Discussion Thread: Process Design Replies

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Inside the Project

Project Management started as one of the critical processes in the operations management world of business. Project Management has evolved into its entity and serves several businesses and functions as a separate management tool. The Project Management Institute defines a project as a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service, implement the project plan, and measure progress and performance (Project Management Institute, 2021, p. 17).

Project management can be very challenging to some and very easy to comprehend for others. This communication aims to express the five primary phases in project management and elaborate on those phases concisely to help navigate a medium level of understanding and familiarity. The underlined goal of high importance is focusing on some of the high points to garner results for stakeholders, shareholders, and corporate leadership. The Project Manager achieves more precise communication when choosing concrete words: words that convey specific meaning (a measurable limit or a specific behavior, for example) and phrases that are familiar and on the receiver's knowledge level (Gillard, 2017, p. 186)

Project initiation is the first phase of project management, the next being the most crucial phase, project planning, where all the brainstorming and initial work is completed. The project Planning phase covers about 50% of the whole process (Martin, 2022). Most will find that the planning phase is where a considerable focus is placed. The next phase of planning is project execution. Once the significant work inside a project or product is completed, the work enters the next phase of monitoring and controlling; lastly, when all is completed, the project is closed. The typical textbook will mention these phases in detail, but; there is so much more to project management. The goal is to provide an entry-level look at the activities that make project management work.

Comparison and Analysis

The text teaches us the primary role of project management as it pertains to the part and functions of operations management, much about the planning roles. For example, in our discussion of project planning, it is noted that organizational success is typically not dependent on the success or failure of any single project but rather on the development and execution of an appropriate portfolio of projects (Meredith & Shafer, 2019, p. 40).

Project management is more than a part of the role or a simple schedule task tracker. The text covers some crucial rules about the concept of project management, and those ideas will help us understand project management for managing a portfolio. The research continues to be more about the fundamental direction of project management. The planning phase determines the scope of the project as well as the objective of the project. It begins with the outputs of the initiation phase (charter, preliminary scope statement, and project manager). Finally, the planning phase's production serves as the execution phase's input (Martin, 2022).

One comparison factor is to include the introduction of a project's baseline. The baseline helps level information with the true left and proper limits inside a project. For example, how much can be spent? Updating the info allows team members to remain current with the project's progress and ensures a change record. Before closing the project, project teams examine the baseline document again (Staff Writer, 2020). The baseline is a crucial indicator and is mentioned to showcase the function of returning to the baseline several times throughout the project as quality control and constraint measure ensuring synchronization within the project. The inside of the project is not laid out, nor is the intention of the text based on this passage. Although we have titled this chapter "Executing Strategy: Project Management," it should be clear that this is only one use among many for project management (Meredith & Shafer, 2019, p. 43).

The key to understanding project management goals is defining the project and the essential elements that would mean completion. Discussing the five crucial aspects of project management is key to a fulfilling understanding of project management functions. The actual project management processes can be classified under five headings: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing (Bhide, 2021). Who is responsible for what and why? Accurately identifying the client's needs. Projects are temporary, have a definite start and end dates, create a unique product or service, and are completed when their goals and objectives have been met and approved by shareholders (Bhide, 2021). This perspective stands out as it compares closely to the definition outlined in the text.

Understanding what the client needs is not something taken lightly a good project manager sits down with the client and makes sure needs are met and wants that can be incorporated. Project Planning is again one of the most critical steps in project management key to remember are factors that can cause issues or delays in the project, such as weather or market conditions; all contingencies are not perfect, and planning for those is one of the critical factors in the planning phase that can not be missed (Meredith & Shafer, 2019, p. 43).

The last and final key is collaboration, how leveraging knowledge and experience means everything to the project managers and stakeholders; partnership allows people to get tasks done quickly while keeping accurate scheduling and working on completing the project.

Learned Perspective

Project Management is the application of knowledge and sharing that knowledge that grows into communication and overall project collaboration. The following function in project management is the management of hard and soft skills; some examples of skills are managed by the professionals executing the workflow or function or building a product. Another example of the application of craft is where someone or some group has the skill to manage the time required per function but; the talent to have a contingency plan in case something goes off script. There is a skill needed to be prepared and another skill to ensure communication expectations are met; whether in a scrum meeting or a planning meeting, ensuring everyone knows what they need to know is one of the primary roles of the project manager.

