HR Project Management Final Team Report

Running head: PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS 1

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE HUMAN RESOURCE PROJECT 7

Planning Considerations for the Human Resource Project

8/15/2020

Professor Jennifer Young

Planning Considerations for the Human Resource Project

Introduction

The first step teams need to make when starting a project is to ensure that there is a project's planning note. The note is essential in the sense that it acts as a guide and backbone of the project requirements. Due to the numerous issues and details that come with project planning, the statement is crucial in ensuring that everything goes according to plan. Additionally, any project requires significant preparation if it is to succeed, and without a note or statement of planning, then the project may stall. According to Falkner and Hiebl (2015), project preparation may involve the evaluation of things such as management personnel, risks, budget, and the team responsible for the project. In this sense, this paper seeks to analyze the scope and scheduling of a project, associated project behavioral skills, determination of project budget, and how a project manager can identify project risks.

Project Scope and Scheduling

Scope

One of the most significant aspects of a project includes the scope and scheduling of that particular project. Sunindijo (2015) points out that the project scope entails the details that must be part of the project to ensure that it is completed successfully and meets the set standards. A project's scope offers the management party a chance to design an outline or a draft of the project requirements. For this reason, it is of the essence to comprehend the needs of a project's initial plan before the team starts working on the project. Additionally, the project scope is significant because it can help the project managers carry out budget estimations. In most cases, it can be a hard task to estimate a project's budget without fully comprehending the resources required to complete the project (Kloppenborg, 2019). In this sense, establishing the scope of the project is an essential step in the process of project evaluation.

Scheduling

On the other hand, project scheduling involves the preparation of specific activities in the order in which they will occur as the project progresses. Project scheduling is another vital aspect that must be taken into consideration before a project kicks off. Demeulemeester & Herroelen (2006) present that project scheduling makes an essential part of the project management process, thus proving it to be a necessary procedure. There are several ways through which the project team can undertake the project schedule. For example, project charts or Gant charts can be utilized in project scheduling. Scheduling is beneficial to the project task in the sense that it offers a precise estimation of the time that the project will take until it is completed. The project schedule indicates the time a project will start and the tie at which the project will be expected to be complete. The schedule acts as a guide for the project managers to determine whether they will complete the project in the given time, or it needs to be added some more time. Moreover, project scheduling helps with the planning of resources and deliverables timing required in the project.

Statement if importance

Just like an organization has a mission and vision statement, all projects come with a statement that provides the need and reasoning behind starting the projects. Projects do not just start; instead, the projects are formulated due to the given reasons and requirements. In most instances, the statement of the essence just offers a picture of why the project is taking place. In other words, statements explain why an organization needs an individual project and its significance to the company. For this reason, a project's statement of importance is considered an integral part of the project. The statement also prompts the project managers to stick to the initial plan of the project without deviating and risking the success of that project (Rautiainen et al., 2017). Therefore, every project requires a statement of essence that guides the project team by reminding them of what is needed from them. The statement of significance for this Human Resource Project states that "The human resource department requires this project as a guide and aspect of enhancing the services provided by this department."

Project Resourcing and Relevant Behavioural Skills

According to Sasu (2018), most projects are completed successfully when the responsible team has the right capabilities of handling a project. In other words, certain behavioural skills are contemplated to be significant in carrying out projects. For instance, one essential behavioral skill includes the capability to choose competent people as the team to undertake a particular project. Even if a project manager has all the funds that are required to push the project to completion, he or she cannot succeed without a competent team. For this reason, project managers need the ability to select a competent tea that can propel the project to the expected standards. In this sense, a project needs a manager who knows how human resources work and their potential to contribute to the success of a project.

Secondly, another crucial behavior skill involves the ability of a project manager to understand the art of specialization. In projects, not many people understand that it is essential for project teams to be put in areas where they can work efficiently and faster. Specialization involves a situation where project embers are put in areas where they can work best. Undertaking projects can be a complicated process if people are placed in stations where they do not comprehend what needs to be done. However, putting the team members in areas where they can work without challenges can boost their motivation and help contribute to the success of the given project.

