Human Element of Project Management - Essay Example

Many of the organizations have segregated the change process as the summation of small projects and then take project-based management model to accomplish tasks related to these small projects. According to Melbourne (2003), organizations must develop project management approach in accordance with resource capabilities such as financial resources, human capital, technological capability etc. Careful analysis of the research work of previous research scholars shows that change management and project management is interlinked whereas human elements play significant role in ensuring the success of both the model.

Such exhilarating nature of relationship between change management, project management and role of human element has influenced the researcher to dig deep on the topic and understand how these three verticals are interlinked. Focus of this essay has been summarized in the next section. This essay will try to shed some light on role of leadership in driving, managing and directing change process. Initially the study will try to understand various aspects of change process in the backdrop of project management but in the later part of the essay, both of the process will be treated separately.

Understanding the human factor or role of change agents in business change will be the essence of this essay. On the other hand, difficulties regarding management of human factor and resistance of employees towards the change process will be discussed in this paper. The essay will try to probe into issues like, role of leadership in addressing the conflict of interest between project managers and clients while understanding the role of strategic dimension and competencies in successful implementation of change process will also be the focal point of this essay. 1. Change Management in the Backdrop of Project Management According to Partington (1996), project management can be classified as instigator for change program.

Winch et al (2012) have defined project management as the collection of various activities such as planning, controlling, monitoring etc in order to achieve the project objective. Winch et al (2012) have also pointed out that project management can be classified as much needed interventions which are pertinent to change process. However, it is highly arguable topic among research scholars whether project-based management approach facilitates the change management process or not. In such context, the study will try to understand change management in the light of project-based management approach.

Winch et al (2012) have argued that, continuous improvement through project based management and organisational change is inseparable axioms, hence it is very difficult to imagine a project management approach which has not been created in order to change the normal process flow. Parker and Craig (2008) have rightly underpinned that project management is a temporary approach which has pre-defined starting point and measurable outcomes. Teams are formed in accordance with the requirement of the project and these teams get dismantled after the completion of the project.

McElroy (1996) has identified some common characteristics for project management such as coordination of activities, controlling the variance in the outcome of the project, identification of risk, resource planning etc. However, project manageme