Project Management: Lessons Learned from Two Case Studies

This reflective journal analyses the learning outcome from two case studies in project management. It identifies issues, lessons learned, and their application, changes to perception, and self-criticism.

Project Management

Project Management
Contents
1. Introduction...................................................................................................................................2
2. Identification of Issues...................................................................................................................2
Case 1:...............................................................................................................................................2
Case 2:...............................................................................................................................................3
3. Lesson Learnt................................................................................................................................3
Case 1:...............................................................................................................................................3
Case 2:...............................................................................................................................................4
4. Application of lesson learnt...........................................................................................................4
5. Change to Perception of project management................................................................................4
6. Self-Criticism................................................................................................................................5
7. Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................5
8. References:....................................................................................................................................5
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Project Management
1. Introduction
The project is designed for generating a reflective journal to analyse the learning outcome
from the demonstration of the two case studies which are undertaken during the curriculum.
The project planning activities are designed and implemented on the two different cases one
focuses on the development of the new conference centre to provide enhanced facilities to its
participants (Kwak, 2013). The other case study focuses on the decision making capabilities
of the project manager to develop a Rock n Bands with the help of university students.
During the course of different action plan taken by the case studies there were some flaws
encountered which should be focused to develop a learning outcomes of the project to omit
them in repeating it in the coming project plans. The study of the two cases helps me to
understand the issues which are faced by the project manager and its team in the completion
of the project.
2. Identification of Issues
Case 1:
The case study 1 is on the development of the new conference centre which has to organize
on the resort hotel of the New South Wales. The development schedule was given to only one
party which is responsible for developing team members, hiring of architects and engineers,
engaging sub-contractors, and etc. The project manager was not satisfied with the work of the
contractor because the development of the conference hall was very poor and all the
requirement of the project manager was not fulfilled. There are certain issues which exist
with the existing conference which are No acoustic system in the conference hall, the
occurrence of echo in the hall, the application of extra absorbent material on the walls of the
conference hall helps in resolving the issue of echo problem but it can create the problem of
minimizing seating arrangement, the team is not specialised in the construction of the
conference hall, the rooms of the hotel are smaller in size, the capacity of the room is nearly
about 4 to 6 member, the audio and the video system was not working properly according to
the requirement of the owner, failure of the control program, negligence of the contractor in
listening the problem of the project manager, and many more. The project manager has asked
the contractor to resolve the issues before the occurrence of the event which is going to be
organized in just coming month (Ika, 2014).
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Project Management
Case 2:
The university is going to organize a festive season for the student. The consultant company
was hired to organize the Rock n band festival. They asked the university official to prepare a
list of required activities which should be included in the festival program. There are various
activities which should be taken under consideration during the planning of the musical
program which are Organization of the project activities for the development of festival
activities, Lighting system installed in the construction of the stage, Organization of the
musical activities, Dependencies on the roadies and delegates, Failure in the marketing
policies for promoting the musical program, Inefficiency in the parking facilities for the event
day, Inefficiency in the recording of the program due to the availability of more crowd than
the capacity of the auditorium, and Inefficiency in the proper settlement of the food stall due
to the increasing demand of the food item as expected. There are various risks associated with
the project are on-time delivery of the program given by the dancers and singers, support
from the audience, proper functioning of the audio and the video system, and others.
3. Lesson Learnt
Case 1:
The application of extra absorbent material on the walls of the conference hall helps in
resolving the issue of echo problem. The suggestions from the new resort manager help in
handling the problems of the project manager effectively. He suggested that the owner should
prepare the list of the problems encountered in the conference hall, timeline for the
completion of the project, scheduling of activities which can help in overcoming the
problems and constraints associated with it, and the budgeted cost to settle down all the
requirement of the project manager. Within the period of three months the project of
developing a new conference hall should be created.
During the development of the project, I was able to learn the tactics followed by the project
manager to carry out their required concern by the other party or member. The dedication of
