PPMP20013 - Systems Thinking: Relevance to Project Management (Week 1)

This portfolio focuses on the relevance of systems thinking to project management (PM), drawing from weekly studies, readings, and experiences. It covers key areas and processes of project, program, and portfolio management practices in asset-rich organizations, emphasizing the use of project tools and techniques for successful project execution. The portfolio also examines the role of system thinking in tenders, contracts, and selection criteria, as well as its impact on safety, quality, and decision-making in project management. Case studies, such as the Brisbane Airport's New Parallel Runway project, are used to illustrate these concepts. The objective is to provide a broad understanding of project management principles and their application in real-world scenarios.

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20013Unit 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
 Smith Chapters 1 & 2;
 Australia National
Audit Office - Planning
and Approving
Projects
 AS 4120-1994 Code of
tendering;
Optional Readings
 Locate your company
internal Project
Development Manuals
(if it exists and
available);
 You can also study the
Californian
Government
Department of
Transportation
Project Development
Procedures;
 Download and study
the Engineers
Australia
Infrastructure Report
Card for your State;
Case Study
 Brisbane Airport's
1. Review using clear terminology the key areas
and processes of project, program and portfolio
management practices as applies to asset rich
organisations.
The process of project management can be
defined as a structured process of ensuring
proper project execution in a controlled
environment. This week
Learning has provided an overview of the
different project management processes and
the relevance of system thinking with the
process of project management.
1 of 7

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20013Unit 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
New Parallel Runway;
 YouTube: Brisbane's
New Parallel Runway
– Overview;
 Brisbane Airport 2014
Approved Master
Plan.
Mandatory Readings
 Smith Chapters 1 & 2;
 Australia National
Audit Office - Planning
and Approving
Projects
 AS 4120-1994 Code of
tendering;
Optional Readings
 Locate your company
internal Project
Development Manuals
(if it exists and
available);
 You can also study the
Californian
Government
Department of
Transportation
Project Development
Procedures;
 Download and study
the Engineers
Australia
Infrastructure Report
Card for your State;
2. Discuss the relevance of tools and techniques
for investigating and describing project process
related to developing new workings, facilities,
equipment, plant and processes for justifying,
designing, developing, or maintaining existing
facilities and equipment within the context of
their technological and asset lifecycle status.
Successful implementation of the project
largely depends on the proper usage of the
different relevant project tools and techniques.
Proper implementation of these project
processes results in successful project
execution.
Sheffield, J., Sankaran, S. and
Haslett, T., 2012. Systems
thinking: taming complexity in
project management. On the
Horizon, 20(2), pp.126-136.
2 of 7

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20013Unit 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
Case Study
 Brisbane Airport's
New Parallel Runway;
 YouTube: Brisbane's
New Parallel Runway
– Overview;
 Brisbane Airport 2014
Approved Master
Plan.
Mandatory Readings
 Smith Chapters 1 & 2;
 Australia National
Audit Office - Planning
and Approving
Projects
 AS 4120-1994 Code of
tendering;
Optional Readings
 Locate your company
internal Project
Development Manuals
(if it exists and
available);
 You can also study the
Californian
Government
Department of
Transportation
Project Development
Procedures;
 Download and study
the Engineers
3. Present and interpret major processes that are
based on sound policy, information, and
research that enable project justification,
tenders, contracts, and selection criteria to
occur in an asset rich organisation.
System thinking mainly refers to the disciplined
approach of project management and
therefore it possesses subsequent effect on the
tenders, contracts and the selection criteria of
the project. The use of the different project
management tools help in proper project
implementation.
Sheffield, J., Sankaran, S. and
Haslett, T., 2012. Systems
thinking: taming complexity in
project management. On the
Horizon, 20(2), pp.126-136.
3 of 7

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20013Unit 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
Australia
Infrastructure Report
Card for your State;
Case Study
 Brisbane Airport's
New Parallel Runway;
 YouTube: Brisbane's
New Parallel Runway
– Overview;
 Brisbane Airport 2014
Approved Master
Plan.
Mandatory Readings
 Smith Chapters 1 & 2;
 Australia National
Audit Office - Planning
and Approving
Projects
 AS 4120-1994 Code of
tendering;
Optional Readings
 Locate your company
internal Project
Development Manuals
(if it exists and
available);
 You can also study the
Californian
Government
Department of
Transportation
Project Development
4. Critically analyse management strategies and
operational activities from a broad perspective
to ensure safety and quality, to avoid overruns
or rework, to manage variations and claims, and
to make decisions to discontinue or close
projects.
This week’s learning has provided a brief
overview of the different project management
strategies and the operational activities that
helps in ensuring the safety and quality of a
project. System thinking is an effective method
for analysing the same.
4 of 7

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20013Unit 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
Procedures;
 Download and study
the Engineers
Australia
Infrastructure Report
Card for your State;
Case Study
 Brisbane Airport's
New Parallel Runway;
 YouTube: Brisbane's
New Parallel Runway
– Overview;
 Brisbane Airport 2014
Approved Master
Plan.
Mandatory Readings
 Smith Chapters 1 & 2;
 Australia National
Audit Office - Planning
and Approving
Projects
 AS 4120-1994 Code of
tendering;
Optional Readings
 Locate your company
internal Project
Development Manuals
(if it exists and
available);
 You can also study the
Californian
Government
5. Demonstrate an effective, professional level of
teamwork and communication and support
collaborative peer group learning.
The objective of this week’s topic [Week 1:
Define project management for operators of
mines, plants and owners of large assets] is to
make sure you have abroad understanding of
 The unit’s fundamental objectives;
 Projects and Project Management,
particularly as applied to a project like the
Brisbane Airport Parallel Runway;
 Value Management, particularly as applied
to a project like the Brisbane Airport
Parallel Runway;
 Other perspectives such as how major
organisations like the Australia National
Audit Office, undertake planning and
approving of projects;
 The contents of AS 4120-1994 Code of
tendering.
PPMP20013Unit Profile
PPMP20013 Moodle Web site
Have you any insights you can add
from other units you have studies
or readings you’ve made?
5 of 7

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20013Unit 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
Department of
Transportation
Project Development
Procedures;
 Download and study
the Engineers
Australia
Infrastructure Report
Card for your State;
Case Study
 Brisbane Airport's
New Parallel Runway;
 YouTube: Brisbane's
New Parallel Runway
– Overview;
 Brisbane Airport 2014
Approved Master
Plan.
Note: some of these readings are quite long.
You are not expected to read everything,
rather to gain an overview and be able to
reflect on the material and case study using
your own thoughts.
In this portfolio please reflect on the readings
(1st column) and the learning outcome (2nd
column). Ask yourself in what way does the
readings provide insights into the learning
outcome? Maybe they don’t! What are your
thoughts?
Are there other insights that you can make
from other units that you have studied? Or
your work and life experience?
References
Kerzner, H. and Kerzner, H.R., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Sheffield, J., Sankaran, S. and Haslett, T., 2012. Systems thinking: taming complexity in project management. On the Horizon, 20(2), pp.126-136.
6 of 7