Professional Development Experience 1 Workbook

This workbook covers topics like project management, SMART objectives, Gantt chart, project proposal, and more. It includes sessions on defining your project, planning your project, project proposal submission week, and project stakeholders. The workbook is relevant for students pursuing courses in project management, human resource management, and related fields.

Professional
Development
Experience (1)
Workbook
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Contents
Session 1: Introduction to Module:.......................................................................................................3
Session 2: Defining Your Project............................................................................................................4
Project Proposal:...............................................................................................................................5
Session 3: Planning Your Project:..........................................................................................................6
Gantt Chart of Project Timeline:........................................................................................................7
Session 4: Project Proposal Submission Week.......................................................................................9
Session 5: Project Background: Context and Stakeholders..................................................................10
5.1: Project Research:......................................................................................................................10
Session 6: The Iron Triangle – Part 1....................................................................................................12
Session 7: The Iron Triangle – Part 2....................................................................................................13
Week 8: Monitoring Your Project........................................................................................................14
Week 9: Skills Development................................................................................................................15
Week 10: Monitoring Your Project......................................................................................................17
Week 11: Final Review of Your Project................................................................................................18
Week 12: Project Workbook Submission.............................................................................................19
References:..........................................................................................................................................19
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Session 1: Introduction to Module:
Think about the kind of project you would like to work on for this module. Make some notes in the
box below:
I am going to work on a research project that is based on analysing the be Human Resource
Management within a company. The current project management tend to aim at examining how
training influence employees engagement as regular taring plays a vital role in improving the
performance of the employees at workplace. Further, it has been analysed that lack of motivation
and talent has been faced by many organisation thus, this topic is chosen since it is related to my
degree program and also to my experience as a human resource assistant along with facilitating
improved and higher retention and performance level of talented employees. Further, current
study also aim at enhancing the employees engagement level at place of work that is one of the
main drivers for organisational success. Along with this, motivated employees are always ready to
contribute to achieving the company’s goals in more efficient and effective way.
Personal Research:
Find a resource that discusses project management; put a link to it in the box below.
Online:
What is Project Management?. 2021. [Online] Available Through:<
https://www.pmi.org/about/learn-about-pmi/what-is-project-management >.
What is the main point made in this resource?
The term Project management can be defined as the discipline and area of study that comprises
of the application of a specific processes and principles in order to effectively initiate, plan,
execute along with properly managing the way that new initiatives and effective changes along
with vital strategy and decisions are implemented within an organization for improved
productivity and performance level. Further, it has been reviewed through current link that use of
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project management is based on effective application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to
deliver something of value to people (Zheng, Li and Zhao, 2021).
Personal Reflection:
What did we do?
During the current session we had identified a practically issue and challenge that is being present
within the current business environment so that effective project can be constructed to create
value and mitigate the prevailing issue and problems.
What did I learn?
I had develop the learning about the topic and concept of project management which comprises
of effective use of skills and knowledge to create and deliver values for organisation facing issue in
enhancing the skill and competency level of its employees. It has been also learnt by me that
project management plan supports effective management of planning and undertaking of activity
to meet the desired level of objectives. I also learnt that higher employees engagement plays a
positive role in meeting the set organisational goal through having positive workplace relationship
and higher commitment level.
How can I apply this to my project?
The knowledge gather about the project management and its various stages that comprises of
initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure would be effectively used and applied by
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me to ensure better execution of current project on human resource management.
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Session 2: Defining Your Project
What do I want to do for my project?
For my project I am going to develop better understanding about the concept of human resource
management along with analysing the need and importance of training for employees at
workplace of a firm. I am going to make use of a questionnaire for collection of data and to
develop better underdoing about the concept of human resource management. Further, some
practical outputs will also be acquired and practice by me comprises of some soft skills such as
communication and presentation skills to effectively manage the current project.
Where are you going to do your project?
The current project would be undertaken at my workplace to improve performance at my place of
employment.
What type of project is it going to be?
The current project is basically undertaken as research project where an issue related with
management of human resources is identified which would further have focused and emphasising
on effective collection and analysis of data to achieve better understanding about the selected
topic.
