Soft Skills in Project Management

Soft skills are essential for project managers as they help in effectively managing project components and communicating with stakeholders. The main soft skills include communication, leadership, motivation, decision making, and trust building.

Running head: PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES
PRM701 PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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Part 2:
Question1:
As a project manager you need to be skilled at both technical and socio-cultural abilities
and “soft skills”. Please describe what soft skills are in general, list 5 skills and describe
why they are important in project management and where they contribute to leading and
managing project teams.
Soft skills are essential elements for project managers as it helps in successfully managing the
components. This helps incommunicating properly with the stakeholders that will enhance the
performance of the project. The project manager must have an effective communication skill that
willhelp in managing the projects effectively with minimum errors. Communication plays a major role
in handling the task as with communication it becomes easy to manage the activities. Soft skills are
referred to the character traits and interpersonal skills that help in managing the team members
efficiently. Soft skills are important part as it helps in completing the project within the time and budget
provided by the client. Without communication it becomes difficult to manage the activities associated
with the project. Soft skills will help in building up the trust among the people and will be able to
resolve the conflicts. This also helps in providing a better edge towards the managers. The main soft
skills that are essential for a project manager includes better leadership qualities, motivation,
communication, trust building, decision making and lastly the ability to manage the time based on the
project requirements. These soft skills will enhance the way project can be managed. The soft skills
important for a project manager are described below:

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Communication: an effective communication is the key aspect for every project manager. It is
important to have effective communication skills so that it becomes easy to manage the team members.
Communicating openly becomes a necessity for a project manager in order to complete the project
successfully. A good communication skill ensures that the project is being finished with the given
timeline by communicating properly with the team members.
Leadership: for a project manager it becomes essential to have proper technical and leadership skills so
that they can manage the working effectively. The project manager should have proper leadership
quality so that it becomes easy to manage the activities that are taking place within the project. An
effective leader will be able to set the project efficiently by addressing all the requirements. Moreover
it will become easy to resolve the conflicts. Thus a project manager must have a better leadership
quality.
Motivation: while conducting a project it becomes important to ensure that the manager is having a
positive attitude towards the project. In addition to this the project manager must have the ability to
motivate their team members for achieving the target (Hunt and Sahimi 2017). A positive attitude
towards the project and project team members will help in managing the project efficiently. Motivation
plays a crucial role in completing the project.
Decision making: Decisions are mainly divided into routine, operational, emergency or routine.
Decision process makes a huge different in performing the activities as it enhances the way of handling
the project (Hopkinson, M., 2017). A project manager should possess the ability to make effective
decision at critical time that will turn to be beneficial for the project management process.

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Trust building: trust building capability is important for each project manager. This is the only aspect
that will help the project managers to hold on to their team members. Without trust it will become
difficult to carry out the project.
Question 2:
In project scheduling the concepts of critical path and float are fundamental. Please
describe these elements and their importance, articulate how we calculate these figures
and provide an example as to when they may change over the life of a project.
Project scheduling plays a crucial role in the development of project. This is an integral part of
the project planning process and it becomes difficult for a project to get executed without a proper
project plan. Project schedule includes the timeline, availability, resources and delivery associated with
the project. This helps the project manager to understand the requirements and helps in setting a proper
timeline based on the client’s requirements. Critical path is referred to the process that helps inn
identifying the critical and non critical tasks associated with a project. This is a step by step technique
that helps in the project planning. The critical path method is referred to the schedule that will help in
managing the tasks taking place within the system. This helps in determining the shortest path that is
being covered by the activity. The major steps that are associated with the critical method includes
specifying each activity at first time, establishing the dependencies based activity sequence, drawing
the network diagram, estimating thee completion time for each activity, identifying the critical path and
updating the critical path diagram (Conrado et al.2018). The main importance of using critical path
within the project management is that it helps in prioritizing task based on their requirements. The task
that falls directly on critical path has the potential to impact the performance of the project.
Example for critical path:

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In order to calculate the critical path it becomes essential to identify the times taken by each
path. In this activity the main aim is to reach Task C from task A. Thus it becomes essential to identify
the critical path. The time calculated for finding the critical path is described below:
Path1: From task A to task C via task B will take 7 hours
Path 2: Task a to task c it will take 4 hrs
Path 3: From task A to task c via task d it will take 6 hrs.
Thus it can be stated that the second path is the critical path

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Float is mainly referred to the technique in which a task can be delayed with a project without
even impacting the other subsequent tasks. The float in a critical path is mainly zero. The total float in
an activity is considered to be slack (Dingsøyr et al. 2019). The float is basically calculated by
subtracting the early start date of the activity from the late start date. This can be calculated only if
there is a difference in early start and late start date.
For example
`
From this example the float can be calculated.
The upper values of each activity indicate the early stage and the lower values are late stages. In
the above example the float can be calculated only for the activities that are having different early and
latte values.
The float value for D: (late start date-early start date) = (6-1) = 5

