Project Management Reflective Essay: Cottage Renovation Analysis

This reflective essay provides a comprehensive analysis of a project management assignment focused on the renovation of a cottage. The report details the project's objectives, stakeholder involvement, and the development of essential project management tools such as the communication plan, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and RACI chart. It explores the challenges faced in scheduling, resource allocation, and budget management, highlighting the significance of time estimation and critical path analysis. The essay further discusses risk management strategies, including risk identification and mitigation, as well as the importance of quality management and change management. The student reflects on the lessons learned, emphasizing the significance of teamwork, communication, and adaptability in achieving project goals, while also referencing relevant project management literature.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT: REFLECTIVE ESSAY
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Main aim of the project that we have completed is to accomplish renovation of a cottage.
Different inputs of various stakeholders have helped us to accomplish the aim of this project.
Detailed discussion and meeting have been conducted among group members to select the
project, managing project charter and scheduling essential activities of the project. While
doing these stages, we have faced different challenge and gained different knowledge, which
are mentioned in this reflective report.
Project report includes various time-bound activities that help to generate effective outcome
and we have made this report in a group. Related topics have also been evaluated by me
along with group members before selection of topic for our project. After getting enough
knowledge, we have discussed and selected the topic for our project. We all research on the
topic of our project and have inspected all aspect related to this project. Aim of our group was
to develop clear understanding of significance of our project. It was clear that we must ensure
that our project has positive impact on business operations of concerned organization. For
considering this fact, we have agreed to review the mission, vision, objectives, and goals of
concerned company. Coordination between group members has helped us to select
appropriate topic for the project.
Our team has faced difficulties while developing project charter. It is an important part of
project as it defines every aspect of project. A meeting has been arranged for discussion and
we have decided about all aspects of this project. We have defined goals and objectives of
our project in charter along with related stakeholders of this project. We have mentioned
expected outcome in the project charter. All of the members do not expect the same outcome
from this project and issues have taken place regarding this matter. However, we have shared
our viewpoints with each other and have agreed on the final decision regarding expected
outcome of this project. Collaborative approach has helped us to enter into contract with
project funders.
We have successfully recognized stakeholders of this project and have decided their roles as
well as responsibilities funders, implementers and beneficiaries are considered as
stakeholders for project. RACI chart has been mentioned in this project report, where we
have mentioned roles and responsibilities for each of the activities of our project. R is
standing for responsible, A is denoting accountable, C is indicating Consult and I stands for
inform. Our team has realized that project management is an important aspect and effective
measures must be planned to help in this process. For this reason, we have mentioned roles of
different actors of this project along with their capacity. It will help in performing each of the
tasks of this project easily.
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We have faced challenges during the process of project schedule as it is a critical phase of the
project. In some phases like pre-construction inadequate time was allocated due to lack of
experience and skills. As stated by Kerzner and Kerzner (2017), allocation of improper time
in a stage of project can impact on outcome of a project. This has lead to other challenges in
activities like collection of essential resources. Inappropriate scheduling of a project can
create problem during implementation phase. We have also faced this challenge as we have
to collect lots of resources in small amount of time. Another major aspect of this project is
resourcing that has created challenges for us. Different resources like supplies for renovation,
apprentices and financial resource are collected by us. For making payments to employees we
have to gather financial resources from various sources like banks. Shortage of budget is a
major challenge that has impacted while gathering other resources like supplies. Key
suppliers include paints, building materials, and others. Challenge has also been faced while
allocating budget on different activities in this project. Improper allocation of budget can
cause delay in a project.
We have faced different challenges while monitoring phase of this project, which is done to
manage different risks. Lack of experience is a major challenge that has created barrier in
monitoring the construction process. Moreover, limited finance has created barrier in
implementing innovative tools during monitoring process. For example, effective
technologies are to check quality of supplies. In addition, it is group project, hence, gaps in
technical knowledge between us is a great challenge that has been faced. For achieving
desired objectives in a project, it is essential for group members to have equal technical skills
and knowledge. This helps in conducting a project successfully and different activities like
quality measurement, data collection and analysis can be done effectively. However, we have
monitored this project and provided description of probable risks. This includes risks
regarding finance, design, and contracts. Other risks like quality of supplies and employees
are ignored due to lack of experience.
While conducting this project, I have acquired knowledge regarding different skills and
abilities. We have made a proper communication plan that has impacted in enhancing my
communication skills. In addition, different problems have arisen during this project that we
have solved through discussion and adopting logical solutions. Hence, my ability to solve
problems has also increased. Skill of identifying and evaluating skills has also been increased
that can be applied in future career. Risk evaluation helps in bringing change and this helps in
achieving long term objectives. We have communicated with each other and it has helped us
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to know each other's perspectives. I have learned that I must work on my communication
skill to make it improved.
The entire discussion of this essay has mentioned all the issues we have faced during this
project and I also have mentioned our actions to mitigate those issues. It can be concluded
from entire discussion that working in a team is tough. However, it helps us to achieve goals
within minimum time. On another hand, I have learned that collaborative working in projects
helps to evaluate all potential perspective of chosen subject. My group members have
supported me constantly and their cooperation has helped me to provide my best effort in this
project.
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Reference list
Kerzner, H. and Kerzner, H.R., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. US: John Wiley & Sons.
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