How does it link to learning to date?
The current project is linked with the learning to the date as it comprises of effective implication
and execution of all the steps and stages of project management plan that consists of initiation,
planning, execution, monitoring, and closure to effectively meet the set aim and objective of
current project.
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Personal Research:
Find a resource that discusses S.M.A.R.T. objectives; put a link to it in the box below.
HOW TO SET SMART GOALS. 2021. [Online] Available Through:<
https://www.tonyrobbins.com/career-business/the-6-steps-to-a-smart-goal/>.
What is the main point made in this resource?
The main point covered in this resources comprises of value and importance of setting SMART
(Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and anchored within a Time Frame) goals which are
basically the set of strategic targets that are clear, attainable and effectively backed up by a plan
which supports higher organisational performance. Further, it has been also analysed and revised
by me through this source that setting of the SMART method helps to push a firm and employees
further by giving a sense of direction, and thus, help to effectively organize, plan and reach the set
goals in improved manner (Obidova and Umarova, 2021).
Personal Reflection:
What did we do?
I had analysed a link that is based on topic of SMART objective.
What did I learn?
I learnt that SMART objectives are the one which are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic,
and timely that helps and supports improved directions and planning for effectively achieving the
set goals.
How can I apply this to my project?
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Use of the information gained through this resources would be made by me to effectively set out
SMART objective for my current project which are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and
timely thus, ensures timely achievement of set goals based in improved planning and clarity in
work.
Project Proposal:
Using the space below write your project proposal:
Project Aim:
The aim of current project is, “To examine how the providing of regular training influence the level
of the employee’s engagement at workplace”.
Project Objectives: (S.M.A.R.T.)
 To determine about the concept of human resource management at workplace of a firm.
 To evaluate about the influence of regular training on the employee’s engagement at
workplace.
 To ensure better development of communication skill along with other technical
competencies within the staff at workplace in coming 6 months.
 To develop improved intellectual and leadership skill in the staff in coming 9 months to
have higher level of employee’s engagement at workplace.
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Session 3: Planning Your Project:
Using the Table below create a list of all the activities you believe you will need to achieve to
complete your project. Consider the order and duration each of the activities will take.
Activ
ities
1st
week
2nd
week
3rd
week
4th
week
5th
week
6th
week
7th
week
8th
week
9th
week
10th
week
11th
week
Selec
tion
of
resea
rch
topic
Deve
lopin
g
aims
and
objec
tives
along
with
frami
ng
resea
rch
quest
ions
with
regar
d to
topic
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Draft
ing
resea
rch
prop
osal.
Perfo
rmin
g
litera
ture
revie
w
with
the
devel
opme
nt of
them
es.
Asse
ssme
nt
along
with
select
ion
of
resea
rch
meth
odolo
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gy
Form
ing
quest
ionna
ire
consi
sting
of
both
close
ende
d and
open-
ende
d
quest
ions.
Colle
ction
of
data
throu
gh
quest
ionna
ire.
Anal
ysing
the
colle
cted
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data
Draw
ing
concl
usion
.
Reco
mme
nding
vario
us
strate
gies
for
resol
ving
issue
regar
ding
demo
tivati
on.
Arra
nging
repor
t in a
struct
ured
mann
er.
Cons
ultati
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on
with
tutor.
Perfo
rmin
g
modi
ficati
on if
any.
Final
subm
issio
n.
Using this list of activities and some appropriate software create a Gantt chart of your project’s
timeline.
Tasks Week1 Week2 Week3 Week4 Week5 Week6 Week7 Week8
Literature Review
Questions writing
Questionnaire design
Questionnaire testing
Initial meetings
Questionnaire Sending
Collection of results
Data Analysis
Writing a report
Insert your completed Gantt chart on the page below:
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Gantt Chart of Project Timeline:
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Personal Research:
Find a resource that discusses using Gantt charts in project management; put a link to it in the box
below.
How to build a Gantt chart for project management. 2021. [Online] Available Through:<
https://www.wrike.com/project-management-guide/faq/how-to-use-a-gantt-chart-for-
project-management/ >.