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The float value for G: (16-1) = 15
The float value for F: (26-13) = 13
The float value for E: (19-6) = 13
Question 3: Business case
The business case will help in understanding the basic requirements associated with ACT.
The main aim of developing a business case is to understand the requirements associated
with an organisation. The Australian tree crop has faced a CV are damage due to natural
disasters in past few years. This has caused serious damages to words the trees. Does it
becomes essential to develop a proper business case that will insure any fictive way of
overcoming these disasters.
Overview
With the proper financial chart it will become easy to manage the activities. It becomes a
essential to ensure proper protection towards the trees so that they can overcome the issues within short
time frame. It is expected that proper implementation of Public relation will ensure that the
organisation is able to achieve the best outcome in future. It is expected that the number of tree crops
that are harvested over year will increase in the upcoming years.
Problem statement
There is a huge need to have proper control over each tree. The tree crop needs to be maintained
properly so that they can overcome the challenges. The ACT organisation should maintain proper
monitoring of the trees so that they can identify the habit is possessed by them.

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Situation analysis
It is expected that proper operational and management activities will ensure better development
of the in-house team. In addition to these each member of in-house team must be active enough for
ensuring better protection towards the trees.
Budget estimated
The total budget expected estimated for conducting the business is around $45,000.
Create a simple Work Breakdown Structure that also identifies likely associated
resources for this project.
Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Natural disaster recovery plan Schedule 102 days Mon 5/27/19 Tue 10/15/19
Phase1: Project initiation 19 days Mon 5/27/19 Thu 6/20/19
Understanding project policy 4 days Mon 5/27/19 Thu 5/30/19
Cause behind natural vulnerabilities 7 days Fri 5/31/19 Mon 6/10/19 2
determining weather changes 3 days Tue 6/11/19 Thu 6/13/19 3
Reason analysis causing natural disaster 5 days Tue 6/11/19 Mon 6/17/19 3

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Understanding the disaster policy 3 days Tue 6/18/19 Thu 6/20/19 4,5
Phase2: Project planning 21 days Fri 6/21/19 Fri 7/19/19
Team development based on project 2 days Fri 6/21/19 Mon 6/24/19 6
Risk management plan 4 days Tue 6/25/19 Fri 6/28/19 8
Communication management planning 6 days Mon 7/1/19 Mon 7/8/19 9
Procurement acts and law 5 days Tue 7/9/19 Mon 7/15/19 10
Analysis of status based on Socio economic status4 days Tue 7/16/19 Fri 7/19/19 11
Phase3: Development of disaster management
policy
32 days Mon 7/22/19 Tue 9/3/19
Necessary system establishment 8 days Mon 7/22/19 Wed 7/31/19 12
Establishing proper structure 8 days Thu 8/1/19 Mon 8/12/19 14
Designing proper disaster recovery program4 days Tue 8/13/19 Fri 8/16/19 15

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Identification of resources 5 days Mon 8/19/19 Fri 8/23/19 16
Conducing capability analysis plan 7 days Mon 8/26/19 Tue 9/3/19 17
Design of disaster and threat for the disaster 8 days Wed 9/4/19 Fri 9/13/19 18
Phase4: Execution phase 22 days Mon 9/16/19 Tue 10/15/19
Response plan 1 5 days Mon 9/16/19 Fri 9/20/19 19
Response plan 2 7 days Mon 9/23/19 Tue 10/1/19 21
Response option 3 10 days Wed 10/2/19 Tue 10/15/19 22
Resources associated
Resource Names Cost
$35,912.00
$7,192.00

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Project manager $1,440.00
Operation manager$2,240.00
Geography specialist$912.00
Geography specialist$1,520.00
Project manager $1,080.00
$6,600.00
Project manager $720.00
Project manager $1,440.00
Operation manager$1,920.00
Project manager[140%]$2,520.00
$0.00
$12,480.00

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Natural disaster analyst$1,920.00
Disaster recovery
planner, Natural disaster
analyst
$4,800.00
Disaster recovery
planner
$1,440.00
Disaster recovery
planner
$1,800.00
Project manager $2,520.00
Operation manager$2,560.00
$7,080.00
Disaster recovery
planner
$1,800.00
Natural disaster analyst$1,680.00

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Disaster recovery
planner
$3,600.00
Part 3:
Question 1
List and describe each step in the strategic planning process.
A strategic planning process differs widely from project management processes. This helps in
planning the individuals projects based on the task effectively that further helps in determining the
mission, vision and goals associated with the project. The main aim of strategic planning process is that
it helps in creating a roadmap for the purpose of achieving the objectives. However there are several
steps associated with strategic planning process. This are described below:
1. Clarifying the vision:
Before starting a project it becomes essential to determine the vision. This will help the
development process of the project and will ensure that the developed process is based on the goal set
by the project manager. The stages associated with this phase include determining the long and short
term objectives, then identifying the process and accomplishing the objective effectively. This will help
in matching the goals set by the client.
2. Gathering and analyzing the information

