Relevance of Systems Thinking to a Project and an Organisation

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SYSTEMS THINKING
RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO A PROJECT AND AN ORGANISATION
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Introduction
Systems thinking is an analytical approach focusing on how a systems’ constituent parts relate to
each other and how systems work over a period of time and in larger systems context (Leveson,
2011). Approach to systems thinking contradicts the traditional analysis which looks at systems
by subdividing them according to their separate units. For example, in the field of medicine,
efficient treatment of patients is directly related to the diagnosis. Likewise, systems thinking is a
problem examining disciplined approach which examines problems deeply, wholly, completely
and accurately before taking any action, hence allowing people to gain a holistic view of
situations before making any conclusions (Kerzner, 2013). Generally, systems thinking increases
the number of available choices for solving problems hence expanding our thinking capacity,
therefore, assisting people in problem articulation in different and new ways (Dym, et al., 2005).
Systems thinking principles, therefore, enable us to become aware that there are no any best
solutions to problems and to the fact that our choices impact other system parts. The objective of
this paper is to define systems thinking and classify the tools and techniques related to systems
thinking.
Relevance of Systems Thinking to a Project and an Organization
General Systems Management
Knowledge about systems engineering management (SEM) helps in assets and resources
management, mainly in the service and project context and periodically in a less well-defined
activities context (Sharon et al., 2011). Systems engineering management differentiates from the
general management of projects through its focus on the engineering and technical project
aspects. Consequently, SEM covers development and exploratory research activities in
government or commercial operations at the level of enterprise. Coordination of managerial and

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technical endeavors is required in the implementation of systems engineering. Technical success
is impossible in the absence of the managerial aspect. Management provides a collaborative
environment, the planning, program controls and the organization structure in order to ensure
that the needs of stakeholders are met. SEM thinking showcases that different functions are
managed in systems engineering while the rest are managed by the overall project, systems
management and systems implementation (Kumar et al., 2008). Systems thinking in-company
organizations do not have their own system of accounting but rather relies on the organization of
corporate management for that SEM aspect. Companies performing SE do not include the
functions of accounting to be part of SEM. Systems engineering managers should be involved
actively in managing all activities under the boundary of the SE system, as well as working
towards the collaborative arrangements fitting their situation best.
Organisational Structures, Forms, and Culture
According to Flood (2010), organizational strategies in order to conduct systems engineering
activities are vital to the organizations’ effectiveness. For example, each enterprise is led by a
context, scope, and purpose determined by a group of the stakeholders and changed over a time
period so as to improve the enterprises’ value to them. Few enterprises provide businesses that
are for-profit whereas other enterprises are not-for-profit businesses and usually work for the
good of the public. Non-traditional businesses are also run although they are not tightly
structured hence lacking a legal structure, for example, like a system of national health care.
While the location of some enterprises is based on a single site, some are far-flung world
empires. While some enterprises work inside industries like the medical industry which is highly
regulated, other enterprises work with minimum oversight from the government and are free to
adopt a wide range in business practice. The above-mentioned variations generally give the