Project Planning Report: Skills Development, Tools, and Reflection

This report provides a reflective analysis of a project planning experience, focusing on the application of business management functions and the development of key skills. The report begins with an overview of relevant business management tools, including strategic planning, project man...Read More

Project Planning Report

Table of Contents
Overview.....................................................................................................................................1
Understanding of business management functions relevant tools..............................................1
Personal reflection that shows development of key skills.........................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

Overview
The current study provide the reflective statement by using Kolb's Learning cycle in
which researcher demonstrate the skills which had developed during the project task. Further,
study also describe the understanding of business management functions and relevant tools
which are use in the practice week activity.
Understanding of business management functions relevant tools
There are different business management function relevant tools which are used by the
project manager in order to manage the project in better manner. These management tools are
specifically designed in order to complete the task as per the deadline and that is why, project
manager also uses some of the tools (Tappura, Teperi and Kivistö-Rahnasto, 2017). Such that
for the project task activity, there are specific tools used that helps to deliver the project in
successful manner. These are as mention below:
Strategic planning:It is the process of defining the strategy, and provide direction that
helps to make decision while allocating the resources. In the same way, for the current task,
project manager also uses this tool in order to manage the resources. Further, in this task, project
manager also extend the control mechanism for guiding the implementation of a strategy in
better manner. Further, in order to implement the proposal for a trade show, project manager
uses specific strategy that helps to meet the defined goals and targets. Moreover, this business
management tool is specifically designed in order to manage the work or project because it
includes the process of formulation and implementation that involves all the stakeholder to take
participate and complete the define aim of a project.
Moreover, using this techniques project manager can make effective planning that will
assist to accomplish the define aim and objectives (Dijkman, Lammers and De Jong, 2016).
Such that before implementing a plan, project manager should make strategic planning so that it
will assist to complete the task step by step and this in turn helps to deliver the project efficiently
with defined deadline.
Project Management software: Another tool or a software which is also used by the
project manager in order to deliver the project in better manner. Microsoft project is specifically
designed in order to assist project manager in order to developing a schedule , assigning
resources and track the progress. Thus, through this tool, project manager present Gantt chart
which helps to determine the specific dates and times of each task which is follow by the project
1

manager in order to complete the task. Also, using this project management tool, project will
keep track of budgets and determine accurate cost and timelines that will help to manage the
project in better manner (Urbach, Drews and Ross, 2017). By complying this management tool,
project manager easily collaborate on the projects, manage internal and external communication
and keep monitoring the entire project in better manner.
In addition to this, using project management tools, project manager also take better
decision which assist to complete the project. In the same way, using this business management
tool, project manager provide Gantt Chart, Work Breakdown Structure that helps to clearly
define each and every task through effective planning an scheduling.
Stakeholder Analysis: This is another business management model that assist to
identify the people who support a business to manage the work and through their advice. It will
be easy for the project manager to take decision. So, while preparing trade show, project
manager also uses stakeholder metric that assist to determine list of stakeholder are involved
during the study. Also, examine the level of influence and then determine how best to involve
and communicate each of the group individually. Therefore, by using this model, project
manager easily analyze and identify the needs and also examine all the key stakeholder i.e.
Primary and secondary stakeholder who provide their keen interest within a study and they also
provide their views with regards to the topic so that they may easily attain the define aim and
objectives (DeArruda and Sohmen, 2016). Moreover, as per the activity, there are four different
types of stakeholder analyzed I,e, keep satisfied, manage closely, Monitor and keep informed.
Project manager also provide list of stakeholder under each category and also make sure that
they use effective communication strategy that will assist to meet the define aim and objectives
of a project.
Beside this, it is also analyzed that through this model and tool, it will be easy for the
company to determine the issues and all support in order to manage the problem in better
manner.
Benchmarking: It is another most important tool which is used to comparing the
business process as well as performance metric with set targets. In the same way, for the current
practice week activity, in order to present proposal for trade show, project manager also uses this
tool in order to examine the performance of every task. Therefore, this tool is specifically
designed to measure the performance using specific indicators so that it will allow them to make
2

