System Engineering for Efficient Project Management
Project management is considered to be the process that is associated with managing the project in an efficient and effective manner so as to provide results or outcomes that are in favour of the organization for which the project is being conducted. In a project there exists several type of constraints which are generally managed by making use of the different kind of tools or techniques. Besides this the course conducted in last few weeks helped in understanding the basics of project management along with helping in understanding how the application systems can be used for favouring the process of project management.
Besides this the system also helped in gaining an overview of the system engineering as well along with the concept of system thinking. The course have been mainly associated with highlighting the basic responsibilities of the project manager along with highlighting the different ways by which the project can be managed. Some of the major learning outcomes have been provided in the later section of the report
Learning Outcome 1:
System engineering is associated with pertaining the different kind of technical aspects that a project is having and is also responsible for ensuring the delivering of the project within the assigned time. In addition to this the system engineering is also associated with the monitoring and the management of the risks as well. The system engineering helps in sharing of the scope with the project management except one thing which is the term project management is entirely about the project and not only just the technical aspects related to the project.
The project managers are capable of handling the project in a better way by making use of the different kind of tools and methodologies. This mainly includes the Conceptual Model, Context Diagram, Decision Matrix, Functional Failure Mode and Effect Analysis Function Means Analysis, Functional Modelling, Graphical Analysis and similarly any others like this, Quad of Aims, Influence Diagram, N2. For a project manager the process of project management plays a very vital role in their profession.
The major reason lying behind is due to the fact that the project managers can manage the different aspects of a project in an efficient and effective way by making use of the project management methodology. Along with this there also exists certain type of methodologies and concepts that needs to be understood by the project managers so as to handle the projects with much more efficient and guide the project towards success. One such concept is the system thinking. System thinking is generally the concept that makes the project managers capable of looking into the entire system from a holistic viewpoint, along with helping them in understanding the environment as well as the relationship that exists between the different kinds of elements.
Tools and Techniques to Manage Projects Effectively
There exists different kind of elements in a particular system that are generally connected with one another as well as dependent upon one another as well. For a project manager understanding this kind of relationship is one of the crucial factor and besides this this type of understanding acts as an important aspect of the system thinking process. Finding of solutions become much easier if the relationship existing between the system and the external and internal elements is understood in a proper way.
Evidence:
Braglia, M., & Frosolini, M. (2014). An integrated approach to implement project management information systems within the extended enterprise. International Journal of Project Management, 32(1), 18-29.
Harris, E. (2017). Strategic project risk appraisal and management. Routledge.
Learning Outcome 2:
System thinking is generally considered to be the approach which is associated with allowing the user of a particular project or the project manager to tackle the different of complex problems by taking into consideration the holistic view of the various problems. This is generally dependent upon understanding the fact that there is no existing entity by itself along with considering the fact that there is always existing different entities which affect each other. Besides this trying to understand and analysing the effects that they are having upon each other is one of the important factor.
Besides this determination of the interdependencies is the ultimate thing that the system always thinks of. This are very much relevant for the project managers as a complete understanding of the various type of problems are also provided by this. In addition to all this there also exists several tools which can be used for addressing the various type of problems which are complex in nature and this is generally done by means of the system thinking process.
Badiru, A. B., & Osisanya, S. O. (2016). Project management for the oil and gas industry: a world system approach. CRC Press.
Harrison, F., & Lock, D. (2017). Advanced project management: a structured approach. Routledge
Learning Outcome 3:
Application system, this is generally considered to be another concept which has been associated with bringing a revolution in the industry of project management. This has been associated with bringing a lot of convenience for the project managers as well as for the different users in the industry. The application system helps them in handling the projects in an more efficient way alsong with making sure of the fact the results or the outcomes that are obtained are in favour of the organization. According to my knowledge from the course I understood the fact that the it is very much essential to choose the appropriate application system in accordance to the project for which it is being selected.
Understanding System Thinking
This is mainly to be done as the application system plays a vital role in determining if a project would become successful or not. Improper selection of the application system might be associated with wastage of time as well as effort along with the resources that are responsible and trying hard to handle to application system so as to control the project. For instance if a simple application system is chosen for a complex project or a complex application system is chosen for a simple project then various kind of difficulties might arise in handling the project. So for choosing the appropriate application system it is very important to understand the scope and complexities that are existing in the project.
The application system are also helpful for the project managers in handling in the project and controlling the different operations of the project. Besides this it would be allowing the project managers in monitoring, tracking, executing and managing the risks existing in a project. Along with this the application system adaptation would also help in establishing an effective communication with the various stakeholders associated with the project.
