Critical Reflective Journal on Project Management

This critical reflective journal explores the author's experiences and insights gained from their project management profession. It discusses the importance of competencies, ethical considerations, and personal development strategies necessary for effective project management. The journal emphasizes the significance of teamwork, leadership, and continuous learning in achieving project goals and enhancing professional growth.

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CRITICAL REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
AUTHORS NAME
UNIVERSITY OF AFFILIATION

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Abstract
Critical reflection has been made mandatory by regulators bodies and professional organization
as professional practice component. Critical reflection is a significant part of learning as it is
central maintain and developing competency across the lifetime of the practitioner (Jordan, 2015).
This journals will be based on a critical reflection of a project management profession. The
competencies, ethical issues, barriers, and benefits one encounters on the project management
profession will be discussed.
Introduction
I have explored a various range of projects in various organization and as a result the project
management in those companies. There is a consistent element that differentiates the general
manager from the project management that is the team assigned to undertake a relatively self-
contained nature of a project. As a project manager, my focus is to build an organization that is
temporary, with an objective of delivering the project goals, then closes my temporary
organization as efficiently as possible (Lemons & Strong, 2016). The practical part of studying
project management has enabled me to have a chance to implement all the knowledge that I gain
during my study. I have gained knowledge in the field of innovation, I have understood that
innovation requires an implementation that is practical, creativity and value addition to the
product. To attain this task it is essential to have a team of a profession that is collaborative and
has the same goal. I have learned how to gather the client requirements and develop a product
that satisfies the client needs, within the stipulated time and budget. This course has sharpened
my ability to work with teams within a short period of time, manage and task division between
members of the team without any form of unfairness. I have been able to learn on the
methodology to apply on the based on the projects nature.
I have gained a clear understanding that the most significant part of any project is building a
project team that is suitable for the task. This being an initial stage, it made it easier for me to
make the team members have an early ownership of the project, this was of benefit as I was able
to get the most out of the team project ownership. With that, I was able to maximize their
contribution to the development of the product. In order for me to build an effective team, I
started by creating a resource plan. A resource plan required me to have a full understanding of
the work to be done and the human skills required for the job completion. To effectively develop

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a team, I start by analyzing the people competencies against the job at hand. Most of the times,
as a project manager, I have no freedom to choose the team members. Team members might be
assigned to me, in such instance, I have learned that it is essential for me to create a good
relationship with the team members (Crutchfield, 2017).
Workable action plan
It is by ascertaining my individual abilities, developing it and using it to the uppermost degree
that has helped me utilize my abilities and get the most satisfaction from anything that I do.
Creation of workable action plan can help me in getting the best out myself through as it is the
starting point of having great rewards (Bourne, 2013).
Action 1.value clarification.
The first step in developing my career is through clarifying my values. I get to ask myself what
values and qualities do I admire most and I would like to drill in my life. Defining my principles
as they apply to my employment, will be the first step in getting to know my strength and
personal skills. Values that most organization settle on is likely to be similar to the values that I
organize my career around. I have to deeply develop the value of innovation, integrity,
profitability entrepreneurship, respect for others and good managerial leadership qualities within
the next two years so as to fully achieve the most out of my profession (Wibrowski, Matthews &
Kitsantas, 2017).
Action 2.Personal mission statement creation.
Next step is to create an individual mission statement (Tracy, 2015). This will define the person I
intend to be in my career life. I have to write down the objectives of my profession. My goal is to
find my strength and personal skills so that I can use them to increase my personal return on
energy. The mental technique that I can use to develop my personal skills it sees myself as a
resource that can be applied in various directions so as to achieve various goals and objectives
(Poynton, Lapan, & Marcotte, 2015).
Action 3: Do a personal strength skills audit
It is the process of doing a self-analysis before beginning the process of setting goals and
planning of various activities.

