Professional Skills Portfolio (PRSK4048)

This document is a professional skills portfolio for the PRSK4048 course. It includes tasks on teamwork, professional ethics, project management, and professional skills in action. The portfolio aims to help students understand and develop their professional skills in a business environment. The tasks are completed individually, except for certain parts that require collaboration with group members. The portfolio must be submitted electronically.

Spring 19
Professional Skills Portfolio (PRSK4048)
Student Name:
Student Number:
Tutor Name:
Deadline for Submission: 25th April 2019, by 2pm
Presentation Group Members (GM):
GM1 GM2
GM3 GM4
GM5 GM6
Please save a copy on your computer and back it up regularly (e.g. by saving it on your computer / in the cloud
(e.g. Google Drive) / emailing it to yourself).
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Assessed Learning Outcomes:
1. Understand and have knowledge of professional skills and continual awareness in a business
environment.
2. Use appropriate technologies to facilitate the completion of self-analysis/reflection.
3. To reflect, analyse and discuss strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities personally and
academically.
4. Understand, improve and reflect upon their own personal strengths in relation to the
professional environment.

Table of Contents Page Learning
outcomes
Task 1: Teamwork (300 words) 3 LO2, LO3
Task 2: Professional Ethics (300 words) 7 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Task 3: Project Management (300 words) 9 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Task 4: Professional Skills In Action (1,200 words) 12 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Total Word Count: 2,100 words (+/- 10%)
All tasks must be completed individually, except for the ‘Code of Conduct’ (Part 1 of
the Professional Ethics), the ‘Gantt Chart’ (Part 1 of the Project Management) and the
‘Evidence of Presentation’ (Part 3 of the Project Management) which should be
completed in collaboration with your group members.
There is one in-class task in this module. ‘Ethics in Industry: In-Class Writing’ (Part 2
of Professional Ethics) must be completed in your Week 4 tutorial.
Professional Skills Portfolio must be submitted electronically. Please download an e-
copy of the portfolio from GSM Learn. Please refer to the guidance given in lectures
and tutorials and the additional information and videos on GSM Learn when
completing each task.
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Task 1: Teamwork [weeks 1 and 2]
This task consists of three parts:
1. Belbin Questionnaire
2. Scoring Key for Self-Perception Inventory
3. Written Discussion (300 words)
Part 1: Belbin Questionnaire
Belbin (1996) outlines the different type of roles people may have within a team. Complete the
following questionnaire to identify your main role(s). To complete the questionnaire:
1. In the far left hand columns in each section A-G tick the one, two or max. three sentences most
applicable to yourself. You may not choose more sentences than three.
2. Then in each section A-G in the column on the right, share 10 points between those sentences (i.e.
QN - question numbers) that apply to you. For example, you could give your first choice seven points
and three points to your second choice if one of sentences you feel sums you up well while the other
only applies some of the time. In some instances you might decide that there are two sentences
which apply to you equally – if this is the case, award five points to each. You may distribute 10
points in any way you see fit.
SECTION A
Tick QN When involved in a project with other people: Points
 1. I can be relied upon to see that work that needs to be done is organised. 3
2. I pick up slips and omissions that others fail to notice.
3. I react strongly when meetings look like losing track of the main objective.
 4. I produce original suggestions. 4
5. I analyse other people’s ideas objectively, for both merits and failings.
 6. I am keen to find out the latest ideas and developments. 3
7. I have an aptitude for organising people.
8. I am always ready to support good suggestions that help to resolve a
problem.
SECTION B
Tick QN In seeking satisfaction through my work: Points
1. I like to have a strong influence on decisions.
2. I feel in my element where work requires a high degree of attention and
concentration.
 3. I am concerned to help colleagues with their problems. 3
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4. I like to make critical discrimination between alternatives.
5. I tend to have a creative approach to problem solving.
 6. I enjoy reconciling different points of view. 3
7. I am more interested in practicalities than new ideas.
 8. I particularly enjoy exploring different views and techniques. 4
SECTION C
Tick QN When the team is trying to solve a particularly complex problem: Points
1. I keep a watching eye on areas where difficulty may arise.
 2. I explore ideas that may have a wider application than in the immediate
task.
