Objective Using A Combination Approach Of Your Own Words

Objectiveusing A Combination Approach Of Your Own Words And Research

Objective: Using a combination approach of your own words and research to define a project. What are five characteristics which help differentiate projects from other functions carried out in the daily operations of the organization? Why are these not the same? How are projects linked to the strategic plan? Provide an example (choose from your own experience or outside research).

Criteria: * post must contain a minimum of 300 words. It must demonstrate critical thinking by paraphrasing the material (direct quotes should be used in a limited manner as this does not display critical thinking). All statements in the post that are not general knowledge should be cited to their source. Be sure to clearly relate the readings to the lesson concepts. Students may further synthesize this research relating to personal experiences. All citations should be in APA format with a reference listing at the bottom of the post in APA format (be sure to include a link to the website of your current event in the reference listing).

Paper For Above instruction

A well-defined project distinguishes itself from routine organizational activities through specific characteristics that underscore its temporary, unique, and goal-oriented nature. According to Project Management Institute (2021), five core characteristics that help differentiate projects from ongoing operations include: temporariness, uniqueness, clear objectives, resource allocation, and definable scope. Each of these features plays a critical role in setting projects apart from regular operational functions.

Temporariness is one of the defining traits of a project. Unlike ongoing operations that are continuous, projects have a clearly defined start and end point, emphasizing their temporary nature. For example, the development of a new software application is a temporary effort that concludes once the software is launched. Uniqueness underscores that each project results in a service or product that is distinct, whether due to new features or a different approach within the organization. For instance, creating a marketing campaign tailored to a specific event is a unique endeavor compared to routine marketing activities.

Clear objectives are essential for guiding project execution. These objectives specify what the project aims to accomplish, such as increasing product sales by 20% within six months. Resource allocation refers to the deliberate assignment of human, financial, and physical resources specifically designated for project tasks, unlike the routine allocation in daily operations. Lastly, a well-defined scope delineates the boundaries of a project, clarifying what will and will not be included, to prevent scope creep and maintain focus.

These characteristics are not the same as operational functions because routine activities typically lack a definite end date, are repetitive, and do not necessarily aim toward a unique deliverable. They are ongoing, often lack specific objectives, and involve continuous resource use without a clear scope limit. Operations are integral to organizational stability, whereas projects are set up to drive change and innovation, aligning with organizational strategy (Kerzner, 2017).

Projects are intrinsically linked to the strategic plan as they serve as means to implement strategic objectives. For example, a company aiming to expand into new markets might initiate a project to develop localization of its products or services. This project directly contributes to broader strategic goals such as market growth and diversification (Meredith & Mantel, 2018). By aligning projects with strategic intent, organizations ensure that project outcomes support long-term vision and competitive advantage.

In my personal experience, working on the implementation of a new customer relationship management (CRM) system exemplified these project characteristics. It was a temporary effort, with defined goals to improve customer engagement, a unique implementation tailored to our business needs, and resource planning dedicated specifically for this task. This project contributed directly to our company's strategic focus on enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.

References

• Kerzner, H. (2017). Project management: A systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
• Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. (2018). Project management: A managerial approach. John Wiley & Sons.
• Project Management Institute. (2021). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (7th ed.). PMI.