Discipline Investigation - Essay Example

Discipline Investigation Introduction Discipline investigation is the entire process of analyzing the formal and informal regulations in identified social and professionals groups. Project managers have turned out to be very influential professional in the prosperity of an organization. Project management is also a valuable asset in economic, social, and political spheres of the society (Joelle 6). To understand the significance of project management in an organization, I interviewed Dr Sridar, a senior project manager at Cisco Company. The interview seeks to examine how project managers approach and conceptualize their responsibilities with regard to practice context and how the tutors respond to the prevailing complex project management context. This discipline investigation helped me to understand the role of the project manager in an organization as a well as the requirements of the position. The paper will expand on the interviewee’s background, career path as well as his responsibilities and roles as a project manager in an organization. Interview Summary Background and Career Path The subject of the interview is called Dr Sridar, a senior project manager at Cisco Company. Dr Sridar has also taught at San Jose State University for over twelve years and worked for over six years at the Cisco Company. Initially, before joining the Cisco Company as project manager, Dr Sridar has served in various institutions. Sridar started as an ordinary employee in the company before working hard to attain an administrative position. Dr Sridar later became the assistant project manager in the company before becoming a full project manager. His past experiences gave him the required experience in dealing with issues that affect the project management department. Additionally, attaining leadership position is a complicated process that requires positive recommendations and approval from different stakeholders (Palmer 79). For Sridar to be an effective project manager, he first became a college trainer, then a researcher and an editor before becoming a university tutor, a university lecturer and finally a project manager at the Cisco Company. Initial Interest, Requirements and Skills Needed The 6 years experience in management position has proved to be effective in advancing Dr, Sridar’s experiences and competencies in his management roles. In his management responsibility, Dr. Sridar makes maximum use of past work experiences, skills, and competencies on information technology network management, Information technology project management and Information technology business intelligence. Dr. Sridar was motivated to work as a project manager in the Cisco Company by different conflicting reasons. To begin with, Dr. Sridar had over the years acquired adequate knowledge in business management. The management position in the Cisco Company gave Dr. Sridar an opportunity to do more research and learn more on business operations and management. Dr. Sridar is highly motivated by his desire to acquire more knowledge on information technology invention, and innovation. In his career path, Dr. Sridar’s interest to join Cisco Company as a project manager was motivated by his endless desire to work in a competitive and popular company in the country. However, despite being invited to work in big companies, Dr Sridar had a strong desire to work in the company. The interviewee’s current job was motivated by his personal initiative as well as his past knowledge and experience. Before joining the management position in the Cisco Company, one is expected to have certain essential skills, competencies, and experiences. A project manager in the Cisco Company is expected to have a post graduate degree in business management. The manager should also have the ability to conduct relevant and valuable research relevant in the company’s operations and goals. The Cisco Company’s project manager should have the interest and capability of arguing and thinking in a specialized subject area by reviewing academic materials and attending various conferences and seminars. Other relevant skills include: adequate experience in offering seminars and lectures to undergraduate students, management skills, and good office etiquette as well as the sufficient experience in coming up with effective and realistic projects (Lientz 43). Expectations and Challenges the Informant Experienced Along the Way While venturing into the management profession, Dr. Sridar had various expectations in his life. Initially, Sridar expected to use his knowledge and experience to help the company utilize information technology in the management of their business and in leadership position. Sridar also intended to institute information technology networks in various new locations in the company and in other social and economic places. In the course of his career as a project manager, he has over the years encountered some surprises and challenges. Dr. Sridar has confessed to be encountering various challenges including: frequent conflict with subordinate staffs and senior administrators, work overload, and financial and social challenges when conducting researches. The endless challenges in Dr. Sridar’s career served as the main stepping-stones towards his career development. Roles and Responsibilities Overall Qualifications and Responsibilities and How the Position Fits In the Overall Structure of the Company at Micro and Macro Levels As a senior project manager at Cisco Company, Dr. Sridar has several roles and responsibilities. Some of his main responsibilities include planning, evaluation, monitoring and development of company projects. He is also tasked with the responsibility of working together with other managers in the company to oversee the recruitment of the best candidates to work in Cisco Company. Dr. Sridar together with the Human Resources Department ensure timely advertisement of vacancies that arise, short listing qualified individuals, interviewing them and inducting the successful candidates in their new jobs. Dr. Sridar works with the planning committee to develop a calendar of events for the company for a given period to ensure smooth running of the company. Monitoring and evaluation of the company’s projects is a major part of Dr. Sridar’s responsibilities as he ensures that everything is