The next is the tools required to get the jobs done and ensuring that the employers or leaders are equipped with the tools to get the project to be an overall success. Techniques go hand in hand with compliance measures to help with designing. Some experts with the know-how tend to utilize what is known for what is best, and managing those nuances is both familiar and essential for project management.

Lastly, project management is the most fundamental aspect of ensuring project activities meet project goals and requirements. Providing the right people are in the right place and have the tools needed to do the job and communicating with confidence aspects of quality, quantity, and timelines until completion and monitoring are complete is the true essence of project management.

Biblical Integration

The elements of a project lifecycle should define the work the project will accomplish, the deliverables it will produce, the team members involved, and how you will control and approve each project phase (Eby, 2018). This serves as the overall genesis for what the project life cycle will accomplish if executed correctly and by the steps in which key factors are communicated and delivered. Integrating the word from the Holy Bible shows us the likes of these completed ideas. Luke 14:28-30 ESV, For which of you, desiring to build a tower does not first sit down and count the cost whether he has enough to complete it. One of the keys to project management is understanding the overall cost for the project and laying out the information in a manner to get the cost approved for spending, but; an excellent way to further understanding is to build in credible understanding of where cost versus time could be a factor and factoring risk is a direct segway into the following biblical passage. "Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and it is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying "This man began to build and was not able to finish" (Bible, ESV, 2019). Project Management reminds us of the past, integrates the current, and shows projections for the future. There will be a failure to the project and whether there will be public mocking or not is questionable. God is an understanding God for sure, but; he offers us the tools of understanding, communication, and collaboration. "The Word of God," which is "living and active" (Hebrews 4:12) (Bible, ESV, 2019). Speaking the word with truth, understanding and conviction should lead to ultimate success in the role of project management and its application. That is the overall message from the passage of scripture applied to project management listening, understanding, communication, and evaluation.

An Example of Process

Take, for example, a project to incorporate a new car for a known car company. The company could introduce a new car design and blueprint to the board for approval, and the budget to market, produce and monitor the progress for one year becomes the framework for building. There is no issue regarding the initial funding, but; supply issues will occur, and the need for solid contingency in the plan is vital. A good project team will have planned for this delay and work on another task simultaneously when this occurs. When one timeline has not been met, the ability to complete another job in the project becomes apparent and meaningful when the project team knows how to perform a significant adaptation with minimal impact on the project budget or timeline. The role of a Project Team takes constant communication, and every project entity understanding what is required and communicating those requirements laterally and strategically are all critical elements to one of the most popular operations vehicles to date. Proper project management execution is key to most business models' success today. Project Management teaches us the business of managing projects to a timeline that is not ongoing and allows communication and monitoring along each path to ensure proper enhancement within each element until any project or product is completed.

Annotated Bibliography: Project Management Overview

Project Management Institute Project Management Institute. (2021). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® guide) – and the standard for project management (7th ed.). Project Management Institute.

The source is the most recognized guide in project management. This particular guide is imperative to the validity of this entire work. Every author uses the number one guide known as the (PMBOK) to learn about the basics of project management. The article discusses the actual definition of project management based on experts. The Project Management Institute is the Gold Standard in which Project Management is accredited and will be used as a reference point in every clarifying moment I use for this work. The latest edition of the PMBOK Guide is edition seven and can be directly reached using the Liberty Library. Unfortunately, the version used entails a fee; however, the definition can be found by a simple google search mechanism.

Gillard, S. (2017). The human element of project management. Contemporary Issues in Education Research (CIER), 10(3), 185–188. https://doi.org/10.19030/cier.v10i3.9979 Links to an external site.

This article discusses the challenges of implementing new factors from the CIER. At the same time, the information still captures the PMBOK goals of proper understanding of project management principles. The framework is used to guide the development of systems for the human element to be collaborative vice the rigid approach or time details and time management. The authors studied the human factors to build on some of the critical frameworks in Project Management. Other factors, including concerns regarding the human factors, and the "soft" skills, have typically focused on the "what is" and "why" elements of communication and conduct appropriate to project management. This article was also chosen to identify the "how to" in subjection or missing. Finally, this article provides additional practical applications to improve project management success.

