System Theory

Project Management Overview - Assignment 1 (Value 40%)

Topic: PROJECTS & SYSTEMS THEORY

“The most pervasive intellectual tradition to project management is without doubt the systems approach”

Learning Objectives

General - To describe the concept of the systems theory and apply it to projects

Specific - To analyse

• the systems of a project

• the interrelationships between systems of a project

• how systems can be co-ordinated

• the influence and effect of the external environment on systems.

PART I – THEORY (25 MARKS)

Describe the key fundamentals of systems theory (20 marks) (1200-1500 words). This should include a brief historical background, but more focus must be of key ideas/components of systems theory

Presentation – structure referencing, synthesis of theory (5 mark)

This is a succinct literature review of systems theory. At least 5 references sources must be referenced (including Hamilton). The Chicago method of referencing must be used

PART II - PRACTICAL APPLICATION (63 MARKS)

Apply systems theory to a project from your experience, as follows:

• Describe the project and list all its systems (5), and describe 2 systems in detail (16) [21 marks]

(Remember – systems are processes, so you are in fact discussing processes) (250-500 words in total)

• Describe 2 examples showing how your project systems are interdependent [16 marks]

(show how a change, decision, problem in 1 system affects other systems) (250-500 words in total)

• Describe 1 management techniques/processes/tools by which your project systems may be co-ordinated [10 marks] (Clue: look in management books). We need to ensure that interrelated systems work together effectively so what is one approach to ensuring this happens? (200-300 words)

• Describe 2 examples showing how the external environment affects your project systems [16 marks] (200-300 words)

PART III – REFLECTION...