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3. I like to weigh up and evaluate a range of suggestions thoroughly before
choosing.
 4. I can co-ordinate and use productively other people’s abilities and talents. 2
 5. I maintain a steady systematic approach, whatever the pressures. 5
6. I often produce a new approach to a long continuing problem.
7. I am ready to make my personal views known in a forceful way if necessary.
8. I am ready to help whenever I can.
SECTION D
Tick QN In carrying out my day-to-day work: Points
 1. I am keen to see there is nothing vague about my task and objectives. 3
2. I am not reluctant to emphasise my own point of view in meetings.
 3. I can work with all sorts of people provided that they have got something
worthwhile to contribute.
2
 4. I make a point of following up interesting ideas and/or people. 5
5. I can usually find the argument to refute unsound propositions.
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6. I tend to see patterns where others would see items as unconnected.
7. Being busy gives me real satisfaction.
8. I have a quiet interest in getting to know people better.
SECTION E
Tick QN If I am suddenly given a difficult task with limited time and unfamiliar
people:
Points
1. I often find my imagination frustrated by working in a group.
 2. I find my personal skill particularly appropriate in achieving agreement. 3
3. My feelings seldom interfere with my judgment.
 4. I strive to build up an effective structure. 4
 5. I can work with people who vary widely in their personal qualities and
outlook.
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6. I feel it is sometimes worth incurring some temporary unpopularity if one is
to succeed in getting one’s views across in a group.
7. I usually know someone whose specialist knowledge is particularly apt.
8. I seem to develop a natural sense of urgency.
SECTION F
Tick QN When suddenly asked to consider a new project: Points
1. I start to look around for possible ideas and openings.
2. I am concerned to finish and perfect current work before I start.
 3. I approach the problem in a carefully analytical way. 3
4. I am able to assert myself to get other people involved if necessary.
 5. I am able to take an independent and innovative look at most situations. 3
 6. I am happy to take the lead when action is required. 4
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7. I can respond positively to my colleagues and their initiatives.
8. I find it hard to give in a job where the goals are not clearly defined.
SECTION G
Tick QN In contributing to group projects in general: Points
1. I think I have a talent for sorting out the concrete steps that need to be
taken given a broad brief.
2. My considered judgement may take time but is usually near the mark.
3. A broad range of personal contacts is important to my style of working.
4. I have an eye for getting the details right.
 5. I try to make my mark in group meetings. 4
 6. I can see how ideas and techniques can be used in new relationships. 2
7. I see both sides of a problem and take a decision acceptable to all.
 8. I get on well with other and work hard for the team. 4
Part 2: Scoring Key for Self-Perception Inventory
1. Transfer your points’ allocation from the seven sections of the Self-Perception Inventory to the
appropriate boxes below. The pre-printed numbers in the grid refer to the question numbers (QN) of
each section. For example, if for Section A you allocated seven points for question 6 and three points
for question 1, you would place them in the columns RI and IMP, respectively.
SH CO PL RI ME IMP TW CF
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
A 3. 7. 4. 4 6. 3 5. 1. 3 8. 2.
B 1. 6. 3 5. 8. 4 4. 7. 3. 3 2.
C 7. 4. 2 6. 2. 3 3. 5. 5 8. 1.
D 2. 3. 3 6. 4. 5 5. 1. 3 8. 7.
E 6. 5. 3 1. 7. 3. 4. 4 2. 3 8.
F 6. 4 4. 5. 3 1. 3. 3 8. 7. 2.
G 5. 4 7. 6. 2 3. 2. 1. 8. 4 4.
Tota
l
8 11 9 15 3 15 10
2. Once you have allocated all your points, total each column. The highest two totals represent your
primary and secondary preferred team roles. Highlight them.
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SH CO PL RI ME IMP TW CF
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
A 3. 7. 4. 4 6. 3 5. 1. 3 8. 2.
B 1. 6. 3 5. 8. 4 4. 7. 3. 3 2.
C 7. 4. 2 6. 2. 3 3. 5. 5 8. 1.
D 2. 3. 3 6. 4. 5 5. 1. 3 8. 7.
