Personal Learning Portfolio: Program Management and Reflection Report

This personal learning portfolio analyzes various aspects of program management through five portfolio entries. The first entry examines VANT's challenges, including program management approaches and recommendations for improvement. The second entry explores the advantages and disadvantages of TSU's rapid release model and its potential for broader application. The third entry focuses on program stakeholder engagement, offering recommendations and research-backed insights. The fourth entry briefly addresses successful program management, while the fifth provides a reflective report on the student's learning experiences, including teamwork, communication, and responses to challenges. The portfolio draws on case studies and academic literature to provide a comprehensive overview of program management principles and practices.

Personal Learning
Portfolio

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Portfolio Entry 1: VANT's Problems...............................................................................................1
1. Do you think program management is an appropriate approach............................................1
2. What would your recommendations to be him.......................................................................2
3. How would you approach the problem...................................................................................3
Portfolio Entry 2: Rapid Release.....................................................................................................4
1. From a program perspective, describe the advantages and disadvantages of TSU's approach
.....................................................................................................................................................4
2. Explain with reason, whether you believe it could be extended to other organisation seeking
to manage programs more effectively.........................................................................................5
Portfolio Entry 3: Program Stakeholder Engagement.....................................................................6
1. Summary of your recommendations for Jenny.......................................................................6
2. Current program stakeholder management principles and wider research from relevant
program management academic literature..................................................................................7
Portfolio Entry 4: Successful Program Management.......................................................................8
Portfolio Entry 5: Reflective Report ...............................................................................................8
1. What you have learned from working with other students.....................................................8
2. What worked...........................................................................................................................8
3. What did not work...................................................................................................................8
4. What you would do differently next time...............................................................................8
5. How your management skills were tested during the assignment..........................................8
6. How you communicated with the other group members........................................................8
7. How you responded to change and difficulties.......................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................10
.......................................................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Personal learning portfolio is the realistic, personal space which serve as a dynamic
planning method and tool, profile, archive and showcase of an individual's lifelong learning
experiences, accomplishment and goals. This is developed, managed, controlled by the learner
and it is on the platform of her/his choice. With the help of this tool, it helps in recording the
digital footprint of an individual, the learners controls who has access to any part of the portfolio
at the given time frame. A learning portfolio is an assessment and reflection method which can
be used to illustrate the educational career. There are various students and universities all around
the world is start to use the portfolios for the variety of purposes. The main motive of learning
portfolio is to provide a means of assessing students while understanding and learning new
things in better manner. Personal learning portfolio is important part to this program which help
in developing teachers learning and understanding skills (Buchem, Tur and Hoelterhof, 2014). It
is prepared to monitor, track and evidence an individual capabilities while learn new things. The
report is addressing the five exercise which is based on management, models, approaches of
various organisation. In this assignment, some methods or techniques are used for solving certain
management issues effectively.
Portfolio Entry 1: VANT's Problems
1. Do you think program management is an appropriate approach
A program management is the combination of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to
meet with program requirements. A program is the group which is related to project management
in coordinating manner which obtain the advantages that is not accessible for managing each in
individual way. As per the case study, yes program management will be quite accessible for
VANT company which is also a start up company even though company is earning good in its
beginning because of it's modified products. Comparatively to other old companies, are not in
their race. But even after having this kind of approach company due to increase in demand and
poor management comes in trouble (Marín Juarros, Salinas Ibáñez and de Benito Crosetti,
2014). And so they missed to deliver to their clients on time. And thus, how the problem
continues. Programme management is something where multiple roles have been associated with
it where, each role was assigned to each person which need to fulfilled by themselves in proper
manner. The company is developing and formulating effective strategy which help them in
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increasing their growth rate. With the help of program management, company is growing fast in
the competitive market place.
On the other hand, they are producing unique and quality based products which attract
large number of customers. Currently, the VANT's products demand has enhancing around 150
percent among the customers. Along with this, the company capability and growth level does not
keep on increasing demand particularly in the peak time period. With the contentiously growing
demand, the firm has developed various demand for customer services to take care of the order
which are given by customers and this will assist in building strong relation in appropriate
manner. Program management assist company in coordinating the management of program
which achieve the program's strategic benefits and objectives (Wu and et. al., 2014). This will
help in providing guidance to different project managers and also promotes coordination among
them which aid in solving various issues in an organisation.
2. What would your recommendations to be him
According to the case scenario, it can be recommended that company are not able to
deliver their products to the final consumer at given time period. Also there are various issues
and problems seen in the company structure which is delay in performing work for all
departments in better manner. Along with this, there are some complexities are occurs while
interacting among different department regarding products and services which create bad impact
on firm image in the market area. The company manager required to adopt new techniques and
methods which help them in smoothly running of business operations and its major functions
effectively. In this scenario, Paul Howarth is the director of engineering department at VANT
firm so that he required to manage and maintain all functions in appropriate manner in order to
gain profitability. With the slow manufacturing procedure, company are mainly delay in
delivering the customers goods and services in given time frame (García-Peñalvo And et. al.