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It becomes essential to manage the process based on the strategy so that they can help in
achieving the target. Before processing the strategy it is important to gather information related to the
project so that it can help at the time of analysis. This information will be analyzed effectively so that
they can provide better output at the execution time.
3. Formulating strategy
The major step associated with forming the strategy is to review the information that is gathered
after analysing the resources. It is important to determine the resources that are required for carrying
out the project so that they can meet the objectives defined by the project manager. In addition to this
the strategy will also involve identifying the areas that needs to identify the external resources (Ansoff
et al. 2018). This will also involve prioritising the issues so that it can be resolved based on the
importance. Thus this will help in developing alternative approaches that will ensure better way of
targeting the project.
4. Implementing the strategy
Successful strategy will help in implementing proper critical way that will ensure better way of
meeting the target. The main aim behind implementing the strategy is to enhance the performance so
that project can be delivered successfully (Wheelen et al. 2017). It is important to have a better
knowledge about the responsibilities associated with the project so that each employee can perform
tasks efficiently. This will help in executing the plan successfully within the time.
5. Evaluating and controlling the strategy
Strategy evaluation and control actions are important for determining the performance
associated with the project. Monitoring internal and external issues will help in reacting with proper

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sustainable changes. This will help in managing the activities taking place within the project. If you
determine that the strategy is not moving the company toward its goal, take corrective actions. If those
actions are not successful, then repeat the strategic management process (Bryson 2018). Because
internal and external issues are constantly evolving, any data gained in this stage should be retained to
help with any future strategies.
Question 5
Identify and describe three reasons why understanding stakeholders is important to
successful project management. Which three criteria should you consider when
prioritizing stakeholders, provide a conceptual example.
Stakeholder pleases a crucial role in development of a project. Hence it becomes essential to
ensure that proper relationship is maintained with the stakeholders for successfully completing the
project. The main reason behind understanding this stakeholder within the project is that it helps in
developing a effective project relationship.These include understanding the stakeholders effectively for
the purpose of delivering the project successfully (Lamas and Demeulemeester 2016). Thus it become
essential to establish a positive relationship with stakeholders so that they can help in achieving the
desired goal.It is important to know every stakeholders capability and needs to manage them
accordingly so that they can work efficiently for the purpose meeting the project requirements. In
addition to this the project manager should also focus on improving the stakeholder engagement so that
they can maximise the project benefits and can ensure that they are capable of addressing the potential
problems that are likely to arise with the implementation of project. There are three reasons that states
the importance of understanding the role of stakeholders for successfully completing a project. This
helps in creating a desired project and gives positive support towards the project. Secondly it aims at

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having a better communication with the clients so that they can deliver the product as requested after
analysing all the requirements. Lastly this helps in ensuring the project is being completed with the
help of effective communication and each stages are being executed based on the requirements.
Understanding the stakeholder rules also helps in setting the project direction effectively and ensures
proper help in planning executing and delivering the project (Nikkhah et al. 2017). This also helps in
developing a better sense of risk and insures that this restart mitigated with in the given time period.
Stakeholders are the major components associated with the project and hence it becomes an essential to
understand their importance within the project. Without them it becomes difficult to complete the
project within time.
The three criteria that are used for prioritising the stakeholders within a project includes
proximity to the project, the power that are possessed by stakeholders wheat in the project and the
needs of the stakeholders. Proximity to words the project is used for those stakeholders that plays a
crucial role in the development process. Secondly if the stakeholder has maximum power then it
becomes important to give him the top priority (Mu et al. 2019). Apart from all this in case any
stakeholder have any urgency requirement then it becomes important for the project manager to
provide them with a proper update within the time. Hence they need to be prioritised based on their
task and importance of the task.Thus it can be stated that if a project manager follows this prioritising
method for stakeholders then it will become easy to manage the stakeholders within the project. In
addition to this it will also ensure a better way of developing the project with minimum errors.Thus it
can be stated that stakeholders are key components associated with projects and it becomes essential to
maintain proper relationship with them in order to deliver a successful project.

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References
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management. Springer.
Bryson, J.M., 2018. Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations: A guide to
strengthening and sustaining organizational achievement. John Wiley & Sons.
Conrado, D.J., Nicholas, T., Burton, J., Arnerić, S.P., Chen, D., Stone, J.A., Sinha, V., Willis, B.A.,
Kern, V.D., Hill, D.L. and Novak, G.P., 2018. The Critical Path For Alzheimer’s Disease:
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Dingsøyr, T., Røyrvik, E. and Djarraya, H.K., 2019. Practical knowledge management tool use in a
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Hopkinson, M., 2017. The project risk maturity model: Measuring and improving risk management
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critical‐path analysis, and effective medium approximation. Reviews of Geophysics, 55(4), pp.993-
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scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.

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Mu, W., Zou, Z., Liu, G., Yang, Y. and Shi, L., 2019. Depth Control Method of Profiling Float Based
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business policy (p. 55). Boston: pearson.