Project Management: Definition, Methodologies, Team Management, and Project Plan

This article discusses project management, its definition, methodologies, team management, and project plan. It also evaluates the composition and management of teams within the project environment. The article includes a case study of Scottish Power's project of implementing a social media marketing strategy.

Project Management

Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
1. Definition of a project along with its characteristics and role played by project manager......1
2. Justification of application of theoretical frameworks along with methodologies in project
environment.................................................................................................................................3
3. Critical evaluation of composition along with management of teams within project
environment.................................................................................................................................4
4. Formulation of project management plan................................................................................5
5. Appraising measures for controlling along with monitoring project risk, quality, change
addition to configuration..............................................................................................................9
6. Evaluation of project success along with failure and disseminating key learning points from
project delivery..........................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Project refers to a piece of undertaking that is carried out either individually or collectively
in carefully planned as well as organised manner. Likewise, project management could be said to
a process of leading team work with usage of particular tools, knowledge and techniques for
delivering valuable to target population (Silvius, 2017). It is science and art for organising all
resources and components of project for achieving objectives. For understanding project
management, selected company is Scottish Power which is vertically integrated energy
organisation having distribution network operator to supply electricity together with gas to
homes.
The assessment addresses definition of a project, its features and key roles of project
manager. It further includes justification of application of various theoretical methodologies in
project environment, evaluation of composition and management of team and project
management plan. It also appraises measures for controlling and monitoring quality,
configuration, risk and change in the project. At last, project success and failure are evaluated
along with key learning points are disseminated from project delivery.
MAIN BODY
1. Definition of a project along with its characteristics and role played by project manager
As per Aanbari and Kwak (2018), project is defined as sequence of tasks which are required
to be completed for achieving specific result (Aanbari and Kwak, 2018). In other words, it is
temporary endeavour with definite start and end. In aspect to Scottish Power, the company is
working on a project for creating a social media marketing strategy. The project is developed for
growth of company in international market as well as grabbing attention of vast customer base
towards offerings of the entity. For Scottish Power, the project is an opportunity for generating
awareness among consumers at international level.
Characteristics of a project
A project is seen as set on interdependent tasks or activities which have common goal. In
context to project of Scottish Power, various characteristics are as follows:
Temporary: Every project has a finite start as well as finite end. In this, start time is when
project is at initiation and concept of it is developed. At same time, end time is when all
objectives and goals of the project are met. In context to project of Scottish Power, the project is
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characterised for implementing a strategy for using social media marketing for fixed period. The
start time of project is September 24, 2021 and finish time is November 10, 2021.
Unique deliverable: A project aims for producing certain kind of deliverable that can be
form of product, service or other outcome. It is analysed that deliverable must address a problem
and require proper analysis prior initiation. In association to project of Scottish Power, unique
deliverable is implementing social media marketing strategy with the help of various platforms.
Progressive elaboration: Project progress involves ongoing investigation as well as
improvement is available which permits producing accurate addition to comprehensive plans.
Successive iterations related to planning process leads to developing effective solutions for the
purpose of progress and development of project. In context to project of Scottish Power, it is
ensured that all the practices are undertaken accurately.
Role of project manager:
Project manager is professional within field of managing projects (Kerzner, 2019). These
are change agents who sets goals of the project of their own along with utilise skills as well as
expertise for inspiring sense of shared purpose in team. In aspect to project of Scottish Power,
certain role of project manager are as follows:
Activity and resource planning: To meet project deadlines, planning is instrumental and
various projects fail because of poor planning. Foremost, project managers have role of planning
activities and resources for the project. In project of Scottish Power, project manager is
responsible for defining scope along with determining available resources to plan and implement
social media marketing strategy.
Organising and motivating team: Effective project manager do not get their teams
bogged down with long checklists, whiteboards along with elaborate spreadsheets. In aspect to
project of Scottish Power, project manager develops straightforward and clear plans which
stimulate teams for reaching fill potential.
Controlling time management: Success or failure of project are judged on the criteria
whether it is delivered on time or not. Hence, meeting deadlines is significant and non-
negotiable. In project of Scottish Power, it is role of project manager to know ways for setting
realistic deadlines as well as communicating with team consistently.
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2. Justification of application of theoretical frameworks along with methodologies in project
environment
Project environment represents connection at which a project is processed. Project
management methodology refers to a set of practices along with principles which assist
organising project for ensuring optimum performance. In the project of implementing social
media marketing strategy of Scottish Power, application of project management methodology
helps in standardising, structuring along with organising work methods. Mentioned below are
justified methodologies and framework that are effective for project environment of Scottish
Power:
Waterfall methodology: It is traditional methodology to project management. With
application of it in a project, phases along with tasks are completed in sequential as well as linear
manner, each project stage is required to be completed prior next begins (Kerzner, 2018). In the
project of implementing social media marketing strategy by Scottish Power, waterfall
methodology can be used because it ensures fulfilment of every expectation in adequate, timely
and organised manner. With this methodology, project manager is able to focus on linear
progression from initiation to finish of a project.
