Week 2 PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio: Systems Thinking Tools

This assignment, a unit portfolio for PPMP20012, explores the application of systems thinking tools and techniques to aid project managers in solving project problems. It examines the relevance of systems thinking to project, program, and portfolio managers, highlighting the importance of both managerial and technical expertise in different project contexts. The assignment identifies various systems thinking tools, including those promoting dynamical and structural thinking, brain utilization, and computer-based calculations, and assesses the relevance of systems engineering through the case study of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. It also describes how systems engineering concepts and methodologies can help organize projects, emphasizes the importance of appropriate project management application systems, and discusses how these systems can lead to effective knowledge management and decision-making. The assignment further compares and contrasts manual and electronic project, program, and portfolio (PPPM) application systems, identifies how these systems assist in performance monitoring and change management, proposes suitable PPPM application systems for different industry domains, and discusses contemporary developments in the use of these systems. The assignment is supported by mandatory and optional readings, including SEBoK materials, Kerzner's project management chapters, and case studies like the Chief Counsel's Report.

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
Week 2: 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
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'Introduction to SE
Transformation';
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'SEBoK Users and
Uses';
 Part 6: Related
Disciplines -
'Knowledge Area:
Systems
Engineering and
Project
Management'
 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
1. Explain the
relevance of
systems thinking to
the project,
program and
portfolio manager.
System Thinking is about utilizing expertise that is managerial as well as
technical. This process can be used to manage different projects in every sector.
However, the amount of managerial and technical expertise required changes
with the types of the project. Systems thinking and its engineering is therefore
vital for different projects. The project manager requires more technical
knowledge than managerial perspective. The program manager on the other
hand is more concerned about the managerial aspect of the project rather than
the technical part. The portfolio manager needs a balance of technical and
managerial perspective as the person is responsible for taking the ultimate
decision about various investments along with a team of experts who provide
support.
Arnold, R. D., & Wade, J.
P. (2015). A definition of
systems thinking: a
systems approach.
Procedia Computer
Science, 44, 669-678.
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(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
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—
Guidance on
portfolio
management;
Case Study
 Chief Counsel's
Report - Chapter 5
(PDF 700KB),
Mandatory Readings
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'Introduction to SE
Transformation';
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'SEBoK Users and
Uses';
 Part 6: Related
Disciplines -
'Knowledge Area:
Systems
Engineering and
Project
Management'
 Kerzner (2013)
Chapters 2.1; 2.6 -
2.8; 2.21;
 AS/NZS
15288:2015
2. Identify different
systems thinking
tools and
techniques to aid
project managers
solve project
problems.
The tools that were identified that can help to implement systems engineering
are tools that induce dynamical and structural thinking, tools that promote
utilizing the brain and then there are tools that are based on the calculation
power of the computers
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(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
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;
Optional Readings
 AS ISO
21504:2016
Project,
programme and
portfolio
management—
Guidance on
portfolio
management;
Case Study
 Chief Counsel's
Report - Chapter 5
(PDF 700KB),
Mandatory Readings
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'Introduction to SE
Transformation';
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'SEBoK Users and
Uses';
 Part 6: Related
Disciplines -
'Knowledge Area:
Systems
Engineering and
3. Assess the
relevance of
systems
engineering to
project cases.
The Deepwater Horizon that was on leash to BP had experienced a blowout. The
rig was monitored from a control facility at Texas. Therefore, systems
engineering could have used here to create scenarios emulating the blast
beforehand. The project case shows that it was in dire need of the proper
system tools that would have helped to better organize the project and prevent
the blast.
Dickerson, C., & Mavris,
D. N. (2016). Architecture
and principles of systems
engineering. CRC Press.
3 of 14

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
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
Project
Management'
 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;
Case Study
 Chief Counsel's
Report - Chapter 5
(PDF 700KB);
Mandatory Readings
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'Introduction to SE
Transformation';
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
4. Describe how
systems
engineering
concepts and
methodologies can
help a project,
Systems engineering is about implementing the right combination of technical
as well as managerial experiences that is required to manage a project. The
manager is responsible for determining the right combination and proceeding
accordingly.
4 of 14

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
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 Users and
Uses';
 Part 6: Related
Disciplines -
'Knowledge Area:
Systems
Engineering and
Project
Management'
 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;
Case Study
 Chief Counsel's
Report - Chapter 5
program and
portfolio managers
organise a project.
5 of 14

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
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
(PDF 700KB);
Mandatory Readings
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'Introduction to SE
Transformation';
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'SEBoK Users and
Uses';
 Part 6: Related
Disciplines -
'Knowledge Area:
Systems
Engineering and
Project
Management'
 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
5. Explain the
importance of
appropriate
selection of project
management (PM)
application systems
in regards to
meeting the
internal and
external objectives
of a project.
The case study of the Deepwater Horizon shows that the importance of
selecting the appropriate application systems is required. The internal objective
of the project was profit making by using computers instead if human and the
external objective of the project was to extract oil and natural gas at a faster
rate. Therefore, these objectives could be fulfilled using the dynamic thinking
tool. However, a computer-based simulation and the necessary brainstorming
tools could have saved the project from failing.
6 of 14