2015). In this firm, challenges are integrating various works among different functions which are
still overwhelming. Due to this, the connection among various company department is affected
which create major problems while manufacturing products.
For this, they need to adopt effective strategies and policies which help them in solving
major issues and problems related to firm. Also they require to make proper changes in
organisation structure that provide in smoothly communication and also make best suitable
decision that are beneficial for the firm. In addition to this, it can be recommended that firm can
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think to change in their operational procedures which speeding up the manufacturing process.
This will help them in gaining more customers when they deliver them right product at the right
time in appropriate way. At last, company can use program management which make
improvement in business outcomes or results which help in coordinating management functions
through which employees can easily achieve desired goals and targets.
3. How would you approach the problem
VANT is the start up company in the high tech manufacturing business that offer
different type of products and services to their customers in the market place. Due to industry
nature, they are developing new goods which are constantly updated and suppliers are slow in
their delivery of products to the customers (García-Peñalvo And et. al. 2014). There are certain
issues which occurs in an organisation related to structure which which create issue in
communication and developing appropriate decision making procedures. Some problems which
arises in the firm associated to poor operational procedures in which workers are slow in
manufacturing new products. Along with this, there are different ways through which company
can acquiring growth and development in the huge competitive area.
The firm can develop suitable strategies and policies which help them in gaining higher
profitability and income. They can adopt various methods and techniques which assist them in
upgrading business operations and functions effectively. The company can use problem solving
method which help them in identifying the actual issue which create major problem within an
enterprise and directly effect on business operations and its functions. For determining such
management issues and problems, the firm required to analyse whole market area through which
they can easily identify customers needs and demands in proper manner. For maintaining their
organisational structure, they require to generate new ideas which define the problem and
determining the grounds. In this, company can produce creative goods and develop best possible
methods to the specific issues (García-Peñalvo and Conde, 2014). As per the scenario of VANT
company, the problems related to inappropriate structure, operational procedures that are slow
down the business operations and functions. The director of engineering department thinking
about such changes which assist in developing huge profitability and income in better manner.
Also they are adopt new technology which help them in manufacturing unique product in
minimum time period.
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Portfolio Entry 2: Rapid Release
1. From a program perspective, describe the advantages and disadvantages of TSU's approach
According to the case scenario, TSU is the Perth based unit which has around 21 person
who are specifically established to develop a proprietary software management method. This tool
is belongs to Sydney based software company which is also known as the OzChipz. The TSU is
the in-charge of the internal software development tool which can be used for testing
microprocessor that are produced by business unit of this multi billion dollar company. There are
various complaints of TSU while handling and managing all the projects scope and timeline of
the OzChipz (Reinders, 2014). After that they are change the name of business model with Rapid
Release model. This rapid release model was intended to use a way which assist in improving the
quality of new products development for various years but at the current time period employees
are first time ever. There are various advantages and disadvantages of TSU approach that are
described as follows:
Advantages : The rapid release model is used as a way which help company in
improving their product quality in new product development for several years. This approach
help them in getting development and growth in better manner. The company use this model
because it will assist in managing and maintaining all functions related to business appropriately.
Along with this, each rapid release scope mainly has two or three features and it should be
approved by program manager. It is that model which assist in dividing the large program into
various segments through which they can easily managed and controlled it in proper manner.
Each person assign single project which must be completed in given time frame along with
quality. The TSU approach is very effective which help in controlling and managing all business
operations and functions carefully.
Disadvantages : The one of the most disadvantage of rapid release is that it is very time
consuming and each one usually takes around three months and it is formally part of the program
upgraded (Casquero and et. al., 2016). If they are taken more time for upgrading and managing
all business operations so this will creates issues within an organisation. In this model, any
changes which are associated with specific two or three features which are seen as challenges.
The company are not more focused on rapid release model at the same time in proper manner.
Through this, it will delay in performing all business functions in order to gain profitability and
income.
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2. Explain with reason, whether you believe it could be extended to other organisation seeking to
manage programs more effectively
According to the scenario, it can be analysed that the approach which are used by TSU is
perfect and it can also adopted other organisation for extending and managing their program in
effective manner. In this approach, the large program will be divided into small projects which
help company employees to do all work in proper manner. It is very appropriate approach which
used by another organisation because this will assist in managing and maintaining their work
related to program effectively. If company can separated big project work in small parts among
their workers so this will lead towards enhancing productivity and profitability (Tofade, Abate
and Fu, 2014). Along with this, various other companies can also used such approach because
this will shows the efficiency of an individual employees who are performing for getting desired
profits and income. The company managers are assigning all work among various workers that
help them in analysing their duty and roles within an organisation and how to acquire set goals
and targets. From the case scenario, the Rapid Release model also provided advantages and
disadvantages which is helpful in identifying all issues or problems in effective manner.
