PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio: Systems Thinking Tools for Project Problems

This report discusses the application of systems thinking tools and techniques in project management, particularly for problem-solving. It identifies various tools such as tree diagrams, graphical analysis, affinity diagrams, and influence diagrams, explaining their use in organizing ideas, identifying patterns, and understanding interdependencies within a system. The report references the SEBoK and other project management resources. Additional tools like conceptual models, decision matrices, and functional analysis methods are also mentioned, highlighting the breadth of options available to project managers. Desklib provides access to a wide range of academic resources, including past papers and solved assignments, to support students in their studies.

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 1
Week 2 Topic: Identify different systems thinking tools and techniques to aid project managers solve project
problems.
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
1. Identify different
systems thinking
tools and
techniques to aid
project managers
solve project
problems.
System thinking generally refers to the approach which is one of the new
and besides this there exists various kind of project managers who are
associated with earing a lot of benefits due to the advantages which are
provided by this approach and this in turn is associated with addressing the
various complex problems.
Tree Diagram: Tree Diagram is the tool which is used by the project managers
for the purpose of organizing the different kind of ideas as well as opinions along
with the various kind of issues into some meaning full information as well as
structure. This in turn is associated with putting forward a clear idea of the
various kind of problems.
Graphical Analysis: This is the particular technique which is associated with
allowing the searching of the patterns existing in the data variations.
Affinity Diagram: This is the particular tool which is associated with generation
and organization of the information that are generally required for the purpose
of using the metal skills in a divergent as well as in a convergent way. This is the
particular divergent type of thinking where a user is generally associated with
the usage of the right side of the brain for the purpose of generating different
ideas where in the convergent type of thinking the left side of the brain is used
and it is considered that this portion of the brain is much more active and helps
a lot in organization of the various aspects.
Influence Diagram:
This is another type of system thinking tool which is basically used by the
project managers for the purpose of understanding and capturing the
relationships along with the interdependencies that exists in between the
various entities who are associated with the system. Four steps are included in
this technique which includes the identification which is followed gathering of
the identified information into small groups and sorting them out.
PPMP20012 Unit Profile
PPMP20012 Moodle Web
site
Have you any insights you
can add from other units
you have studies or
readings you’ve made?
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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
portfolio
management;
Along with the above stated popular tools and techniques there also exists
other tools and techniques which have been listed below:
Conceptual Model,
Context Diagram,
Decision Matrix,
Functional Failure Mode and Effect Analysis
Function Means Analysis
Functional Modelling
Graphical Analysis and similarly many others like this.
Quad of Aims
Influence Diagram
N2
References
Burke, R. (2013). Project management: planning and control techniques. New Jersey, USA.
Harrison, F., & Lock, D. (2017). Advanced project management: a structured approach. Routledge.
Heagney, J. (2016). Fundamentals of project management. Amacom.
Kerzner, H., & Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Mir, F. A., & Pinnington, A. H. (2014). Exploring the value of project management: linking project management performance and project success. International journal of
project management, 32(2), 202-217.
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