Scrum Methodology: It is an empirical process which permits teams of project to respond
rapidly, effectively together with efficiently to change. In context to project of Scottish Power,
scrum methodology could be applied as it focuses more towards delivery of results through
improving communication, speed of development together with teamwork. Furthermore, the
methodology looks towards practice of decision making collaboratively as a team as well as
provides valuable feedbacks throughout the process to involved parties.
Agile principle with scrum framework: Agile project management framework permits for
maximum flexibility in case of managing a project. It is one of principle for project management
through breaking it in various phases. In aspect to project of Scottish Power, it could be applied
because it aids enhancement of team performance, increase project versatility along with
improve customer satisfaction. In addition, use of the principle could help in adaptation of
change and performing practices flexible while delivering the project.
Six sigma methodology: A project management methodology for improvisation of
processes with focus on ensuring consistency in impeccable quality addition to output. It is
mostly used for optimisation as well as improving current processes or devise new ones. In
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context to project of Scottish Power, six sigma methodology could be applied because it assists
in elimination of defects addition to improvise processes for boosting success. Moreover, use of
the methodology or framework in a project seeks improvement of performances through
eliminating defects and waste while boosting work standardisation.
From the description of various project management methodologies, it is determined that
project managers apply Scrum methodology and agile framework for the project of
implementing social media marketing strategy at Scottish Power. With application of these,
project managers are able to develop required activities for members of team and inspect
effectiveness in the performances undertaken for attaining desired goals. It also maximises
values throughout development stages and reduces overall risks of the project (Cicmil and
Gaggiotti, 2018).
3. Critical evaluation of composition along with management of teams within project
environment
Success of a project depends on the way teams are composed and managed by managers.
Team composition is said to overall mix of features among people in a team, that is a unit of two
or more people that interact interdependently for attaining common objectives. Likewise, team
management is a skill of a person to administer together with coordinate group of individuals for
performing task collectively. In aspect to project of Scottish Power, team is composed and
managed with the help of mentioned aspects:
Establishing expectations from starting: New employees as well as new team members
tend to arrive as relatively blank slates, open to array of organisational culture, but rapidly
initiate cues for ways to operate as member. In context to project of Scottish Power, team
composition starts with establishment of expectations and ground rules. A project manager
develops culture of shared responsibility, shared decision making along with shared problem
solving.
Respecting team members as individuals: Other approach of composition and
management of team for a project is respecting perspectives and thoughts of members as
individual. For project of Scottish Power, it is significant for project managers to not to regard
new members of team as bodies who will carry out tasks. In project environment, robust team is
that in which people are honoured for uniqueness and ability to contribute in goal attainment.
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Engendering connections within team: It is crucial for project managers that they value
as well as honour each member of team so that each members themselves exhibit same care and
respect towards others (Galli, 2018). Herein, project manager of implementing social media
marketing strategy of Scottish Power encourages individuals to not regard as body that sits at
desk net to themselves. Rather, managers encourage all to work as partners to attain shared goals,
development and individual success.
Practicing emotional intelligence: Effective managers value significance of emotional
intelligence. In project of Scottish Power, managers compose and manage team by practicing
emotional intelligence in which they embrace realities of various styles along with various
motivation forms to treat all individual differences as asset.
Motivating with positivity: Great managers compose and manage team for a project by
shaping behaviour with positive reinforcement despite of negative reinforcement. Within project
of Scottish Power, managers creative positive team environment with the help of citing situations
as well as behaviours which encourage members to bring more from where they belong to.
Communication: Team composition and management of team is possible with effective
communication. For the project of Scottish Power, effective communication keeps working
relationships powerful to work collaboratively.
Diversifying: Team composition and management is possible with diversification of
people. To attain success in project of Scottish Power, team is managed with diverse people
belonging to different backgrounds, opinions, experiences along with ages.
4. Formulation of project management plan
Project management plan is described as formal document which elaborates the manner in
which practices of project are to be carried out. It highlights ways in which project is performed,
monitored along with controlled from beginning to initiation stages (Nediger, 2020). For project
of implementing social media marketing strategy at Scottish Power, project management plan is
formulated below:
Particulars Description
Executive
Summary
As leading energy company, Scottish Power is planning to implement
social media marketing strategy for the purpose of attract more customer
base towards the venture, growing company in international market and
generating awareness among customers on international market about the
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offerings of company.