E 6. 5. 3 1. 7. 3. 4. 4 2. 3 8.
F 6. 4 4. 5. 3 1. 3. 3 8. 7. 2.
G 5. 4 7. 6. 2 3. 2. 1. 8. 4 4.
Tota
l
8 11 9 15 3 15 10
Part 3: Written Discussion
In Week 2 tutorial your task will be to choose group members for the group project, i.e. group
presentation. In this evaluation:
 Discuss the application of Belbin theory in the selection of your team members, taking into
account various strengths and roles that could be assigned;
 Explain how creativity and individualism will be encouraged in your team;
 Comment on your individual primary and secondary team roles – to what extent do you agree
with the above scores; use evidence of past experiences (such as the tower building task) to
support your position.
Write 300 words.
It is found that Belbin theory is generally applied in the selection of the project team members. It
is found that as per the Belbin theory, nine project team roles are generally identified as well as
categorized that mainly include action oriented, people oriented and thought oriented (Meslec &
Curşeu, 2015). The team members who are assignment for the project work have proper strengths
due to which they are generally assigned for a specific role so that the project team can be able to
complete work as per their roles as well as responsibilities.
It is found that both creativity as well as individualism will be encouraged with the project team so
that the project team will be able to complete the work of the project effectively. The strategies
that are generally utilized for enhancing individualism as well creativity are generally listed below:
 Scheduling regular brainstorms
 Building the right environment
 Creating proper innovation zones within the organization
 Creating a rotating culture
The primary role of the project team is to complete the work of the project properly within the
expected time and budget however the secondary role of the project team is to maintain
professionalism as well as proper working environment within the organization (Bjorvatn & Wald,
2018).
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Moreover, the I totally agree with the scores and the scores that are provided are mainly based on
my experience and learning that I have gained while undertaking my previous project.
Reference List:
Bjorvatn, T., & Wald, A. (2018). Project complexity and team-level absorptive capacity as drivers of
project management performance. International Journal of Project Management, 36(6), 876-888.
Meslec, N., & Curşeu, P. L. (2015). Are balanced groups better? Belbin roles in collaborative
learning groups. Learning and Individual Differences, 39, 81-88.
Task 2: Professional Ethics [weeks 3-4]
This task consists of two parts:
1. Code of Conduct (300 words)
2. Ethics in Industry: In-Class Writing
Part 1: Code of Conduct
This is a group task to be completed in Week 3 tutorial. With your team create a Code of Conduct
which will outline the professional conduct in your team during the preparation and delivery of the
Professional Skills presentation. Paste its screenshot in the space provided.
In your Code of Conduct:
 state the name for your team;
 list and explain the values that underpin the standards set by your team;
 outline the team’s agreements in terms of how work will be carried out and provide a list of
specific actions for situations where work is not carried out or is not up to the standard you
had agreed to.
Please refer to Week 3 tutorial handout for guidelines. Write approx. 300 words.
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Principle 1: Honesty, Integrity and Fair Play:
It is the duty of the company and its employees to ensure Honesty, Integrity and Fair Play in their
services that they execute within and outside office premises
Principle 2: Equal Opportunity for everyone
It is the responsibility of the company to provide equal opportunity to the employees irrespective
of their cats, creed and community and should be free from any kind of bias. Appraisal should only
be based on performance and merit of the employee only
Principle 3: Safety, and Health Practices:
It is duty of the company to ensure employee safety with integrated health practices and ensure
proper hygiene in the work place. Health of the employee is something that need significant
priority. However, employees should ensure personal hygiene as well
Principle 4: Fair Competition
Although employee should look for promotion and grow in their carrier, employees should not
consider any means that violates environment of fair policy
Principle 5: Governance and anti-corruption
An effective governance ensures employee growth while the company excel in the market.
However, corruption is something that needs to be always avoided to ensure effective governance
Principle 6: compliance with law and regulation
It is the responsibility of the company to ensure that all the activities of the company comply with
the applicable rules and regulation. It is important because it not only ensures legal compliance
and smooth functioning of the company in the industry.