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
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—
Guidance on
portfolio
management;
Case Study
 Chief Counsel's
Report - Chapter 5
(PDF 700KB);
Mandatory Readings
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'Introduction to SE
Transformation';
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'SEBoK Users and
Uses';
 Part 6: Related
Disciplines -
'Knowledge Area:
Systems
Engineering and
Project
Management'
 Kerzner (2013)
Chapters 2.1; 2.6 -
2.8; 2.21;
 AS/NZS
15288:2015
6. Describe how the
use of project
management (PM)
application systems
can lead to
effective PM
knowledge
management and
decision making.
The above mentioned tools could have used to make better decision making as
better scenario analysis could have achieved using those tools.
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(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
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;
Optional Readings
 AS ISO
21504:2016
Project,
programme and
portfolio
management—
Guidance on
portfolio
management;
Case Study
 Chief Counsel's
Report - Chapter 5
(PDF 700KB);
Mandatory Readings
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'Introduction to SE
Transformation';
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'SEBoK Users and
Uses';
 Part 6: Related
Disciplines -
'Knowledge Area:
Systems
Engineering and
7. Compare and
contrast the
advantages and
disadvantages of
different manual
and electronic
project, program
and portfolio
(PPPM) application
systems within
each PPPM
knowledge area
over the life cycle
of a project,
Manual application systems could have saved the Deepwater Horizon.
Computer based system provides only the ideal conditions without considering
any alternative to the decision making.
Buede, D. M., & Miller,
W. D. (2016). The
engineering design of
systems: models and
methods. John Wiley &
Sons.
8 of 14

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
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
Project
Management'
 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;
Case Study
 Chief Counsel's
Report - Chapter 5
(PDF 700KB);
program or
portfolio.
Mandatory Readings
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'Introduction to SE
Transformation';
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
8. Identify how
project, program
and portfolio
(PPPM) application
systems can assist
project managers
Project managers can better analyse the situation by gathering ample
information from the system. It is vital that the project managers make
informed decisions by using their technical and managerial expertise.
Kerzner, H., & Kerzner, H.
R. (2017). Project
management: a systems
approach to planning,
scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley &
9 of 14

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
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 Users and
Uses';
 Part 6: Related
Disciplines -
'Knowledge Area:
Systems
Engineering and
Project
Management'
 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;
Case Study
 Chief Counsel's
Report - Chapter 5
to monitor
performance and
manage changes
within a project.
Sons.
10 of 14

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
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
(PDF 700KB);
Mandatory Readings
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'Introduction to SE
Transformation';
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'SEBoK Users and
Uses';
 Part 6: Related
Disciplines -
'Knowledge Area:
Systems
Engineering and
Project
Management'
 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
9. Propose
appropriate
project, program
and portfolio
(PPPM) application
systems to support
successful project,
program and
portfolio execution
in different industry
domains.
I propose a combination of dynamic thinking tool along with brainstorming and
computer supported scenario making. This would make the decision making an
informed and a successful one as the project manager would be able to
effectively manage the project.
11 of 14

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
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—
Guidance on
portfolio
management;
Case Study
 Chief Counsel's
Report - Chapter 5
(PDF 700KB);
Mandatory Readings
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'Introduction to SE
Transformation';
 Part 1: SEBoK
Introduction -
'SEBoK Users and
Uses';
 Part 6: Related
Disciplines -
'Knowledge Area:
Systems
Engineering and
Project
Management'
 Kerzner (2013)
Chapters 2.1; 2.6 -
2.8; 2.21;
 AS/NZS
15288:2015
10. Discuss
contemporary
developments in
the use of project,
program and
portfolio (PPPM)
application
systems.
The recent developments in the application system is suitable for deployment in
the field that would aid the project, portfolio and the program managers to take
better decisions for their projects.
?
12 of 14

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
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;
Optional Readings
 AS ISO
21504:2016
Project,
programme and
portfolio
management—
Guidance on
portfolio
management;
Case Study
 Chief Counsel's
Report - Chapter 5
(PDF 700KB);
References
Arnold, R. D., & Wade, J. P. (2015). A definition of systems thinking: a systems approach. Procedia Computer Science, 44, 669-678.
Buede, D. M., & Miller, W. D. (2016). The engineering design of systems: models and methods. John Wiley & Sons.
Dickerson, C., & Mavris, D. N. (2016). Architecture and principles of systems engineering. CRC Press.
Kerzner, H., & Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
13 of 14

(Insert Student Name) / (Insert Student Number) - PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 2
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