What is the main point made in this resource?
The main point made out of this resources comprises of the understanding that Gantt chart is a
statically applied tool that is used by project management for systematic presentation of project
task and activity. Further, it has been also analysed that use of Gantt chart brings clarity in project
through clearly stating the timeline and also mitigate the risk of overlapping of work together with
reducing the chances of chaos and confusion in project (Stepanenko and Plavskaya, 2021).
Personal Reflection:
What did we do?
During current session, efforts are made to design and prepare a proper Gantt chart for current
project that is reflecting all the task and activity in a sequence. For that purpose, first of all the
activities are identified by me that are essential for current project such as setting aim and
objective along with collection of data for effectively meeting set objectives.
What did I learn?
I had learnt that Gantt chart is a statically used tool that is used by project manager for systematic
presentation of project task and activity. Along with this, it has been also understand and learnt
by me that use of Gantt chart brings clarity in project through clearly stating the timeline. Further,
it has been also understand by me that making use of Gantt chart is vital to mitigate the risk of
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overlapping of work and reducing the chances of chaos and confusion in project.
How can I apply this to my project?
The application of underdoing about Gantt chart would be effectively applied by me to have
proper management of time lone and effective accomplishment of task during current project to
ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of project that is free from chaos and overlapping of work.
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Session 4: Project Proposal Submission Week
This week you need to ensure that you have:
Completed your proposal and submitted it via e-mail to [e-mail].
Completed your proposed project activity plan in your workbook.
Completed your proposed project timeline on a Gantt chart.
Personal Research:
Find a resource that discusses project Stakeholders; put a link to it in the box below.
What is a project stakeholder?. 2021. [Online] Available Through:<
https://www.teamwork.com/project-management-guide/project-stakeholders/>.
What is the main point made in this resource?
The main point made through this resources comprises of definition of stakeholders which
includes anyone with an interest or investment in your project along with stakeholders are a
varied group that tend to have and work with varied interests for effective accomplishment of set
project and goals. The other main points comprise of need and importance of identifying the
stakeholders for effectively accomplishment of a project. Further, it has been find out that
internal and external are two main form of stakeholders on the basis of which they are prioritise
with a project (Li and Hrubec, 2021).
Personal Reflection:
What did we do?
During the current session a research and analysis about the stakeholders of the project has been
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made.
What did I learn?
I learnt that stakeholders are the person who have some direct or indirect interest within the
project and lead significant influence in the strategy formulation and decision making of project.
Thus, it is vital and necessary to effectively evaluate and analysis the various stakeholders of the
project so that their needs and expectation can be effectively meet.
How can I apply this to my project?
The learning of current session can be effectively applied to identify various stakeholders along
with effectively meeting their interest and expectation for better accomplishment and
achievement of current project aim and objectives.
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Session 5: Project Background: Context and
Stakeholders
This week we considered the organisational context and stakeholders to your project
Who is the project for?
The current project is focused on examine the how training
influence the level of employee engagement at workplace.
What do you do/do at
work?
I am working as a human resource assistant which is taken as a
credentialed professional who tend to perform all the daily
administrative and human resources duties in an organisation. My
duties and work comprises of assisting with recruitment, payroll
processing, compiling and maintaining records.
What do you know about
the sector you work in?
I am working within the human resource sector and management of
HRM that is key for success of any firm as human resource is the ne
which makes use and channelize or other resources at workplace.
Human resources is vital and necessary to effectively perform all the
set task and activity to ensure better achievement of organisational
goal. Further, HRM comprises of practice of recruiting, hiring,
deploying and managing an organization's employees.
What parts of the
organisation does your
project affect?
The current project would affect and influence the efficiency and
productivity level of the human resources as it aim at determining
about the training and its impact on employee engagement which
ensures improved skill and better interpersonal relationship at place
of work.
5.1: Project Research:
This week find out about your chosen sector/organisation/employer; place some links to relevant
background information in the box below:
Link 1:
https://searchhrsoftware.techtarget.com/definition/human-resource-management-
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HRM#:~:text=Human%20resource%20management%20(HRM)%20is,and%20managing%20an
%20organization's%20employees.&text=The%20term%20human%20resources%20was,for%20the
%20organization%2C%20in%20aggregate.
