Project Management Weekly Report: Key Learnings and Insights

This homework assignment presents a comprehensive weekly report on project management, covering key topics such as project success, value-driven project management, excellence in project management, best practices, and project governance. Each week's section includes readings, personal learnings, and experiences, along with references to relevant literature, including chapters from Kerzner's Project Management, the Project Management Professional (PMP) Handbook, and articles from journals like IJPM and PMJ. The report explores project management methodologies, the importance of change management, the skills required for effective project managers, and best practices for achieving project goals. The assignment also delves into organizational structures, project life cycles, and the significance of project planning, control, and monitoring. Furthermore, it examines the roles of project sponsors and the impact of project management on project success, providing valuable insights for students studying project management principles.

Week 1
Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
Project
Management &
History
Project Management is defined as a
discipline that includes different
knowledge areas and guidelines that
allow the managers and leaders to
effectively manage the projects so
that the project goals and objectives
can be achieved.
The activities such as, management
of the household chores, execution
of the professional activities at work
and social events and functions come
under the category of projects.
Egelstaff, R. (2013).
Preparing and
Writing Academic
Assignments -
Richard Egelstaff.
[online] YouTube.
Available at:
https://www.youtub
e.com/watch?
v=I5UYb3d094M
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
Kerzner
Chapter 1
Project success is confirmed when
the project team achieves the
project goals that are set and
estimated in the initiation phase.
Also, the accomplishment of the
goals within the ethical boundaries
and as per the quality standards
assure the project success.
The development of the application
as Facebook by Mark Zuckerberg is
an example of a successful project
which is being used by millions of
people all across the globe. The
project is termed as successful as it
has been accepted by hundreds and
millions of users all across the globe.
Kerzner, H. (2013).
Project
Management: A
Systems Approach to
Planning, Scheduling,
and Controlling.
[online] Available at:
https://leseprobe.bu
ch.de/images-adb/01
/a0/01a0f1b5-054e-
46ba-a3d3-
4d33b63eb326.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
Egelstaff
(2013)
Academic
assignments:
Critical
thinking and
writing
critically
Project success is not the same as
project management. However, the
adequate use and implementation
of project management can assure
project success.
Journals &
Standards
 IJPM The selection of inadequate and
inappropriate skills, emergence of
too many project risks and conflicts
along with the communication gaps
are some of the problems of project
management.
 PMJ
 SAI The resources that have a correct

Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
Global combination of managerial,
negotiation, technical and
communication skills can be good
project managers. Functional
managers have the capability to be
good project managers.
Project Managers shall be assisted
by various resources from the
project team. There are resources,
such as, Project Leader, Business
Analyst and Senior Advisors that
shall be accountable for different
managerial activities.
Week 2
Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
Value Driven
Project
Management
Project Management has allowed
the projects and activities all around
the world to be successful and
streamlined with adherence to the
ethical and quality standards.
Methodical approach is followed in
personal life as well in the execution
of the household chores and their
management.
The method has similarities to
project management as well.
Kerzner, H. (2013).
Project
Management: A
Systems Approach to
Planning, Scheduling,
and Controlling.
[online] Available at:
https://leseprobe.bu
ch.de/images-adb/01
/a0/01a0f1b5-054e-
46ba-a3d3-
4d33b63eb326.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
Kerzner
Chapter 2 & 21
Project management has many
benefits in terms of the
minimization of the project risks,
increased probability of project
success, optimization of resources
and higher satisfaction of the
customers.
Change is also a part of daily life as
the need for change in the daily
routine and activities is felt after a
certain period of time. This change is
often handled by getting involved in
refreshing and recreational activities
such as taking up a hobby or going
for a vacation.
Pmi (2017). Project
Management
Professional (PMP)
Handbook. [online]
Available at:
https://www.pmi.org
/-/media/pmi/docum
ents/public/pdf/certi
fications/project-
management-
professional-
handbook.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].

Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
Walker D., Dart
C. J. (2011)
Frontinus--A
Project
Manager From
the Roman
Empire Era
Change management is one of the
knowledge areas under project
management. Change is an integral
part of project management as
there may be changes in
requirements, estimations and
other project factors.
One of the projects in the current
organization failed which was related
to a development of a mobile
application. It was because of
incorrect estimations.
Walker, D. and Dart,
C. (2011). Frontinus-
A project manager
from the Roman
Empire era. [online]
Available at:
http://onlinelibrary.w
iley.com/doi/10.1002
/pmj.20253/abstract
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
Journals &
Standards
 IJPM A project is a set of methods and
activities that are carried out to
achieve a particular goal. A program
is a collection or a group of projects.
All of these form a system.
Project management methodology is
a set of guidelines that are followed
for the management of the projects.
The resources involved, technical
components used, set of methods
and the environment in which it is
implemented form an important part
of the management methodology.
 PMJ
 SAI
Global
Project life cycle is the set of steps
that are carried out to execute a set
of activities and to achieve a set of
goals. Agile methods and waterfall
model describe the life cycle of the
development projects.
Working towards achieving good
grades is an example of continuous
improvement in daily life. The failure
in this area led to the adaptation of
continuous improvement and efforts.
Management methodologies are
necessary for efficient project
management to provide a right
direction and continuous
improvement is a part of the same.
Week 3
Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
Excellence in
Project
Management
The organization employ the best
staff and the adequate Project
Manager by analysing the skill set
and the experience level. The
correct mix of technical, managerial
and communication skills are
searched. It is then followed by
screening and interview processes.
Project Managers of today focus
upon the value of team work and
team ethics in their professional
commitments. Such skills and
methods were not followed in the
past. The managers of the past were
extremely directive and authoritative
in nature.
Bredillet, C. (2010).
Blowing hot and cold
on project
management.
[online] Available at:
http://onlinelibrary.w
iley.com/doi/10.1002
/pmj.20179/abstract
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].

Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
Kerzner
Chapter 4 & 8
The Project Manager must have
skills as managerial and leadership
skills, communication and
negotiation skills along with
technical abilities.
The methodology and techniques
that are personally used are also
different today as compared to the
ones followed ten years back. There
is an increased reliance on the
technical tools in the present times.
Kerzner, H. (2013).
Project
Management: A
Systems Approach to
Planning, Scheduling,
and Controlling.
[online] Available at:
https://leseprobe.bu
ch.de/images-adb/01
/a0/01a0f1b5-054e-
46ba-a3d3-
4d33b63eb326.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
Bredillet C. N.
(2010) Blowing
Hot and Cold
on Project
Management
In case of the selection of a wrong
project manager, the organization
may suffer from occurrences of
increased project risks and conflicts
leading to project failures. There is
also lesser motivation among the
team members that are engaged
with the projects and with the
organizations.
The efficiency is improved by
following the best practices and
standards along with the continuous
improvement in all the tasks.
Pmi (2017). Project
Management
Professional (PMP)
Handbook. [online]
Available at:
https://www.pmi.org
/-/media/pmi/docum
ents/public/pdf/certi
fications/project-
management-
professional-
handbook.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
Journals &
Standards
 IJPM
 PMJ
 SAI
Global
Week 4
Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
Best Practices
in Project
Management
One can become successful in any
of the activities and tasks that are
executed by sticking to the best
practices and implementing
There are a number of best practices
that are followed in the daily life.
One of the best examples of the
same is to follow the ethics and
Besner, C. and
Hobbs, B. (2012). An
Empirical
Identification of

Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
adequate control and management
in the same. The same is valid and
true for the projects as well.
social norms. Project Management
Toolsets and a
Comparison Among
Project Types.
[online] Available at:
http://onlinelibrary.w
iley.com/doi/10.1002
/pmj.21292/abstract
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
Kerzner
Chapter 9 &
11.34
Prediction of the success can be
done on the basis of the results on
the review processes, project plans,
adherence level to the best
practices and project estimations.
There are a number of planning
activities that are carried out in the
projects along with various forecasts
as well. Some of these planning tasks
and outcomes include work
definition, project schedule, project
milestones, assignment of resources,
change in project schedule and
allocation. All the other tasks come
under the domain of forecasting.
Kerzner, H. (2013).
Project
Management: A
Systems Approach to
Planning, Scheduling,
and Controlling.
[online] Available at:
https://leseprobe.bu
ch.de/images-adb/01
/a0/01a0f1b5-054e-
46ba-a3d3-
4d33b63eb326.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
PMI
Implementing
Organizational
PM Preface &
Chapter 1
Project Management can deliver
successful projects by stating the
adequate knowledge areas and
guidelines suitable for the project
tasks and activities. There are best
practices and management
methodologies developed and
stated to achieve the same.
Pmi (2017). Project
Management
Professional (PMP)
Handbook. [online]
Available at:
https://www.pmi.org
/-/media/pmi/docum
ents/public/pdf/certi
fications/project-
management-
professional-
handbook.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
Journals &
Standards
 IJPM Project effectiveness can be
understood by estimating the
project cost, quality, scope and
schedule and determining the
adherence to the same during the
project execution.
 PMJ

Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
 SAI
Global
It is necessary to set up the
expectations only up to the level of
achievement of the same.
Controlling of these expectations is
therefore required.
Week 5
Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
Project
Governance
Projects can be classified in different
categories and types. These may
include the classification on the
basis of project size or project
domain. For instance, projects can
be classified as small, medium and
large projects. They may also be
classified as manufacturing projects,
construction projects,
developmental projects, commercial
projects and technical projects.
It is necessary that the resources
follow and carry out therapy
sessions. This shall be done bi-
monthly or monthly on the basis of
the work commitments. It may also
vary upon the organization type and
size.
Kerzner, H. (2013).
Project
Management: A
Systems Approach to
Planning, Scheduling,
and Controlling.
[online] Available at:
https://leseprobe.bu
ch.de/images-adb/01
/a0/01a0f1b5-054e-
46ba-a3d3-
4d33b63eb326.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
Kerzner
Chapter 1.14-
1.16, & 3
Project Manager is relatively senior
in the organization and comes
under the category of middle level
management. Functional Managers
can also prove to be good project
managers. The Managers shall be
assisted by various resources from
the project team. There are
resources, such as, Project Leader,
Business Analyst and Senior
Advisors that shall be accountable
for different managerial activities.
The purpose of project
management is not to transfer the
responsibilities or power to line
managers.
The number of bosses for an
employee may vary and depend
upon the level of the resource and
the type of the organization.
Normally, there is an immediate
manager and a Project Manager
involved.
Pmi (2017). Project
Management
Professional (PMP)
Handbook. [online]
Available at:
https://www.pmi.org
/-/media/pmi/docum
ents/public/pdf/certi
fications/project-
management-
professional-
handbook.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
PMI
Implementing
Organizational
PM Chapter 2
There may be difference of career
path in project driven and non-
project driven organizations on the
basis of the organizational structure.
The fastest out of all is in the area of
project management.

Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
Journals &
Standards
 IJPM There are different types of
organizational structures, such as,
functional, divisional, matrix,
bureaucratic structures. The
simplest and easiest to understand
out of all is the functional structure
and complexity is more in case of
matrix and bureaucratic structures.
 PMJ
 SAI
Global
Week 6
Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
Project
Management &
Project Success
Success is like a three-legged stool
and it is due to the reason that
success in any area depends upon
methods, mindset and mastery. The
success can be determined by
analysing and including all of these
three elements.
Project Sponsor often believe that it
is their right to take any action on
the in-house representatives.
However, termination or removal
shall be allowed only in case of
ethical or legal misconduct.
Kerzner, H. (2013).
Project
Management: A
Systems Approach to
Planning, Scheduling,
and Controlling.
[online] Available at:
https://leseprobe.bu
ch.de/images-adb/01
/a0/01a0f1b5-054e-
46ba-a3d3-
4d33b63eb326.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
Kerzner
Chapter
1.8-1.10, & 10
& 11.25
Project Manager must include the
project aims and objectives, project
goals and project team members,
project scope and schedule along
with budget, risks and
communication plan in the project
plan document.
Project Management may turn into
over management when there is
excessive control and authority
implied. Project Manager must have
the responsibility for project
planning, project control and
monitoring and project closure.
Pmi (2017). Project
Management
Professional (PMP)
Handbook. [online]
Available at:
https://www.pmi.org
/-/media/pmi/docum
ents/public/pdf/certi
fications/project-
management-
professional-
handbook.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].

Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
PMI
Implementing
Organizational
PM Chapter 3;
In case of the external projects,
there is a different methodology
that is followed in such projects.
The Project Managers follow a
different approach to gain
maximum profits because of this
reason.
Journals &
Standards
 IJPM Age shall not be a bar for the
selection and deployment of project
managers. However, the skills and
experience must be kept as a top
priority.
 PMJ
 SAI
Global
Project Manager must report the
inefficiencies to the senior
management and must take control
steps for the project resources and
line managers to take appropriate
actions for mitigation and
prevention.
Project Managers shall be provided
with the ability to bring forward
their suggestions in terms of
changes in company procedures.
However, the authority to
implement these changes must not
be given.
Week 7
Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
Project
Management &
Estimations
Program and project scheduling
shall be preceded by excessive
planning and analysis of the project
requirements and schedule along
with the development of the work
breakdown structure to understand
the nature of activities that are
involved.
In personal life, the planning for
projects include the analysis of
various factors such as personal,
family and social norms is done
followed by determination of effort
and schedule that would be involved
with the project.
Kerzner, H. (2013).
Project
Management: A
Systems Approach to
Planning, Scheduling,
and Controlling.
[online] Available at:
https://leseprobe.bu
ch.de/images-adb/01
/a0/01a0f1b5-054e-
46ba-a3d3-
4d33b63eb326.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].

Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
Kerzner
Chapter 11.0-
11.8
The complexity and the number of
project schedules depend upon the
project size, project scope and
requirements, project resources and
the nature of the project client.
In personal life, there are several
functional managers that play a
significant role in different phases of
life, such as, parents, friends and
colleagues.
Pmi (2017). Project
Management
Professional (PMP)
Handbook. [online]
Available at:
https://www.pmi.org
/-/media/pmi/docum
ents/public/pdf/certi
fications/project-
management-
professional-
handbook.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
Implementing
Organizational
PM Chapter 4;
Work Breakdown Structure makes it
easier to determine the project
schedule along with the allocation
of the resources. This is because of
the level of decomposition that is
involved.
There shall be a round of feedback
and comments that must be
conducted to make sure that the
external stakeholders such as
customers and contractors clearly
understand the details that are
described in the statement of work
and other project documents.
Journals &
Standards
 IJPM Functional Manager provides the
details on the nature of the project
activities along with the
requirements that need to be
fulfilled for the design of the WBS.
The stakeholders are required to be
informed about the project status
and progress at regular intervals. It is
done by circulating weekly status
reports and making use of social
media platforms and techniques for
effective communication and
sharing.
 PMJ
 SAI
Global
There can be various conflicts that
may come up in the form of
disagreements, difference of
opinions and disputes. These shall
be handled by proper
communication measures along
with the involvement of Project
Manager for the resolution of the
same.
Work Breakdown Structure shall be
developed by making use of project
information and factors, such as,
project scope and requirements
along with project goals and
objectives. The type of WBS shall be
based upon the nature of project
activities.

Week 8
Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
Project
Management &
Project
Specifications
Project specifications are developed
on the basis of the results of the
requirements elicitation and
requirements gathering techniques
that are used.
There have been cases in the
workplace wherein the activities and
presentations executed and created
by me were transferred by the name
of a senior resource. Such
occurrences were handled by
following an adequate chain of
reporting to avoid the politics that
was involved.
Kerzner, H. (2013).
Project
Management: A
Systems Approach to
Planning, Scheduling,
and Controlling.
[online] Available at:
https://leseprobe.bu
ch.de/images-adb/01
/a0/01a0f1b5-054e-
46ba-a3d3-
4d33b63eb326.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
Kerzner
Chapter
11.9-11.14,
11.22-11.29
Work Breakdown Structure is
developed by making use of project
information and factors, such as,
project scope and requirements
along with project goals and
objectives. The type of WBS shall be
based upon the nature of project
activities.
Project charter is also one of the
project deliverables that is created in
the project initiation phase and it
includes the project brief and
highlights along with the results
obtained after the conduction of the
feasibility analysis.
Pmi (2017). Project
Management
Professional (PMP)
Handbook. [online]
Available at:
https://www.pmi.org
/-/media/pmi/docum
ents/public/pdf/certi
fications/project-
management-
professional-
handbook.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
PMI
Implementing
Organizational
PM Chapter 5
There may be issues in classification
of the project phases and project
activities in the decomposition of
the work breakdown structure.
There may also be problems with
the placement of the activities in
different levels.
The tracking of the projects on the
basis of the project plan is done to
make sure that the progress is being
made accordingly. Statement of
Work is also an account of the
activities that need to be carried out
during the project. Configuration
Management is the process in which
different versions of the project are
managed.
Journals &
Standards
 IJPM Senior manager and top level
managers are responsible for
effective monitoring and control of
the projects. Executives perform the
role of information analysts and
collectors for effective project
planning. Both of these resources
Project management body can
enhance project planning by making
sure that the project control and
monitoring phases are being carried
out effectively.

Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
are important for the projects.
 PMJ
 SAI
Global
Project Plan is a document which is
an extremely important deliverable
for the project that is created during
the project planning phase. This
document comprises of the details
of the project approach and
methodology along with the project
scope and other estimations and
details on the project resources.
Project Manager shall develop
different plans, such as, project
plan, communication plan, scope
management plan, and resource
tracking plan and closure report for
the project.
Week 9
Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
Project
Management &
Continuous
Improvement
Management methodologies are
necessary for efficient project
management to provide a right
direction and continuous
improvement is a part of the same.
It is method in which the steps are
taking to improve the quality of the
practices and methods that are
executed.
Working towards achieving good
grades is an example of continuous
improvement in daily life. The failure
in this area led to the adaptation of
continuous improvement and efforts.
For the students, there is a
requirement to involve continuous
improvement in all of their academic
studies and processes that are
carried out.
Kerzner, H. (2013).
Project
Management: A
Systems Approach to
Planning, Scheduling,
and Controlling.
[online] Available at:
https://leseprobe.bu
ch.de/images-adb/01
/a0/01a0f1b5-054e-
46ba-a3d3-
4d33b63eb326.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
Kerzner
Chapter 20.0-
20.8, & 21.0-
21.4
Quality is one of the parameters
that are associated with the tasks
and activities that determines the
satisfaction of the end users. There
are efforts that are done by the
organizations to make sure that the
service quality is also improved.
Quality in life and daily routine is
determined by the level of
adherence to the quality practices
and standards along with the
determination of the impact of the
activities on the family, friends and
society which shall be positive.
Pmi (2017). Project
Management
Professional (PMP)
Handbook. [online]
Available at:
https://www.pmi.org
/-/media/pmi/docum
ents/public/pdf/certi
fications/project-
management-
professional-
handbook.pdf

Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
PMI
Implementing
Organizational
PM PM
Appendices X2
& X3
Quality movement began in
medieval Europe when the
craftsmen focussed upon quality as
one of the important characteristics.
It continued till 19th century as it
was followed by the manufacturing
units. This was then replaced by
technical tools and concepts.
There are processes carried out in
terms of the validation and
verification checks to ensure that
quality is maintained.
Journals &
Standards
 IJPM
 PMJ
 SAI
Global
Week 10
Topic and
Reading
Samples
Personal Learnings Learnings from
Experience
References
Project
Management &
Project
Resources
It is necessary to carry out resource
analysis processes to make sure that
the number of resources that are
allocated to the project activities
are adequate. Also, it is required to
make sure that there is no
overlapping of resources involved in
any of the project tasks and
activities.
Changes in the project happen due
to the changes in the project scope,
project related technologies,
expectations of the customers along
with change in trends and patterns
that are involved.
Kerzner, H. (2013).
Project
Management: A
Systems Approach to
Planning, Scheduling,
and Controlling.
[online] Available at:
https://leseprobe.bu
ch.de/images-adb/01
/a0/01a0f1b5-054e-
46ba-a3d3-
4d33b63eb326.pdf
[Accessed 12 Oct.
2017].
Kerzner
Chapter 21.5-
21.8, & 22;
The determination of the skills and
knowledge of the project resources
shall be done on the basis of their
skill sets, past experience along with
the logical abilities to handle project
risks and conflicts.
Change is also a part of daily life as
the need for change in the daily
routine and activities is felt after a
certain period of time. This change is
often handled by getting involved in
refreshing and recreational activities
such as taking up a hobby or going
for a vacation.
Pmi (2017). Project
Management
Professional (PMP)
Handbook. [online]
Available at:
https://www.pmi.org
/-/media/pmi/docum
ents/public/pdf/certi
fications/project-