---
title: "Types of project system view"
subject: "ICT Project Management"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_7/ict_project_management:types-system-view"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/types-system-view
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Types of project system view

ICT Project Management · Chapter 5: Project and Organizational structure

- Asked in: year not given
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/types-system-view
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/ict_project_management/chapter-5

## Question

What are the types of project system view?

## Short answer

System views include open vs closed, hard vs soft, three systems approach elements, project as subsystem, and three-sphere model. Open systems interact with the environment, closed do not; hard systems have clear objectives, soft involve people; the three spheres are business, organisation, and technology.

## Answer

The systems view of a project can be understood from different viewpoints. In project management the system view is commonly divided into the following types (on the basis of organisational perspective and the way a system is looked at).

#### 1. Open and closed system view
- **Open system**: interacts with its environment, exchanging inputs and outputs. A project is an open system as it uses resources from the organisation and delivers outputs to customers, and is affected by change in the environment.
- **Closed system**: has no interaction with the environment. Rare in practice.

#### 2. Hard and soft system view
- **Hard system**: well-defined problems with clear objectives that can be solved by technical methods (e.g. building a network).
- **Soft system**: ill-defined problems involving people and human behaviour (e.g. introducing change in work culture).

#### 3. Three systems approach elements (Schwalbe)
- Systems philosophy, systems analysis and systems management.

#### 4. Project as a subsystem
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Supersystem | The organisation and external environment |
| System | The project |
| Subsystems | Scope, schedule, cost, quality, etc. |

#### 5. Three-sphere model for systems management
Business, organisation and technology: a project must be viewed in these three spheres.

```text
   Business
      |
Organisation -- Technology
```

#### Importance
The type of system view helps the manager decide the approach: hard technical solutions where objectives are clear, and participative methods where human factors dominate.

**Example:** A bank installing core banking software must consider the business (new products), technology (servers, security) and organisation (staff training).

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Why is a project considered an open system?
   A. It has no interaction with the environment
   B. It has no defined objectives
   C. It involves no people
   D. It interacts with its environment, using inputs and delivering outputs
   Answer: D. A project uses organisational resources and delivers outputs to customers. (Key point: Open system)

2. Which problem is a soft system?
   A. Building a network
   B. Installing a server
   C. Introducing change in work culture
   D. Writing a sorting program
   Answer: C. Soft systems are ill-defined and involve human behaviour; hard systems have clear objectives. (Key point: Hard vs soft)

3. Which are the three spheres of systems management?
   A. Scope, time and cost
   B. Business, organisation and technology
   C. Planning, executing and closing
   D. Sponsor, manager and team
   Answer: B. A project must be viewed in business, organisation and technology spheres. (Key point: Three-sphere model)

## Related in ICT Project Management

- [System view of project management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Asystem-view-three-parts) — ICT Project Management, chapter 5
- [Project management information system](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Apmis) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7

## Related in other subjects

- [Progress report: view tower construction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Aprogress-report-view-tower-construction) — Communication English, chapter 7
- [Top-down view for F = xz + yz'](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fembedded_system%3Apositive-photoresist-topdown-xz-yzbar) — Embedded System, chapter 8
- [View serializability check of schedule](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fdatabase_management_system%3Aview-serializable-schedule-q) — Database Management System, chapter 7