Link 2;
https://www.olxpeople.com/blog/hrm-functions/
Link 3:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-business/chapter/the-functions-and-goals-of-hr/
Personal Research:
Find a resource that discusses using “The Iron Triangle” in project management.; put a link to it in
the box below.
How to Maximize Project Quality with the Iron Triangle of Project Management. 2021. [Online]
Available Through:< https://www.villanovau.com/resources/project-management/iron-
triangle-project-management/>.
What is the main point made in this resource?
The current resources provide vital information about the Iron Triangle which consists of three
vital constraints that a project managers work within are budget, scope and schedule. Schedule
(or time) is at the top of the model (shaped like a triangle). Scope is on the left of the triangle and
budget (or cost) is on the right. quality is in the middle of the triangle and effective project
managers must balance the ebb and flow of tradeoffs (Martínez-Rodríguez and Fernández-
Herrería, 2021).
Personal Reflection:
What did we do?
I had develop and make efforts to get understudying about the Iron Trainable and its use and
importance within a project management.
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What did I learn?
I had learnt that Iron triangle comprises of three constraints that are applied and used by the
project managers who tend to work within are budget, scope and schedule. Schedule (or time) is
at the top of the model (shaped like a triangle). Scope is on the left of the triangle and budget (or
cost) is on the right.
How can I apply this to my project?
The implication of current information would be made to effectively manage the time, cost and
quality of the current project.
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Session 6: The Iron Triangle – Part 1
What are the cost implications for your project?
Recruitment is one of the most expensive HR tasks for firms; for SMEs, recruiting the best (or
wrong) individual for the job can have a significant influence on the entire organisation. As The
Underground Recruiter reminds out, you must include in unnecessary spending, rewards,
workplace equipment and tools, and even the time needed to integrate a potential staff in
addition to the wage. As component of your HR market culture, it's critical to know how much
you're paying on recruiting.
How will you measure these?
The ultimate reason HR professionals are engaged in assessing Human Resource expenses is to
calculate a ROI. In the ROI formula, cost is a critical component.
As a result, a stage process scoreboard has been created to counteract the problem. This
scorecard shows the actions taken by each sector and team, resulting in some ‘healthy'
competitiveness. They can compute the ROI whether they can compute the expenses and
evaluate the value of an action.
What are the time implications for your project?
HRM's main responsibility is to monitor crucial areas like staffing and recruiting, identifying
employee responsibilities, and determining compensation package. They can aim to improve
performance and assuring staff has just what they want to thrive in their positions with an HRM
programme in place at your company. For this project require to about one months for follow all
the procedures.
How will you measure these?
The HRM system's able to retain personnel and, as a result, make suggestions to the
organizational system. For the in moderately conversation with the HRM department head and an
unverified survey of 140 staff members were used to obtain data. After that, SPSS was used to
analyse the data.
What are the quality implications for your project?
The "Scope Triangle" or "Quality Triangle" depicts the export that every project entails. In an
enterprise, the triangle depicts the connection between three fundamental forces. For contrast,
time is frequently predetermined, while the ultimate manufacturer's quality is determined by the
price or compensation paid.
How will you measure these?
To measure quality of the business require to the client is the one who decides on quality. All
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personnel must work together to achieve the business's or firm's shared values.
Personal Research:
Find a resource that discusses using Deming’s P.D.C.A. in project management; put a link to it in
the box below.
https://www.smartsheet.com/triple-constraint-triangle-theory
What is the main point made in this resource?
Total quality management which is required in the HRM project
Personal Reflection:
What did we do?
For this project require to set a particular cost in order to recruit new staff in the company. As per
the requirement it is required to set budget for the different stages like planning, organizing,
interview and many others.
What did I learn?
During the process I was learning different things like:
 Time management
 Communication with different applicant
 Team building
How can I apply this to my project?
It is applying by the help of other team members who are involving in the project.
Session 7: The Iron Triangle – Part 2
What are the cost implications for your project?
