The Replies You will be required to write substantive replies to a minimum of 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be a minimum of 200 words and include at least 2 scholarly resources. Acceptable sources include the textbook, the Bible, outside scholarly articles, etc. Substantive replies, in contrast to perfunctory replies, add value to the forum, enhance learning, and contain references to any new concepts or ideas presented. The following suggestions will aid you in successfully composing substantive responses: Compare/contrast the findings of others with your research. Compare how the findings of others relate/add to the concepts learned in the required readings. Share additional knowledge regarding the key topic that relates to the thread. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Review your posts prior to submission in order to ensure that your sources are properly cited.
discussion_reply_1.docx
Unformatted Attachment Preview
According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), the primary artifact used by
the project manager is the project management plan. It incorporates and includes all
subsidiary project plans that is defined in the Project Management Body of Knowledge
(PMBOK) Knowledge Areas: Scope Management Plan, Schedule Management Plan,
Cost Management Plan, Quality Management Plan, Human Resource Management
Plan, Communications Management Plan, Risk Management Plan, Procurement
Management Plan, and Stakeholder Management Plan. Each sub-plan will detail how to
form and maintain the specific artifacts, (PMBOK®, 2017).
•
•
•
Project planning is one of the most important components of Project Management
and is finalized in the second of five-project management process groups. The project
management plan starts with project requirements used to define, prepare, and
coordinate all plan components, then consolidating them into an integrated project plan
(PMBOK®, 2017). The main purpose of this process is to synthesize comprehensive
documents related to the project objectives as noted in the project charter and details
the basis of all project activities and the methods of performing the activities. It is a tool
used by project managers as the baseline for guiding the project’s execution, managing
and controlling the project, leading the project team, and achieving project goals. The
Project Plan has three main components: The Statement of Work (SOW), the Work
Breakdown Schedule (WBS), & the Work Packages.
I have worked in the project management industry for over twenty-five years, and I hold
an MBA with a specialization in project management. I would like to continue in project
leadership development and as an SME. There is a proven value of project
management with the rapid, worldwide growth of project management:
As a subject for education and training,
As a career path, and
As a recognized and strategic organizational competence.
Comparison
There are many commonalities with my personal research on the Project
Planning process and the material covered in this week’s module. According
to Meredith and Shafer (2016), planning the project is considered the single most
important element in the success of the project. The key benefit of project planning is to
delineate the tactics and strategy along with the critical path or course of action for
successful project completion (Allen, McLees, Richardson, & Waterford, 2015).
After formal approval of the Project Charter, the Project Manager and project team is
assigned. The collaborative planning of the project is their first responsibility. A project
kick-off meeting is held to formally recognize the commencement of the project. This
meeting is used as a forum for the project manager to communicate a shared
perspective of the project to ensure a clear understanding of the approved project
charter. The Kick-off meeting involves the Project Manager, Project Sponsor(s) or
Director, Project Team Members, and Project Stakeholders. The project management
plan will include, (PMBOK®, 2017):
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Project Charter and supporting documentation, including the Business Case
The Project Initiation Plan (PIP)
Any working documents or informal documents defining Scope, Time, & Cost (The
Triple Constraints) of the project
Project Plan (Detail) which includes the Project Schedules (baseline and current)
Project Budget
Project Scope changes and requests log
Project status reports
Team member progress reports and timesheets (if applicable)
Issues log and details (open and resolved)
Project acceptance log by deliverable
Products
Risk Plan if separate from the Project Initiation Plan
Audit results if encountered
Correspondence, including any pivotal or decision making
memos, letters, email, etc.
Meeting minutes
Another area that my research aligned with the course material is that the project
plan details the triple constraints (project scope, project time, & project cost) that
competent project managers must execute for successful project completion. The ability
to effectively manage the triple constraint will determine the project outcome (PMBOK®,
2017). The project manager has a greater impact on the possibility and potential for
project success or failure. It supports project managers’ ability to clarify and focus the
project’s development and prospects, as well as provide a benchmark to which actual
performances are measured and reviewed (Jeston, & Nelis, 2008).
Article Summary
The Balfe, Leva, Ciarapica-Alunni, & O’Mahoney (2017) article entitled “Total
project planning: Integration of task analysis, safety analysis, and optimization
techniques” presents an integration of task analysis, safety analysis, and project
optimization methods for applying a holistic approach to complex project planning. The
information found in the article referred to the attributes and limitations of the separate
project planning methods. It also suggests that successful project completions depend
on the collaboration and synergy across departments and individuals, unambiguous
planning of the work, and the availability required resources. The competence and
knowledge required for the planning and mitigating of risks associated with complex
projects may be spread across different parts of the organization (Balfe, et al., 2017).
However, evaluating and utilizing the available knowledge base is vital for de-risking
major projects.
The article detailed a methodology needed to foster information required to fully
plan project activities, assessing efficiency goals, using a participatory approach that
harnesses the existing knowledge and expertise within the organization; and engaging
key stakeholders in the planning to help ensure timely completion of activities. The
findings of the case study indicated the possibility of achieving significant benefits in
terms of the triple constraints through the application of an integrated project planning
methodology.
Biblical Integration
I am led by my faith. My personal faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation for how I
model the way by establishing principles concerning the way projects are planned and
managed. Modeling the way creates the standard of excellence that helps set an
example to be followed, “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully
trained will be like their teacher” (Luke 6:40 NIV). This includes Justice and mercy
through encouragement in team building, effectively communicating spiritual concerns
through prayer and counseling, but deferring any area that is beyond our competence
level. As a Servant Leader, I truly value people, and it is very important to me that I help
develop them by inspiring a shared vision. I will challenge the process, enable them to
act, and encourage the Heart by relating reason to faith and faith to reason. Now faith
is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is
what the ancients were commended for. By faith, we understand that the universe was
formed at God’s command so that what is seen was not made out of what was
visible” (Hebrews 11:1-3 NIV)
The Apostle Paul planned to reach the major cities in biblical days. In a
conversational manner, he communicated his plan to start in Macedonia, moving south
to Corinth, and finally visit Asia Minor as well as the major port city of Ephesus, where
“a great and effective door has opened” to him. The Apostle Paul’s goal was to establish
thriving Christian communities/churches that would spread the gospel to a lost and
dying world. In carrying this message, the Apostle Paul also “To the weak I became
weak, to win the weak” (1 Corinthians 9:22 NIV). Paul’s plan impacted major cities that
in turn influenced those who visited. He focused on the metropolitan areas, knowing that
well-trained (competent and knowledgeable) followers would carry the Word of God to
the smaller towns and villages in the region.
Application
Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI) defines project management as “the
application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to a broad range of activities in
order to meet the requirements of a particular project. “Planning is the key to successful
project completion (PMBOK®, 2017). Developing the project plan is the step when
starting any project. Project planning is often ignored in favor of getting the work done.
However, organizations may fail to realize the value of project planning as it relates to
scope, time, cost, and risk (Browning, 2019).
Organizations that initiate the project planning process can rely on a specific set
of decisions concerning the ways project tasks and activities are completed in an effort
to execute the design for a desired product or service. The project manager will
responsibly lead the project to complete to the satisfaction of all relevant stakeholders.
Therefore, he/she should not only ensure the execution of actions according to the plan
but more importantly, that this plan is reliable and properly represents stakeholders’
requirements (Serrador, 2012).
…
Purchase answer to see full
attachment
