Reflective Account
Introduction
Every year, there are so many projects that people think of doing and start doing them. However, most of these projects fail to start, or they are abandoned along the way. The reason why some of these projects never kick-off or are completed is that they are not well managed. There is a possibility that the people leading these projects are not aware of the concept of integrated management. There is also the likelihood that the project managers never consider going through the integrated management process.
Before I took the course of Integrated Management Project, I did not see the need to take the time to plan for a project. I was for the idea that things will take their course as the project progresses. What I did not know is that failing to plan for a project is costly. I had initially started some projects, and they failed. I have also witnessed significant projects coming to a halt or completely failing. I have now realized that these projects failed because they well not well managed
Going through the Integrated Management Project Course has been a fruitful journey. I have learned a lot, and I believe that I am now capable of producing a project. I now appreciate the importance of integrated project management for the success of any project. In this reflective paper, I will answer two questions; what have I learned? What could I do to improve and how? By answering these questions, I will reflect on what I have learned during the course. Reflection will help me to remember what I have acquired and to put into practice that knowledge. I believe that I will have the capability of managing the process of producing the project. I will also do the reflections in my development during the MBA. The knowledge I have gained I will use it in the future as a practitioner in my field as a project manager. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
What have I learned?
In my reflection of what I have learned, I will apply the Kolb’s experiential learning theory (ELT). David Kolb developed the experiential method after psychologist Kurt Lewin inspired him. According to this theory, a person’s skills and experience can be commensurably measured. The method comprises a four-stage cycle of learning and has four learning styles. The four stages are; concrete learning, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation (Peterson et al., 2015). A learner must go through the four stages for active learning.
The first stage of concrete learning is where the learner encounters a new experience or a unique experience. This stage is followed by reflective observation where the learner interpreters the encounter or the knowledge on a personal basis. The third stage is abstract conceptualization, where the learner comes up with new ideas or modifies the theoretical concepts that he may have. The last step is the active experimentation stage, where the learner uses new approaches to change his surroundings. Kolb theory has four learning styles depending on how a person perceives and processes information.
The first style is the diverging style. In this style, the learning looks at things differently. They learn like watching more than doing, and his imagination is high. Such a learner prefers to work in groups and is open-minded. The second style is the assimilating style, where the learner prefers to get precise information. Such learners format the info given and come up with analytical models. They are after getting the concepts and abstracts right. The converging style is about the application of what is learned to practical situations. Here the learner prefers the technical tasks and experimenting with new ideas. The learners are involved in active experimentation. In my learning experience, I have gone through the four stages. I have also identified my learning style, which I will utilize in an integrated management project.
Concrete Learning
The first stage is that of concrete learning. When I joined the class, I was introduced to the concept of project integration management. The idea of project management was new to me. I have explained too what project management is and what it is all about. I learned about the elements of project management, like coordinating tasks, resources, and stakeholders. I also learned about the importance of integrated management. I learned that a project manager needs to oversee the schedule, cost, scope, quality, resources, risks, charges, and stakeholders (Vanhoucke et al., 2015).
Another thing that I learned was the processes of project integration management. These processes include the developing of the project charter and developing the project management plan. The methods also involve directing and managing project work and project knowledge. Monitoring and controlling of project work and performing integrated change control are also processes of project management. I did not know that closing the projector the project phase is a process of project integration management.
Moreover, I learned that for a project manager to manage a project successfully, and then he should possess a mixture of soft skills and hard skills. These skills include planning, organization, communication, leadership, relationship management, and critical thinking. Other skills are; data analysis, impact assessment, scheduling, budgeting, change management, and risk management. All that I learned in this course was new to me.
Learning Style
I realized that my learning is a converging style. Converging style of learning is where the learner attempts to apply what he has learned in a practical situation. In my case, I have looked for a real on-going project and used the knowledge I have gained in integrated project management to design a project plan.
Reflective Observation
After learning anything new in class, I applied the second stage of Kolb’s learning theory. This stage is the reflective observation stage, which involves interpreting the encounters on a personal basis. After learning about the components of integration Management, I realized that projects are included. There are several things that a project manager has to oversee. The project manager is in charge of the schedule, cost, quality, resources, and risks, among other things (Vanhoucke et al., 2015). I reflected on the on-going projects that I know and how the project manager is coping with the project. One project that fascinated me was the expansion of the terminals of Salalah and Muscat airports. These two projects are being overseen by Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC). OAM is a government-owned organization that has been given the mandate of running the two airports.
