Handbook

Future systems engineers and project managers have to deal with increasingly complex problems that extend beyond their specific field knowledge. Systems thinking is recognized as a critical and essential competency for systems engineers and project managers by many Australian and international professional bodies (e.g. INCOSE Systems Engineers Competency Framework). This course aims to build your fundamental understanding of the systems thinking/system dynamics approach, as well as your capacity to use this approach to critically analyse problematic issues. The course is relevant and critical to all areas and applications related to systems engineering and project management.

This course provides ‘know-how’ knowledge and skills for developing and using systems thinking/system dynamics approach to deal with complexities arising from the interactions between human, technological, and decision making factors. This is achieved by offering:

•  A fundamental understanding of systems thinking/system dynamics concepts and principles.
•  A practice-oriented focus (i.e. problem solving exercises, showcases).
•  A learning by doing experience (i.e. case studies-based assignment).

Students, who successfully complete this course, will be able to:

• Recognize the limitations of traditional reductionist approaches on dealing with the complex nature of systems.
• Appreciate the value of using systems thinking/system dynamics approach in analysing problematic issues and inform decision making.
• Use the systems thinking language to define and characterise complex problems, and their dominant features.
• Apply various systems thinking and systems dynamics techniques and tools to visualise, analyse, and communicate about various aspects of complex problems
• Interpret the managerial and practical implications of the findings from systems thinking/system dynamics inquiry.
• Identify further knowledge and skill gaps that students need to acquire in order to build their capacity to use the findings from qualitative systems thinking/system dynamics analysis as a basis for in-depth quantitative study.