operated and owned by oil
drilling company called as Transocean and was rented by BP an oil company.it was one of
the largest organization that had more than 92000 employees ( National Commission on the
BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, 2011) .
According to various case studies and research it was found that this disaster occurred due to
3 major risks in their infrastructure systems. There were several other risks factors and
mistakes that led to such dreadful event. If BP had good effective and efficient management
system, good communication in the organization, better risk management system and proper
personnel management it could have prevented. There were several technical issues,
regulatory and management issue that was the cause of the disaster. The main technical fault
for the disaster was the cement that the organization had used. The cement that was pumped
below the well failed to seal hydrocarbons during formations. Drilling complications, poorly
designed cement slurry, temporary designed procedures were the factors that enhanced the
risks.
There were some technical issues that team of Chief Council tracked was the errors in the
management company that was involved in the disaster. The organization did not properly
supervise the work given to the contractors who did not deliver good service. its employees
on the rig were not properly supported and trained and all the company associated with it
failed to communicate effectively was also main cause to the incident.
There were some regulatory issues like the organization was incapable to find the risks
associated with the deep wells drilling projects. The regulation system at that time was not
sufficiently relevant to the management and technical problems which contributed to the
disaster or blowout. The regulatory employee did not have proper training and had inadequate
experience to examine the overall risk of the project.

On the basis of facts engineering risk management and organizational maturity are best to
manage risk and increases performance level. So, the head of the BP and its project manager
first analyses the risk factors and try to sort out all the technical, regulatory and management
problems to make organization in better position and achieve success. Each members of the
organization should work for the betterment of the organization to achieve company goals
and objectives. Project manager of the BP should make appropriate projects on the basis of
past experience, analysis risk factors and data to make work more productive and efficient.
Conclusion:
From the above paper it can be concluded that every business organization has its goals and
objectives, to achieve this they work in a team making several strategies and plans. Every
organizational hierarchy consists of higher level management to lower level employees which
follows various theories and approaches to make work more productive, efficient and
effective. There are several ideas and theories which is used in the organization are discussed
in this paper which helps to manage proper analysis i.e. organizational structures, culture and
forms, engineering risks and risk management, general system management, portfolio
alignment, portfolio management and organizational maturity. The main aim of this paper
was to analyses and develop different concepts that are used in the project management
regarding critical analysis tools and several systems thinking which are used within an
organization for project development and to solve problems within the organization. This
paper also discusses the brief about the incident of Deepwater horizon oil spill. there were
several regulatory, technical and management issues that contributed in the explosion and it
also suggests few points that will help the organization to plan project and solve issues in the
organization in order to achieve its objective and goals.

References:
Fahrenkrog, S., Haeck, W., Abrams, F., & Whelbourn, D. (2003). PMI's organizational
project management maturity model. Retrieved from Project Management Institute:
https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/pmi-organizational-maturity-model-7666
Guide to the Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge (SEBoK). (2017, November 2017).
Retrieved from Sebokwiki.org:
http://www.sebokwiki.org/wiki/Guide_to_the_Systems_Engineering_Body_of_Know
ledge_(SEBoK)
Kaisera, M., Arbib, F., & Ahlemann, F. (2014). Successful project portfolio management
beyond project selection techniques: Understanding the role of structural alignment.
International Journal of Project Management, 33, 126-139.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2014.03.002
Kerzner, H. (2013). Project Management t : a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
conrolling. John Wiley & Sons.
Management Process. (n.d.). Retrieved from PressBook: https://pm4id.org/chapter/11-2-risk-
management-process/
McDonald, K. (2016, April 26). What Is Business Value and How Do You Measure It?
Retrieved from Techwell insights:
https://www.techwell.com/techwell-insights/2013/04/what-business-value-and-how-
do-you-measure-it
National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. (2011).
Retrieved from Macondo:
http://www.wellintegrity.net/documents/ccr_macondo_disaster.pdf
Systems Engineering Guide. (2010). Retrieved from Mitre:
https://www.mitre.org/publications/systems-engineering-guide/acquisition-systems-
engineering/risk-management/risk-identification
Miller, J. (2002, October 3). A proven project portfolio management process. Retrieved from
Project Management Institute: https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/proven-project-
portfolio-management-process-8503
Viana, J., & Maria, C. (2016). Enhancing Organizational Project Management. Universidade
Federal de Pernambuco, 26(2), 313-329
WATT, A. (n.d.). Risk Management Planning. Retrieved from Project Management:
https://opentextbc.ca/projectmanagement/chapter/chapter-16-risk-management-
planning-project-management/