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Personal knowledge and skills
In order to achieve the best out my profession, it is essential for me to develop the following
competencies within the next two years:
Team building: Suppose I have to run a long-term project, I will require a bigger team for the
execution of the project. I have to create a sense of teamwork whereby the entire team can work
and relate well with each other and the stakeholders involved. In case of conflict I will have to
take the lead and solve the conflict (Reed, McHugh, Hoyt, Quinones & Adams, 2016). My team
should have enough trust to look up to me for advice.
Decision making: As a project manager I have to use my intellect to make the decision based on
quality, constraints of schedule and criteria acceptance. Decision making is very vital to the
project success, this is because single wrong decisions made can break the project (Abeid, 2015).
Motivation: There is moment when the team can feel demotivated, as a project manager I have to
develop and sharpen my motivation skills within the next two years (Udo, 2015). Since during
such time, I should be able to motivate the team members to see the project to success.
Leadership: My leadership skills are very low, I have to undertake leadership training to enhance
my skills in leadership. I understand that without good leadership, the project it’s planning and
its execution will be chaotic (Kimball, 2015). During times when the process is to slow, I will be
required to take charge and speed up the process. As a leader, my team behavior will be
determined by my own behavior (Hr.berkeley.edu. 2014).
Positive behavior
During the start of my profession as a project manager, it is essential of be keen to do the best.
However, the demands of the role can compromise my integrity. That means that I have to
always be guided by the ethical code of conduct of project management:
 Maintain a good working knowledge of the regulations and the legislation that is
applicable to the practice industry (Ferris, 2015).
 Make the right statements about the status of the project and the outcome of the project
feasibility.
 Practice honesty and be realistic in all projects reports.
 Create a working environment that is favorable to all the project participants.

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 Avoid biases and manage the resource well, while avoiding conflict of interest at all
levels (Whetten and Cameron, 2014).
 Respect and practice information confidentiality related to the stakeholders and the
project.
Personal career development plan
Project manager
Name,
Position: Project manager
Function: Management
Time period 30/1/2018-30/1/2020
Top needs for development
Conflict handling.
Leadership skill.
Coaching and motivating my team.
Top Strength
Effective communication.
Ability to work ethically.
Project management.
Development Actions
Work well with my project team to create individual development plans. I should be able to use
motivation and coaching approach. I should be able to provide good leadership throughout the
project execution till completion without biases (Opencolleges.edu.au. 2015).
Timing: Starting from this week.

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Work on my personal career development plan, with the help of the manager. Research on the
career development plan and gather a lot of information. Work with my employees.
Timing: Next 12 months
Cost: 600 USD for my leadership training
Enroll in a leadership class for the next three months so as to sharpen my leadership skills.
Benchmark on other organization on the managerial leadership.
Autobiographical excerpts
"I conversed with somebody as of late who I have worked with for some time, who has put in 35
years of their working life at Sainsbury's and took me back to the mid 1980s. I began there as a
crude and green Graduate Learner after College, and while it wasn't for me as an organization, I
found out about association abilities, overseeing individuals, and determining in addition to other
things. To such an extent that the following 2 years I spent going the world over, working in
USA, New Zealand and Australia! I returned and had venture administration and promoting parts
for English Telecom and United Dunbar, and after that towards the finish of my twenties, went
into working both in the willful segment, and afterward the NHS. Really, its what I would call an
eminent approach, realizing that I loved working with individuals in a warning part, yet uncertain
where best these abilities could be used (Harrin, 2015). I additionally had a spell instructing in
Further and Advanced education. I know from my way to deal with wellness that you can have
every one of the plans on the planet, however they fall without the instinct to comprehend and
self-reflect and manage inbuilt "recidivism" of having a few goes at rolling out improvements
(Pinto, 2015). The future as far as work will be around 1-1 instructing, preparing as a
psychotherapist throughout the following 4 years, and proceeding with organization work where
I have an essential association with individuals chipping away at an undertaking over some
undefined time frame (Crowe-associates.co.uk, 2016)"
Professional need analysis
(Kindly tick where appropriate)
How important are the following
competencies to your job?
Not
applicable
Important Very
important
Not
important

