Skip to Main Content

MGT 605 Project Dynamics and Complexity: Reading list

MGT 605 Project Dynamics and Complexity

Department: PhD in Project Management

Module Description: This module is designed to provide advanced knowledge and higher level of understanding of the use of systems thinking and dynamic modelling to address the complexity in project management.

Module texts

Morecroft, J. (2015). Strategic modelling and business dynamics. a feedback systems approach. 2^nd edn. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons.
Sterman, J. D. (2000). Business dynamics: systems thinking and modelling for a complex world. Boston: Irwin McGraw-Hill.

Indicative key readings

Abdel-Hamid, T. (1988). Understanding the ‘90% Syndrome’ in software project management: a simulation-based case study. The Journal of Systems and Software, vol. 8, pp. 319-330.
Cooper, K. and Lee, G. (2009). Managing the dynamics of projects and changes at Fluor [online]. Kenneth Cooper and Fluor Corporation. Request item
Lyneis, J. M., Cooper, K. G. & Els, S. A. (2001). Strategic management of complex projects: a case study using system dynamics. System Dynamics Review, vol. 17(3), pp. 237-260.
Lyneis, J. M. and Ford, D. (2007). System dynamics applied to project management: a survey, assessment, and directions for future research. System Dynamics Review, vol. 23(2,3) (50th Anniversary Special Issue, Summer/Fall 2007), pp. 157-189.
Senge, P. M. (2006). The fifth discipline: the art and practice of learning organization. London: Random House Business Books.

Recommended readings

Feniosky, P. M. and Park, M. (2001). Dynamic planning for fast-tracking building construction projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, vol. 127 (6).
Ford, D. N. and Sterman, J. D. (1998). Dynamic modelling of product development processes. System Dynamics Review, vol. 14(1), pp. 31-68.
Ford, D. N. and Sterman, J. D. (2003). The liar's club: concealing rework in concurrent development. Concurrent Engineering Research and Applications, vol. 11(3), pp. 211-219.
Forrester, J. W. (2013). Industrial dynamics. Massachusetts: MIT Press.
Forrester, J. W. and Senge, P. (1980). ‘Tests for building confidence in system dynamics models’, in J.W. Forrester and J. Lyneis (eds). System dynamics: TIMS studies in the management sciences 14 [online]. New York: North Holland, pp. 209-228.
Repenning, N. P. and Sterman, J. D. (2001). Nobody gets the credit for fixing problems that never happened: creating and sustaining process improvement. California Management Review, vol. 43 (4), pp. 64-88.
Rodrigues, A. G. and Williams, T. M. (1998). System dynamics in project management: assessing the impacts of client behaviour on project performance. Journal of Operations Research Society, vol. 49 (1), pp. 2-15.
Senge, P. M., Kleiner, A., Roberts, C., Ross, R. and Smith, B. (1994). The fifth discipline fieldbook: strategies and tools for building a learning organization. London: Nicholas Brealey.
Simon, H. (1979). Rational decision making in business organizations. American Economic Review, vol. 69, pp. 493-513.
Sterman, J. D. (1992). System dynamics modelling for project management: a working paper [online]. Sloan School of Management. Cambridge, MA: MIT. Request item