Analyzing the Relevance of Systems Thinking to Project Management

This report delves into the significance of systems thinking in project management, emphasizing its role in enhancing realism in cost and schedule estimations. It explores how systems thinking fosters integrity by anticipating potential issues and managing interfaces, ultimately leading to better stakeholder engagement. The report examines various learning outcomes, including the relevance of systems thinking, tools and techniques for project managers, the importance of system engineering in project cases, and the impact of system engineering methodologies. It further investigates the selection of project management application systems, comparing electronic and manual systems, and analyzing how these systems assist in monitoring performance and supporting successful project execution across different industries. The report also highlights contemporary developments in project management application systems, providing a comprehensive overview of how systems thinking can improve project outcomes.

Running head: RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Relevance of systems thinking to Project Management
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Author Note

1RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Executive summary
The system thinking under project management as included the developing of realism. This is
regarding estimations of schedule and costs. It can be performed by assessing that the projects can be
deterministic in nature. Moreover, this is useful to develop integrity. Here, the product values have
been gained with the possible issues that go beyond probability. It includes the interfaces and then
the anticipation of various enabling tasks. Again, a closer relationship is established between the
project managers and systems that ensure the unintended surprises. At last, this is useful to develop
the assessment of stakeholder necessities around the widened project life-cycle. The following report
makes an analysis of various learning outcomes of system thinking of project management.

2RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Introduction:
The system thinking in project management has involved the development of realism
regarding estimates of cost and schedule. This can be done by analyzing that the projects have never
been deterministic in nature. Further, it helps in developing integrity. This the product value derived
through anticipation of probable concerns goes beyond possibility. This includes the interfaces and
anticipating of enabling activities. Here, a close relationship between the systems and the project
managers assures some unintended surprises. Lastly, it helps in enhancing the analysis of
stakeholder needs across the extended project life-cycle.
The following study makes in understanding the significance of system thinking towards
project, program and the portfolio managers. Further, various thinking techniques and tools are
identified for aiding the project managers for solving the issues with projects. Next, the study has
been helpful to analyze the relevance of system engineering for project cases. Apart from this, the
ways system engineering methodologies and ideas helping managers to organize projects are
understood. Again, the significance of the proper selection of project management applications is
demonstrated. Further, the use of a project management application system leading to smart PM
knowledge is discussed here. Next, different pros and cons of the various electronic and manual
application systems are understood here. Further, the ways the PPM systems can assist the project
managers for monitoring performances are evaluated here. Next, various application systems for
supporting the successful execution at various domains of industries are understood here. Lastly, the
contemporary developments for the application systems are demonstrated here.

3RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
2. Itemising the learning outcomes:
2. a. LO1: Relevance of system thinking:
2.a.i. Summary:
For the disaster of Texas City and Deepwater Horizon, the system thinking has helped to
optimize the risk margin. It has permitted the projects to fulfil the aims within time and budget.
Further, it helps in developing the workplace practices that have greater integration that has been
occurring between project management and system thinking. Again, this is useful in greater
engagement around the project. Further, it has led to a smart analysis of the actual solutions and
issues for different problems that are witnessed by BP.
2.b.ii. Evidence:
Stark (2015) has helped in understanding that the system thinking has helped in perceiving
the entire world to be systemic. This is emergence and the interconnectivity because of the founding
rocks.
2.b. LO2: Systems thinking tools and techniques for aiding project managers:
2.b.i. Summary:
The study has helped in understanding that Deepwater has involved the products and
processes. Further, it has included Agile planning such as scrums and sprints. It has also involved
measures of project planning. This has estimated the activities for using the self-contained task units.
These are called iterations and sprints. Again, Agile planning has been defining what items are to be
performed for all the sprint. It has also helped to develop repeatable measures to help the teams in

4RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
understanding the ways they can be achieved. Furthermore, the five stages of design thing have
involved the problems, ideating, prototypes and tests, emphasizing and defining. Further, it has
included the entire host of variables and methods of PSMs or the “Problem Structuring Methods”.
2.b.ii. Evidence:
Hornstein (2015) helps in understanding the system thinking and common archetypes for the
business provides the analysis to challenges faced. The author highlights how system thinking
improves problem solving and then inspire organizational learning.
2.c. LO3: Analyze the importance of system engineering for project cases:
2.c.i. Summary:
The Deepwater has needed to develop and defend the primary levels of monitoring, planning
and estimations of technical activities. This also involves identifying and mitigating risks. Further, it
also includes the involvement and finding of relevant stakeholders as the project life cycle goes on.
Besides, the system engineers have become the basic member of the leadership group and managing
projects. Effective communications have been capturing place between the project managers and
system engineers. They are vital to accomplish the missions.
2.c.ii. Evidence:
It is seen that from the analysis of Conforto et al. (2016) the system engineering has been a
better process in the hands for the customer. Further, it helps in reduced design lead time. The. The
reduced design changes are done and the errors are reduced in delivery of production with developed
of dependability.

5RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT

6RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
2.d. LO4: Ways in which engineering methods and ideas are helpful:
2.d.i. Summary:
Deepwater has been focusing on different types of pivot roles. Apart from this, BP and the
community has been concentrating on technology or information technology. This is through
highlighting the specific projects and various technical management qualifications. Further, the
program managers are finding to lead different end-to-end charges of different functions that are
cross-functional. Besides, the lack of suitable system engineering has lead BP under poor priorities
and funding initiatives. Again, it has been leading to control the interdependencies among projects.
2.d.ii. Evidence:
The study of Lee and Green (2015) helps in understanding the concurrent engineering
scenarios that comprise of various properties. It helps in reduced cycle time, overlapping of different
functional tasks and collaboration of functional decisions. Apart from this, Ison and Shelley (2016),
shows that there is concurrent evolution of various systems and component decisions. Lastly, there is
the critical sequencing.
2.e. LO5: Significance of suitable selection of PM application systems:
2.e.ii. Summary:
As far as Deepwater is considered, it has been useful to assign the tasks for various team
members. In this way, they have been able to analyses the tasks that have needed to be focused.
They have also been found to deal with the capability to share that externally. Further, the sharing of
activities and plans with different members at the PB has been a distinct concern. However, BP was

7RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
required to look for functionalities making the project data available for the individuals who are
outside the business. Thus, there has been reporting at real-time. Again, BP and the community has
needed to save a few time. This is helpful to determine whether there has been real time reporting.
2.e.ii. Evidence:
Virapongse et al. (2016) helps in understanding that project management is vital. The reason
is that it assumes that what is delivered has been right. It helps in delivering the actual values against
the business scopes. Again, it is vital since it has to bring leadership and various project directions.
Moreover, it is essential since it assures that there are suitable plans to execute the strategic aims as
per Redmond and Alshawi (2017).
2.f. LO6: The way in which the use of project management application systems has been
leading to smart PM knowledge with decision making:
2.f.i. Summary:
Deepwater is able to use that for ensuring that the employees have been on the same page.
Again, it has involved the policies and codes about the entire process to be transparent. Further, the
downscaling, mergers and acquisitions has been common practice for the project management at
Deepwater.
2.f.ii. Evidence:
The system of project management has been indicating the management of the project
through planning, managing and controlling various perquisites as analyzed by De Roo and Hillier
(2016). It relies on the sophistication of the project management systems. This involves the decision-

8RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
making controlling, change controls, risk management, quality management, resource allocations,
budget management and cost control, scheduling and activity estimation.
2.g. LO7: Comparing and contrasting benefits of various electronic and manual projects:
2.g.i. Summary:
The benefits and drawbacks of these PPM applications have been analysed in the study. At
the first stage, there are inventories where the process is fragmented. Again, the PPM has been
allowing the Deepwater for gaining various common visibilities for the overall scenario. Apart from
this, there are indulgements here the PPM allows the greater depth of engagement crosses the
verticals. Apart from this, there are various risks.
2.g.ii. Evidence:
Ackermann and Alexander (2016) mentioned that the same projects can be managed in
program management. On the other hand, portfolio management has been to control the non-similar
programs and projects. Nevertheless, the project portfolio management helps in the optimal
allocation and uses of resources among the programs and projects. It is useful to deliver a constant
support to programs and projects. Again, Wesselink et al. (2015) there are smaller conflicts with
smarter communications taking place among programs and projects. Next, there are effective
coordinators programs and projects.
2.h. LO8: Application systems to assist the project managers for monitoring performances and
control changes:
2.h.i. Summary:

9RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The study indicates that Deepwater has been putting the disposal of portfolio management.
This is to execute, select and funding of the elements. Further, the set of parameters has been
allowing the measures and report the performance portfolio for further decision making.
Nonetheless, BP and the community has been lacking proper parameters for permitting the reporting
and portfolio measures. It is the element performance to undertake decisions further.
2.h.ii. Evidences:
The project management tools have been evolving from easy spreadsheet products to sober
ones. This is the inevitable trend for project management software. Here the tools can be accessed
through the browsers and they have been currently having the ability to move in that direction as per
Haimes (2015).
2.i. LO9: Project for supporting successful program, project and portfolio execution:
2.i.i. Summary:
Apart from this, more comprehensive way of risk planning and tasks of mitigation has led to
higher confidence for ultimate schedule and final costs. Again, it includes the covering of different
activities having no missed features and requirements. This has been enabling more effective
acceptance having the phase of handover. Further, it has involved the between planning and progress
reporting with multidiscipline activities.
2.i.ii. Evidence:
Kordova and Frank (2018) highlights that apart from this, it has involved the conceptual
models, scenario designing with simulations and system dynamic modelling.

10RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
It includes the conceptual models, development of scenarios along with system dynamic modelling
and simulations.
2.j. LO10: Contemporary developments to use PPPM:
2.i.i. Summary:
Besides this, communication has needed to be implemented at the initial stage. It has
frequently been occurring. Again, it has evaluated all the activities, including the technical ones.
Further, it can be maintained as the life cycle moves on. Apart from this, the system management
planning is consistent with and developing with project management.
2.j.ii. Evidence:
Zhang et al. (2019) ensures that the aims of project levels are managed. Further, the program
managers of BP has found to report in a frequent manner. They have the liability for managing the
strategic initiates of spanning departments and different business units.
Discussion and Conclusion:
The above study demonstrates various challenges for managing innovation of projects of
deployments. Here, the concerns within the innovation of projects includes the uncertainties,
complexities and innovativeness. Further, the managing of uncertainty, complicacy and
innovativeness has needed flexibility. Gain, the projects of Deepwater and BP that are managed
through system thinking has been towards success. Further, proper system thinking constructs have
been casual connectedness and equanimity. Again, the system thinking has been permitting has been
to fetch things that have been totally different viewpoint. The study helps in see the overall instead
of the “prices” to know the relationship. Under the Agile development process one start to make a

11RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMS THINKING TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
better understanding of how every element of the process has been working together. Rather than
following the measures mechanically and rigidly, one fetch much as more the dynamic procedure.
Here, all the elements of the process have required to be adjusted for fitting the case. The study
highlights the approach of system thinking for studying e IT project management and display the
project managers to control the projects. Again, the system thinking is a holistic issue to resolve
issues under system behaviours that have been emerging from interacting with components of
systems. Within the cutting edge of the present corporate scenario, BP has been utilizing
monotonous methods. It has been and high concern for them. Further, it has needed mutual language
to communicate among different project contributors and common processes of project management.