Project Management Assessment 2: Critical Evaluation, Success Factors

This report provides a critical evaluation of project management, focusing on the factors that contribute to both success and failure. It emphasizes the importance of time management, quality control, and efficient human resource management as success factors, while identifying a dynamic environment, improper fund allocation, and inefficient resource utilization as potential failure points. The report details lessons learned during a project aimed at transitioning from virtual to physical learning at the University of Wales, highlighting the significance of planning, stakeholder engagement, risk analysis, and budget management. Recommendations include maintaining stakeholder interaction, encouraging campus re-entry with hygiene measures, and phased implementation. The report concludes with a reflection on developing skills for a project management career.

Project
Management
Assessment 2

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..............................................................................................................................................3
Critical Evaluation - An Overview of The Project...................................................................................3
Success/Failure Factors...........................................................................................................................4
Lesson Learnt..........................................................................................................................................6
Recommendations...................................................................................................................................7
Reflection................................................................................................................................................8
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................10
References.................................................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Project management can be demonstrated as the process of achieving predetermined
goals within the given constraints. It is a team process which requires different skills and
knowledge of people to accomplish their tasks to enhance collaboration and achieve the project
objectives in optimum way. The primary constraints in the project management are the scope,
time and budget. The discussion in the previous paper about the effective and efficient
management of project helps us to identify success and failure factors of a particular project.
This report will cover an evaluation of factors that could be helpful to attain success of the
project and what factors could lead to the failure of a project. Moreover, this report also covers
the learnings and skills that were developed during the previous project and recommendation to
develop them is also given. At the end, this report covers reflective report for developing a career
path in this project and specific skills required for this project.
MAIN BODY
Critical Evaluation - An Overview of The Project
The report demonstrated an overview of viability of project to develop and basics of
project management. Main project management principles and ways can be demonstrated with
the important factors that influences project success. The contribution of various organisational
and functional units in achievement of goals with the help of proper control and coordination
methodologies. Project leadership and human resource management are main aspects of a
success of any project. A project plan could help to formulate a schedule of action and
completion of the project can be done on time. The importance of properly investigating and
constructing the project management plan helps to achieve success in its completion on time
(Konovalova, 2021). Virtual delivery and physical learning are explained and demonstrated in
the project. The project considers an evaluation based on the importance of physical learning and
virtual learning and their constraints that affects the students. The project covers an scenario of
how the project could be useful in motivating the students to shift from online learning to
physical learning. The learnings of the project brought an idea of total challenges and advantages
of the project planning and steering it to the success.

Success/Failure Factors
Success Factors
These factors are the reasons that helped in completion of the project on time without
lacking efficiency and effectiveness. The factors responsible for the success of an project are as
follows: Effectiveness in Time Management: Effectiveness can be explained as the ability to
mange time properly and do a task on time (Pramono, Novellia and Nurani, 2020). The
requirements of this project in terms of time is very crucial as it is required to be
competed in the given time. The lack of timing management or improper utilisation of
time could lead to constraints in the completion of the project on time. The time
management in this project is most important in order to achieve the starting of physical
classes in the university so there isn't any delay in the academic sessions of the students.
The time is one aspect which if managed properly would lead to the achievement of
success in decided time phase. Quality Control: The projects may seem to be a simple task but achievement of project
and its success does not only depends upon the completion of the project (Stayton, 2020).
Maintaining the optima of the project with a complete quality control is essential to make
it useful and reliable for everyone. Quality control helps in achievement and retention of
necessary standards while doing the project. This will encourage the presentation of
overall strength in completion of the project and meeting the expectations of the project
at the time of its completion. The quality control will help to evaluate the actual
performance relative to the performance that is already pre-marked. The quality control
will help to identify the areas where improvement is required that will help in enhancing
performance of overall project.
 Efficiency in Human Resource Management: It is the essence for managing all the
activities of the project (Ramirez Negrete, 2021). Optimum human resource management
will help the business to manage people and decline their wasteful activities and aligning
them to the achievement of organisational objective. This project is highly people
oriented as it will require people in all its functions. It is important to this project because,