Apart from this, the company has refer this approach to other organisation so that they
can also manage and maintain all business operations and program effectively. Before
implementing such method, the other companies are taking examining and identifying whether
some issues are occurs at the same time. This approach is used for reducing the burden and
pressure of workload among workers while conducting task of an organisation. If every staff
member perform work separately on one project so this will developing coordination and making
strong relationship among them. It is used for maintaining and managing all employees work and
also help in completing it in given time frame (Haworth, 2018). For using this approach, the
company manager can analysing and identifying all workers efficiency of working condition
within an enterprise. In addition to this, firm can easily assigning all work among various
employees through which they can perform each task properly. TSU refer this approach to the
other organisation which assist them in managing new and existing program effectively.
Portfolio Entry 3: Program Stakeholder Engagement
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1. Summary of your recommendations for Jenny
In this scenario, the program manager of the local council in the Western Australia. The
school's minister of the state government in the Western Australia is looking towards finding the
new South Wales audit. According to audit report, it is effectively shows that how schools are
share all facilities with each other, local councils and community groups. The local authority
currently has 36 schools in this area, catering services for children and other outside sports
facilities, 12 swimming pools and each school have classroom and huge meeting place. Jenny
should could adopt specific approach towards the stakeholders when local council managers
decide to execute the findings of the audit reports with the help of program management. There
are various issues are finding out while conducting this audit (Blaschke, 2014). The sharing of
school facilities with community is not totally effective approach. In this, the Department of
Education is executing appropriate strategies which enhancing the shared and joint use but
various barriers are occurs outside the Department's direct control. This should be highlighted to
interpret the advantages to students and the society are sharing school facilities. Jenny could use
multi agency approach which will assist in overcoming barriers or issues to the joint use of
facilities or services. Otherwise, the Department may require importantly more finance than
planning to deliver the adequate fit for the motive of school facilities which are needed. Along
with this, Jenny required to review the methodology for measuring the amount which are
provided to ensure the shared use of school facilities that does not result in financial burden to
schools or the Department. They need to develop standard services which includes time-frames,
assessing and approving school initiated structured proposals.
The audit report is mainly focus on the Department's approach to share the school and
community facilities in the previous years (Karakas, Manisaligil and Sarigollu, 2015). As per the
report, Jenny need to clear all developing policies to motivate and encourage with the sharing
facilities. Also executing evidence based procedures and strategies for distributing services in
proper manner. In addition to this, it can shows that it is realising an enhancing proportion of
sharing possibility. There are various key finding by using programmes management by Jenny
that are described as follows: Support for shared and joint use – As per this audit report, there are various reviews in
New South Wales and another jurisdiction has been stated on this advantages which
required to enhancing the sharing facilities of school in different manner. It assist in
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identifying the variety of shared and joint use opportunities which includes sporting
facilities, swimming pools, school classrooms, halls, childcare services.
 Shared use of school facilities – In New South Wales, there are various school which are
currently share facilities with local society groups in same degree, but the development
does not know the extent of sharing in all over the state (Chang And et. al., 2014). Jenny
could use sharing approach in which provides serving facilities to every school children.
2. Current program stakeholder management principles and wider research from relevant
program management academic literature
Stakeholder management is the systematic procedure which identifying, analysing,
implementing and planning action designed to engage with stakeholders. Along with this,
stakeholder management are one of the most essential part of successful project delivery and
they are often neglected and undervalued. The stakeholder management mainly implies with
such people which can develop to respond positively while making projects, but they have some
principles that should be followed by them in appropriate manner. According to the case
scenario, School Minister in the state government of the Western Australia are mainly looking
for replicate in finding out all New South Wales audit. They also used program management
which assist in managed all project in coordinating way which gain benefits by managing them
as an individual basis. The program management is the application of skills, techniques, methods
and tools in order to reach with all requirements of programs.
Stakeholder management principles :
 Understand - Before purposing to engage and influence stakeholders which is the vital
to evaluate and understand the people at the time of working and it relying through the
phases of managing business operations (Chen, Cheng and Chew, 2016). Sharing
information with the other stakeholder which is essential but is equally important to
collect required data and information regarding company stakeholders. This principle
helps company's stakeholder for finding out various issues which occurs at the time of
managing business operations.