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Encouraging collaboration and teamwork as
a method of task completion and goals
attainment
Rewarding and recognizing people for the
best performance.
Receiving suggestions and criticism in a
constructive manner.
Regular meetings and direct reports so as to
discuss performance and the achievements
of the goals set.
Encouraging the team to attain results and
holding them accountable for their actions.
Opportunity utilization and seeking
continuous learning for self-development.
Responding to the ever-changing nature of
the organization.
Taking the appropriate action to overcome
the hurdles and obstacle to a project
planning.
Setting career goals and monitoring them to
ensure continuous growth.

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Current CV
Student name
Phone: Email address
A Reputable Project manager
Committed to ensuring the development of an advantageous working relation that is revenue
driven and continuous growth in the markets that are emerging through utilization of expert
negotiation, techniques on building relationship and communication. I am a professional project
manager in the commercial and residential real estate market, overseeing the management of
projects construction and selling to the clients. I demonstrate exemplary negotiation skills and
effective communication (Nationalcollege.org.uk. 2016). I highly demonstrate a proposition of
value added to the client that will result in the revenue increment and customer satisfaction. I am
looking for a challenging position in an organization that will guide me into fully utilizing my
potential for the personal growth as well as organization growth (Managers.org.uk. 2014).
Skills and Attributes
 Operational management
 Budget planning
 Staff training and motivation
 Customer analysis
 Real estate development
 Property management
 Disciplined
 Keen to details.
 Possess a patient attitude, an
understanding nature with a humble
personality
 Efficient in good communications
with customers (Aston, 2015).
 Excellent time management, and
interpersonal skills
 Good supervisory skills with the
ability to work under minimum
supervision (PMP, 2014);
Work experience

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2013-2014 project manager trainee
 Oversaw the construction of 40 units condominium, worked directly with the
landscapers, architects, interior designers, contractors, and graphic designers to an
improvement strategy.
 Oversaw the whole process of conversion including the process of materials selection,
condominium specs designing, and legal service management on covenants that were
restrictive, contract sales and offering public statement.
 Managed and directed a team of 10 members, managed all work orders and suppliers
details and the construction project contractors.
 Worked with the manager to manage the project budget for the contemporary style
condos.
Technology
Software: QuarkXPress, Photoshop, MS Project, Crystal Reports, MS Office (Word, Access,
Excel, PowerPoint)
Education
Bachelor of project Management University of affiliation
Certification and membership
Project management professional certification
Project management institute member
REFEREES
Name
Supervisor
Organization
Email:
Tel:
Name
Supervisor
Organization
Email:
Tel:

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Recommendation
Based on my personal need assessment as a project manager, there are several recommendations
that I would like to pinpoint which have an impact on the execution and development of a
project.
 Value leadership, as well as management. The manager, should provide good leadership
to the team .Leadership training should be offered in as part of the project management
training, this is because a manager can have a good team but failed to provide good
leadership will mess up the team. The training program needs to an emphasis on the
leadership skills as well as the management skills (Giammalvo, 2013).
 Encourage network ties that are strong. There is the importance of networking in
management. With networking, there is sharing of knowledge, support, and career
development (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017). Project managers should grasp the
opportunities provided for networking through the leadership programs that are focused
on the development (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016,).
Conclusion
This assignment has helped me in the need analysis of my profession as a project manager. I
have exercised my writing skills and put my critical thinking to the test.I have been able to gain a
lot of knowledge on the various skills that are required for one to be a competent project
manager. Although their various barriers such as cost of the professional course being too high, I
was lucky enough to get a scholarship for the course. I have been able to gain knowledge of the
various code of conduct that guides the project manager. I have been able to gain a clear
understanding of the importance of the teamwork and good leadership for a project to be
delivered successfully with the full attainment of its goals.

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