there would be need of managing teachers as well as the students according to the new
changes and help them to adapt in new world.
Failure Factors
These factors can be explained as the reasons that hindrances the completion and
achievement of project objectives on time, with the given amount of resources: No Control Over Dynamic Environment: The project is based on the changing scenario
of the environment from a time when people were locked in their rooms to the phase of
complete openness. Every project manager evaluates the fore-coming changes but
changes are based on conceptions and they are unlikely in nature (Schultz and et.al.,
2019). Dynamic environment in the current transaction from lock-down to open physical
interaction is still unpredictable. The situations prevailing are very dynamic and a single
case of COVID could lead to dropping of projects' efficiency. Improper Allocation of Funds: It can be said as the inefficient use of funds and this
could lead to lack of funds in the activities (Berecibar Gorostiza, 2021). This project will
need allocation of funds in the starting up and setting the place for further activities. It
will include the fund allocation to make the place prof with COVID and avoid any cases
that may affect the studies. It will require the development of infrastructure so that it suits
the standards to fight COVID scenario after the completion of project. Funds are strictly
allocated and very limited for this project that may or may not be sufficient for achieving
the project objective.
 Inefficient Resource Utilisation: Efficiency means optimising the use of resources
without any wastage. If the resources in the project are not used properly the project may
lack in the amount of resources at the end. If the management of resources is not done in
efficient manner then collapse of working operations may be seen. In the project the
management of resources may fail due to strict deadlines and limited amount of resources
that may lead to delaying of the project achievement.

Lesson Learnt
During the project, it is learnt that a step by step process is followed while preparing a
project. Here, it is required to follow the each and every step in an efficient manner so that the
project can be completed successfully (Severo and et. al., 2020). The main aim of the existing
project is to prevent the use of virtual interaction in educational setting. The project helps in
analysing the significance of face to face learning. It is also analysed that planning is really
crucial to complete a project efficiently. Without proper planning, the project will not succeed. In
the given context, an efficient plan is prepared by the project manager of the university so that
they can execute the face to face learning efficiently. During the plan, they anticipate the
significance of face to face leaning in the field of education. The project also helped in order to
identify the impact of virtual learning on the future career and growth of student. As the situation
is normalised, the university has been switched over hybrid system where some students and
staff are attending the session virtually and some are coming to campus for fees to face delivery
of lectures. The main aim of the project is to reduce down the dependency on virtual platform
and to start complete face to face delivery of lectures. Effective execution of this project is only
possible by proper planning that will also help the university administration to meet with the
future circumstanced effectively
Project management plan is constructed by the project manager. Here, the plan plays an
effective role in guiding the project manager till the completion of the project. It includes various
components which are important to incorporate for the success of project (Silvius, 2019). While
carrying out the given project, it is monitored that stakeholders are the crucial part of a project.
In the given context, the major stakeholders are staff, university administration, students etc. To
complete the project successfully, there is requirement to consider the betterment of each and
every stakeholder who is involved in the project. Stakeholders have the power to affect the entire
project so the entity needs to consider the benefit of stakeholders while undertaking a project.
During the project, it is learned that risk analysis is imperative in order to minimise the
future uncertainties. For this purpose, risk analysis has been performed by the project manager so
that the future uncertainties can be reduced effectively. In addition, the analysis will also guide
the project manager to prepare suitable strategies to face future circumstances. It is also
monitored that budget is a crucial part of project as it helps in making estimations about the

future expenses and income from the project. By acquiring proper knowledge of budget, it is
possible to keep control on the expenses. While carrying out the project, it is learnt that
maintaining proper communication with all relevant people is important for completing the
project smoothly. It also helps in reducing down the ambiguity and provides clarity to all the
team members. In addition, it also helps in maintaining a positive environment which is
important for successful completion of project. Therefore, ample of lessons have been learned
during the existing project which will proof helpful in future success and growth.
Recommendations
The existing project is carried out by the University of Wales. It is based on completely
switching on face to face delivery of lecture within university campus. In this context, necessary
recommendations are given below:
 Proper planning is really important to complete a project appropriately. In the given
situation, a proper planning is imperative to ensure the success of project in future period
of time. It will help the university administration to understand whether the project will
be successful or not. In addition, it will also help them in predicting the future
complexities so that they can prepare appropriate strategies accordingly.
 In context of the given project, it is imperative to maintain a proper interaction with the
key stakeholders. The project is based rejoining of students for face to face lecture that
will delivered by the university. In this situation, willingness of the students & staff is
really imperative which can only be received through proper communication and
interaction. It will enhance the probability of success of the project.
 It is suggested that the university administration is required to encourage and motivate
staff and the student to rejoin the Campos. For this purpose, they need to ensure that they
are following all the necessary measures related to hygiene and sanitation. This will help
in reducing down the fear of the students and staff and encourage them to rejoin the
university campus for face to face lecture.
 At the initial level, University is required to arrange the lectures alternatively in order to
control the crowd and gathering. They are also required to take proper care of hygiene
and sanitation in the premises. It is suggested that the university administration need to

