University Project Management Reflective Essay on Renovation

This report is a reflective essay on project management, detailing a student's experience with a renovation project of an old beachside cottage. The essay covers the project's initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closing phases, including the development of a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Responsibility Assessment Matrix (RAM), and Gantt charts. The student reflects on the importance of planning, stakeholder involvement, and risk management, linking the experience to project management theories. The report also discusses the challenges faced, such as resource overloads, and the learning gained, including proficiency in creating Gantt charts using Excel and understanding Earned Value Management (EVM). The student highlights the value of teamwork, communication, and the assessment matrix in evaluating the project's effectiveness, drawing on various academic references to support the analysis. The essay concludes with a summary of the key learnings and experiences gained during the project, emphasizing the development of leadership abilities and project management competencies.

Running head: MANAGEMENT
Reflective essay on project management (Assignment 3)
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

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Introduction
Project management is one of the skills, which enhances the leadership abilities and
competencies of the individuals. As a matter of fact, managing a project upgrades the
standards and quality of approaching the allocated duties and responsibilities. Undertaking
projects helps the individuals in gaining new experiences, which broadens the horizons of
their thoughts and knowledge (Geithner & Menzel, 2016, p.230). This is due to the
consideration of radical transformations in the concepts related to project management. In the
present era of competition, project management is of utmost importance for luring the
customers. This essay develops a reflective paper on the renovation project of old beachside
cottage.
Description of the situation
I was a part of renovation project of old beachside cottage, which was estimated to be
completed in a period of 2 weeks. The estimated budget was $20000 approximately. The
Work Breakdown Structure for the project reflected equal distribution of the tasks and dittoes
to the team members (refer to appendix 1). Variety in the responsibilities exposed me to
different aspects, which are crucial for effective handling of the projects. The responsibilities,
which we were assigned, were measured through the means of Responsibility Assessment
Matrix (RAM). Affirming with the arguments of Fleming and Koppelman (2016, p.23), I can
say that this matrix perceives the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders according to
the elements of accountability, group work and knowledge management (refer to Appendix
2).
I felt that planning was vital for systematizing the activities of the renovation project
of old beachside cottage. This was conducted in the form of a Gantt chart, enhancing the
awareness about the time limits, within which the tasks needs to be completed (refer to

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Appendix 3). Nodal representation of scheduled activities reflects the consideration of
advanced technologies for scheduling the activities (refer to Appendix 4).
Resource overloads was one of an integral issue, which contradicted the teamwork,
which is needed for efficient execution of the project related activities. Decision was made
for borrowing the money from the bank. I think this decision is apt for removing the financial
inadequacies (refer to appendix 5). According to me, progress report was necessary for
measurinbg the extent to which the targets have been fulfilled. In this, I can cite the example
of Timelines, for which drafts were sent to the supervisors for guidance and support for future
courses of action.
Linking experience to the theories
I think that the project went through an integrated process of initiating, planning,
executing, monitoring and control followed by closing.
Fig: Steps in project management
(Source: Burtonshaw-Gunn 2017, p.34)
Initiating
Choosing the
topic
Developing aims
and objectives
Planning
Team selection
Resource allocation
Budget
Executing
Performing the tasks
according to the plan
Monitoring and
controlling
Assessement
matrix
Checklists,
templates,
timelines
Closing

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Maintaining the balance in these steps was essential for yielding positive outcomes. I
felt that involving the stakeholders in the planning process seemed beneficial in developing
criteria and indicators for measuring and controlling the performance. This measurement
proved beneficial in terms of mapping the change, which we can bring to the old beachside
cottage through the renovation. Within this, considering the opinions of Chronéer and
Backlund, (2015, p.65), I can also mention about the risk management theory, which
enhanced my awareness about the potential risks, which stalls the productive performance
towards managing the renovation work. Valuation of the risk was crucial for me in terms of
gaining relevant solutions.
Fig: Risk measurement framework for project management
(Source: Galli, 2017, p.56)
Self-engagement
I was a student, involved in the renovation project of old beachside cottage. I exposed
my valuable contribution to the project through assisting in the decision-making process,
Risk portfolio
Decomposing
Valuation
Risk
measurement
Risk
management
strategy