The term "opportunity cost" allows for a greater advantages that may have been obtained if
expenditures had been allocated to a different purpose. For example, educating your salesman
will not only expense you their salaries, but it will also cost you money (AKA the estimated value
of employee time). No, there's an economic value: they could have completed a sale in the time
they spent training. This is the value of your time.
How will you measure these?
This skill allows to prepare the overall cost management plan, from estimates to funding to cost
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containment. Because of the corporation's skill and dedication to results, even a delayed deadline
or cost estimating might be accepted as a cost of operations to avoid delivering anything except a
spectacular outcome.
Personal Research:
Find a resource that discusses using Deming’s P.D.C.A. in project management; put a link to it in
the box below.
https://www.smartsheet.com/triple-constraint-triangle-theory
What is the main point made in this resource?
In this link provide about the cost, scope, time and quality about the project management.
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Week 8: Monitoring Your Project
What challenges have you encountered on your project to date?
1. Time, cost, and quality — The most difficult task for any organisation wishing to adopt product
development is assuring that their application meets the agreed-upon objectives inside the
agreed-upon time, cost, and quality. These elements must be harmonised in respect to the
project's total scope.
2. Resources - projects rely on the efficient use of scarce resources, such as personnel, technology,
and facilities – in those other terms, whatever needed to perform a particular project – all of
which cost money. The company is faced with the task of making the most of limited resources.
3. People
4. Technical
5. Legal
6. Environment
How did you resolve these?
1. Ask For Help
2. Feel Your Feelings.
3. Accept Support.
4. Help Others
5. Think Big.
6. Positive Mindset.
What methods/tools did you use to do this?
Define the problem.
List all the possible solutions.
Evaluate the options.
Select the best solution.
Create an implementation plan.
Communicate your solution.
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Personal Reflection:
What did we do?
At the starting I was facing various problems that impact on me in adverse manner. These
challenges are improving my learning skills that how these challenges help me to learn how to
overcome from different types of situations and tackle them with different techniques.
What did I learn?
I was learning that how to apply various techniques in different situation and agree team for
various activities. It helps me to overcome from different challenges and take right dececision in
tough time.
How can I apply this to my project?
It is applying when I was facing any problem in my project.
Week 9: Skills Development
Over the last few weeks, you have gathered further information about various tools for project
management from external sources which should have supported your projected.
In the box below explain how some of these tools have been applied to your work.
Use of various management tools like Gantt chart and Iron Triangle has been made by me which
has been effectively applied for proper achievement and accomplishment of current project.
Gantt chart- the use of Gantt chart leads and ensure better management of time through ensuring
systematic and clear presentation of all activities. Further, application of Gantt chart also reduces
the overlapping of work along with leading chaos and error free accomplishment of set activity.
Iron Triangle- application of the Iron trainable as management tool ensure better management
and creation of relationship between the budget, scope and schedule of the project. Thus,
application of Iron triable within current project ensure better preparation and management of
cost of project through effective budgeting. Along with this, improved scope and better
management of the time schedule has been also supported and lead by the Iron Triangle.
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When thinking about skills and personal development at the University of the West of Scotland a
useful resource is the University’s graduate attributes. These are a set of skills, personal qualities and
understanding that are developed during your studies to prepare you for work in the 21st Century.
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Personal Research:
Find a resource that discusses Personal Development; put a link to it in the box below.
Take Charge Of Your Personal Development. 2020. [Online] Available Through:<
https://harappa.education/harappa-diaries/personal-or-self-development >.
What is the main point made in this resource?
The main point that are made through this resources comprise of better understanding about the
personal development that comprises of a lifelong process that helps an individuals to effectively
assess the vital life goals along with upskill to ensure fulfilment and achievement of the desired
potential. Further, a better underdoing about the importance of personal development along with
improved personal growth and future opportunity through continuous betterment of skill and
competency has been also made.
Personal Reflection:
What new skills have I developed?
I had developed and improved my time management skill along with better communication,
leadership and intellectual skills
What evidence do I have that I have applied them?
Use of various authentic link along with collection of data through questionnaire are some vital
evidence that are applied and used by me during current project.
How do these relate to the graduate attributes?
