PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio: Systems Thinking Application in PM

This PPMP20012 Unit Portfolio for Week 1 delves into the relevance of systems thinking to project management, drawing from mandatory readings, unit learning outcomes, and personal experiences. Systems thinking is defined as a holistic approach to solving complex problems by understanding the interdependencies between various entities. The portfolio emphasizes the importance of this approach for project managers, enabling them to gain a comprehensive understanding of project challenges and utilize various tools effectively. References to academic sources like Kerzner and industry standards such as AS/NZS 15288:2015 are included to support the analysis. The document highlights how systems thinking provides a structured way to approach project complexities, linking project management performance with project success.

(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.
Systems thinking is an approach that allows a user or a project manager to solve
complex problems by taking a holistic view of the problem. It’s based on the
understanding that no entity is existing by itself and there are always different
other entities that affect each other. Trying to understand and analyse their effects
on each other and determining their interdependency on each other is what
systems thinking is all about. They are very relevant to the project managers as
they give them a complete understanding of the problem. There are many tools
that one can use to address the complex problem by using the systems thinking.
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
management;
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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