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developing strategies, budget and others. I worked along with my team members, making it a
point to cover all the criteria. In this teamwork, I extended my cooperation to the member,
who faced problems in completing the allocated task. I maintained regular communication
with the supervisors and trainers for clarifying the doubts, which I faced during completing
the assigned tasks. This created a good impression about me in the minds of the trainers. I
evaluated my role in the project, which proved beneficial in detecting the drawbacks, which
could have been avoided.
Learning and experience gained
Through the project, I learned about making Gantt charts, which is a crucial part of
the project. We were taught how to make Gantt charts in excel, which saved a lot of time.
Graphical representation of the schedule was not perfect at the initial stage. However, with
the cooperation from the trainers and supervisors, I learned about making Gantt charts
perfectly in Microsoft Excel. In this, I also learned about Activity on Node method for
making developing schedules for organizing the project related activities. At first, I was
confused about the logical relationships and the sequences, which I was to represent
graphically. Affirming the opinions of Swan and Bailey (2017, p.125), in order to be perfect,
I had to practice a lot. In this, motivation and encouragement from the trainers and
supervisors proved beneficial for me in terms of upgrading the standards and quality of my
performance.
Along with this, my knowledge also enriched about earned value management and
analysis. In case of Earned Value Management (EVM), I came to know that it is an
analytical tool used by the managers to calculate estimates based on the journey mapping. I
have learnt about the views of Coghlan (2017, p.60), which states that accuracy in the results
makes the method a preferred one for estimating the outcomes of the projects. I also learnt
about its reporting, which is assistance in terms of accomplishing the objectives based on the

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developed budget. Considering the arguments of Ramazani and Jergeas (2015), I think this
insight would be helpful for me in displaying more productive performance in the projects,
which I would get in future.
Conclusion
In the process of completing the activities related to the renovation project on old
beachside cottage, I learned about the project management stages, preparing Gantt chart,
development budget. I also enriched my knowledge regarding the issue of resource overload,
which contradicts the sustainability. My experience with excel operations were negative in
the initial stage, however, encouragement from the supervisors and trainers seemed beneficial
in gaining perfection. In terms of working with team members, my experience was positive. I
got enough support from them, which reduced my knowledge gaps. I felt that communication
with the supervisors, trainers and team members proved effective for reducing the instances
of misunderstanding. Assessment matrix was important for assessing the effectiveness of our
role in the project.

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References
Burtonshaw-Gunn, S.A., 2017. Risk and financial management in construction. Routledge.
Chronéer, D. and Backlund, F., 2015. A holistic view on learning in project‐based
organizations. Project Management Journal, 46(3), pp.61-74.
Coghlan, D., 2017. Insight and reflection as key to collaborative engagement. In Academic–
Practitioner Relationships (pp. 57-71). Routledge.
Fleming, Q.W. and Koppelman, J.M., 2016, December. Earned value project management.
Project Management Institute.
Galli, B.J., 2017. Risk management in project environments: Reflection of the standard
process. The Journal of Modern Project Management, 5(2).
Geithner, S. and Menzel, D., 2016. Effectiveness of learning through experience and
reflection in a project management simulation. Simulation & Gaming, 47(2), pp.228-256.
Ramazani, J. and Jergeas, G., 2015. Project managers and the journey from good to great:
The benefits of investment in project management training and education. International
Journal of Project Management, 33(1), pp.41-52.
Swan, E. and Bailey, A., 2017. Thinking with feeling: The emotions of reflection. In
Organizing reflection (pp. 119-139). Routledge.