in order by identifying possible gaps in their operations. He also participates in innovation and development of new products in the company (Mathis123). Dr. Sridar is a vital decision maker whose contribution affects the running of business in Cisco Company. As a researcher, he allocates some of his time to conduct market survey to determine the suitability of his company’s products and services, people’s perception of them and their recognition. He has the responsibility of writing and presenting proposal and reports in his specialized subject areas (Phillips 67). Dr. Sridar also conducts intensive research on emerging areas, coming up with the most appropriate research methods, implementing the identified research methods, identifying new research topics and writing reports on research findings. Sridar also helps the willing partners to boost the performance of the company through cost cutting initiatives to maximize on the profits. Being a Cisco Company administrator, Dr. Sridar has the responsibility of determining teaching requirements, participating in university and Cisco Company committees, and actively managing projects resources. Dr. Sridar’s responsibilities as a manager, university lecturer, an administrator, an examiner and a researcher have played an exceptionally significant role in advancing the Cisco Company’s performance. Dr. Sridar’s roles, responsibilities, and inputs in the industrial sector have helped in effective operation of the company’s overall structures. In his current job description, Dr. Sridar has a role of incorporating additional information in the information technology institutions through relevant researches, offering teaching services, and providing administration skills significant in the management of the business companies and learning institutions. Other Types of Jobs/Positions Related to the Profession Apart from the teaching and management responsibilities, company managers have the responsibility of representing their business companies in various committees and seminars, consultation purposes and searching for lasting solutions to emerging social issues in a society. Challenges of the job are and how the informant deals with them Work overload, conflicts of interest, lack of proper remuneration, inadequate funds and lack of adequate support as well as imitation of information technology products and services are some of the main challenges in a project management position (Mark 1). To counter the challenges, the interviewee conducts intensive consultation with other players in order to search for a solution to the emerging challenges. To address the issues of work overload, the interviewee also engages in other helpful activities such as offering guidance and counseling to students and other professionals. Communication Skills Senior project managers in big companies like Cisco require various communication skills to enhance effective management and running of the company. When addressing stakeholders, chief executive officers and other seminar participants is required to give practical ideas through either public speaking or through using online services. It is within the projects manager capacity to ensure that he/she communicates what is expected of him/her in a concretive but simple manner. Interpersonal communication is also very essential in solving a company’s internal and external challenges. He should be in a position to be composed while dealing with sensitive issues because a slight mistake may hamper the reputation of the company. The Cisco Company’s employees utilize interpersonal communication methods in their daily interaction and consultations. Cisco administrators are also commonly known for employing internal memo to communicate important issues to both senior and junior staff. In most cases, Cisco Company administrators use written communication when addressing employees, stakeholders and the clients (Catherine 4). In his role as a manager and an administrator, Dr. Sridar relies on written form of communication to pass instructions to his subordinates or contact colleagues across departments. According to Sridar, written form of communication is easy to refer in cases of confusion or misunderstanding. Conclusion A research on company managers is largely an informative and entertaining study. In my study, I learnt the importance of focusing on the career that fits my personal desires and long term objectives. The interview has given me an opportunity to understand the complications associated with leadership positions. I as well understood the key roles and the significance of project manager in the prosperity of an organization. Additionally, during my interview, I was in a position to get in touch with the privileges associated with managerial and administrative positions. However, I was surprised after understanding the challenges experienced by company mangers. Despite of the challenges encountered in my research that included limited time and resources, I did not change my perception on the choice of my field. As an undergraduate who is interested in preparing to start his/her career, there are some skills, knowledge, and experiences that are very critical and necessary in career development. Some of the core academic necessities include: effective communication skills, leadership skills, and necessary management knowledge in a specific field as well as adequate professionalism competency. Works cited Armstrong, Catherine. “5 Skills You Need to Become a Lecturer in Higher Education.” American Journal of Communication 23. 34 (2009), 1-5. Web.17. Oct. 2012. Joelle, Fanghanel. “Investigating university lecturers pedagogical constructs in the working context.” The Higher Education Academy, 4. 5 (2007), 1-16. Web. 17. Oct. 2012. Lientz, Rea. Breakthrough Technology Project Management. San Diego: Academic Press. (2001). Web. 7. Oct. 2012. < www.projectsmart.co.uk> Mathis, Lewis. Work Breakdown Structure: Purpose, Process and Pitfalls (2009). Web. 7. Nov. 2012 Palmer, Philips. Change management in practice: Why does change fail? (2009). Web. 7. Nov. 2012. Tarver, Mark. “Why I am Not a Professor or the Decline and fall of the British University Journals of Lambda Associates. 23. 2 (2012), 1-4. Web. 17. Oct. 2012. Phillips, Leign. Project Cost Management. (2009). Web. 7. Nov. 2012. < www.projectsmart.co.uk> Read More