Principle 7: conflict of Interest
Whenever conflict of interest arises it is responsibility of the employees to avoid personal interest
and give priority to the interest of the company
Principle 8: Reporting
Without active participation of the employees, it is not possible for the higher authority to ensure
effective execution of the code of conduct and hence employee should report any violation to the
code of conduct
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Part 2: Ethics in Industry: In-Class Writing
This is an in-class task to be completed in Week 4 tutorial.
In the space below paste a picture screenshot in the space provided of your in-class writing. The text
must include your tutor’s signature as evidence it was done in class under tutor’s supervision.
Please refer to Week 4 In-Class Writing Handout for guidelines.
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Task 3: Project Management [weeks 5-8]
This task consists of three parts:
1. Gantt Chart
2. Discussion (300 words)
3. Evidence of Presentation
Part 1: Gantt Chart
This is a group task. With your team use an Excel spreadsheet to create a Gantt chart for the preparation and delivery of the Professional Skills
presentation/video in week 9. Paste its screenshot in the space provided.
In your Gantt chart:
 name at least 5 key stages, i.e. summary tasks, for the work done during the Professional Skills module;
 identify the tasks for each group member, i.e. terminal tasks, and decide on start and end date for each of them;
 present the information on the timeline graphically.
Please refer to Week 5 tutorial handout for guidelines.
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11-Mar 12-Mar 13-Mar 15-Mar 16-Mar 17-Mar 18-Mar 20-Mar 25-Mar 26-Mar 28-Mar 31-Mar 05-Apr 08-Apr 09-Apr 10-Apr 11-Apr
0 Development of Professional Skills
in HSBC Holdings by ALFA team Thu 28-03-19 Tue 18-06-19
1 Initiation phase Mon 11-03-
19
Wed 13-03-
19
1.1 Development of business case Tue 12-03-19 Tue 12-03-19
1.2 Undertaking feasiability study Fri 15-03-19 Fri 15-03-19
1.3 Estabilishing charter Sat 16-03-19 Mon 18-03-
19
1.4 Appointing team members Wed 20-03-
19
Wed 20-03-
19
2 Planning phase Mon 25-03-
19 Tue 26-04-19
2.1 Development of project plan Thu 28-03-19 Thu 28-03-19
2.2 Development of quality plan Mon 1-04-19 Mon 1-04-19
2.3 Development of speech plan Fri 5-04-19 Fri 5-04-19
3 Preparing presentation Mon 8-04-19 Mon 8-04-19
3.1 Getting approval Tue 9-04-19 Tue 09-04-19
3.2 Prepration of the presentation Wed 10-04-
19
Wed 10-04-
19
4 Delivery of presentation Thu 11-04-19 Thu 11-04-19
Development of Professional Skills presentation preparation
and delivery in HSBC Holdings by ALFA team
Project start date: 11-03-19
Project lead:
WBS Task name START END Resources
Figure 1: Gantt chart
(Source: Created by Author)
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Part 2: Written Discussion
You have created the Gantt chart for planning and managing the Professional Skills presentation
preparation and delivery. In this evaluation:
 Explain the rationale for the plan you have created and analyse your contingency plan for
the presentation taking into account specific strengths and skills of the various team
members;
 Recognise where you may need to monitor your team’s progress closely and potentially
allocate more time;
 Discuss the role of planning and managing the project, specifically in terms of the need to
meet the deadlines and moving the project forward.
Write 300 words.
It is found that in order to improve the professional skills within the project team members it is
quite necessary to develop proper contingency plan so that the problems that occur while
developing the professional skills can be resolved effectively (Gauvreau et al. 2016). It is found
that professionalism needs to be enhanced within the project team for growing interest in work
and for motivating them to take proper initiative to complete the assigned work successfully
within the ALFA team. The main strengths of the project team members are listed below:
 Mathematical ability
 Friendly personality
 Leadership and management
On the other hand, it is found that it the project team members does not have proper
communication skills then they can face a number of issues in maintaining proper relationship
with the customers of HSBC holdings. Thus, it is necessary to improve the communication skills
of the project team.
It is quite necessary to monitor the progress of the team on a weekly basis in order to ensure
that the ALFA project team is progressing properly and are taking proper steps in maintaining
professional relation with the customers (Kivila et al. 2017).