In an application system there exists several tools which are very much helpful in converting the information fed to the system into meaningful data that are very much helpful in controlling and managing the processes of a project. Internet connectivity is one of the major game changer as this is the only thing that helps the application is delivering the real-time reports and updates of the data.
Boyle, G. (2017). Design project management. Routledge
Cavanagh, M. (2017). Second order project management. Routledge.
Learning outcome 4:
Some of the major system thinking tools that are existing in today’s world mainly includes eth following:
Tree diagram: This is the tool which is associated with allowing the managers to organize a larger number of idea options. Besides this it is also associated with organizing the issues into a meaning information and structure. This in turn is associated with allowing a clear representation of the various problems.
Graphical analysis: This is another tool associated with providing the feature of searching the patterns present in the data variations.
18 word statement: Half of the solution for the problem statement is provided if the problem is defied in a well manner. Besides this by having a well-defined problem statement it is also possible to have a solution which is much more appropriate. There is a requirement of lot of effort so as to become capable of defining the problem in a proper way. The conciseness of the problem is generally associated with the determination of the effectiveness and easiness of the solution. Due to this reason the use of the 18 word method is used for the defining the purpose as well as the context of the problem. This is a smart statement which means that the problem would be specific, measurable, achievable and relevant and along with making the course time bound.
Selecting the Appropriate Application System
Affinity diagram: this is the method which is generally dependent upon the generation and organizing of the information that generally requires the usage of mental skills in a divergent as well as in a convergent way. In case of divergent thinking the usage of the right brain is done which is responsible for the generation of the ideas. Whereas in case of the convergent thinking it is observed that the left brain is more active and is responsible for organizing.
Influence diagram: This is the process that is associated with helping the project managers in understanding and capturing of the relationships along with the interdependencies that are existing in between the different entities present in a system. This generally occurs in four different steps. This generally starts form the identification of the entities present inside the boundaries as well as the entities existing outside the boundaries.
Amongst all this the similar ones which are associated with sharing of similar kind of viewpoints are identified. After the identification process is completed all this are grouped together in small groups which is followed by the sorting of the influences. The influences are generally depicted by making use of the diagrams.
Besides this there exists some other type of tools similar to this and are associated with providing the opportunity along with benefits related to the addressing of the various problems in a way which is much more holistic. Some other tools also includes the following:
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
Turner, R. (2016). Gower handbook of project management. Routledge.
Walker, A. (2015). Project management in construction. John Wiley & Sons
Learning outcome 5:
System engineering is associated with pertaining the different kind of technical aspects that a project is having and is also responsible for ensuring the delivering of the project within the assigned time. In addition to this the system engineering is also associated with the monitoring and the management of the risks as well. The system engineering helps in sharing of the scope with the project management except one thing which is the term project management is entirely about the project and not only just the technical aspects related to the project. The project managers are capable of handling the project in a better way by making use of the different kind of tools and methodologies and some of the major tools have been discussed in the section provided below:
- System maps: This is methodology that has been adopted so as to clearly define the boundaries that a project is having along with indicating the various type of subsets existing within the system. Besides this it is also used to indicate the external items related to the project as well, along with allowing the project managers to address the various kind of changes occurring in the scope of the project.
- Matrix Diagram: This generally refers to the relationship that exists between the very things and the besides this the matrix is nor a one dimensional diagram. The complexities existing in a project needs to understand all these relationships in an accurate and simple way.
Using Tools for System Thinking
Hornstein, H. A. (2015). The integration of project management and organizational change management is now a necessity. International Journal of Project Management, 33(2), 291-298.
Kaiser, M. G., El Arbi, F., & Ahlemann, F. (2015). Successful project portfolio management beyond project selection techniques: Understanding the role of structural alignment. International Journal of Project Management, 33(1), 126-139.
Learning outcome 6:
For a project manager the process of project management plays a very vital role in their profession. The major reason lying behind is due to the fact that the project managers can manage the different aspects of a project in an efficient and effective way by making use of the project management methodology. Along with this there also exists certain type of methodologies and concepts that needs to be understood by the project managers so as to handle the projects with much more efficient and guide the project towards success.
One such concept is the system thinking. System thinking is generally the concept that makes the project managers capable of looking into the entire system from a holistic viewpoint, along with helping them in understanding the environment as well as the relationship that exists between the different kinds of elements. There exists different kind of elements in a particular system that are generally connected with one another as well as dependent upon one another as well.
For a project manager understanding this kind of relationship is one of the crucial factor and besides this this type of understanding acts as an important aspect of the system thinking process. Finding of solutions become much easier if the relationship existing between the system and the external and internal elements is understood in a proper way.