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Appendices
Appendix 1
# Work Package Duration
(Days)
Start Date Finish Date
1 Charter signed off 1 4/29/2019 4/29/2019
2 Initiation
2.1 Evaluating the old cottage 1 4/30/2019 4/30/2019
2.2. Develop the project charter 1 4/30/2019 4/30/2019
2.3. Submit project charter 1 5/1/2019 5/1/2019
2.4 Project sponsor review the charter 1 5/1/2019 5/1/2019
2.5 Project charter signed/Approved 1 5/2/2019 5/2/2019
3. Estimate budget
3.1. Budget developed 2 5/1/2019 5/3/2019
3.2 Budget sent to contractors 1 5/3/2019 5/3/2019
3.3 Contractor assesses and approves the budget 1 5/3/2019 5/3/2019
4 Renovation arranged
4.1. Onsight meeting with contractors 1 5/4/2019 5/4/2019
4.2 Materials ordered and prepared 1 5/5/2019 5/5/2019
4.3 Project team arranged 2 5/6/2019 5/7/2019
4.4. Work schedule is developed 1 5/7/2019 5/7/2019
5 Renovation execution
5.1. Demolition 2 5/7/2019 5/8/2018
5.2 Make frames 3 5/8/2019 5/10/2019
5.3 Install drywalls 2 5/10/2019 5/11/2019
5.4 Install doors 1 5/11/2019 5/11/2019
5.5 Renovate the cottage electricity 2 5/11/2019 5/12/2019
5.6 Renovate plumbing 3 5/12/2019 5/15/2019
5.7 Install tiles, washing facilities and
washrooms
2 5/15/2019 5/17/2019
5.8 Install hardwood floor 2 5/17/2019 5/18/2019
5.9. Paint the house 1 5/18/2019 5/18/2019
5.1 Clean the house and prepare for use 1 5/19/2019 5/19/2019

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0
6 Project closure
6.1 Document the project 1 5/21/2019 5/21/2019
6.3 Develop project maintenance plan 1 5/21/2019 5/21/2019
Table 1: WBS for the Old beachside cottage renovation project
(Source: Created by the student)

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Appendix 2
WB
S
Old beachside
cottage project
Sponso
r
Project
manage
r
Projec
t team
Lighting
contracto
r
Tiles
contracto
r
Wood
contracto
r
plumbin
g
1 Charter sign off A/R
2 Initiation
2.1 Evaluating the
old cottage
A/R
2.2. Develop the
project charter
A/R C C C C C
2.3. Submit project
charter
A/R
2.4 Project sponsor
review the
charter
A/R C/I I
2.5 Project charter
signed/Approve
d
C/I A/R C/I
3. Estimate
budget
3.1. Budget
developed
C/I A/R I C C C C
3.2 Budget sent to
contractors
C/I A/R I C C C C
3.3 Contractor
assesses and
approves the
budget
C/I A/R I
4 Renovation
arranged
4.1. Onsight meeting
with contractors
A/R C C C C C
4.2 Materials
ordered and
prepared
C/I A/R I C C C C
4.3 Project team
arranged
A/R I
4.4. Work schedule A/R A/R I C C C C

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is developed
5 Renovation
execution
5.1. Demolition C/I A/R I
5.2 Make frames C/I A/R I
5.3 Install drywalls C/I A/R I
5.4 Install doors C/I A/R I
5.5 Renovate the
cottage
electricity
C/I A/R I
5.6 Renovate
plumbing
C/I A/R I
5.7 Install tiles,
washing
facilities and
washrooms
C/I A/R I
5.8 Install hardwood
floor
C/I A/R I
5.9. Paint the house C/I A/R I
5.10 Clean the house
and prepare for
use
C/I A/R I
6 Project closure
6.1 Document the
project
A/R C/I I
6.3 Develop project
maintenance
plan
A R C/I
Table 2: The RACI for the project
(Source: created by the project)

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Appendix 3
Table 3: Gantt chart for the project
(Source: created by the student)