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Unit of study_
PMGT5811: Critical and Systems Thinking
2025 unit information
Analytical thinking abilities are essential in building and communicating management strategy for all projects, from the most simple to the most complex. This unit develops critical judgment skills, applicable to complex problem situations involving uncertainty, incomplete information and dynamically interacting systems and contexts. Students will develop their ability to articulate a critical, reflected and well-reasoned response at a level that contributes to project strategy discussions. In addition the unit also equips students with knowledge and communication competencies that will be valuable in all aspects of their academic study. Students engage with theoretical frameworks and concepts in order to practice robust methods of questioning and argument. A central element of content is linking theory to practice with students' experience as the focal point. The unit will help students to clearly define the main problem at hand, organise and filter relevant evidence and issues, identify and evaluate logical connections, recognise critical assumptions and uncertainties, reach well-reasoned conclusions, develop and reflect on your own personal views, and present critical arguments in a constructive manner to colleagues and supervisors. These abilities are essential for an understanding of the relevance of epistemological and ontological considerations in relation to the broader, more thoroughgoing analysis of complex system dynamics to be developed in other advanced Project Management units.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Engineering
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Project Management |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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ENGG5811 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Analyse complex problems by building an explanation
- LO2. Critically evaluate the assumptions, conclusions and evidence used in given arguments
- LO3. Synthesise ideas from diverse sources clearly, succinctly and accurately
- LO4. Construct logical, perrsuasive arguments in spoken and written form to a high professional standard
- LO5. Contribute constructively to team discussions and decision-making
- LO6. Identify, exercise and reflect on personal values & beliefs, standards and ethical judgment consistent with the requirements of academic and professional practice
- LO7. Apply a range of quantitative and qualitative research skills to identify and diagnose complex and unfamiliar problems
- LO8. Navigate an AI-driven world with a critical mindset by recognising bias and misinformation in AI algorithms promoting the ethical use of AI and accepting responsibility for one's own thinking.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Semester 1 2025
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Online | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Semester 2 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Semester 2 2025
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Online | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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