Research Methods for Professional Practice 1: Project Risk Analysis

This report is a comprehensive analysis of research methods applied to engineering projects. It begins with a detailed discussion of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), outlining past experiences, current skills, and future development plans. The report then presents an achievement and learning log, meticulously documenting skill development in areas such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership, with corresponding action plans and self-assessment scores. Furthermore, the report includes a research proposal focusing on the investigation of risks associated with the management of engineering projects, including an introduction to the topic. It also incorporates a risk management log and addresses ethical, legal, and security considerations relevant to the project. The report provides a detailed overview of project management, risk identification, mitigation strategies, and professional development, making it an essential resource for students and professionals in the field.

Research Methods for
Professional Practice
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Table of Contents
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
CPD..............................................................................................................................................3
PART 2............................................................................................................................................7
Achievement and learning log.....................................................................................................7
PART 3..........................................................................................................................................12
Research proposal......................................................................................................................12
Risk management log................................................................................................................19
Ethical, legal and security issues in project...............................................................................20
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................21
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................22
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PART 1
CPD
Past experience
I would say that my past achievements while I was pursuing my computer engineering
was the development of first UNIX website which helped to understand the various aspects of
computer. I made this website when I was working on the project where I was assigned with the
responsibility to develop a site that would be highly impressive and would raise my grades. I
integrated my knowledge as well as my work to design this website where in this website I
incorporated the key components like OS shell, various applications as well as bootloader. My
project was awarded with the best project among all other colleges and I received the medal as
well as certificate for best work. Besides this, in the year 2016 another achievement which
helped to further succeed in my life was developing the security tools. In the inter-college
competition, I developed a small mobile app that could be used in organization for connecting
with the clients. After testing its efficiency, I presented in the competition for which I got the
first prize and was awarded with the CEO of the well-known organization. The college
administration found this mobile app so reliable that my achievement was published in the
magazine and this helped me to start my career with better effectiveness (Cargill, 2019).
Along with this, I participated in wide range of workshops where I gained knowledge on
various aspects. In the year 2014, I attended the workshop on CISCO networking where I learned
how to professionally design the computer networking system. In 2015, I attended another
workshop on Next generation network which was being conducted at national level and in that
workshop I was selected from my college to showcase my talent. I presented a working model of
traditional computer and modern computer and presented the emergence and development of
modern technology in this era. I received a certificate of participation in that workshop along
with the small gift (Vondracek, Lerner and Schulenberg, 2019).
Apart from these, I also attended a seminar that was organized at national level by the
leading organization Apple and mesmerized the audience with the topic Migration to 4G where I
presented a presentation on the shifting focus of people to more advanced network.
Current experience
I have the well-through knowledge of computer and electronic system along with the
knowledge in various aspects like communication skills, teamwork etc. From past few months, I
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have extended my knowledge base to some programming language and now I have the great
experience of various scripting along with the programming language like C, C++, JavaScript
etc. Besides this, I have the experience of working in a team. When I was assigned with the
project of developing and implementing the data structures, I worked in the team and effectively
completed the project.
I am able to coordinate the group of around 8 members and have the well-through skills
of engineering and design. As I have attended various workshops as well as seminars, thus I have
got acquainted with various knowledge and skills of handling the different software as well as
experience. I have a great motivation and self-confidence due to which I am able to speak up in
front of the wide audience with greater efficiency (Miller, 2017). This great level of motivation
have enabled me to perform my work with greater enthusiasm as well a commitment.
Along with this, I have a great experience in managing the database as well as in research
and planning. I am ale to recognize the problems and evaluate the various alternatives which will
be helpful in solving problems. Besides this, I have worked on different cloud-based
technologies like spark, Docker etc. and has a great knowledge of these softwars which are used
in multinational organizations. The most important skill which I have and will help me to
succeed in my future is the flexibility. I am able to change according to the scenario and
condition and is flexible enough to perform my work in every situation. I have the knowledge of
basic operating system as well as various applications and software and have a great command
on the inside network of operating system. Not only does the practical knowledge, but I am very
much aware of theoretical concepts which are being used to handle various projects.
Future plan
Area of
development
Resources Planned
completion date
review date Success criteria
Communication
skills
Communication
improvement
apps,
communication
classes, training,
advice from
mentors
15/12/19 20/12/19 I was able to
communicate
with my group
members as well
as my mentors
effectively
(Walker‐
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Donnelly, Scott
and Cawthon,
2019). I was able
to understand the
main cues which
are being used for
having the proper
communication
between two
persons. Besides
this, It helped me
to complete my
projects and other
wok on time.
Problem solving Brainstorming,
solved various
puzzles as well as
quizzes, yoga,
problem solving
magazines and
books (Huang,
2016).
2/01/2020 15/01/2020 Due to
brainstorming, I
was able to solve
the complex
problems that
relates to the field
of computer
engineering. I
was able to
evaluate various
alternative and
think out of the
box. It helped me
to understand the
numerous method
which can be
used in solving
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small and big
problems.
Leadership Observing the
mentors and other
group leaders,
leadership styles,
internet,
leadership books,
real talk
25/01/2020 02/02/2020 I was able to
influence my
group members
while working on
the project and it
also helped me to
complete the
projects before
time. I was able
to lead and
coordinate
various
workshops that
were held in
college along
with handling the
problems of
different students.
