Mandatory Readings

·         SEBoK

·         Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management: Knowledge Area: Introduction to Life Cycle Processes;

·         Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management: Knowledge Area: Life Cycle Models;

·         Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management: Knowledge Area: Concept Definition;

·         Part 3: Systems Engineering and Management: Knowledge Area: Systems Definition;

·         Part 6: Related Disciplines – ‘Knowledge Area: Systems Engineering and Software Engineering’;

·         Kerzner (2017) Chapters 15.1 -15.7;

·         AS/NZS 15288:2015 Chapter 6.3-6.4;

·         Raymond L., & Bergeron F., (2008) “Project management information systems: An empirical study of their impact on project managers and project success”

Optional Readings

·         AS ISO 21504:2016

·         SWEBOK V3 Guide.

Web Sites

·         SAP

·         Oracle Primavera

·         IBM Maximo & BPM

·         Microsoft Project.

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 objective of this week’s topic is to look at some applications systems and reflect upon their use in project management. So, some of the questions that might immediately spring to your mind are:

·         What are application systems? To answer this question you might like to go back to the PMBOK and look up PMIS (Project Management Information Systems).  A PMIS is an essential component for Project Management decision making.  However, it’s fairly obvious that information is the raw material of decision making and without information then making decisions is guesswork!  The big computer software vendors SAP, Oracle, IBM, Microsoft, and others know this very well and promote the message that their systems are superb at allowing quick and powerful decisions to be made! But do you think their claims are true?

The definition of the application systems can be given as the different projects combined or joined together to one another that can be termed as difficult when the implementation time of them for a proper goal along with the proper objective achieving the appropriate and the desired outcome from the procured framework in the project. Therefore, by considering the main information structure of the project management, by combining of the project in a proper manner is required to be done and the main objective for the development of the project should be saved in a proper way so that the proper management of the cost and the time of the project can be done (SEBoK Wiki, 2017) (Sebokwiki, 2017). The management of the proper quality of the product should also be done. The use of the Microsoft, IBM Oracle, and some other such applications will give the customers some benefits.

·         The problem with information is that to obtain it takes time and cost money?  So how much time do you have and how much should you spend?  Have a look at the SEBoK, Kerzner, AS/NZS 15288 and the Raymond & Bergeron article to try to get a handle on this issue.  You might also like to consider the advice in AS ISO 21504 on Project, programme and portfolio management.  The theory from 21504 is that information flows from the program up to the portfolio and strategy flows down from the portfolio to the project.  Sounds good.  But is it that simple?  If so then why did BP not implement project, programme and portfolio management and solve their problems?

Some contribution regarding the money factor is required to be done by the organization for that the proper information can be migrated in the project in the most appropriate movement by the project manager so that a proper decision can also be made in the project so that a properly quality outcome can be obtained from the project (Kerzner, 2017) (AS/NZS 15288, 2015). The transfer of the information easily from one place to another from the project or the portfolio to the project, the BP organization should have maintained a proper communication level. It was also necessary for the organization to properly mitigate out the risk present by carrying out a risk analysis in the project and the mitigation plan in the project (Raymond & Bergeron, 2008).

In this portfolio please reflect on the readings (1^st column) and the learning outcome (2^nd column).  Ask yourself in what way does the readings provide insights into the learning outcome?  Maybe they don’t!  What are your thoughts?

By following the provided examination materials, the second column containing the gathered knowledge can be properly understood so that the main needed information for the development of the project can be understood well. If the proper risk management analysis along with the identification life is carried out on the project, then all the present rest will be able to be identified by the organization and they will also get success in mitigating them. They will also be able to complete the development of the project within the assigned time and cost.

Are there other insights that you can make from other units that you have studied?  Or your work and life experience?

Developing a complex project in an easier manner by satisfying all the stakeholders was what I desired to do after the completion of my civil engineering course. The PMIS that can be used in the project for doing the development of the project can properly lead us to do a proper risk analysis in the project before the execution phase so that if any risk is present it can be mitigated out. This can also lead to complete the project within the assigned time and the cost. The use of the PMIS can also help in doing the development of the future projects such that they can be developed successfully. 

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