There also some other similar terminologies as well as concepts that the project manager must remain aware of along with knowing the basic differences that exists between the methodologies and the methods along with knowing the difference between the program and the project.
A methodology generally refers to the way associated with the analysis of a collection of methods in a theoretical way. This is different from the methods in various ways. This is mainly due to the reason that a method is a way which is generally adopted in order to reach a solution but methodology is entirely different from this so they are entirely different from one another. In a similar way concept is generally considered to be an idea or some kind of mental representation associated with depicting an idea coming in the mind. A project is also different from a program as a program is generally considered to be a collection of various projects.
Advanced Project Management Concepts and Methodologies
So it can be stated that a program generally runs at a broader sense than the project. Projects are generally created as a smaller aspect of some bigger program. A project manager is associated with working in different levels and this is entirely based upon the seniority and the experience that the project manager is having. Besides tis a project manager is also capable of handling an entire program as well as being just responsible for handling the small aspects of a program which is known as the project.
A project manager needs to make use of their technical skills as well as the soft skills so as to manage the projects existing in the dynamic environment along with understanding the different kind of terminologies as well as the concepts existing in the process of project management. Along with this the constant changes occurring in the variables of the project is having a requirement of making quick and right decisions by the managers so as to keep the project in track. For making this to happen there is a need of appropriate skills which includes the soft skills as well as the technical skills.
Evidence:
Joslin, R., & Müller, R. (2015). Relationships between a project management methodology and project success in different project governance contexts. International Journal of Project Management, 33(6), 1377-1392.
Kerzner, H. (2017). Project management metrics, KPIs, and dashboards: a guide to measuring and monitoring project performance. John Wiley & Sons.
Learning outcome 7:
Making of particular decision or the decision making process is also one of the most important task that is included in the project management process and is to be done by the project managers associated with the project. The decision making process is generally considered to be a very difficult process for the project managers as the decision that they make are entire associated with determining the future of the project, besides this the dynamic environment existing in today’s world have been associated with making this process face much more difficulties. The difficulties are mainly arising due to the constant changes taking place in the variables along with the instability of the variables.
All this reasons are responsible for putting forward the need of tools by the project managers in order to help them in gathering more data so as to translate those data into information that are useful. The application system acts as a revolutionary step in the industry which is responsible for helping the project managers in handling the project in an efficient way. From the course I understood about the fact that application system plays a vital role in taking certain decisions within the project along with assisting the project managers to handle the project in an efficient way so as to make decisions that are always in favour of the organization.
Evidence:
Kerzner, H., & Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Nicholas, J. M., & Steyn, H. (2017). Project management for engineering, business and technology. Routledge.
Learning outcome 8:
During the course it was very much fascinating to gain an insight of this topics is fascinating. Application systems have played a very significant role in the industry these days with their capabilities to handle and address various aspects of the project. Some application systems are very complicated, and some are very simple, and it is appropriate to choose the one as per the requirement of the project. If you choose a complex application system for a simple project, it will make the project too complicated and will result in failure.
On the contrary if your application system is too simple and the project is too complicated, the application system may not be able to handle the project leading to the loss of money and failure of a project. So, choosing a right application system is an important aspect of managing a project. The environment these days is very dynamic, and this will result in a lot of variables which are constantly changing making it difficult for the project managers to make decisions.
Various organizations have different requirements for application systems as per their requirements but some of the basics ones are their ability to handle changes and variations in the project. A small change in this could lead to a big change in the other aspects of the project. For example a small change in the scope of the project could lead to change in the entire delivery schedule and cost of the project.
This will result in the failure of the project. Other important requirements could be the ability to ensure that the application system is able to extract information efficiently and then change it in to more meaningful information leading to faster decision being made by project managers. Another important criterion is to ensure that the communication process is smooth by the use of application system. Miscommunication could result in damages to the project leading to loss of money and failure of the project.
Evidence:
Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2015). Management information systems (Vol. 8). Prentice Hall.
Sears, S. K., Sears, G. A., Clough, R. H., Rounds, J. L., & Segner, R. O. (2015). Construction project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Learning outcome 9:
In each and every step of the project there exists the need of monitoring as well as tracking the various kind of changes taking place in a project along with the performance. It is easy to measure the performance of the project by making use of the application system. The application systems being used in modern world are consisting of various technologies which helps the real-time monitoring of the project much easier. The output should be as close to what was expected and detecting this should ensure that the project is on track.
Besides this the course also helped in understanding the fact that the application systems are not only restricted towards handling of the performance or monitoring of the performance but is also associated with addressing the various kind of changes that are generally occurring in the project. Besides this the application system tools are also associated with making user of the fact that the scope within the project along with the other facets of the project are being monitored closely so as to handle any kind of problems or issues that might arise during the time conducting the processes of the project.
