A “context”, “scope”, or “system context” diagram models the project product or major deliverable by a simple representation of it in its key business contexts. These contexts are a) the main human nd-users and b) the (non-human) systems that interface with the product. To represent the interfaces (i.e. channels or media) connecting users to product, […]
Category: *Systems
Cybernetic systems and information theory structure the ways of knowing and acting that characterize this perspective. It is a perspective that illuminates not just project work or business but far more domains. Its real world applicability was demonstrated under the most crucial and deadly circumstances. Governments and large organizations applied it to solving the real world technical and logistical problems of fighting World War II. Outputs? Guided missles – massive operations such as D-Day, and the atomic bomb. Afterwards, in the US and elsewhere, this perspective became the basis for the disciplines of Systems Engineering and Systems Analysis.
“Context Diagrams”
Useful 3′ introduction. Though this video assumes an IT system and context of use, it should be pretty easy to generalize from this to other system varieties and contexts.
“Fishbone Cause & Effect or Ishikawa Diagram”
A fun 2′ cartoon introduction.
“Project Scheduling – PERT/CPM | Finding Critical Path”
The general topic here is scheduling in plan-driven projects and, specifically, critical path methodology (CPM). This video goes into techniques such as doing the forward and backward passes to surface schedule attributes (e.g. “ES” earliest start, “LS” latest start, etc.). For anyone studying for the PMP exam, knowing these techniques is recommended. Historically, on the […]
“Work Breakdown Structure: Comprehensive Guide…”
The principles of “Work Breakdown Structures” and “Product Breakdown Structures”, for practical purposes, are very similar. Here is a good presentation of those principles. It’s good largely because the presenter understands the principles (and common misunderstandings of them). Also because the visuals are useful.