Business Driven Technology - Essay Example

Essay, Management Introduction A project refers to a transitory attempt designed to give an exclusive result, service or product with a distinct beginning and end (Jones, 2007, pp 15). It is normally time-constrained and it may also have financial constraints. A project is usually undertaken to achieve specific purposes and objectives. Project management on the other hand involves the application of facts, skills and useful techniques to carry out a project efficiently and effectively. A project manager is a person who is very organized, passionate and goal-focused and understands a project well in order to help in its successful implementation. He controls the entire project process by providing good communication channels, technical expertise, financial guidance and advice in order to implement the project more smoothly. Project implementation refers to the realization of an application or the execution of an idea, plan or policy in order to achieve the desired objectives. The main areas that a project manager has to consider to implement a project in the digital age In this digital age, project implementation helps in realizing the set goals and objectives. This requires the use of up to date information technology knowledge in order to ensure speedy and effective implementation of the project (Clifford, 2005, pp 5). Project implementation will help in putting into accomplishment all the activities of the project as well as achieving the targeted results. In the digital age, a project manager has to consider the following key areas in order to implement a project successfully. Technical considerations It is very essential for any project manager to consider all the technical aspects in the successful implementation of a project. Different projects require different technical requirements in order for them to be successfully implemented. It is important to consider the any technology needed in project implementation because without this technology, project implementation will be hard to accomplish (Fioravanti, 2006, pp 234). In addition, poor technology may result to ineffective project implementation. Technical considerations in project implementation will involve checking and making sure that the right tools and technology needed in the project implementation is available before the implementation process is begun. The great aspect of technical consideration in project implementation can be addressed well through the use of qualified personnel such as engineers and information technology specialists who have the skills to seek optimum solutions to all the issues surrounding the project’s implementation. These technically qualified personnel will provide solutions that go far beyond the customer’s expectations as far as project results are concerned. The technology chosen for the implementation of a given project should also be flexible because there may be need for changes mid-way in the project implementation process. For example, if the manager chooses to use certain machines for the implementation, the techniques used should be flexible just in case the machines break down and there is a need to change them. There should also be enough people with technical know-how of the chosen technical aspects of the project to ensure that if one person leaves during the implementation’s process, the project does not come to a stop. Technical considerations in project also help the project manager to ensure that the chosen technology is accepted in the environment where the project implementation process will take place. This also helps to ensure that techniques approved by either the government or community social responsibility bodies are the ones applied during the project implementation process. It will also save the project manager of unnecessary expenses when ineffective technology is used in the project’s implementation thus making the project implementation costly. Government projects need information technology which is to be more agile, more responsive and more accountable to the citizens,(Kammermeier, 2010,p. 86). The lack of technical consideration in project implementation may cause great trouble to the project manager. This is because, the project manager may be forced to outsource technical experts to help in project implementation and hence it becomes very hard for the project manager to supervise the technical part of the project if he does not have sufficient technical knowledge about the project (Baltzan,et al.2009, pp 50). Maintaining a strong control of the technical aspects of any project implementation process will help to ensure that the objectives of the project are realized successfully. The project manager must also consider the link between the current project and the existing information technology plans in the project’s environment. He should ensure that the people involved in the project’s implementation are well trained and conversant with the new technology in order enhance success and effectiveness. Therefore the project manager has to acquire the most appropriate technical advice and expertise to ensure smooth running of the project. Social considerations Social considerations in project implementation involves considering the people who will be affected by the implementation of the project. The project implementation should put into consideration the rights of the people in the surrounding where the project is implemented. The project manager should factor corporate social responsibility to ensure that the project implementation does not have an adverse effect to the people around. Before any project implementation process is begun, the project manager can call upon social experts to determine the effects the project will cause to the people in the society. Any adverse environmental effect caused by the project’s implementation will eventually affect the society in which the project is being carried out hence it is good to assess both social and environmental factors before starting a project’s implementation (Rothman, 2007, pp 45). Project which are likely