Martin, M. (2022, September 3). Project management life cycle phases: What are the

stages? Guru99. https://www.guru99.com/initiation-phase-project-management-life-cycle.html Links to an external site.

This website captures the outline of the initiation phase of project management. What is critical about this website is the fact that the initial life cycle phases are detailed with a narrative and pictured scope. The work on the page walks the typical reader through the initiation phase to further gain a visual interpretation and a written picture of the points about the essential step of project management, better known as the planning phase. This academic source is helpful in research because it provides insight into how motivational techniques can be used to increase productivity and efficiency within an organization or company setting.

Meredith, J. R., & Shafer, S. M. (2019). Operations and supply chain management for MBAs.

John Wiley & Sons.

The source reviews the global value chains (GVCs) and how they affect a country's economy. The authors discuss how supply chain management can impact project management as a part of the operations management of a business. The requirement to utilize the text to compare and contrast was a great learning experience. The text touched on plenty of the factors within project management and completed a detailed analysis of the planning phase of project management, which includes project portfolio studies and the critical elements of project management to learn and increase learning throughout the class's journey. A project is an operation in some business structures and remembering both sides of the description are critics in developing a modern business mind.

Eby, K. (2018, May 29). Demystifying the 5 phases of project management.

Smartsheet. https://www.smartsheet.com/blog/demystifying-5-phases-project-management Links to an external site.

The source is an article published by smartsheet about the goal of demystifying the five phases of project management. By clicking on this abnormal source, you will quickly find that while this source is a business known as smartsheet.com, the company utilizes the most up-to-date information directly from the PMBOK guide. The website shows exactly how each phase can be interrelated and used to help understand the importance of collaboration and quality checks in project management. This is a good source of information and data; the reference point is the bible of project management as a guide tool.

Staff Writer. (2020, March 25). What is a baseline in project management? Reference.com. https://www.reference.com/business-finance/baseline-project-management-9ba902cc996a92d7?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740005%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex&ueid=1edcaae7-917c-46b4-8e72-f196e5f4f338 Links to an external site.

The baseline is better known as the starting point for a project. This reference was chosen for the financial research highlighting that larger companies use different indicators when measuring their performance than smaller companies. The author notes that this may be because larger companies are more likely to access more resources and thus can use more detailed metrics. Setting a project baseline consists of determining the scope of your project. This can be accomplished by generating a scope statement which serves as an exhaustive list of project objectives and deliverables along the task that must be met.

Bhide, B. (2021, November 28). What are the essential elements of project management? projectcubicle. https://www.projectcubicle.com/what-are-the-basic-elements-of-project-management/ Links to an external site.

The article explained the five essential elements of project management. The author outlines a clear framework from project initiation onward to project closing. The other elements included in this article discuss the execution of the work once the project is set in motion. The article also displays illustrations where essential elements show the work in a format that is easy to follow and comprehend through the pictures and charts on the website. The page/article includes project planning and the key roles and functions of the parts of the project. Monitoring is completed to take a visual picture of how much work is being carried out. Controlling also allows for time to correct any problems that may have occurred. The article provides a solid graphical representation for the casual recipient to comprehend further.

References

Crossway. (2019). ESV gospel transformation study Bible: Christ in all scripture, grace for all life. Crossway Books.

Eby, K. (2018, May 29). Demystifying the 5 phases of project management. Smartsheet. https://www.smartsheet.com/blog/demystifying-5-phases-project-management Links to an external site.

Gillard, S. (2017). The human element of project management. Contemporary Issues in Education Research (CIER), 10(3), 185–188. https://doi.org/10.19030/cier.v10i3.9979 Links to an external site.

Martin, M. (2022, September 3). Project management life cycle phases: What are the stages? Guru99. https://www.guru99.com/initiation-phase-project-management-life-cycle.html Links to an external site.

Meredith, J. R., & Shafer, S. M. (2019). Operations and supply chain management for MBAs. John Wiley & Sons.