improvement plans so that the define aim and objectives are met. Moreover, it is also analyzed
that benchmarking actually support the selection, planning and delivery the project in defined
timelines (Tappura, Teperi and Kivistö-Rahnasto, 2017). Through this method, project manager
also determine the effectiveness of each task and determine the results which are generated are
define or not. Otherwise, they take action accordingly in order to manage the work and also meet
the define aim an objectives.
Hence, it is clearly reflected that by using this business management function, project
manager improve the project system performance by implementing specific practices within a
working environment. Or else, through this method, project manager also put their continuous
efforts in order to evaluate and analyze the situation so that they get accurate results. Moreover,
benchmarking also uses to evaluate every aspect of project management and also decide the
critical success factor which definitely flourish a business and meet the define aim and
objectives.
Personal reflection that shows development of key skills
By complying Kolb's learning cycle, I reflect the skills which I developed while
presenting proposal for a Trade show. These stages are as mention below:
When I was performing a task that is related to trade show, I was so excited because it
was the first opportunity when I working in a group. I was quite nervous at initial stages and at
the same time, I also feel excited because the project provide me many opportunity to learn new
and improve my existing knowledge. During a practice week activity, I prepare a proposal for a
IT based company in Milton Keynes, UK in order to attend the London Technology and AI trade
show during a six month of August 2020. Therefore, while performing this proposal, I analyzed
that working in a group is quite essential while performing any task because it will assist to
explore new ideas and complete the project in better manner.
At initial stage, I was quite confused because I did not have enough knowledge related to
project management but when I start making efforts and step by step I develop interest because it
provide me an opportunity to generate more chances to enhance my current knowledge and grab
future options as well. On the other side, in my past, I never made such project, so it is my first
project where I learn new things and develop range of skills especially ICT and working with
3

others. Not only this, I was quite excited as well because the project provide me an opportunity
to interact with others and improve existing skills and practice.
The overall experience while conducting this project is quite good because it provide me
different opportunity in order to enhance my current knowledge and also perform the work in
more active manner. Such that while preparing a proposal for a trade show, I analyzed that I gain
my Information Communication Technology skills (ICT) because I used Microsoft Office
programs during the task. Earlier I am not aware with this new technologies but during the time
of activity, my team members support me and show who to use this. Also, when I realized that I
gain knowledge related to ICT and also present WBS, gantt chart and Network diagram which I
never used in my past (Hornburg, Schmitt and Purpura, 2018). Thus, I can say that this project
provide me a platform where I learn range of knowledge especially technological skills. Further,
in the modern era, it is quite necessary to posses a knowledge related to advance technology so
that it will assist me to complete the project in better manner and meet the define aim and
objectives as well.
Also, I realized that I developed my communication skills i.e. both verbal as well written.
It is so because earlier I felt hesitate to communicate with others but when is start putting my
efforts in the proposal of Trade show, I realize that I raise my communication skill as compared
to past. Such that during classroom discussion, I easily present my thoughts, even with my team
members I also share my views and experience to others through written and orally. Further, I
also think that having an effective communication skill, we can easily manage trust and respect,
also can discuss with team openly. This will assist to make the project successful with
collaboration. While conducting the project, there were many situation arise, where this skills
help to minimize risk, while sometimes this creates a condition of conflict. But we act maturely
and deal with a situation to deliver the project successfully. On contrary, earlier I think that my
research skill is not so effective, but when I start working with my colleagues and research on
new topic, I analyze that by using key terms I can easily find out answer of my question and also
deliver the project in better manner, the same I do in my project proposal as well.
Moreover, while conducting this project, I also realize that I develop problem solving
skills and realize that working others is quite essential as compared to working individually.
Though there were many situations where I felt that I lack this skills, but at the end I realized
that there is slightly increase and I developed some skills during a proposal of Trade show. On
4