In order to properly plan as well as monitor the project it is quite necessary to keep track on the
schedule of the project on a weekly basis in order to meet the deadline of the project. Proper
tracking the project schedule helps in giving overview that the entire project will get completed
on time.
Reference List:
Gauvreau, S.A., Hurst, D., Cleveland-Innes, M. and Hawranik, P., 2016. Online professional skills
workshops: Perspectives from distance education graduate students. The International Review
of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 17(5).
Kivilä, J., Martinsuo, M. and Vuorinen, L., 2017. Sustainable project management through
project control in infrastructure projects. International Journal of Project Management, 35(6),
pp.1167-1183.
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Part 3: Evidence of Presentation
Paste a screenshot of the slides or the website/app you created for the Professional Skills
presentation with your team. Make sure all slides are clearly visible.
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Task 4: Professional Skills in Action (1,200 words) [weeks 9-11]
Task 4: Professional Skills in Action
In the course of this module you were placed in groups of 4-6 and tasked with creating and
delivering a presentation. In this evaluation:
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 Discuss what you would consider to be effective and what areas needed further
development in terms of building this team and completing the project:
o Explain how flexibility and creativity aligned with various roles team
members played;
o Describe how effective communication was achieved and its effect
on team-building;
o Review the decision-making processes that took place;
o Recognise where taking responsibility, ownership and acting on
initiative were effective and why;
 Select a critical moment during the group work and using Kolb’s (1984) reflective cycle,
discuss how you deepened your understanding of your own professional skills.
You should link all of the above points to your knowledge of professional skills in your industry.
Write 1,200 words.
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Introduction
Team development and management has been an important part of an organization. Team
building has been helping in completing a task in a proper manner. The use of team
management skills is helping in developing a proper team to execute several projects. This
report has been focusing in effective measures for ALFA team building to perform critical tasks.
Explain how flexibility and creativity aligned with various roles team members played
Flexibility and Creativity have been two aspects of an effective team building process. Team
leaders needs to be focused on a proper team building process that contain both of these
factors in it (Silvia, Delaney and Marcovitch 2017). An efficient team building process need to be
analyzed on the basis of their team members and their experiences. An efficient team contain
proper team members having proper skills and knowledge in their field. The team leader need
to be flexible with expectations and need of team members. Therefore, this has been creating a
keen approach in the development of whole team. Creativity in team building process helps in
creating new opportunities in the organization (Seabrooke and Nilsson 2015). A leader needs to
be creative in his role that improvises a positive impact on the team members Task allocation
has been an important part in performance of the team. Team leader needs to be aware of
technical skills and knowledge of each and every team member. This help in allocating proper
task to specific team member based upon their skills and knowledge. This help in creating an
overall value for the production of team. The roles of each team member needs to be specific
and known to them that helps in aligning proper task to them and getting proper results and
outcomes from the team work.
Describe how effective communication was achieved and its effect on team-building
Communication plays a significant role in the team building method. Communication among
team members need to be properly. Communication among team members helps in clearing
out all complexities in the work that needs to be done together. A proper communication helps
in maintaining transparent approach in the team building process. An effective team leader
helps in minimizing the communication gap among team members (Warnock and Mohammadi-
Aragh 2016). Communication helps in analyzing different perspective of work that need to be
done along with. Communication create a direct bridge among employees that helps in
discussing upon several issues that might be faced during progression of the project. Team
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members need to be free to keep their views and thoughts on particular topic in the project. A
key element of communication is listening to what other team members are saying one
particular topic. It also helps team to communicate with their leaders and get a better idea on
completion of the project on time. Effective communication initiates with top leadership
personality in the team (Byrne et al. 2018). Other team members get to know a lot from their
top level leaders and follow them in the task and project. Team members get to know about
various skills and knowledge only by listening to their seniors and leaders in the team.
Communication has been helping in creating keen approach in the development of the team in
an organization (Hoffses et al. 2016). Communication has been focusing in team building effort
raided by the tea leaders. It provides great opportunities for leaners and team members to
execute their thoughts and plans in the project.