Another crucial behavioral skill involves conflict resolution skills. Conflicts are unavoidable when it comes to project tasks, as people may disagree sometimes. For this reason, a competent manager of a project must display the skills of a problem solver if the project is to succeed. Additionally, the fourth behavioral skill that a project resourcing process requires is oral communication skills. Communication is one of the most vital factors that can lead to a project's success. When managers are good at communicating, the rest of the project team will find it easy to voice concerns and even make critical suggestions. Thus, oral communication is an essential behavioral skill in project resourcing as it may make or break the success of a project.

Project Cost, Aggregation of Cost, and Cash Flow Evaluation

Budget determination involving projects usually depends on the various phases that a project is intended to take before completion. It also relies on the resources that are required for the successful completion of that project. When a budget is established, it becomes easier for the project team to track the in-progress costs of the project, making it easier to account for all project areas and phases, including materials, personnel, hardware, and software activities. Furthermore, cost evaluation in a project is carried out by focusing on the costs associated with the project, and the total costs needed to complete the project at hand. In some cases, the costs might be fewer or higher than expected if the project managers do not plan and execute the estimated budget carefully. Cost aggregation involves the categorization of costs, a process that differentiates much-needed costs from those that can be used sparingly. For example, project costs may be divided into two, including indirect and direct project costs. Such costs are categorized to ensure that the costs are utilized in catering for facilities, hardware, software, services, equipment, materials, and labor, among other associated costs. Moreover, the cash flow activities in a project are associated with the expansion of human resource procedures. The sales and purchases that come up after the project can be used to estimate the project's cash flow activities (Kloppenborg, 2019). Additionally, the acquired fixed assets can also act as a base of estimating the cash outflow and inflow activities.

Recognition of Project Perils

There is no project that does not face significant risks that threaten its success. For this reason, it is of the essence to identify risks linked to the project and how to address those risks to ensure completion of that project (Carvalho & Rabechini Junior, 2015). Identifying risks involves the use of checklists that asses all project areas and the evaluation of the firm and weak points of that project. Additionally, document reviews are also crucial in recognizing the risks that a project faces. Moreover, project managers can obtain information by focusing on brainstorming, which involves discussions between managers to come up with solutions founded on identified risks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, several issues are essential when it comes to project planning and consideration. The success of a project entirely depends on how factors such as funds and other resources are incorporated into the project plan. The scope and scheduling of a project are also crucial as they act as a guide to the successful completion of the project. Furthermore, cost estimation and budget establishment are essential when it comes to project planning. Risk identification is also vital in project planning as it helps with ensuring that all perils are addressed, and all obstacles are taken care of before the project starts, which ensures that the project will be successful.

References

Carvalho, M. M. D., & Rabechini Junior, R. (2015). Impact of risk management on project performance: the importance of soft skills. International Journal of Production Research, 53(2), 321-340.

Demeulemeester, E. L., & Herroelen, W. S. (2006). Project scheduling: a research handbook (Vol. 49). Springer Science & Business Media.

Falkner, E. M., & Hiebl, M. R. (2015). Risk management in SMEs: a systematic review of available evidence. The Journal of Risk Finance, 16(2), 122-144.

Kloppenborg, T. (2019). Contemporary Project Management. (4th Ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.

Rautiainen, A., Sippola, K., & Mättö, T. (2017). Perspectives on relevance: The relevance test in the constructive research approach. Management Accounting Research, 34, 19-29.

Sasu, E. D. (2018). Leadership Autonomy: A Self-Motivated Competency for Monitoring & Evaluating International Development Projects.

Sunindijo, R. Y. (2015). Project manager skills for improving project performance. International Journal of Business Performance Management, 16(1), 67-83.