Ashford 6 Week 5 Final Paper The Final Six To Eigh

Ashford 6 Week 5 Final Paperfinal Paperthe Final Six To Eight Pag

The final six to eight page paper must demonstrate understanding of new learning in the field of project management. It is mandatory to have research from the classroom text, as well as five sources from the internet or online library to support your views. It is recommended to use examples from your professional experience where possible, or build from your learning in the discussion boards. (Suggestion: use at least one project of which you have been either a team member or a project manager as an example to describe the topics below): The following topics must be reviewed in order for the paper to be complete: Define project management and explain its importance to the business world.

Explain project life-cycle management and the benefits of project management to an organization. Explain the concepts of planning in the project life-cycle and how research and critical thinking is mandatory in planning. Explain project organizations and the importance of leadership and sponsorship. Explain project team building, including techniques of successful team building. Explain how to create a work breakdown structure and how a project manager breaks down the overall project into packages.

Explain the need for project management software in large integrated programs and the benefits to the overall project management organization.

Paper For Above instruction

Project management is a structured discipline that involves planning, initiating, executing, controlling, and closing work to achieve specific objectives within a specified timeframe and budget. Its importance in the business world cannot be overstated, as it provides organizations with the tools and frameworks necessary to deliver projects successfully, optimize resource utilization, and improve competitive advantage (PMI, 2017). Effective project management ensures that organizations can adapt to changing market conditions, innovate efficiently, and meet stakeholder expectations consistently.

The project life-cycle management encompasses several phases: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closing. Each phase offers distinct benefits, contributing to the overall success of the project. For example, thorough planning during the initial phase allows for identifying potential risks and establishing clear objectives, leading to better resource allocation during execution (Kerzner, 2013). Proper management throughout the lifecycle facilitates stakeholder engagement, reduces scope creep, and enhances project transparency.

Planning in the project life-cycle demands research and critical thinking, essential for developing realistic schedules, budgets, and resource strategies. This phase involves defining scope, setting goals, and creating detailed schedules and budgets. An evidence-based approach and analytical skills are necessary to assess risks, evaluate alternatives, and make informed decisions (Heldman, 2018). Critical thinking ensures that project plans are robust, adaptable, and aligned with organizational objectives.

Project organizations vary, ranging from functional, matrix, to projectized structures. Leadership and sponsorship are critical components; effective project sponsors provide strategic direction, secure funding, and champion the project across organizational levels (Meredith & Mantel, 2014). Strong leadership within the project team fosters motivation, clarity of purpose, and accountability, ultimately affecting project outcomes positively.

Building a project team involves selecting capable members, fostering collaboration, and applying team-building techniques such as trust-building exercises, role clarification, and conflict resolution. Successful teams exhibit open communication, shared goals, and mutual respect. Techniques such as team charters and performance appraisals help maintain team cohesion and guide individual contributions (Lewis, 2019).

Creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) involves decomposing the total scope into smaller, manageable components or packages. The project manager identifies deliverables and subdivides them into tasks and subtasks, facilitating better control, assignment of responsibilities, and progress tracking (PMI, 2017). WBS serves as a foundation for schedule development, resource planning, and cost estimation, ensuring clarity and focus throughout the project.

Large integrated programs increasingly rely on project management software to coordinate activities, track progress, and facilitate communication among dispersed teams. Software such as MS Project, Primavera, or Jira offers tools for scheduling, resource management, and risk analysis, significantly enhancing efficiency and accuracy (Koskosas, 2018). These digital tools provide real-time data, support decision-making, and improve the overall integration of project components.

In conclusion, effective project management is vital to organizational success, integrating strategic planning, leadership, team dynamics, and technological support. As organizations face complex and dynamic environments, mastering these elements allows for successful project delivery that aligns with business goals and stakeholder expectations.

References

• Heldman, K. (2018). Project Management JumpStart (4th ed.). Wiley.
• Kerzner, H. (2013). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling (11th ed.). Wiley.
• Koskosas, I. V. (2018). The Role of Project Management Software in Large Projects. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 11(3), 583-603.
• Lewis, J. P. (2019). Fundamentals of Project Management (6th ed.). AMACOM.
• Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. (2014). Project Management: A Managerial Approach (8th ed.). Wiley.
• PMI. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.). Project Management Institute.