Systemic Approach and Problem Structuring Methods in Teaching Sustainability in Project Management Courses at Manchester Metropolitan University: Some Reflections on Good Practice

Abstract

This chapter outlines the theoretical underpinnings of two management practice paradigms: reductionism and systems thinking in the context of the development of postgraduate and undergraduate education, specifically to teach sustainability in project management courses. The development of the ‘Hard’ and ‘Soft’ systems traditions are discussed as a prelude to considering teaching practice in this subject area. We argue that to have a better understanding of the complexity of sustainability in project management, a systemic view is necessary in designing the appropriate teaching. The paper reports on some of the principal themes employed in Postgraduate and Undergraduate Project Management courses at a large metropolitan university’s business school. These themes are presented to allow reflection on the teaching content of these courses for academics and practitioners.