PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio: Week 1 - Systems Thinking in PM

This student portfolio assignment for PPMP20012, Week 1, delves into the relevance of systems thinking to project, program, and portfolio managers. It explores the critical role of systems thinking, highlighting how project managers often require a blend of managerial and technical expertise, while program and portfolio managers primarily offer managerial guidance. The assignment identifies various systems thinking tools and techniques, categorizing them into dynamic, structural, brainstorming, and computer-based tools. It assesses the application of systems engineering in project scenarios and describes how systems engineering concepts and methodologies aid in project organization. Furthermore, it discusses the importance of selecting appropriate project management application systems to meet internal and external objectives, emphasizing how these systems facilitate effective knowledge management and decision-making. The assignment also compares and contrasts the advantages and disadvantages of manual and electronic project management systems and explores how application systems assist in performance monitoring and change management. Finally, it proposes appropriate application systems for different industry domains and discusses contemporary developments in their use, referencing key literature such as SEBoK, Kerzner (2013), and Boswell et al. (2017).

(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
1. Explain the
relevance of
systems thinking to
the project,
program and
portfolio manager.
I have learned that systems thinking is critical for a project as different projects
need a combination of managerial as well as technical expertise. However, the
combination ratio depends on the nature of the project. Therefore, the project
manager needs to be implement systems thinking more than the program and
the portfolio manager. This is because the program manager depends on the
insights provided by the project manager and the portfolio manager also
depends on a team of experts who provide market research data and analysis.
Therefore, the program manager and the portfolio manager provide more
managerial guidance than technical.
Walden, D. D.,
Roedler, G. J.,
Forsberg, K.,
Hamelin, R. D., &
Shortell, T. M.
(2015). Systems
engineering
handbook: A guide
for system life cycle
processes and
activities. John
Wiley & Sons.
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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
management;
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.
The tools that are required for systems thinking can be generally categorized
into four types. These tools are thinking tools that can be used dynamically,
thinking tools that can be used structurally, tools that can be used to brainstorm
and computer-based tools.
Boswell, J. W.,
Anbari, F. T., & Via,
J. W. (2017, July).
Systems Engineering
and Project
Management: Points
of Intersection,
Overlaps, and
Tensions. In
Management of
Engineering and
Technology
(PICMET), 2017
Portland
International
Conference on (pp.
1-6). IEEE.
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK:
3. Assess the
relevance of
Systems engineering can be used to implement a structured process that can be
used to manage different project scenarios. Therefore, systems engineering 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
'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;
systems
engineering to
project cases.
its tools can be used to identify and analyse various processes that can be used
for project management.
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK:
'Introduction to
SEBoK'
4. Describe how
systems
engineering
concepts and
methodologies can
System engineering and the various tools it provides can be used by the project
or program or portfolio manager to manage their projects. The managers would
be able to identify and visualize the critical thinking procedure that they might
consult in order to structurally executing the project.
Kerzner, H., & Kerzner,
H. R. (2017). Project
management: a
systems approach to
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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;
help a project,
program and
portfolio managers
organise a project.
planning, scheduling,
and controlling. John
Wiley & Sons.
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK:
'Introduction to
SEBoK'
 SEBoK:
5. Explain the
importance of
appropriate
selection of project
management (PM)
The most suitable application system must be selected for project management.
The internal objectives would serve the goals of the vendor organization such as
high profit making. The external objectives, however, would be responsible for
the satisfaction of the client by meeting his needs and providing a high-quality
work.
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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
'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;
application systems
in regards to
meeting the
internal and
external objectives
of a project.
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK:
'Introduction to
SEBoK'
 SEBoK:
'Introduction to
6. Describe how the
use of project
management (PM)
application systems
can lead to
effective PM
Using application systems will aid in effective project management by
maintaining a structured flow of information in the project. Having a structured
flow of information also means that the knowledge management system would
be well organized and indexed to handle any need. Such a knowledge
management system in turn helps in making informed decisions.
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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
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;
knowledge
management and
decision making.
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK:
'Introduction to
SEBoK'
 SEBoK:
'Introduction to
Systems
7. Compare and
contrast the
advantages and
disadvantages of
different manual
and electronic
project, program
Manual program, project or portfolio application system are easy to use and can
be used by any beginner level user. These systems however do not support huge
calculation and analytical functions.
Electronic application system on the other hand are not easy to use by beginner
level users and training must be provided for the system. The system although
can support huge amount of calculative and analytical functions.
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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;
and portfolio
(PPPM) application
systems within
each PPPM
knowledge area
over the life cycle
of a project,
program or
portfolio.
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK:
'Introduction to
SEBoK'
 SEBoK:
'Introduction to
Systems
Engineering';
8. Identify how
project, program
and portfolio
(PPPM) application
systems can assist
project managers
to monitor
performance and
The project managers can use these systems to monitor and analyse
performance of individual team members within a project. Mostly computer-
based systems are used these days as it can be used to effortlessly create
reports that can be used for analysis and make modifications based on the
outcome of the analysis.
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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;
manage changes
within a project.
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK:
'Introduction to
SEBoK'
 SEBoK:
'Introduction to
Systems
Engineering';
 SEBoK: Part 7:
9. Propose
appropriate
project, program
and portfolio
(PPPM) application
systems to support
successful project,
program and
portfolio execution
Some appropriate systems can be deigned that has the potential to support
various projects successfully. The system must support organized knowledge
management process as it is mandatory for successful decision making.
However, this system must also be flexible so that it can be used universally in
every domain and industry.
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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
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;
in different industry
domains.
Mandatory Readings
 SEBoK:
'Introduction to
SEBoK'
 SEBoK:
'Introduction to
Systems
Engineering';
 SEBoK: Part 7:
Systems
10. Discuss
contemporary
developments in
the use of project,
program and
portfolio (PPPM)
application
systems.
Various application system has been developed that can be used in project,
program or portfolio management. These systems are mostly computer based
and therefore these are being rapidly upgraded to encourage user-friendliness
as most of the users might face problems while handling complex systems. The
system is designed to simplify the process and not make it even more complex.
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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
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;
References
Kerzner, H., & Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Walden, D. D., Roedler, G. J., Forsberg, K., Hamelin, R. D., & Shortell, T. M. (2015). Systems engineering handbook: A guide for system life cycle processes
and activities. John Wiley & Sons.
Boswell, J. W., Anbari, F. T., & Via, J. W. (2017, July). Systems Engineering and Project Management: Points of Intersection, Overlaps, and Tensions. In
Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), 2017 Portland International Conference on (pp. 1-6). IEEE.
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