Project Scope and
deliverables
Social media marketing strategy includes techniques which target social
networks as well as application to spread awareness of brand and promote
the venture. In aspect to project of Scottish Power, establishing a presence
on major social media platforms is key deliverable of the platform.
Project Schedule To schedule the project of implementing social media marketing strategy of
Scottish Power, project schedule is set through Gantt Chart which is
dependency relationships among activities as well as exiting schedule
status. For the project of implementing social media marketing strategy of
Scottish Power, project schedule is as follows:
S.no. Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
1 Initiation 3 days Fri 9/24/21 Tue
9/28/21
2 Aim and objectives 1 day Fri 9/24/21 Fri 9/24/21
3 Determine scope 1 day Mon
9/27/21
Mon
9/27/21 2
4 Identify
stakeholders 1 day Tue
9/28/21
Tue
9/28/21 2,3
5 Planning 3 days Wed
9/29/21 Fri 10/1/21
6 timeline 1 day Wed
9/29/21
Wed
9/29/21 3,4
7 budget 1 day Thu
9/30/21
Thu
9/30/21 6
8 resources 1 day Fri 10/1/21 Fri 10/1/21 6,7
9 Execution 4 days Mon
10/4/21
Thu
10/7/21
10 Allot the work 1 day Mon
10/4/21
Mon
10/4/21 8
11 Organize the
workflows 1 day Tue
10/5/21
Tue
10/5/21 10
12 Communicating 1 day Wed
10/6/21
Wed
10/6/21 11
13 Monitoring of
quality 1 day Thu
10/7/21
Thu
10/7/21 11,12
14 Closure 2 days Fri 10/8/21 Mon
10/11/21
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15 Checking
performance 1 day Fri 10/8/21 Fri 10/8/21 13
16 Conduction of post
implementation 1 day Mon
10/11/21
Mon
10/11/21 15
Project resources Project resources are material goods, funds and people that are essential for
successful execution along with completion of a project (Bergmann and
Karwowski, 2018). In aspect to project of implementing social media
marketing strategy of Scottish Power, major project resources are as
follows:
Financial resources: It refers to a resource that cover financial funds of
project. It is a kind of resource, which inputs into production processes in
the company. In context to project of implementing social media marketing
strategy of Scottish Power, financial resource is required for carrying out
practices timely.
Human resources: It is set of people that make organisational workforce.
In the project of implementing social media marketing strategy of Scottish
Power, human resource or human capital is knowledge and potential which
people commands.
Risk and Issue
management plan
Risk and issue management plan is a document which entails challenges
and effects which are foreseen by managers along with set responses to
risks. These are reviewed by project managers so that necessary actions
could be undertaken when any risk or issue arises. For project of
implementing social media marketing strategy of Scottish Power, risk and
issue management plan is as follows:
Risk and
Issue
category
Risk and
Issue
Identification
Risk and
Issue
proximity
Actions for mitigation
Organisational Poor time
management
High  Scheduling
effectively as well
as planning ahead.
 Getting priorities in
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order.
 Batching similar
tasks together.
 Including buffer
time in schedule.
Legal Failure in
meeting
regulatory
compliance as
well as
standards
requirements
Medium  Keeping on top of
changes in
regulation.
 Designating
compliance
champion.
 Constantly
monitoring
compliance with
right tools.
Internal Employee
resistance
Low  Encouraging
camaraderie.
 Communicating
effectively.
 Leveraging right
rewarding
mechanisms.
Communication
management plan
Project communication ensures all people involved in the project are aware
about how, who, when and where the team communicate during project
course (Kerzner, 2017). For project of implementing social media
marketing strategy of Scottish Power, project communication plan is as
follows:
Communication
goal
Communication
tool
Audience Frequency
Team standup In person meeting Project
managers,
Daily
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project team
and sponsors
Project
completion
In person team
meeting
Project team,
stakeholders
and clients as
well as project
managers
Monthly
Reviewing social
media platforms
In person meeting Sponsors,
team and
project
manager
Weekly
5. Appraising measures for controlling along with monitoring project risk, quality, change
addition to configuration
Project risk: It refers to an uncertain event which may or may not arise in course of a
project (Heldman, 2018). In aspect to project of implementing social media marketing strategy of
Scottish Power, project risk can be controlled and monitored with the help of a measure that is
Agreed upon Risk Response Plan. For set of risks in a project, managers must plan effective
response. In this, Risk owners or their assigned risk action owners execute the plans. Some risks
merit an immediate response.