Review the decision-making processes that took place
Decision making process has been an important element of the organization. Decision making
system requires a lot of knowledge and skills about the project that helps in proper and instant
decision making system. The use of professional skills in the project have been helping in
gathering knowledge and data for the completion of the project. An effective leader is capable
of making proper decision in the project that helps in growth and increasing efficiency of the
project in the market. Stakeholders that have been involved in the projects have been keen to
take decision regarding the project (Smith 2016). The decision making system used in this
scenario has been based upon the knowledge and skills possessed by the team leader. The use
of positive approaches in the decision making system helps in providing a keen approach in the
development of proper project in the market.
Recognize where taking responsibility, ownership and acting on initiative were effective and
why
Professional skills have been an important part of the team building. A professional behaviour
in team building process has e an important stage to take responsibility, ownership and acting in
various initiative for it. The use of professional development has been helping in maintaining a
keen approach in the development of the changes in the project. The responsibility of the team
leader has been based on the progression of the project. This has been helping in providing
better skills and acquisition in the team. The team members need to be cooperative towards
their team leader that helps in creating a healthy environment in the team. A systematic
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manner of team building has been focused on the diplomatic behaviour of the team leader so
that every team member has a clear view of the completion of project within deadline with
proper quality.
Personal reflection based on Kolb’s reflective cycle
Kolb’s reflective cycle has been categorized into four parts that have been reflecting process
allocation of professional skills in the team building process. I have learned a new experience by
organizing this project and got to know about my professional skills. According to the Kolb’s
reflective cycle, concrete experience has been the first stage of learning. I have learned new
experiencing of handling and creating a new team or the project. My professional skills have
been reflected and I got to know about my potential at professional background. As per the
second stage of Kolb’s reflective cycle, I have experienced inconsistencies between my
experience ad understandings (Schultz, McEwen and Griffiths 2016). There has been some
conflict in my experiences and understandings that I have gained from this project. My
professional skills have been sharpened with this project. I have experienced a lot of
professional skills. On the other hand, I have understood how to manage y personal skills with
my professional skills in the project. According to the third stage if the Kolb’s learning cycle, I
have gained concept about modification in the project team members. The abstract
conceptualization in the existing concept has been reflected by my personal skills. I have
gathered knowledge about maintaining creative team and working in a team. I have earned
knowledge about leadership quality in my personal skills that have helped me to utilize in in
professional way. The last sage in Kolb’s Reflective cycle is about the active experimentation
that prescribes me about my actions after learning from above stages. I have gained knowledge
about implementing my actions according to plan or developing a powerful project and a team.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that a skilled team has been helping in developing a proper project and
change in the project. An efficient leadership has been helping in creating a proper
communication channel among team members that helps in development of teamwork
properly.
Reference List:
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Byrne, Z.S., Weston, J.W. and Cave, K., 2018. Development of a Scale for Measuring Students’
Attitudes Towards Learning Professional (ie, Soft) Skills. Research in Science Education, pp.1-17.
Hoffses, K.W., Ramirez, L.Y., Berdan, L., Tunick, R., Honaker, S.M., Meadows, T.J., Shaffer, L.,
Robins, P.M., Sturm, L. and Stancin, T., 2016. Topical review: Building competency: Professional
skills for pediatric psychologists in integrated primary care settings. Journal of Pediatric
Psychology, 41(10), pp.1144-1160.
Schultz, K., McEwen, L. and Griffiths, J., 2016. Applying Kolb’s learning cycle to competency-
based residency education. Academic Medicine, 91(2), p.284.
Seabrooke, L. and Nilsson, E.R., 2015. Professional skills in international financial surveillance:
assessing change in IMF policy teams. Governance, 28(2), pp.237-254.
Silvia, P.J., Delaney, P.F. and Marcovitch, S., 2017. What Psychology Majors Could (and Should)
be Doing: A Guide to Research Experience, Professional Skills, and Your Options After College.
APA Books. Available from: American Psychological Association. 750 First Street NE,
Washington, DC 20002.
Smith, A., 2016. Experiential learning. Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
Warnock, J.N. and Mohammadi-Aragh, M.J., 2016. Case study: use of problem-based learning to
develop students' technical and professional skills. European Journal of Engineering
Education, 41(2), pp.142-153.
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