the other side, I also enhance or improve my research skill because I gather enough information
and use the same during the project or unit. At that time, my team members also appreciate my
on my performance because I learn how to use MS office in which I learn to present gantt chart
and also present key findings related t project. In addition to this, during this project, there were
may up and downs, but we all behave in better way and always find a solution to solve the issue
rather than stretching it more (Alderete, 2017). Thus, it reflect that the contribution of all the
group members is vast and we always try to solve each other problem so that we will meet our
targets.
Beside this, I come to realize that each day, I learn a new thing and whenever I felt low,
my team members were always there to support. Initially, we did not know each other but when
the time passed, we all know each other's quality. During the whole project, I think that if we use
Belbin team roles in order to manage the team, then we will easily perform the roles because this
theory helps to determine the strength and weakness of each member and as a result, we all were
easily delegate the roles as per their expertise. Such that one of us, have effective skills to
monitoring, so that we can delegate the role of monitoring the entire project. In this way, by
using this model will help to describe specific characteristics of individuals behavior in
relationship to another to facilitating the progress of a team. On the other side, I analyzed that I
raise team building skills because I perform the whole work in a team. With the study, I come to
realize that by complying with Tuckman team development stages, we also develop the team in
better manner If the same work is perform in near future.
Overall, while conducting this project, I come to realize that by consulting with
colleagues, we gather new ideas in order to deliver the project in better way. It is so because
working a team will help to generate new ideas and better understanding as compared to
working individual. In the same way, when I perform the entire work in the team, I realize the
same, that is why, I consider this project as one of the most important project because here I
develop many skills which will also used in my near future as well such that ICT, numeracy,
working with other, problem solving etc, In addition to this, while conducting the proposal of
Trade show, there was a situation where I felt that I am able to resolve problem and that that
time, I realize I enhance problem solving skills. Such that, team was facing issue in order to
determine the stakeholder and as result, two of us provide the wrong answer. At that time, I
resolve their issue by making effective research and also provide evidence as well. Thus, the
5

situation clearly reflected that I develop problem solving skills and when I work with a team,
then it will be used to explore different ideas that may assist to deliver the project in better
manner.
So, it is clear that while performing the project in a group, I concluded that I develop so
many skills and also realize that there are many more skills which I need to be developed for my
future project. For that, I keep presenting new skills so that it assist me to raise my knowledge
and also meet the define aim and objectives in better manner (Feldman, 2018). Also, I realized
that in order to improve the presentation skills, I will start working to enhance my oral
communication so that I will easily raise my presentation skills. In addition to this, I analyzed
that the theory of team building and team management helps to form effective team where we
have different roles which further assist to meet the define aim and objectives. Moreover, I
further reflect that somehow I lack numeracy skills that means I did not easily present the
statistics and data in front of others. As there is a need to develop this skills because in the world
of business, an individual must posses a strong numeracy skills so that it will assist to deal with
complex situation. Therefore, in order to improve numeracy skill, I will start attending classes
and in near future, I will start working on this type of projects mainly. Hence, I reflected that
proposal for a trade show will assist me to gain variety of knowledge so that it will assist me to
conduct future project in more effective manner.
6

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alderete, M. V., 2017. Examining the ICT access effect on socioeconomic development: the
moderating role of ICT use and skills. Information Technology for Development.23(1).
pp.42-58.
DeArruda, M. B. and Sohmen, V. S., 2016. Developing eTutorials for a Core E-Tool for Project
Management: MS Project 2016. Journal of Information Technology and Economic
Development.7(2). p.49.
Dijkman, R., Lammers, S. V. and De Jong, A., 2016. Properties that influence business process
management maturity and its effect on organizational performance. Information Systems
Frontiers.18(4). pp.717-734.
Feldman, H. R., 2018. Identifying, building, and sustaining your leadership team. Journal of
Professional Nursing.34(2). pp.87-91.
Fewster-Thuente, L. and Batteson, T. J., 2018. Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory as a
theoretical underpinning for interprofessional education. Journal of allied health.47(1).
pp.3-8.
Hornburg, C. B., Schmitt, S. A. and Purpura, D. J., 2018. Relations between preschoolers’
mathematical language understanding and specific numeracy skills. Journal of
experimental child psychology. 176. pp.84-100.
Sato, T. and Laughlin, D. D., 2018. Integrating Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory into a sport
psychology classroom using a golf-putting activity. Journal of Sport Psychology in
Action.9(1). pp.51-62.
Tappura, S., Teperi, A. M. and Kivistö-Rahnasto, J., 2017. Safety management tasks at different
management levels. In Advances in Human Factors, Business Management, Training and
Education (pp. 1147-1157). Springer, Cham.
Urbach, N., Drews, P. and Ross, J., 2017. Digital business transformation and the changing role
of the IT function. MIS Quarterly Executive.16(2). pp.1-4.
7