Final Paper

PMG 320 April 26, 2023

Ashley Miller

Throughout this course, I have enjoyed learning about the role of the project manager and

increasing my proficiency in managing future projects. First and foremost, I think a big aha

moment for me in this class was the realization that project management is a form of leadership.

The success of a project manager relies on the ability to plan, check, and adjust the project along

the way while influencing a team and building its capability. A project manager will excel in

organization, communication, collaboration, long-term strategic planning, and prioritizing. In

addition, a project manager can see a project from the macro lens while alternating between

detailed thinking. A project manager is a problem solver and critical thinker who works well with

little supervision.

Managing projects requires alignment with the organization's values because the project

needs to uphold its principles and mission and never undermine any of its ethical principles. The

early stages of managing a project involve planning and aligning. A good question to ask in the

early stages is, does this project add value? Does it uphold our mission and values as a company?

The first step of a successful project will always be grounded in its organization's objectives. In

addition to alignment, the next good step is to develop a charter, which is a written document that

solidifies the project and some of the early details, as seen in Module 3. In conjunction with the

charter, there is also the work breakdown structure that shows a timeline chart of the project and

the WBS dictionary. A responsibility assignment matrix also identifies the project's stakeholders

and their responsibilities. One should also list the project milestones and deliverables and the
task dependencies your project will rely upon. The charter will be a project outline that includes

the budget, time frame, sponsors, team members, resources, and scope. Project Management

includes risk management and constant monitoring. At a tactical level, a project manager focuses

on planning, execution, and monitoring, including resource allocation scheduling, risk

management, and communication. Operationally, they manage project activities, and task

assignment coordination among team members and ensure the project progresses as planned.

Project scope refers to defined boundaries and objectives that outline the work to be

accomplished and the deliverables to be produced. It encompasses the specific tasks, activities,

features, and functionalities included within the project's boundaries and any exclusions or

limitations. The scope sets clear expectations for what will be delivered and helps define project

requirements, estimate resources, and establish project timelines. On the other hand, scope creep

refers to the uncontrolled expansion or addition of new requirements, estimating resources, and

establishing project timelines. On the other hand, scope creep refers to the uncontrolled

expansion or addition of new requirements, features, or deliverables beyond the originally

defined scope. It often occurs when project stakeholders introduce changes or additions without

assessing their impact on project timelines, resources, and objectives. Scope creep can lead to

project delays, increased costs, and potential compromises in quality if not effectively managed

through change control processes. Time management is a major hurdle in project management,

which is why an effective plan that considers all the details is essential. According to Module 3,

reading “Contingency versus Management Reserve,” it is estimated that only 16% of projects

finish on time and on budget. This is a staggering number that really shows.

Throughout this class, I have enjoyed assessing my ability as a project manager and

learning where my opportunities lie. As a parent, student, and professional, I have participated in
many successful projects. I have also been a part of some projects that were not so successful. I

believe my strengths lie in my passion and creativity. When I care and am engaged with the

project's mission, I can easily dedicate myself to its success. I know one of my other strengths is

influencing others. When I am excited about something, I can easily share my passions with

those around me, create a relationship, and develop a team united in the same goal. While I excel

at relationship building and have strong social skills, one area I want to focus on is

communication. The information I have gained from this course has provided me with insights

and guidance on various project management areas, including project initiation and planning,

scheduling and resource management, risk identification and mitigation communication

strategies, and project closure. The importance of communication in business, leadership, and

project management is one of the most, if not the most important, skills. No matter how strong a

leader one is, one must be able to convey your ideas, adjust your style to match your audience

and articulate. Communication is not easy, but it can be developed like any skill. Throughout this

class, I have undergone six interviews for a promotion in my workplace. The role I am

competing for is highly competitive and is for the role of a senior project manager. There are

many experiences I have had working on projects that I can share for this experience. Still, it

relies on my ability to share a story briefly with the situation, tasks, actions taken, and, most

importantly, the result. Communication is essential for the project manager, as we saw in module

5, Teams and Teamwork. When reviewing the Ducor Chemical scenario, we are asked to analyze

the impact of personality differences and conflict on projects. In this scenario, two team

members with completely different communication styles fail to work together and resolve

conflict, which greatly impacts the project. Had an emphasis has been placed on team building,

effective communication, learning how to adjust your communication style to match your
audience, and finding common ground, this could have had a much better outcome. Positive

working relationships are crucial for team members on a project to be able to work together

effectively and timely. Scheduling check-ins, administering training, and having quick 15-

minute meetings and checks would help effective communication in a team environment.

The great part about taking this course is that it has allowed me to analyze the projects I have led

and familiarize myself with the various parts. An example is a story I shared about renovating a

licensed business at Pepperdine University. There were numerous stakeholders: the Pepperdine

leaders and the licensee business of Bon Appetite. There were company-operated team members

like me from Starbucks, and there were licensed Starbucks baristas. Our charter included a two-

week time frame to completely overhaul this location and hire and train a team of 20 baristas.

This was a very tight time frame, and we had little to no resources and budget. While I

understand project management principles and practices, there is always room for improvement

and ongoing learning. Some areas that may require further exploration and learning include

advanced project scheduling techniques, agile project management methodologies, stakeholder

management strategies, and change management processes.