Relevance of Systems Thinking to Project Management - PPMP20012 Week 1

This unit portfolio for PPMP20012 Week 1 discusses the relevance of systems thinking to project management, different tools & techniques, and contemporary developments in PPPM application systems. The readings include SEBoK, Kerzner, and AS/NZS 15288:2015. The portfolio covers learning outcomes, supporting documentation, and mandatory and optional readings.

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 1
Week 1 Topic: Explain the relevance of systems thinking to PM.
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
Implementation 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;
1. Explain the relevance
of systems thinking
to the project,
program and
portfolio manager.
Systems thinking is a framework thatenables the
inter relationships between things to be seen, rather
than the things themeslevs. In the context of project
management; projects have interrelationships
between elements and so systems thinking help
project, program, and portfolio managers see how
different elements are interrelated for better
outcomes
Projects are a series of
interconnected
elenments and activities;
using the systems
thinking model helps the
whole picture to be
evaluatd to ensure
successful outcomes
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK: 'Introduction to SEBoK'
 SEBoK: 'Introduction to Systems
Engineering';
 SEBoK: Part 7: Systems Engineering
Implementation 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;
2. Identify different
systems thinking
tools and techniques
to aid project
managers solve
project problems.
They provide a framework, definitions, and a clear
undrstanding of what systems thinking and systes
engineering is, and their interrelationships with
projct management principles
Systems engineering and
project and program
management are
intmately linked
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(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 1
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
Implementation 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;
3. Assess the relevance
of systems
engineering to
project cases.
I now have an idea of the tools and techniques used
in systems engineering, th requisite inputs, ad
outputs essential for the successful delivery of
projects
The readings have given
me an idea that systems
thinking is crucial for
project performance
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK: 'Introduction to SEBoK'
 SEBoK: 'Introduction to Systems
Engineering';
 SEBoK: Part 7: Systems Engineering
Implementation 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;
4. Describe how
systems engineering
concepts and
methodologies can
help a project,
program and
portfolio managers
organise a project.
The elements, tools, techniques and processes of
systems enginering mimic those used in project
management and a project manager can use these
tools or work with them, in the context of project
management methodolhgies, to effectively plan for
technical projects
I now undertand at a
deeper level the
interrelationships
between systems
engineering tools and
project planning
methodologies
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK: 'Introduction to SEBoK'
5. Explain the
importance of
appropriate selection
The readings reinforce the ide that the right tool for
the right job to achieve the desired outcomes.
Choosing the right tool enhances efficiency,
Having the right systems
thinking application tools
makes it easy to execute
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(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 1
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: 'Introduction to Systems
Engineering';
 SEBoK: Part 7: Systems Engineering
Implementation 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;
of project
management (PM)
application systems
in regards to meeting
the internal and
external objectives of
a project.
effectiveness, and chances of meeting the project
objectives
projects and acieve the
set objectives
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK: 'Introduction to SEBoK'
 SEBoK: 'Introduction to Systems
Engineering';
 SEBoK: Part 7: Systems Engineering
Implementation 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;
6. Describe how the use
of project
management (PM)
application systems
can lead to effective
PM knowledge
management and
decision making.
When organizations falter in their role of tight
mamagement, planning, and knowledge
management, disasters occur and even managing
these disasters vbecome difficult because of
iappropriate use of knowedege management tools
Effective knowledge
management equals
project success
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK: 'Introduction to SEBoK'
 SEBoK: 'Introduction to Systems
7. Compare and
contrast the
advantages and
I have a better understanding of the differet
concepts of PPPM application systems and their
merits and demerits; I can now select the best
It is important to
understand the benefits
and limitations of various
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(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 1
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
Implementation 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;
disadvantages of
different manual and
electronic project,
program and
portfolio (PPPM)
application systems
within each PPPM
knowledge area over
the life cycle of a
project, program or
portfolio.
applicatio system to use dependeing on the unique
coditions and circumstances facing a project
tools and systems to be
able to select the best
for each given project
scenario
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK: 'Introduction to SEBoK'
 SEBoK: 'Introduction to Systems
Engineering';
 SEBoK: Part 7: Systems Engineering
Implementation 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;
8. Identify how project,
program and
portfolio (PPPM)
application systems
can assist project
managers to monitor
performance and
manage changes
within a project.
I have a better understanding of how to use
application systmes as effective tools for monitoring
project performance. These systems provide useful
insights and data that are crucial for making the riht
decisions when undertaking projects
Effective use of
application systems will
led to effectve project
monitoring
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK: 'Introduction to SEBoK'
 SEBoK: 'Introduction to Systems
Engineering';
9. Propose appropriate
project, program and
portfolio (PPPM)
application systems
The readings give examples of situations where
PPPM application systems use was not done
effectively and resulted in a disaster, whose
management proved to be challeging as well
There should be synergy
and cross functioning
between project
monitoring and
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(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 1
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: Part 7: Systems Engineering
Implementation 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;
to support successful
project, program and
portfolio execution in
different industry
domains.
application systems that
collect inmporatnt data
in projects
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK: 'Introduction to SEBoK'
 SEBoK: 'Introduction to Systems
Engineering';
 SEBoK: Part 7: Systems Engineering
Implementation 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;
10. Discuss
contemporary
developments in the
use of project,
program and
portfolio (PPPM)
application systems.
Program management should be significantly
enhanced to support the emergence of strategic
decision making with regard to effective project
management. More organizations use system of one
type or another; these can be applied effectively
with a project management setting to achieve
organizational goals in projects
Projects fail when there
is dosconnect between
top manager and project
teams; applicaton
systems enhance
collaboration and
cooperation and this
leads to better outcomes
and educed project
failures (Young, Poon &
O’Connor, 2018)
References
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(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 1
Young, R., Poon, S., & O’Connor, P. (2018). 'Chapter 8: From projects to programs to execute strategy' in The Project as a Social System: Asia-Pacific
Perspectives on Project Management by Henry Linger and Jill Owen | EPress. Retrieved from
http://books.publishing.monash.edu/apps/bookworm/view/The+Project+as+a+Social+System%3A+Asia-
Pacific+Perspectives+on+Project+Management/171/OEBPS/c08.htm
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