to affect the social welfare of the people include those that are have great negative impact to the environment, those that are carried out in sensitive areas or those that are located near sensitive areas. It is therefore necessary for the project manager to highly consult the people in the society where the project will be implemented in order to ensure that they have agreed and will support the project’s implementation. Social considerations in project implementation help project managers to consider the importance of the project to the people in the society. Lack of social considerations can cause delays in project implementation commencement especially if negotiations are required between the people in the society and the project implementers (Davis, 2009, pp 112). Putting the society into consideration before project implementation will help to ensure that people in the society accept the change that will be brought about by the project. Social considerations in project implementation are necessary because some projects such as those dealing with gas or oil can have some effects on human beings, air, water and wildlife and thus should be implemented with caution. Social considerations help to minimize the environmental and social impact of the projects at an early stage. There is a need to adopt a set of environmental necessities for all new projects to prevent diverse effects to the society. These environmental requirements include disposal of waste matter from the project to ensure that waste products are not directed to water or air that is useful for human consumption. Throughout the life cycle of the project, a project manager should frequently asses the social and environmental impact of the project to the society to ensure that errors are corrected in good time (Rothman, 2007, pp 78). For example in a project that results to emission of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, constant checks can help in realizing the impact it will have to the society and therefore measures to burn the gas safely can be adopted in good time. Therefore it is important for any project manager to make social considerations in order to ensure successful implementation of a project. Communication considerations Communication is a very key area in any project implementation process. A good projector manager needs to be an effective communicator. According to Gonalves, 2006, pp78, the project manager must consider and ensure that the flow of information is the implementation process is efficient in order to enhance effectiveness in the project’s implementation. Poor and ineffective communication can result to losses, conflicts and misunderstandings in the project’s implementation process. Before the implementation process kicks off, there should be proper communication of the project plan, objective, leadership and time frame to the stakeholders (Rad, & Levin, 2003, pp 167). Different project managers will employ different communication strategies. Some may use verbal, written or both to communication to the stakeholders of the project. Some tools for communication in project implementation include emails, letters, messages and fax messages among others. The project manager must decide on the most appropriate communication mechanisms which may include holding meetings, giving newsletters, putting notice boards and sending emails. Proper communication will help to ensure that very important people and groups in the project’s implementation are informed of any change during the implementation process (David, 2010, pp 56). For example, a change in the project’s time frame should be communicated earlier to avoid inconveniences. Communication considerations in project implementation help the project manager to ensure appropriate communication which helps to save time and prevent losses. It also helps to ensure that the right language and techniques of communication are applied depending on who the project manager is communicating to (David, & Lewis, 2006, pp 73). Professional terms also need to be well used in order to avoid misunderstanding. The project manager should ensure that communication occurs before, during and after the project to ensure that important matters are communicated to the right people in good time. Moreover, the project manager should make communication considerations to make sure that he briefs his bosses about the project’s progress. Good communication will help to ensure good feedback mechanisms and this can help in selling the change to the relevant people (Lee, 2014, pp 15). During project implementation, it is essential for the project manager to ensure that appropriate channels of communication are used. In addition, the project manager must also use the best methods of communication in order to ensure that information is given to the right people well. Proper communication is essential in project implementation because the project involves diverse groups of people. This requires the project manager to understand the cultural differences of the different people in organization. A project manager should therefore consider the use of right communication in order to enhance the success of the project’s implementation. Agile Concepts of Project Management Agile approach to project management can be best summed up as being a way of incrementally delivering change so as to get the earliest possible benefit, get feedback early on what works as well as a change of direction that may be required appropriately. The central tenet of the agile approach is that the project implementers must be managers and there be a hypothesis that the outcome of the project will be beneficial. As the project progresses, there needs to be a mode of testing the various hypothesis as well as a regular delivery of testable products that provide the basis for ensuring that the projects are on the right track (Ca1lOll, 2002, pp 67). In this connection, a project manager should have an agile approach to project implementation in order to ensure success. References Baltzan, P. et al. 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