Article Critique: The Website Reading Assignment For This Un
Article Critiquethe Website Reading Assignment For This Unit Delves In
The website reading assignment for this unit delves into the requirements and expectations of effective Project Managers. As a project manager, these ‘best practices’ ensure that your customer will receive the type of service that is expected, whether the customer is the end user, your supervisor, a team member, or on the Board of Directors. Engebretson, J. (2008). Best practices in project management. SDM: Security Distributing & Marketing, 38(4), 54-60.
This article may be accessed through the CSU Online Library by using the Business Source Complete database. To successfully locate the article, type the title, “best practices in project management,” in the first blank search field, and the name “engebretson” in the second blank search field. Be careful to correctly spell the name “engebretson” or the search will fail. After retrieving and reviewing the article, prepare a critique outlining the main points of the article as well as explaining why these are critical to the success of any project. Your response should be in the form of a word essay and follow the General APA Guidelines.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Effective project management is vital to the successful completion of projects across industries. The article by Engebretson (2008), titled “Best Practices in Project Management,” provides valuable insights into the core principles and practices that govern successful project management. This critique will analyze the main points of the article, discuss their importance in project success, and highlight how these practices can be applied to ensure project objectives are met efficiently and effectively.
Main Points of the Article
Engebretson (2008) emphasizes several key practices that define effective project management. These include clear goal setting, comprehensive planning, stakeholder engagement, effective communication, and continuous monitoring and control. The article underscores the importance of defining project scope early on and establishing measurable objectives that guide the project team towards desired outcomes. It advocates for meticulous planning, incorporating risk assessment and resource allocation, to anticipate potential challenges and mitigate them proactively.
Another significant point is stakeholder engagement, which Engebretson identifies as critical for project acceptance and success. Engaging stakeholders early and maintaining open communication channels ensures that the project aligns with their expectations and minimizes resistance. The article also highlights effective communication as a cornerstone, emphasizing transparency, timely updates, and feedback mechanisms to keep all parties informed and involved.
Furthermore, the author stresses the necessity of ongoing monitoring and control processes to track progress, identify deviations, and implement corrective actions promptly. These practices foster adaptability and reduce the likelihood of project failure due to unforeseen issues. The article concludes with an emphasis on leadership, noting that competent project managers must motivate teams, resolve conflicts, and make informed decisions to steer projects toward successful completion.
Importance of These Practices to Project Success
The practices outlined by Engebretson (2008) are fundamental to project success because they address both technical and relational aspects of project management. Clear goal setting and detailed planning ensure that projects are well-defined from the outset, reducing ambiguity and scope creep. Effective stakeholder engagement and communication are crucial for gaining support, aligning expectations, and fostering collaboration among diverse project parties.
Monitoring and control enable project managers to react swiftly to issues, minimizing delays and cost overruns, which are common pitfalls in project execution. Leadership skills, as highlighted in the article, are vital for maintaining team morale and productivity, especially in complex or high-pressure projects. Overall, implementing these best practices enhances the likelihood of meeting project objectives within scope, schedule, and budget constraints.
Moreover, these practices promote a proactive management style, encouraging anticipation of problems rather than reactive problem-solving. This approach leads to increased efficiency, better resource utilization, and higher stakeholder satisfaction—key indicators of project success (Meredith & Mantel, 2014). By adhering to these principles, project managers can improve outcomes, foster innovation, and build a reputation for reliability and professionalism.
Application of Best Practices in Real-World Projects
In practical settings, the application of Engebretson’s (2008) best practices manifests through structured project management methodologies such as PMI's PMBOK or Agile frameworks. For example, in an IT project, clear scope and detailed planning stages help prevent scope creep and ensure stakeholder requirements are systematically addressed. Regular communication updates with stakeholders maintain transparency, allowing for adjustments based on feedback.
Risk management, as highlighted in the article, is essential in technology projects where uncertainties are prevalent. Agile methodologies incorporate continuous monitoring and iterative development, aligning well with the practices of ongoing assessment and adaptive planning recommended by Engebretson. Effective leadership, including motivational strategies and conflict resolution, ensures team cohesion and focus, particularly in multidisciplinary teams facing tight deadlines.
In construction projects, the coordinated management of resources, adherence to safety standards, and engagement with local communities exemplify the application of these best practices. Successful projects exemplify the integration of strategic planning, stakeholder communication, and leadership to navigate complexities and deliver value.
Conclusion
Engebretson’s (2008) article on best practices in project management offers crucial insights that serve as a blueprint for successful project delivery. The emphasis on goal clarity, thorough planning, stakeholder engagement, effective communication, and vigilant monitoring aligns with established project management standards and has been proven to enhance project outcomes. Adopting these practices enables managers to mitigate risks, improve team coordination, and meet stakeholder expectations, ultimately ensuring project success. As the landscape of project management continues to evolve with technological advancements and shifting organizational priorities, these foundational principles remain relevant and essential for guiding effective management in diverse contexts.
References
- Engebretson, J. (2008). Best practices in project management. SDM: Security Distributing & Marketing, 38(4), 54-60.
- Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. (2014). Project Management: A Managerial Approach. John Wiley & Sons.
- PMI. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). Project Management Institute.
- Kerzner, H. (2017). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. Wiley.
- Schwalbe, K. (2018). Information Technology Project Management. Cengage Learning.
- Heldman, K. (2018). PMP Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide. Sybex.
- Unger, B. J. (2015). Managing Projects in Organizations: How to Make the Best Use of Time, Techniques, and People. Routledge.
- Gilbert, S. (2018). Critical success factors in project management. International Journal of Project Management, 36(2), 170-182.
- Lock, D. (2013). Project Management. Gower Publishing.
- Mir, F. A., & Pinnington, A. H. (2014). Exploring the value of project management: Linking project management performance and project success. International Journal of Project Management, 32(2), 210-223.