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Communication skill are vital graduate attributes that supports improved interaction and higher
confidence in individuals. Along with this, effective time management is also a vital graduate
attribute to ensure that all the assigned task and activity are completed on time together with
improved interpersonal skill which ensure positive relationship and higher commitment level.
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Week 10: Monitoring Your Project
What other challenges have you encountered on your project to date?
The main challenges that are encountered during the current project comprises of effective
management of time and cost along with lack of proper coordination and balance among the
various task.
How did you resolve these?
To resolve the issue of time management use of Gantt chart has been made. Further, application
of Iron trainable has been also made to resolve the issue of cost through leading proper budgeting
of project. Along with this, to ensure improved communication and coordination implication of
proper communication channel along with ensuring effective interaction with the help of social
media and other digital channels has been also made during the current project.
What methods/tools did you use to do this?
Use of Gantt chart and Iron triangle are made along with effective communication tool such as
social media and other digital platform.
Personal Reflection:
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What did we do?
I had identified the main challenges faced by me during current project.
What did I learn?
I learnt that use of Gantt chart and Iron triangle supports better management of time and cost
during a project.
How can I apply this to my project?
I can apply learning about Gantt chart and Iron trainable to have better management of time and
cost for current project.
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Week 11: Final Review of Your Project
Use the box below to reflect back over the last eleven weeks. If you were going to do this project
again what would you do differently?
The Last eleven weeks are very Knowledgeable and informative for me that has ensured better
underdoing level about the concept of human resource management along with leading influence
of training on employee management. Further, I had developed better underdoing about the ways
for effective collection of data along with various topic and tools such as Gantt chart and Iron
trainable. With respect to current study, I faced difficulty in ensuring bifurcation of time and
resource, so while making a project in future I would like to make use of WBS tool to ensure
better management and bifurcation of task that would be done differently as compared to current
project.
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Did you achieve what you set out to do? Have you met the aim and objectives you originally set?
Yes, I have achieved the set aim and objective as it has been analysed by me that a positive
influence is being lead out by training on employees engagement by boosting the morale and skill
level of employees. Further, improved time management skill along with effective communication
and interpersonal skills are also developed by me while undertaking current project. Implication
of questionnaire and collection of data supported improved communication and interpersonal
skill while underdoing and practical use of Gantt chart and Iron trainable has enhanced by time
management skill.
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Week 12: Project Workbook Submission
Check off that you have completed the following activities:
Completed all sections of your workbook
Submitted your workbook onto Turnitin by Friday 12 noon, 20th August 2021.
References:
Bailey, S.L. and et. al., 2021. Development of a laboratory-based pharmacogenomics
independent study and advanced pharmacy practice experience: Connecting basic
science to clinical application. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning.
Huang, M.L., 2021, July. Co-creating Experience in Engaging Customers with Product
Development: A Case Study of Hair Products. In International Conference on
Human-Computer Interaction (pp. 330-339). Springer, Cham.
King, M., Lim, N. and Romski, M., 2021. Language experience, cognitive skills, and English
and Spanish semantic abilities in bilingual children with typical development and
language impairments. International Journal of Bilingualism, p.13670069211015305.
Li, J. and Hrubec, D., 2021. A review of our three-year editorial experience: 2019-2021.
Martínez-Rodríguez, F.M. and Fernández-Herrería, A., 2021. Huerto Alegre: an ecocentric
socio-educational experience as a critical practice of education for sustainable
development. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, pp.1-14.
Obidova, F. and Umarova, Z., 2021. FOREIGN EXPERIENCE OF SMALL BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT. Экономика и социум, (5-1), pp.376-379.
Stepanenko, L.V. and Plavskaya, E.L., 2021. Experience in training art specialists. In SHS
Web of Conferences (Vol. 113). EDP Sciences.
Toropova, A., 2021. World experience of state support of small business in conditions of
sustainable development (Doctoral dissertation, National Aviation University).
Zheng, H., Li, J. and Zhao, X., 2021. How does financial policy support the development of
China's fishery? Characteristics, experience and prospects. Marine Policy, 132,
p.104678.
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