APM Systems Thinking Interest Network

Welcome to the APM Systems Thinking Interest Network.

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Systems thinking Systems thinking is a discipline for seeing wholes. It is a framework for seeing inter-relationships rather than things, for seeing patterns rather than static ‘snapshots’. Systems thinking is a discipline for seeing the ‘structures’ that underlie complex situations. 

Peter Senge, The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organisation

The Interest Network has emerged from a Joint Working Group (JWG), established in 2013 between APM and the UK Chapter of the International Council for Systems Engineering (INCOSE UK).

The JWG set out to foster and encourage better integration between project management and systems engineering, drawing on industrial and academic expertise from across the two professional bodies.

The Systems Thinking Interest Network will continue the strong relationship with INCOSE UK, supporting (and supported by) members of both communities.

Aims

The Systems Thinking Interest Network is a natural development of the JWG whose aim is now:

“To promote systems thinking as a methodology to improve delivery of complex change initiatives“

• develop the Project Management Body of Knowledge for Systems Thinking with particular
  emphasis on good practice and guidance to enable P3M and Systems Engineering
  to work efficiently and effectively in the delivery of complex projects;
• introduce systems thinking as a recognised competency for project managers;
• promote systems thinking as a methodology in a broad range of change initiatives and help organisations deliver more effective outcomes with fewer resources;
• provide an active forum for the community of project management and systems thinking professionals to debate and share experiences, ideas, tools and techniques.

We have a strong agenda in continuing the development of both guidance material and deeper research in line with its aim, and in reaching out across the other Interest Networks and the wider APM membership to help foster the links and relationships that lie at the heart of systems thinking.