Reflective Journal: Leadership and Project Management Analysis

This reflective journal analyzes three project management cases, examining leadership behaviors and their impact on project outcomes. The first case explores an ERP implementation where the project manager exhibited 'Ugly' behavior, highlighting the importance of professional conduct and effective team management. The second case focuses on a website upgradation project, where the project manager demonstrated 'Good' leadership, emphasizing the need for motivation and open communication. The third case investigates a mobile application development project, where a team member displayed 'Bad' behavior, underscoring the significance of team member selection and conflict resolution. The report provides critical reflections on each case, drawing lessons for project management practice, emphasizing the importance of leadership qualities, team dynamics, and effective communication for successful project delivery.

Running head: REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
Reflective Journal
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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Case 1: ERP implementation project in Global Finance Company...........................................2
Description of the context and the case..................................................................................2
Critical reflection on the case.................................................................................................3
Lessons learnt for project management practice....................................................................3
Case 2: Website Upgradation project of Bendix Tours and Travels..........................................4
Description of the context and the case..................................................................................4
Critical reflection on the case.................................................................................................4
Lessons learnt for project management practice....................................................................5
Case 3: Mobile Application Development project of Sunshine Corporation............................6
Description of the context and the case..................................................................................6
Critical reflection on the case.................................................................................................6
Lessons learnt for project management practice....................................................................7
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................7
Bibliography...............................................................................................................................9

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Introduction
The report is focused on three cases where a team member or a leader demonstrated
Good, Bad and Ugly project management behavior. Three cases have been observed in this
study to determine the type of project management behavior that was reflected by a team
member or a leader. In this paper, the three cases have been briefed and then critical
reflection has been presented to illustrate the reason behind considering the case to be Good,
Bad or Ugly. Further, this report also demonstrates the lessons learnt in context to project
management practice. The discussions have been divided into three sections within each case
being observed for this report. The first section provides an overview of the case being
selected for analysis. The second section comprises of the critical reflection on the particular
case and the last section comprises of lesson learnt in context to project management practice.
The most of the cases that has been selected for this report are IT related projects that has
been undertaken by three different businesses in Australia. This report will help to understand
the role played by leadership in project management so that projects could carried out
successfully with the help of effective leadership.
Case 1: ERP implementation project in Global Finance Company
Description of the context and the case
This project comprised of ERP implementation in “Global Finance Company”, which
is renowned financial firm situated in Melbourne of Australia. This project aimed at
successful implementation of an ERP system in the organization so that they could easily
carry out their business processes. This project involved a six members team led by project
manager who was responsible for execution from beginning to completion of the project. The
team members were responsible for executing their assigned duties so that the project could

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be completed successfully. In this particular case, it was observed that the project manager
behaved in an Ugly manner as it was unacceptable project management behavior.
Critical reflection on the case
In this particular case, I have found that the Project manager who was the leader of all
team members lacked the basic leadership competencies. I observed that the team members
were not comfortable to follow their leader as the Project Manager was not professional. The
team members were disappointed and they did not like the attitude of project manager. I think
the major issue was that the project manager was over confident but there was lack of
knowledge on team management. I believe that the project manager could have been more
efficient with the help of suitable leadership qualities. I also found that the Project manager
was not at all convincing so the team members also felt lack of motivation to perform their
responsibilities actively and efficiently. It resulted into delay in some of the activities in the
project thus affected overall progress of the project. The team members did not actively
participate in the project due to which there was also some quality issues. I also observed that
the team members were not supported well so that they could completed their assigned
activities efficiently. Apart from that, I also found that the project manager was not able to
direct and control the team members towards achieving the desired goals and objectives of
the project. In this case, I have observed a major issue in context to project management
behavior that is allocation of resources. The project manager was not able to allocate the
responsibilities efficiently thus it resulted into over allocation which resulted into conflict
between the team members.
Lessons learnt for project management practice
The major lesson that has been learnt from this case is that a project manager as a
leader should behave in a polite and professional manner. The behavior of a leader plays and
important role in determining the success or failure of a project. A leader should always

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follow proper measure to maintain consistency in communication with the team members as
well as stakeholders. The leadership nature of a Project manager is essential for a project but
dominating or unethical behavior results into demotivation of the team members. Hence, the
project manager should demonstrate professional and ethical behavior with the team
members. The implementation of suitable leadership qualities is required for effective team
management and successful delivery of projects.
Case 2: Website Upgradation project of Bendix Tours and Travels
Description of the context and the case
In this case, the project comprised of upgrading the website of a business “Bendix
Tours and Travels” which is a startup business located in Sydney, Australia. The increase in
their services has increased the growth in their customer base. The business mainly operates
their business operations with the help of paper based work and fragmented computer
systems. The present business website contains only basic information about the organization
so they decided to upgrade the website for fulfilling their demands and requirements. The
project comprised of seven team members alongside a project manager leading the execution
of this project. In this case, it was found that the project manager demonstrated a good project
management behavior.
Critical reflection on the case
In this particular case, the Project manager was well efficient and demonstrated
effective leadership to accomplish the project according to the goals and objectives. I
observed that in this project, the Project manager was very active and motivated the team
members at every point so that they could perform their assigned roles and responsibilities
efficiently. I also observed that the project manager calm, quiet and polite but demonstrated
the qualities of a dynamic leader. The project manager provided extended support to the team

