16. Developing systems thinking competencies in project managers

The case study in this chapter helps academics to design and run a role-play-based simulation to teach systems thinking concepts to project management students or other participants who want to apply these concepts to address complex issues where there are many stakeholders with varied interests. Learning these principles will empower project managers to apply these concepts in practice when problems they face require stepping away from a reductionist approach to use a more holistic approach when appropriate. It helps them to see both the ‘forest and the trees’ in situations where a systemic view is important.