Projects and Systems Theory
Projects and Systems theory
“The most pervasive intellectual tradition to project management is without doubt the systems approach”
Table of contents
PART I – THEORY 3 1. Systems theory 3 1.1. Systems definition 3 1.2. The characteristics of systems theory 3 1.3. The manifestations of systems theory 3 1.4. Systems theory principles 4 2. Systems approach to project management 4 2.1. The key terms 4 2.2. System approach to project management 5 PART II – PRACTICAL APPLICATION 6 1. Project systems description 6 1.1. Project systems description 6 1.2. Time management system 7 1.3. Cost management system 7 2. The interdependences among the project systems 8 2.1. The interdependences among scope, time and cost management systems 8 2.2. The interdependences among time, cost and quality management systems 8 3. Management tools 9 3.1. Project management estimating software 9 3.2. Using historical relevant project documents 9 4. The external environment 9 4.1. Government policies 9 4.2. Financial crisis 9 PART III – REFLECTION 10 References 11
PART I – THEORY
1. Systems theory 2.1. Systems definition
Systems now are everywhere in our life, from the solar system to home entertainment systems, from water treatment to national security systems (Auyang 2004). The concept of ‘system’ serves to identify those manifestations of natural phenomena (Laszlo and Krippner 1998), so that it is very important to clarify the systems definition.
There were some definitions which were given by many scholars in their study. According to Laszlo and Krippner (1998), ‘system’ is “a complex of interacting components together with the relationships among them that permit the identification of a boundary-maintaining entity or process”. Auyang (2004) also had a similar definition in his study, ‘system’ was considered as an entire consisting of independent elements with complexity. Another definition came
“The most pervasive intellectual tradition to project management is without doubt the systems approach”
Table of contents
PART I – THEORY 3 1. Systems theory 3 1.1. Systems definition 3 1.2. The characteristics of systems theory 3 1.3. The manifestations of systems theory 3 1.4. Systems theory principles 4 2. Systems approach to project management 4 2.1. The key terms 4 2.2. System approach to project management 5 PART II – PRACTICAL APPLICATION 6 1. Project systems description 6 1.1. Project systems description 6 1.2. Time management system 7 1.3. Cost management system 7 2. The interdependences among the project systems 8 2.1. The interdependences among scope, time and cost management systems 8 2.2. The interdependences among time, cost and quality management systems 8 3. Management tools 9 3.1. Project management estimating software 9 3.2. Using historical relevant project documents 9 4. The external environment 9 4.1. Government policies 9 4.2. Financial crisis 9 PART III – REFLECTION 10 References 11
PART I – THEORY
1. Systems theory 2.1. Systems definition
Systems now are everywhere in our life, from the solar system to home entertainment systems, from water treatment to national security systems (Auyang 2004). The concept of ‘system’ serves to identify those manifestations of natural phenomena (Laszlo and Krippner 1998), so that it is very important to clarify the systems definition.
There were some definitions which were given by many scholars in their study. According to Laszlo and Krippner (1998), ‘system’ is “a complex of interacting components together with the relationships among them that permit the identification of a boundary-maintaining entity or process”. Auyang (2004) also had a similar definition in his study, ‘system’ was considered as an entire consisting of independent elements with complexity. Another definition came
References: Auyang, Sunny Y. Concepts of system in engineering. Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S, October 28, 2004. Deshpande, Girish. Can we apply Systems Theory to Project Management. November 24, 2011. Hamilton, Albert. Management by Projects - Achieving Success in a Changing World. London: Thomas Telford, 1997. Laszlo, Alexander, and Stanley Krippner. "Systems Theories: Their Origins, Foundations, and Development." In Systems Theories and A Priori Aspects of Perception, by J.S. Jordan, Chap 3, pages 47-74. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science, 1998. Tamas, Andy. System Theory in Community Development. San Francisco, January 1987. Vyas, Ishan. Systems Approach to Management. Karnataka, September 13, 2010. Yuvienco, Joel. General Systems Theory and Systems Analysis. Manila, November 21, 2008.