Relevance of Systems Thinking to PM

This document discusses the relevance of systems thinking to project, program, and portfolio management. It explores the benefits of systems thinking in accurately identifying and solving complex problems in projects, as well as meeting project requirements. The document also highlights the importance of portfolio management in project management.

VARUN THATIKONDA / 12068175 - 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
1. Explain the
relevance of
systems thinking to
the project,
program and
portfolio manager.
The fundamental learning objectives that were set in the first week included
systems, programs and projects. At first, I learnt that a project system is a
collection of various sub-systems and it can be used to provide synergistic
outputs in the form of open system, closed system and extended system. I also
learned that a program is a collection of a number of activities that is conducted
over an undefined period of time in order to achieve a particular objective of a
project. In this case, the project has specific start and end dates and suitable
operations are required to fulfil the deliverables.
In this unit, I learned from SEBok regarding systems thinking that are adopted by
project managers during execution of a project. Systems thinking approach
provides the project managers with the benefit of accurately identifying and
solving complex problems in the project. Systems thinking approach enables the
manager to develop multiple approaches to problem solving in the project and
review and modify the requirements accordingly. On the other hand, system
engineering is used by the project managers to define an integrative approach in
order to meet the requirements of a successful project system and also satisfy
the needs of stakeholders, customers and users.
At the same time, I also learned that portfolio management is an important
fraction in project management. A portfolio is a document that is used to
control, select and prioritise programs during a project in order to fulfil the
deliverables at the right time and cost as per the main strategic objectives of the
project.
While studying in this unit, I also needed to understand the application of
various software in project program and portfolio management systems. Some
these software include Oracle Primavera, Microsoft Project, SAP ERP and IBM
PPMP20012 Unit Profile
PPMP20012 Moodle
Web site
URLhttps://
www.apm.org.uk/body-
of-knowledge/context/
governance/portfolio-
management/
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VARUN THATIKONDA / 12068175 - 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
management; Maximo. At the initial stages of the module, I found it hard to understand the
functionalities of these software applications and their requirements in our
course of studies but gradually, I learnt the importance of these applications
along with manual work to solve complex problems regarding PPPM.
Overall, this unit provided me with a lot of knowledge as well as complex
problem skills manually or with appropriate application of software and other
tools that were included within the module. I learnt not only the lessons but also
personal development that will help me in my future professional career.
The supporting and important materials of Project Management and Systems
Thinking have similarities in each other. To improve complex projects and
avoid pitfalls, systems thinking is generally used in comparison to project
management. Systems thinking is provides a synopsis in the analysis of the
interrelations between things. Patterns can be found out using the method.
Outlines of systems thinking have diverse uses in managing complex projects. To
adhere to the outline of systems thinking, the team leaders and the managers
must understand the needs and requirements of the individuals to work in an
integrated and collaborative way.
The guidelines of systems thinking integrates systems approach and systems
science to properly practice and manage the complex projects.
Systems knowledge is a superset of systems thinking, that ensures intellectual
base and foundation. The method is useful in finding concepts, principles,
patterns, and tools, which are accessible in systems engineering. The overall
purpose of systems thinking is to focus in understanding the problem
circumstances.
The Agile approach is based on both the Systems Engineering and project
management that is useful in building and developing projects on the basis of
expectations needs and customer constraints.
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VARUN THATIKONDA / 12068175 - 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
The manager of the project, portfolio manager or program manager of a
company completely follows SPEM (Systems Engineering and Project
Management) which ensures project program or portfolio success with the
constraints, changing needs and customer expectations. This particular
combined approach is used diversely in numerous sectors to ensure success of
program, project or portfolio with the help of managerial and technical skills.
If I notice any kind of failure in the project, I can that the failure was due to
some technical issues and managerial failures. So, it can be concluded by me
that to run a project successfully, there is a need for both technical and
managerial efforts. Here, systems thinking based SEPM have a major role to
play.
Texas city and Deepwater Horizon were caused due to glitches in technology.
The management is also held responsible for the same. There should be a
strong management system, which can deal with such disasters to come up with
strong mitigation plans at time of crisis. The management of the company need
to use systems thinking to understand the current conditions of the oil refinery.
The teams of the company, both the managerial and technical team should use
systems thinking to understand environmental conditions and changes to
develop a proper crisis management and mitigation plan.
Program management can be stated as the management of integrated programs
and projects. Project management can be defined as the management of non
permanent aspects of the project. These management programs help in
achieving the aim and goals of the project. In all of these three different
management processes, systems thinking can be put into effective use to
achieve the scope of the components by completely understanding the
interrelations of the system components. Many managers also consider the use
of PM and SE to get success for the long run.
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VARUN THATIKONDA / 12068175 - 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
References
Dolog, P., Thomsen, L. L., & Thomsen, B. (2016). Assessing problem-based learning in a software engineering curriculum using Bloom’s taxonomy and the
IEEE software engineering body of knowledge. ACM Transactions on Computing Education (TOCE), 16(3), 9.
Zeigler, B. P., & Zhang, L. (2015). Service-oriented model engineering and simulation for system of systems engineering. In Concepts and Methodologies for
Modeling and Simulation(pp. 19-44). Springer, Cham.
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