One of the things that stood out was that the project manager has to come up with a schedule of what needs to be done, what time it needs to be done, how it needs to be done, and who needs to do it. This is not an easy task because the project manager needs to get the right people to do the job. Failure to get the right talent will lead to project failure. The project manager is also supposed to know the cost of the project. The price is what he will use to make the budget. The budget needs to be precise and should not be above the price or so much below the value of the project. It is also the responsibility of the project manager to oversee the quality of the project. Integrated management entails assessing the quality of the project and the impact it will have on people and the environment.
Project management also involves the proper use of available resources. The available resources should be fully utilized before thinking of outsourcing for more resources. The project manager should also do a risk assessment before embarking on the project.
Risk assessment helps in overseeing the problems and coming up with ways of mitigating them. Change is inevitable; therefore, the project manager should be ready for any changes that may occur in the process of the project. Changes affect the cost, resources, and budget. The manager should then think of what to do in case of any changes. Catering for changes should be done before the beginning of the project. It is also essential for the project manager to know the stakeholders of a particular project. Stakeholders are an integral part of any project, and therefore they should not be left behind. Stakeholders are the reason why the project exists. Without them, there is no project.
Abstract conceptualization
The abstract conceptualization stage is about coming up with new ideas from what is learned in class. It also involves the modification of conceptual concepts that one may be having. In my case, I had abstract ideas about project management. I did not know that project management is a process that requires planning. I also realized the integrated project management is an on-going process that happens throughout the project (Vanhoucke et al., 2015). Initially, I thought that integrated project management involves coming up with project design and giving it out to others to implement. I will use the knowledge to manage the OMAC project.
Active experimentation stage
From the knowledge I gained, I am capable of developing the project charter and the project management plan for Oman Airports Management Company for the expansion of the Salalah and Muscat airport terminals. I will be able to direct and manage project work and project knowledge. I will monitor and control the project work and perform integrated change control. After the successful completion of the project, I will close the project.
What could I do to improve and how?
Although I have learned a lot about integrated project management, there is still room for improvement. What I can do to improve is getting involved in real-life projects. I will need to do more practice of coming up with plans. It will also be useful for me to read through other people’s projects to see how they have done them. Another way of improving on what I have learned is to do more research on integrated project management. By reading books on project management, I will add to the knowledge that I have.
I should also read peer-reviewed journal articles to see what researchers have found out on integrated project management. Peer-reviewed articles contain detailed information that has been tested. The research is in-depth, and therefore they give a lot of information on what is happening on the ground. It will also be essential for me to participate in a real project so that I can gain hands-on experience. I will look for an internship in a company that manages projects and work under the project manager to see how things are done. If possible, I will request Oman Airports Management Company to give me a chance to work. If given an opportunity, I will test my project management plan against theirs for purposes of learning.
Conclusion
What I have learned in class will help me in the development of my MBA. The knowledge gained will also help me in managing the process of producing projects in real life. I will also use the knowledge gained in the future as a project management practitioner. Having gone through the course, I believe that I am equipped to handle a project from its initial planning stages until completion. I have also learned that the project manager should possess several skills which he uses in his work. I will sit down and analyze the skills I have and those that I don’t have. I will then perfect on the skills I have. I will look for ways of acquiring the skills that o don’t have.
The success of a project depends on how well it was planned. Planning a project is a process that involves a combination of activities such as the development of the project charter, developing the management plan, directing and managing the project work, among others. All these processes are interrelated, and they occur throughout the project’s life cycle. What I have learned in the integrated management course will help me prepare for my future career in project management.
References
Peterson, K., DeCato, L., & Kolb, D. A. (2015). Moving and learning: Expanding style and increasing flexibility. Journal of Experiential Education, 38(3), 228-244.
Vanhoucke, M., Coelho, J., & Batselier, J. (2016). An overview of project data for integrated project management and control. Journal of Modern Project Management, 3(2), 6-21.