Today Chris Walters talks about how systems thinking can transform the way PMOs (Project, Program, and Portfolio Management Offices) make decisions. Chris shares how his discovery of systems thinking in the 1990s reshaped his approach to managing change, helping him see beyond technical processes to the wider systems of people, politics, and purpose. We explore how PMOs operate within constant flux—shaped by shifting strategies, regulations, and technologies—and how systems thinking enables leaders to make more informed, timely decisions amid uncertainty. Discussing the balance between risk and opportunity, the importance of shared understanding across stakeholders, and how structured systems thinking can improve decision quality, agility, and confidence at every level of an organisation.
