Systematic approach to project management

The system approach allows us to present the organization as a complex open social system - a mechanism that takes input elements from the environment external to the organization and subjects them to various transformations, resulting in the elements of output.

It is believed that organizations, represented in the form of systems, consist of interdependent components:

tasks, structures and systems, culture, people. A change in one component part of the system leads to changes in its other constituent parts.

In doing so, the system generates energy to move toward a state of equilibrium. Finally, in order to continue to exist, the organization as an open system must maintain a favorable relationship of inputs and exits with the external environment. Thus, the introduction of information technology, being part of the element of "structure and system", can be considered only taking into account its mutual influence on other components of the system. Therefore, it would be wrong to consider the introduction of information technology as a self-sufficient process of changing one of the elements of the model.

The essence of the systematic approach is to solve a specific problem. The procedure for solving the problem involves obtaining answers to four questions:

1. Who needs a solution?
2. Why do I need a solution?
3. What needs to be done to solve the problem?
4. How do I solve the problem?

Consider the basic concepts of project management methodology from the standpoint of system analysis.

 

The first question is, "Who needs a solution?"

The solution of the problem is necessary, first of all, for the project participants. The list of project participants includes: the customer, the project manager, performers, control services, funding organizations. The main participant of the IT-project is the customer. Also, the enthusiasm of the company manager in achieving the project goal is one of the success factors.

In accordance with the project management methodology, it is planned to create a special group, namely a project team that manages all processes within the framework of this IT project. It is created only for the period of the project, and upon its completion it is dissolved.


A project team is a community of people who regularly interact with each other to achieve a specific project goal. Even with the best information systems and high motivation, few of the projects are successful without an effective project team. This team needs to be managed and a project manager is appointed for this purpose. A project manager is a person responsible for the success of the project, as well as for the selection and work of his team and the completion of the project.

The art of human resource management and their coordination in the project is implemented by the manager through the application of administrative and behavioral knowledge to achieve certain project goals in content, costs, time, quality and satisfaction of project participants.

The project manager is a key figure in the project team. The success of the project directly depends on his leadership qualities, organizational abilities, charisma, ability to make decisions on time and smooth out conflicts.