By the first half of Module 6, I have had the opportunity to reflect on learning the subject. I am pleased to inform you that the subject has enhanced my knowledge and understanding of projects. A project is a temporary endeavor, but it exists in any situation or an environment. For instance, one has to complete the project at any point in time in his career. It is also true in my case as I can remember doing activities termed as a project at my home. A little job of planting can fall into the category of the project, and this subject has helped me to relate to the field effectively (Project Management Institute, 2017). Thus, the most important lesson on the subject was the introduction and detail of projects and their management. It is worthwhile to note that any project should be managed because of the outcomes of project management matters. The subject has plenty of methods and ways to manage projects. I am going to reflect on some of them.
Learning:
I learned about the golden triangle in the subject that consists of three fundamental characteristics. Any project can be a success, or a failure based on this triangle. Scope, cost, and time are three fundamental qualities of the project that must be there in a successful project. Project management is all about keeping things within these three qualities. I learned that time is money, and the project is strictly time-bound. It is different from routine business activities that do not follow the limits of time. Instead, a project is time-bound, and it teaches how to use time effectively and smartly. Then, there is cost and scope, and these attributes are also critical. The project has to be within the limit in terms of finance. Moreover, it should remain within the scope that can be handled.
Another unique learning through the subject has been studied ten knowledge areas in the PMBOK. Here, I want to admit that each part of PMBOK is excellent and full of learning. I have gained considerable knowledge from the book, but these knowledge areas are specifically helpful. For instance, integration management is one of the knowledge areas that want to connect different components of a project. Scope management is about activities to keep things within the jurisdiction that is controllable. Similarly, each knowledge area guides a different learning opportunity (Project Management Institute, 2017).
The module also contained a case study that was on SingularLogic. It gave me the opportunity to reflect and learn project management methods (Ghosh, Forrest, DiNetta, Wolfe, & Lambert, 2012). I learned how different methods in the discipline work to manage a project. Project selection methods ensure the completion of the project perfectly. Moreover, the economic aspect of the project, along with the cost and benefit analysis of a project, has helped understand the project dynamics. The case study allowed me to interpret project management concepts practically.
Along with it, I got the opportunity to use different concepts and strategies in the field. The application of project management is present in any field that is not confined to any specific area of knowledge. Therefore, its importance is above doubts. I am now in the position to get more insights from the field to be able to use the knowledge in my career.
Project Management Practices, Implementation, and Competencies of the Project Team:
The most important part of the module and the subject is teamwork in project management. A project is not an individually run activity. Instead, it is a team-based activity that calls for coordination and collaboration from every member. It is a vital learning lesson from the subject that has helped me learn how to work with others. Project management practices include project charter, communication plan, and change management. These practices are essential for the success of the project. These practices are more critical for the project team because there must be communication and interaction within it. I have noted that the essential criterion for success is communication and the active participation of all project team members. Meetings are a necessary example of communication practices, and a meeting allows interacting with team members. PMBOK practices have also guided in this regard. There is a different need for practice in different stages of a project. The project management life cycle has helped to reflect on different stages of the project. There should be a different communication plan or strategy for each stage in the project management life cycle.
Implementation of project management principles and standards is crucial, and it requires teamwork and a team-based approach for a successful implementation. Implementation of project management principles and practices should be evaluated based on theoretical concepts studied in the subject. I have noted that analyzing and assessing activities based on scope, time, and cost can help the implementation process to be within planning. Moreover, the implementation of the project should also look into the life cycle stages of a project. I want to add here that project implementation should focus on selection methods. The module has helped me to know these selection methods. For instance, benefit measurement methods and constrained optimization methods have helped me understand project management. The BIG Picture and its elements have helped me know the basics of project management when it is time for implementation. Research evidence has also confirmed that these benefits are linked with specific activities of the project management. Implementation of project management is the most important in the success of a project under the project team (Project Management Institute, 2017).
Project management competencies in the team are worth focusing on, making the project a success. These competencies have helped me with project management tools and principles. There are competencies in the project management team that call for managing the task properly. They also develop the process of project management. The module lets students know about these competencies. I have learned that the project management team should develop teamwork and collaboration. They should interact with each other regularly so that they can be integrated into one unit. Among different knowledge areas, there is integration management. Resource management and other knowledge areas, call for implementation so that project can be a success (Müller & Turner, 2010).
Research on project management and PMBOK has also noted these benefits of working in a team. The project team has to follow certain principles and tools in the project management that guarantee success. A project is a time-bound activity that has scarce resources to complete. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the project team to follow these principles and tools to manage projects effectively. I have learned and gained knowledge that has helped me. It has raised the importance of project management and its application in daily life (Cha & Maytorena-Sanchez, 2019).
Critical Analysis of How to Enhance or Improve the Success Rate of the Project:
I have learned and gained knowledge through this subject so I can say something for improvement. I would like to say here that this analysis is not an expert analysis. It is my personal opinion that only serves as a reflection and observation.
Reading and studying the project management subject and its related material has inspired me. I realized that a project is a success if the project management team has a consensus on different issues and activities. A project may be a temporary activity that has a specific end, ultimately, but it has many interrelated activities to complete. Each activity is necessary and can be inevitable for its success. Therefore, I would like to focus on giving priority and importance to every detail of project management tools. Each activity should go through the assessment under these tools. Being a project team member, I want to enhance and improve existing knowledge by integrating it with the subject knowledge. Therefore, it should be more practical knowledge so that students can learn how to manage a project in reality (Project Management Institute, 2017).
I would like to add that the project management team should consider strategies helpful in integration and collaboration. A project team might not be a permanent working team, but it might change after the project. Therefore, it can be challenging to build professional and long-term relationships with members. However, it is the art to integrate for the team that can make it successful. Ten knowledge areas can inform about plenty of information and knowledge about project management. More knowledge and its integration with the project management practices would increase the success rate of projects. Collaboration and efficient use of resources also make a considerable contribution to project management. Communication has its importance because the project team has to coordinate efforts through meeting and collaborating with team members.
The project management subject has proved to be a learning session for me, and I have broadened my views about it. I have explained how the project management subject has enhanced my knowledge. I have also suggested how a project can increase its success rate. Overall, the reflection activity itself has become a learning opportunity or lesson that has let me implement the learning.
References
Cha, J., & Maytorena-Sanchez, E. (2019). Prioritising project management competences across the software project life cycle. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 12(4), 961-978.
Ghosh, S., Forrest, D., DiNetta, T., Wolfe, B., & Lambert, D. C. (2012). Enhance PMBOK by comparing it with P2M, ICB, PRINCE2, APM and Scrum project management standards. PM World Today, 14(1), 1-77.
Müller, R., & Turner, R. (2010). Leadership competency profiles of successful project managers. International Journal of Project Management, 28(5), 437-448.
Project Management Institute. (2017). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) (6 ed.). Newtown Square.