Project quality: It is said to a process and activity which determine quality objectives,
responsibilities addition to policies in the manner wherein project satisfy needs for which it is
undertaken. For the project of implementing social media marketing strategy of Scottish Power,
project quality assist in defining and codifying standards which the project is needed to meet for
success along with how the standards are achieved and confirmed. Total quality management is a
measure that could be used for monitoring and controlling the project quality. It includes wide
efforts to install as well as make permanent climate in which involved parties continuously
improve their competence for providing services which are found valuable by customers.
Project change: It is an initiative and solution which is being introduced for improvisation
of the ways work gets completed, problems and solved and advantages are taken from
opportunities. For project of implementing social media marketing strategy of Scottish Power,
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Lewin’s Change Model is a measure that will assist in monitoring and controlling project change
by accounting uncertainty and resistance to change which might be experienced at all staff level
in the company.
Project configuration: It is set of features which define end product or deliverable of a
project (Kononenko and Lutsenko, 2018). In context to project of implementing social media
marketing strategy of Scottish Power, project configuration assists in identify, track and protect
the project's deliverables or products from unauthorised change. Continuous auditing is one of
measure that could be used by managers of Scottish Power to monitor and control project
configuration. It will ensure that tools can recognise at the time when equipment are removed
from environment for effective delivery of social media marketing strategy.
6. Evaluation of project success along with failure and disseminating key learning points from
project delivery
Project of implementing social media marketing strategy of Scottish Power is a successful
project as team work and management support at all phases of project initiation to closure have
contributed in making a website on social media platform by the name of Scottish Power.
Moreover, comprehensive planning is another successful factor in the project as it provides
overarching guidance to implement the strategy for business growth and improving customer
base (Boyle, 2017). It gives accurate time for cost estimations to be produced along with also
helps in clear documentation of milestones and deliverables, which make things much easier as
the project progresses.
In aspect to project of implementing social media marketing strategy of Scottish Power,
key learning points from project delivery are as follows:
Communication is key: From delivery of project that is implementing social media
marketing strategy of Scottish Power, it is analysed that communication is key as it uncovers
assumptions which managers and team are not aware about. Lack of communication leaves
managers and team members buried which leads to nasty surprises down the road.
Team collaboration: Delivering a project individually is certainly stressful (Ginevri and
Trilling, 2018). However, collaboration and contribution of team collectively helped in facing
challenging times and achieve success in implementing social media marketing strategy of
Scottish Power.
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CONCLUSION
From the assessment, it is concluded that project management is a skill set that is widely in
demand. Project is a great opportunity for individual along with organisations for achieving
objectives in more effective manner through executing change. Temporary, unique deliverable
and progressive elaboration are essential characteristics of a project. Resource planning,
motivating team and controlling time management are roles of project manager. Waterfall
methodology, Scrum Methodology and Six sigma methodology are theoretical frameworks along
with methodologies in project environment. Project management plan highlights ways in which
project is performed, monitored along with controlled from beginning to initiation stages.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Silvius, G., 2017. Sustainability as a new school of thought in project management. Journal of
cleaner production. 166. pp.1479-1493.
Kerzner, H., 2019. Using the project management maturity model: strategic planning for project
management. John Wiley & Sons.
Kerzner, H., 2018. Project management best practices: Achieving global excellence. John Wiley
& Sons.
Cicmil, S. and Gaggiotti, H., 2018. Responsible forms of project management education:
Theoretical plurality and reflective pedagogies. International Journal of Project
Management. 36(1). pp.208-218.
Galli, B.J., 2018. Risks related to lean six sigma deployment and sustainment risks: How project
management can help. International Journal of Service Science, Management,
Engineering, and Technology (IJSSMET). 9(3). pp.82-105.
Kerzner, H., 2017. Project management metrics, KPIs, and dashboards: a guide to measuring
and monitoring project performance. John Wiley & Sons.
Heldman, K., 2018. PMP: project management professional exam study guide. John Wiley &
Sons.
Boyle, G., 2017. Design project management. Routledge.
Ginevri, W. and Trilling, B., 2018, January. Project Management for Education: The Bridge to
21st Century Learning. Project Management Institute.
Aanbari, F. T. and Kwak, Y. H., 2018, June. Impact on project management of allied disciplines.
Project Management Institute.
Bergmann, T. and Karwowski, W., 2018, July. Agile project management and project success: A
literature review. In International Conference on Applied Human Factors and
Ergonomics (pp. 405-414). Springer, Cham.
Kononenko, I. and Lutsenko, S., 2018, September. The Project Management Methodology and
Guide Formation's Method. In 2018 IEEE 13th International Scientific and Technical
Conference on Computer Sciences and Information Technologies (CSIT) (Vol. 2, pp.
156-159). IEEE.
Online:
Nediger. M. 2020. How to Write a Comprehensive Project Management Plan. [Online].
Available through: < https://venngage.com/blog/project-management-plan/>
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