Use of systems analysis and management systems in project planning and evaluation

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate possible relationships which can exist between the techniques of systems analysis and management information systems as they might be employed in the planning of an educational project and management control of the project during the operational phase.

Systems analysis employs a principle of disassembly to determine the unit elements which make up the total system. Using this principle, the essential elements of a project can be delineated which lead to the accomplishment of the project objective. The result of this step is essentially the same as the first step in the application of management systems which is that of project definition. Within the PERT technique, this step is normally identified as the work breakdown structure. Based upon the project definition phase, the network is then constructed which is basically a synthesis of the elements identified through the principle of disassembly but where the elements are now sequenced with their necessary interrelationships and dependencies and placed within a time frame for management control.