Evidence:
Serra, C. E. M., & Kunc, M. (2015). Benefits realisation management and its influence on project success and on the execution of business strategies. International Journal of Project Management, 33(1), 53-66.
Todorovi?, M. L., Petrovi?, D. ?., Mihi?, M. M., Obradovi?, V. L., & Bushuyev, S. D. (2015). Project success analysis framework: A knowledge-based approach in project management. International Journal of Project Management, 33(4), 772-783.
Learning outcome 10 & 11:
Project is generally considered to be a temporary endeavour that is having a specified beginning as well as a specified ending. Besides this he project is also having a well-defined scope and availability of appropriate resources. Each project is having unique characteristics and besides this a project cannot be considered to be routine operation. However this is a set of operation that is generally designed for the purpose of achieving a particular goal.
Project management is generally considered to be a process associated with the application of knowledge along with the skills, tools as well as the techniques so as to meet the requirements of the project and conduct the activities of eth project. A project can be classified into five steps which includes the initiation, planning, execution, controlling and monitoring and lastly the closure phase.
A project manager is generally considered to be the individual or professional who is associated with working with a project in order to manage the entire project. Their main responsibility includes the planning of the project along with the procurement and execution of the project. Besides this project managers are the first point of contact in case of any kind of issues or discrepancies that arises from the side of various other departs of the project before any kind of escalation is provided to the higher authorities.
The entire course has been helping in understanding the various aspects of a project management along with understanding the major responsibilities of the project. Besides this the course also helped in understanding the usage of application system as well as design thinking in the process of project management. Application software are generally used as it is almost impossible to manage a project without the usage of this. This software are very helpful as they help the project managers in effective management of the project. Handling of the various processes along with controlling of the risks becomes very easy as well.
Evidence:
Turner, R. (2016). Gower handbook of project management. Routledge.
Walker, A. (2015). Project management in construction. John Wiley & Sons
Conclusion:
The course helped in learning the fact that the usage of application system along with the system thinking and system engineering helps a lot in running the projects in a smooth way. Besides this they also play a very vital role in assisting the project managers in managing, tracking and controlling of all the project activities. All this are having different kind of tools that are generally having different capabilities and are associated with providing various kind of facilities. Implementation of all this concepts and methodologies helps a lot in managing the project in an efficient and effective way. Besides this all this also play a crucial role in determine the fact that if a project would become successful or not.
References:
Badiru, A. B., & Osisanya, S. O. (2016). Project management for the oil and gas industry: a world system approach. CRC Press.
Boyle, G. (2017). Design project management. Routledge.
Braglia, M., & Frosolini, M. (2014). An integrated approach to implement project management information systems within the extended enterprise. International Journal of Project Management, 32(1), 18-29.
Cavanagh, M. (2017). Second order project management. Routledge.
Harris, E. (2017). Strategic project risk appraisal and management. Routledge.
Harrison, F., & Lock, D. (2017). Advanced project management: a structured approach. Routledge.
Hornstein, H. A. (2015). The integration of project management and organizational change management is now a necessity. International Journal of Project Management, 33(2), 291-298.
Joslin, R., & Müller, R. (2015). Relationships between a project management methodology and project success in different project governance contexts. International Journal of Project Management, 33(6), 1377-1392.
Kaiser, M. G., El Arbi, F., & Ahlemann, F. (2015). Successful project portfolio management beyond project selection techniques: Understanding the role of structural alignment. International Journal of Project Management, 33(1), 126-139.
Kerzner, H. (2017). Project management metrics, KPIs, and dashboards: a guide to measuring and monitoring project performance. John Wiley & Sons.
Kerzner, H., & Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2015). Management information systems (Vol. 8). Prentice Hall.
Nicholas, J. M., & Steyn, H. (2017). Project management for engineering, business and technology. Routledge.
Sears, S. K., Sears, G. A., Clough, R. H., Rounds, J. L., & Segner, R. O. (2015). Construction project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Serra, C. E. M., & Kunc, M. (2015). Benefits realisation management and its influence on project success and on the execution of business strategies. International Journal of Project Management, 33(1), 53-66.
Todorovi?, M. L., Petrovi?, D. ?., Mihi?, M. M., Obradovi?, V. L., & Bushuyev, S. D. (2015). Project success analysis framework: A knowledge-based approach in project management. International Journal of Project Management, 33(4), 772-783.
Turner, R. (2016). Gower handbook of project management. Routledge.
Walker, A. (2015). Project management in construction. John Wiley & Sons.
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