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members as and when required so that they do not feel demotivated thus affecting progress of
the project. The project manager also maintained constant communication with the team
members so their views and opinions could be considered while making decisions in the
project. The project manager provided the team members with suitable direction and control
over the project so that they could accomplish their goals effectively. Further, I also found
that the team members respected their leader and always consulted when they felt stuck
during their work. I have found that the team members were comfortable working with the
project manager throughout the entire project. The project manager also introduced some
rewards and recognition program for the team members which motivated them to complete
the project effectively within the estimated time. Apart from that, I also observed that the
project manager encouraged innovative techniques proposed by the team members so that the
project could be completed successfully maintaining the desired quality. It means that the
project manager reflected the good qualities of a leader in project management by listening to
the views and opinions of the team members.
Lessons learnt for project management practice
The major lesson learnt from this project is that the Project Manager should be able to
demonstrate effective leadership qualities to ensure success of a project. The project manager
should motivate their team members efficiently to ensure successful completion of a project
within estimated time and budget alongside maintaining the desired quality. The project
manager has a vital role to play in success of a project through proper collaboration among
the team members. The project manager should have the ability to maintain project progress
according to the developed schedule and resolution of issues within the team members. The
team members should have active participation in a project to complete it successfully.

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Case 3: Mobile Application Development project of Sunshine Corporation
Description of the context and the case
This project reflects the development of a mobile application by “Sunshine
Corporation”, a medium sized business located in Victoria, Australia. The project was aimed
at development of a mobile application for another organization so that they could easily
carry out their business processes. This project comprised of a six members team led by
project manager who was responsible for the entire execution from beginning to completion.
The team members were responsible for executing their assigned duties so that the project
could be completed successfully. In this case, it has been observed that one of the team
members displayed poor project management behavior. The team member was not at all
cooperative due to which there was occurrence of conflicts among the team members. It
eventually led to delay in the project and the cost for the project was also increased however
the quality was not compromised.
Critical reflection on the case
In this particular case, one of the team member was very arrogant and not at all
cooperative that resulted into conflict between the team members. However, it did not have
any impact on the project but the major issue that led to delay in the project was
communication gap. The team member did not have proper communication skills so he was
unable to communication effectively with the other team members that led to delay in
execution of certain activities within the project. The project manager and the other team
members took a step forward apart from their own responsibilities to convince and motivate
the team member. I observed that there was lack of confidence and inferiority complex in the
team member so there was a communication gap despite of the various steps being taken to
improve and encourage the team member. The project management provided full support to
the team member but the lack of communication and arrogant nature resulted into

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disappointment of the other team members. Hence, I found in this case that the team member
demonstrated poor project management behavior as he was unable to collaborate with the
other members and work as a team. The team member was also unable to complete the
assigned activities within the provided time. Apart from that, I also observed that if a
particular team member is not cooperative with the other members and project manager then
it leads to delay or even failure of the project.
Lessons learnt for project management practice
From this particular case, it is learnt that identification of suitable and the efficient
team member is an essential aspect for success of a project. The skills and knowledge of the
team members being allocated for specific activities have to identified and evaluated prior to
initiation of the project. The effective management of team members is also required so that
project could be completed successfully. The conflict resolution is another aspect that have to
be carried out effectively so that there is no negative impact of team members on the project.
The application of suitable issue and conflict resolution strategies will help the project
manager in successful completion of a project.
Conclusion
From the overall discussion in this report, it can be concluded that leadership plays an
important role in effective management of team members in a project. The analysis in this
report is carried out mainly focusing on leadership and project management. The analysis and
reflections illustrate the three type of project management behaviors that is Good, Bad and
Ugly. In the first, it has been observed that there the project management demonstrated Ugly
behavior while the second case illustrates that the project manager demonstrated Good
behavior and in the third case, it was found that a team member demonstrated Bad project
management behavior. The lessons learnt in this report reflects that proper implementation of

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project management principle help in successful completion of the project. Further, it has
been identified that conflict resolution strategies help in effective management of team
members such that the desired goals and objectives of the project could be achieved
successfully. The implementation of proper communication measures and procedures help to
maintain constant communication with the team members as well as stakeholders. The
project manager should motivate their team members efficiently to ensure successful
completion of a project within estimated time and budget alongside maintaining the desired
quality. The project manager has a vital role to play in success of a project through proper
collaboration among the team members. Apart from that, the team members should have
active participation in a project to complete it successfully.

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