take consent of the parents and guardian of the student before starting the face to face
delivery system completely.
The above stated recommendations are based on the project complexities. Here, it is
analysed that the university administration is required to maintain proper interaction with the
stakeholders such as staff and students. They are also required to motivate students to rejoin the
campus and also take a proper care of cleanliness within the promises. Additionally, proper
planning is also imperative to complete the respective project in a successful way. Effective
implementation of the above stated recommendations is helpful in completing the project in an
appropriate way.
Reflection
During the existing project, I learned several skills which will help me in making an
enriching and profound career in future period of time. I learned about different components of
project management. I learned that there are various components of a project such as budget,
communication, quality, resources and more. As a result, now I am able to analyze the
significance of each and every element of project. Additionally, I used to communicate with
several people during the project work. It helped me to get over from my fear of public
interaction. Now, I can easily interact with the people. Effective communication skills will assist
me in terms of performing future role of project manager efficiently.
I faced various complexities while completing the project. Here, facing difficulties
improved my level of confidence and prepared me to face the future uncertainties efficiently. My
problem solving skills also enhanced during the project as I deal with ample of problems during
the project life cycle. Now, I am able to analyze the future issue and find the suitable solutions to
deal with the particular issue. It also enhanced my analytical skills and made me enable to give
meaningful suggestions in the field of project management. Additionally, I also learned how to
take effective decision during the existing project. Here, I need to take effective decisions at each
and every step of project which enhanced my decision making capabilities.
During the project, I worked with a team of different individuals where I used to guide
and motivate other people. It improved my capabilities of guiding and leading the people. During
the project, I used to listen the issues of team members and provide them the best suitable

suggestions accordingly. Now, I am enabled enough to guide and lead of team members. This
skill will help me in attaining growth and success in the field of project management. Therefore,
I developed several skills such as communication, leadership, decision making problem solving
and more while completing the existing project. These skills will assist me in performing the
duties of project manager in future period of time.

Conclusion
Through the above discussion, it is summarized that a project management is related to
combining different components in order to deliver appropriate outcomes. The above project is
based on shifting over face to face delivery system of lectures in the university. It is concluded
that there are several success factors of the project such as effective time management, quality
control and more. These factors contribute in the success of project. Additionally, there is
discussion regarding the lesson learned during the project. Further, there are certain suggestions
such as proper planning, maintaining proper communication, hygienic and sanitised environment
need to implement by the university to ensure successful completion of project. It is concluded
that I learned several skills during the project which will contribute in my success as a project
manager in future.

References
Books and journals
Berecibar Gorostiza, L., 2021. A critical analysis of project management methodologies and
improvement proposal for Evonik's Agile teams (Master's thesis, Universitat Politècnica
de Catalunya. San Cristóbal and et. al., 2019. Complexity and project management:
challenges, opportunities, and future research.
Pramono, A., Novellia, S. and Nurani, N., 2020. Implementation of Recruitment and Training
and Its Effect on Employee Performance in Construction Project Management According
to ISO 9001: 2015 (Case Study at PT. X, Teraskita Hotel Project in Bandung). Solid State
Technology, 63(3). pp.5226-5237.
Ramirez Negrete, C.E., 2021. Evaluation of agile project management success factors in large
scale information technology development processes (Doctoral dissertation, Politecnico
di Torino).
Schultz and et.al., 2019. How project management and top management involvement affect the
innovativeness of professional service organizations—an empirical study on
hospitals. Project Management Journal, 50(4), pp.460-475.
Severo and et. al., 2020. Project management and innovation practices: backgrounds of the
sustainable competitive advantage in Southern Brazil enterprises. Production Planning &
Control, 31(15), pp.1276-1290.
Silvius, G., 2019. Making Sense of Sustainable Project Management. Annals of Social Sciences
& Management studies, 2(4), pp.106-109.
Stayton, J., 2020. Empowering Student Workers Using Flipped and Agile Project Management.
Suwal, S. and Singh, V., 2018. Assessing students’ sentiments towards the use of a Building
Information Modelling (BIM) learning platform in a construction project management
course. European Journal of Engineering Education, 43(4), pp.492-506.