 Communication – It is the main principle where stakeholder require to interact with their
customer for the welfare of an organisation. The communication is the root of project
issues and problems that includes misinterpreting the problems, unclear goals, ineffectual
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risk administration and lack of coordinating teamwork. According to the case scenario,
the department require to conduct effective communicate with their customers that can
help in building relation among them. If they are offer facilities to all school
 Relationship are the major key – This is required for every organisation is to make
appropriate relation with their clients in proper manner. With developing effective
relationship as per this result it will enhancing trust among people regarding the services
of firm (Daunert and Price, 2014). The investing effort is assist in identifying and
developing stakeholder relationship that can enhance confidence in all over the project
surroundings, reducing uncertainty and enhancing speed of problem finding and decision
making effectively. As per the scenario, it is required for Jenny is to build relationship
with the local council and other ministers who are providing various school facilities in
better manner.
Portfolio Entry 4- Successful Program Management
A program includes multiple interdependent project which helps in attaining set goals and
objectives in allotted time frame. Mainly, program consider as a master project with various
subprojects which directly contribute in achieving positive results. As per the statement there are
many aspects which are required to follow to establish effective program. But the conditions
within an organisation not always remain same and they consecutively change due the impact of
internal and external factors. In successful implementation of program major role is played by
project office team. There are many responsibilities which are required to function by this office
which are defined below:
 Defining and disseminating the particularities of the respective program
 Providence of training to project managers
 Providence of support to project n process of administering projects
 Ensuring the data quality of projects
In this regard, main role is played by manager as they work as guiding factor which
performs actions in different conditions. The role of project manager changes according to the
conditions which are defined below:
Stable condition: This will be known as the situation where all the relevant sources have
by organisation. In this situation, manager has to delegate their work to others. Such guidance to
members enables them to perform their function effectively and accomplish targets. In this
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scenario, the time taken which is required to successfully implement program is quite less in
comparison to other situations.
Unstable situation: This is the situation where organisation does not have adequate
amount of resources and talented team members. In this regard, main role is played by manger as
they they have to perform main function as leader. Here, they are required to provide training to
employees for time and quality management. This will enables them to understand the aspects
which are necessary to perform in the process of successful implementation of project
management. The activities which are needed to perform includes establish proper
communication, determination of work breakdown structure, Obtaining effective and efficient
PM system and setup of milestone trend analysis. All such information helps the team members
of project office to determine the targets which are needed to perform in effective
implementation of project. Their role is different in this situation, they have to show leadership
skills to motivate the employees. This will aid to boost their passion and understanding the
requirements which are needed to perform on time.
Portfolio Entry 5: Reflective Report
VANT was a start-up company which is a start-up company that was established in the
year 2005 and provides services related to high-tech manufacturing industry and gives a variety
of order-to-products. VANT's business is growing in a rapid speed in comparison to other
companies who are struggling in with economic downturn.
1. What you have learned from working with other students
Management Team of VANT was very effective as it gives and it gave me immense
pleasure of working with people who are so much eligible and skilled in their working.
Companies vision is wide and they allow individual in presenting and looking for new and
innovative ideas. Therefore, it helped me out in doing activities using different ways thus, I can
say that working in this company helped me out in doing task by thinking out of the box or
which is unique in nature. Working with students of different mindsets helped me in knowing
wider perspective of performing or executing the task in a better manner. Every individual was
equally participating in various activities such as making organisational strategies that helped
firm in seizing market opportunities which can provide benefits to the organisation.
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While working with other I got to learn form from people who are mastered in a specific
topic and asking question was easier. Other than this, I have learned out in figuring out things by
my self instead of taking any kind of help from others. In addition to this, I learned to work in a
productivity manner and it helped me out in gaining better results as compared to previous ones.
Therefore, in overall I learned to work with people who are outside the circle of friends and have
different backgrounds and experiences.
2. What worked
All the strategies that were made were worked well as company has grown at a rapid
speed. Around 150 percent of growth was seen and this is because of demands that for VANT's
products is increasing day by day. Working in a group helped me out in making effective
strategies through which goals and objectives can be achieved in a speculated time frame.
Maintaining customer relation worked really well because products that are manufactured are of
best quality and according to the needs and wants of customers.
As company works for build-to-order products and in order to do the same firm requires
people who are skilled enough in assembling process. In terms of VANT company because
company was having effective man work power executing the plan was quite easier. Therefore,
all the process was being done in much sequential manner according to step by step procedure.
3. What did not work
While working in an organisation there are many departments who perform their
activities for providing benefits to the company. Major problem that was analysed by me was of
improper interaction between different departments. Other than this, with the increase in
demands of products the level of complexities also arises and according to the present structure
which is being followed by VANT communicating with various departments was quite difficult.
In order to do the work more effectively it is crucial that each sections in a company have
adequate amount of workers who can perform their activity for giving better results. This was
also the reason which created problem in this company. In accordance to my point of view
difference in intelligence level was the main issue which further created issue while performing
the task in right manner.
Due to this, many problems was faced by VANTS and some of them are their multiple
deliveries slipped because of which sales of this company diminished. The director of the
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