Bill Fence and Quantum Bank Website - Case Study Example

Rеflесtivе Rероrt Student’s Name Course Professor Date Introduction Project Manager is mandated with the role of ensuring a successful execution of the project from its kickoff to completion. Numerous factors affect the process and PMs should effectively adjust the process for particular situation. Internal project is one of such situations that need to consider a number of issues. I had the opportunity to do just that when Orbit did a redesign/rebuild of our own website. Here are the five things I learned about managing an internal project. Internal project require the PM the handle the team like co-worker by explaining everything in a detailed manner. Never assume they know all. It is highly possible to miss deadlines but PM should try to minimize slips, try new things, engaging the clients fully and ensure that they access the project tools. Negotiation is paramount before, during and after the delivery of the tools. The role of project manager in internal projects and in negotiation is addressed in the following scenario evaluations. Bill Fence and Quantum Bank Website Key issues Bill Fence case compares with typical projects and demonstrates key features pertinent with a project including: The product delivered at the end of the project should address necessary capacity such as functional requirement or performance, expandability, maintainability, reliability and flexibility. Bill strongly ensured that the website met all the above quality measurements. Clear Communication is a major feature of a well run project. Quantum project had it all the way. Bill as project manager was aware of the bank’s needs and worked alongside bank’s directors who suggested what the website would have. It incorporated everyone’s point of view. Bill was under pressure to keep directors up to date. Project developed by internal project manager can have good Change Control. The project accommodated much suggestion in its implementation stage. Having an internal PM, the bank was able to embrace scope creep. A strong team ensures that significant other understands the project, get skills to contribute in maintaining the end product. Bill is working closely with other technicians, has trained them about the current use and management of the website. Valuable lessons There are six valuable lesson manifests in this Quantum project including: Ensure that a project addresses the basic/necessary or a favorite aspect of an organization. Simply, ensure that a project has a valid business case. Ensure sufficient attention to quality from the outset, during development and when delivering the products. Sufficiently define the required outcomes to avoid confusion over what is expected to achieve Set a strategy for continuous communication with stakeholders, interested parties, to deliver products in line with what customer wanted Adequately define and have people who accept project management roles and responsibilities, for direction and good decision making Application to work, studies, future aspect of life There are important aspects from Quantum project that I will apply in future such as: Where possible, I ought to embrace variations to project methodology so as not to encroach on quality. Users may expect the end product, particularly project involving technology to deliver a particular feature that was not planned at the beginning, and we can allow more time to integrate it. Project management is highly applicable in group assignment. Last year we were expected to present a topic in class in groups of four. I have realized the way planned our work by having a good introductory overview, clearly stated the methods to work on assignment solutions, evaluated each member’s work to ensure completeness of argument, logical arranged and presented in the class. Factor that can prevent applying what is learnt If the customer do not have a business case or well defined purpose or micro manage project development. If customer runs out of resources and time is a limiting factor. If the product delivers the necessary functionality and the customer is satisfied. Similar lesson came across in other cases Some years back, Mechatronic Group was developing wireless cabinets in a prestigious hotel where customers would assume self-service at night in their rooms. The director of rooms was minimally involved leaving the supplier to develop the product alone. By the time the product was being compiled, some bottles did not fit the existing mini-bar units. Connections with subjects or experiences I learnt from Telco that IT department maintains a strong relationship with the rest of the departments in the business and accommodate their views and needs in the execution of project strategy. Material changed my ideas about project management Certainly, my prior understanding of project management was to assume authority and direct others on project activities. However, I have noted that as a project manager, I should not seek to take over but ensure shared leadership at the beginning. Under such a structure different teams should be accountable for tasks, resolving issues and work on deliverables during project’s life cycle while me as PM should be accountable for entire project and help when necessary.  Gaps in personal learning need more attention in future I am more of a transactional leader than a transformational one. However, both types of leadership are desirable in project management. I will seek to develop and apply transformational skills like motivation, negotiation and teamwork. Role o Dr. Jones and The ‘Ugli Orange’ Case Key issues Negotiation is all about focusing on interests but not positions Before embarking on negotiation, the firm should invent options for mutual gain Use the best alternative in negotiation or work toward a win/win scenario The ethical and legal responsibility to reduce potential negative effects from outsiders; despite the legal tussle between the two pharmaceutical companies, they still embark on negotiations to deal with suppliers. Valuable lessons Negotiators should attempt to look beyond their negotiating table by thinking about the issues or people that might be affected by an agreement reached other than the parties involved. In this case, Dr. Jones and his company concerns of deaths make them attempt to offer the highest price possible or Ugli fruits. Set a wide berth and avoid deal terms that can make the agreement result in net loss for the potential marketplace. Dr. Jones firm has set the far he can bid for Ugli; as high as £250,000. Use competent people with the relevant skills and standards in negotiation. Never assume that counterparts firm does not grasp the approach likely to apply to reach the agreement. Consult with significant personalities and use them throughout the negotiation process. A competent person will scrutinize the predictions, note how an agreement might unfold and recognize where you are overly optimistic. What is applicable in future? Negotiation is unavoidable in my life and I perceive the skills of negotiation very important. For instance, I am leasing a space for business, I should predict the interest of the land owner, the best deal that will make my business operate in a profitable manner and look at the demand of my suggested business operation in the place. Factor that can prevent applying what is learnt When the customer accepts the suggested deal without bargaining. Connections with subjects or experiences I was once going for an interview and I was caught up by some family matters. I had to negotiate with a cab driver whose charges were high as he did not operate in the route I was headed and still he had to account for fueling the car to and fro. When Australian Broadcasting Authority were developing their recordkeeping technology, they had to negotiate with the suppliers of the software as it was the first time the supplier were developing a software with significant features. Material changed my ideas about project management Dr. Jones scenario and other materials on negotiation have enlightened me on how to handle projects. Sometimes the customer can push me as a supplier to deliver specific quality, at particular time and budget. I should not try to push back by insisting on my interest but try to find a compromise ground. Instead of making statements, asking questions offers a better platform to note important issues like customer expectations. The information gained will ultimately become the back-bone for final agreement. Where necessary, I should ask for advice, like involving a lawyer to criticize my ideas and give me new positions to avoid liabilities. Gaps in personal learning need more attention in future I believe that negotiation differs in regard to the situation; parties involved and established relationship between the parties. I need to learn the objective criteria to use in negotiation in a way that I can navigate through small and big deals in an effective manner. I need to discuss with my tutors, read more cases and involve myself in negotiation scenarios. In conclusion, each project manager should set objectives for every project. Project Manager should aim at communicating with stakeholders about products to be delivered, adequately define and set project management roles and direction. Negotiation is essential to reach the best estimation of costs and duration to avoid incidences where projects take more time and money than expected. From the onset, PM should attempt to plan and co-ordinate resources, ensure better scheduling, sufficient measurable and control over progress, so the project can reveal its exact status on time. Read More