Active listening Communication
classes and
training,
YouTube, self-
assessment, time
planner,
communication
books and
magazines
03/03/2020 10/03/2020 This helped to
concentrate in
what others are
saying and what
are their point of
view regarding
the specific topic.
I helped me a lot
to complete the
engineering
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projects that were
being allotted in
team. Besides
this, it also helped
to increase my
perseverance
which at the end
assisted me to
present the
different topics in
seminars in front
of people.
PART 2
Achievement and learning log
It is necessary to maintain a log book so that it enables in identifying important events for
an individual. Moreover, it enables in analysing what skills can be gained and how its
competence level. so, the log book is as follows :-
Research skills bad Need
improvement
Neutral Good Excellent Overall
score
Action taken
Communication
skills
I need improvement in
way of communicating
with others. Also, I
can improve it by
practicing and using
different forms of
communication.
Creative
writing skills
I am very good in
writing creative. I can
write good English
content. I can improve
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it by using internet and
app available.
Problem
solving
I am very weak in
problem solving. So, I
can enhance this by
making analysing case
studies. Moreover, by
playing business
simulation games I
will be able to learn
how to solve problem
and what solutions are
to be taken. (Becher,
2018)
Time
management
I learned how to
manage time and
complete task in
deadline. In that I
learned that how to
apply time
management theories
and models. So, now I
am highly efficient in
managing my work. I
have also undertaken
projects and completed
it before time.
Negotiation
skills
I am perfect in doing
negotiation between
people. I know the
method of negation
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and its types. It
enabled me to act as
mediator and do
negotiation. So, many
times I have
successfully done
negotiation. Now, my
skills are sharpened.
Leadership
skills
I have successfully
learned leadership
skills. In that I have
learned leadership
styles and how it is
applied. I led a team
and had a positive
experience. Now I
want to become a great
leader in future.
(Guetterman, 2015)
Decision
making
I developed this skill
by getting involved in
activities. I also read
many real life case
studies and books of
entrepreneurs. So,
from that I learned that
how effective decision
are made, what
strategies are
developed, etc. it was
easy for me
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Problem
solving
I want to sharpen my
problem solving skills.
This is because it will
help me in my career
growth and solving
critical problems. In
past I have tried to
solve problem but not
properly. I only gave
suggestions that was
not so proper. So, in
future I want to
improve this skill.
Interpersonal
skills
I possess a strong and
high level of
interpersonal skills. I
have learned that by
doing several projects.
So, I am aware of what
type of interpersonal
skill is applied and
when. Also, my
patience level is high
and I am flexible
enough to work with
everyone in effective
way. (Van Diggele,
Burgess and Mellis,
2019)
Team working This skill is most
necessary to possess. I
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had learned how to
work in a team and
about theories and
models. So, I analysed
them and worked upon
it. in this I learned a
new team development
theory. in that I gained
knowledge about 9
team roles that is
assigned to members.
Motivation My motivational level
is weak. I work in
stressful manner and
due to it my
performance is
affected. Thus, in my
past experience I
learned about intrinsic
and extrinsic
motivation. Now, I
remain motivated
more than before. I
feel enthusiastic to
work.
Listening skills I want to enhance my
listening skills so that I
can listen and then
work properly. due to
it in past I did not
listened properly. now
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I know the importance
of listening skill.
I analysed that the above mentioned, skills are required in career development. As I
maintained past record of my skills, I got to know that what skills and knowledge I have learned
and in which areas I need improvement. Beside this, it gave me insight about many other things
such as my experience, behaviour, etc. on particular situation. So, when a person is able to
identify his or her weakness it becomes easy to improve. The, accordingly plan is developed that
what activities are to be done in future. Moreover, future goals and objectives are set by
reviewing plan. It also gives insight to about how to attain those goals and in what time.
It is necessary for an individual to possess basic skills so that it can be useful in career
development. In addition, learning log enables in providing proof of what things are to be done.
the basic skills are communication, interpersonal, leadership, team working, etc. These all are to
be improve so ensure that each individual is able to work in effective manner. These skills create
a positive impact on behaviour, attitude, etc.
Apart from skills, the learning log also reflect on other thing that is confidence,
motivational level, self management, self organisation, etc. thus, along with skills confidence,
motivation etc. can be improved. So, these all allow a person to evolve and develop in overall
way. The skills can be sharpened and made it strong. Along with it, improvements can be made
in those skills. So, it is easier way of doing it as it requires less time to analyse that in which area
or skill improvement is to be done.
PART 3
Research proposal
Topic – to investigate the risk associated with management of engineering projects
Introduction
Now a days there are various types of risks that occurs in project management. The risk
highly impact in negative way of project goals and objectives. Here, project manager is
responsible for analysing risk and mitigating its impact. However, in projects of engineering the
occurrence of risks is increasing at rapid rate. Moreover, area where risk is occurring is
management (Gray and Malins, 2016). Also, it has become difficult for manager to identify
those risks and overcome its impact. Usually, engineering projects are complex to manage and
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