the project manager can made the project a success. The management of the activities and to
observe the area of concern enhance our skills. The proactive prediction of the problem area
make the program to e deploy successfully among the audience.
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Project Management
Case 2:
The planning of the activities which should be undertaken for the development of the Rock n
Band festive musical program helps in making it success. The analysis of the requirement
specification placed by the high official of the university should be studied and judged to
develop a portfolio of the activities which should be scheduled for the success of the event
(Kjolehede, 2016). The skills and talents of the project manager and its team member works
well in cutting down the extra cost on the arrangement of the resources, development of the
stage, handling of the audio and visual system, evaluation of the quality and the service
provided, and many others. The emphasis should be given on the distribution of the ticket
according to the capacity of the auditorium because over population can make the project a
failure and can disappoint the high officials of the university (Mustaro, 2013). From the
course of case study, I was able to learn that the proactive scheduling of the program and to
divide role and responsibility among the team members on the basis of their skills and talents
helps in completing the task efficiently and effectively.
4. Application of lesson learnt
The managerial activities which are learned through the curriculum of case 1 and 2 can be
effectively applied in bringing management and discipline in our day to day activities. The
process of planning should be applied before undertaking any activity or program. The
proactive scheduling of the programs helps in completing the project within the limit of the
budget and time with minimum efforts. The leadership qualities which are learnt helps in
pointing out the flaws and errors which are occurred or can occurred in the daily activity
schedule can be determined (Morris, 2015). Creative thinking should be applied for achieving
and enhancing the expected output of the given situation. The failure of the past should not be
applied to the future activity schedule. New plans should be generated for imposing better
result of the project (Hall, 2012).
5. Change to Perception of project management
From the study and analysis of the given projects my perception to the project management
activities are completely transformed and become a basic skill which I should learn in
bringing perfection in the completion of the work taken. The development of the working
plan helps in pointing out the area of concern which should be resolved on top priority
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Project Management
(Munns, 2013). The priority should be given to the activities undertaken so that it should be
clear in mind what we have to do next. The follow up of the complete life cycle of the project
helps in observing the area of improvement, how the small change in the activity can give
better result, how we can give our best in front of other people, and how we can recognise the
flaws and errors in the work which is already completed by us (Passenheim, 2012).
6. Self-Criticism
During the course of project leaning that I have learn many things and tactics to improve my
daily curriculum activities but I was unable to provide Ideas and thoughts to solve the area of
concern. This means that I have to focus on my creative thinking because the generation of
ideas, opinion, and thoughts helps in synchronising the pitfalls of the program effectively
(Mooi, 2012). The area of observation should be made broad so that we can measure the
flaws in the work performed by us. The disorder in the activity schedule will affect the end
product of the scenario. The expected output will not be gained unless creative thoughts are
generated. I was not able to judge the next step which should be taken according to the
requirement of the program.
7. Conclusion
From the analysis of the case studies, I was able to judge the efficiency of project
management requirement in performing daily curriculum activities. The required output can
be gained by undergoing the proactive action plan which should be designed by setting
priorities to the action taken. I was able to learn that the proactive scheduling of the program
and to divide role and responsibility among the team members on the basis of their skills and
talents helps in completing the task efficiently and effectively. The development of the
working plan helps in pointing out the area of concern which should be resolved on top
priority.
8. References:
Hall, N. (2012). Project Management: Recent developments and research opportunities. 1st
ed. [ebook]. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11518-012-5190-5 [Accessed 01
Apr. 2018].
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Morris, W. (2015). Research and future of project management. 1st ed. [ebook].
https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/17538371011014080 [Accessed 01 Apr.
2018].
Passenheim, O. (2012). Project Management. 1st ed. [ebook].
http://home.hit.no/~hansha/documents/theses/projectmanagement.pdf [Accessed 01 Apr.
2018].
Munns, A. (2013). The role of project management in achieving project success 1st ed.
[ebook].
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1dc0/869c0fb6f52b23da12aa7922be43296e0b06.pdf
[Accessed 01 Apr. 2018].
Mustaro, P. (2013). Project management principles applied in academic research project. 1st
ed. [ebook]. http://iisit.org/Vol10/IISITv10p325-340Mustaro0190.pdf [Accessed 01 Apr.
2018].
Kjolhede, E. (2016). Project management theory and the research project. 1st ed. [ebook].
http://openarchive.cbs.dk/bitstream/handle/10398/6308/wp32000.pdf?sequence=1 [Accessed
01 Apr. 2018].
Mooi, H. (2012). Innovation project management: A Research Agenda. 1st ed. [ebook].
http://pucsp.br/icim/ingles/downloads/papers/TL_038.pdf [Accessed 01 Apr. 2018].
Kwak, Y. (2013). Amazing project management research: Perspective from top management
journals. 1st ed. [ebook]. https://home.gwu.edu/~kwak/Allied_Disciplines_Kwak_Anbari.pdf
[Accessed 01 Apr. 2018].
Ika, L. (2014). Project Management in the international development industry. 1st ed.
[ebook]. https://uqo.ca/sites/default/files/fichiers-uqo/medias/nouvelles/20110419-
lavagnonika-ijpmib-devafrica.pdf [Accessed 01 Apr. 2018].
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