Management innovations have changed the way we think about and do management, how we organize, solve problems, make strategy and lead people. Some innovations such as Total Quality Management (TQM), Six Sigma, Lean, and Agile are widely adopted to improve process management. There are some arguments that the use of such techniques may provide production benefits in the short term but will ultimately lead to long term failure due the inability of the organisation to innovate.
Task
Critically review one of the management innovations and discuss to what extent you believe the innovation would improve project effectiveness.
Intended Learning Outcomes for the Assessment
1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of a range of project management tools and techniques.
2. Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse project situations and to evaluate, select and apply appropriate project management techniques.
3. Communicate effectively in written, oral and graphic forms.
Submission
• Submissions must be typed A4, 12pt double-spaced.
• Work must be fully referenced in accordance with the Harvard system.
• The written submission should be in the order of 1200 words.
Marking
1) Critical discussion that demonstrates knowledge and practical application of the management techniques 50%
2) Independent but justified judgement that clearly explain your position on the effectiveness of the management techniques 30%
3) Quality of the paper including referencing, flow, 20%
Sample Answer – Example
Demonstrate a systematic understanding of a range of project management tools and techniques.
Project management involves a multitude of tools and techniques aimed at planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling projects efficiently. Here`s a demonstration of a systematic understanding of some key project management tools and techniques:
- Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): WBS is a hierarchical decomposition of the project scope into smaller, more manageable components. It helps in organizing and understanding the scope of work required for the project.
- Gantt Charts: Gantt charts visually represent the project schedule by displaying tasks as horizontal bars over time. They help in scheduling, resource allocation, and monitoring progress.
- Critical Path Method (CPM): CPM is a technique used to identify the longest sequence of dependent tasks in a project. It helps in determining the minimum duration required to complete the project and identifies tasks critical to project completion.
- PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique): PERT is a probabilistic technique used to estimate the duration of tasks in a project. It considers three time estimates (optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely) to calculate the expected duration of each task, allowing for better risk assessment.
- Risk Management: Risk management involves identifying, analyzing, and responding to project risks. Techniques such as risk identification workshops, risk registers, qualitative and quantitative risk analysis, and risk response planning are used to mitigate potential threats and exploit opportunities.
- Resource Management: Resource management involves allocating and managing resources effectively throughout the project lifecycle. Techniques such as resource leveling, resource smoothing, and resource allocation matrices help in optimizing resource utilization and avoiding overallocation.
- Earned Value Management (EVM): EVM integrates cost, schedule, and scope to assess project performance. It compares the planned value (budgeted cost of work scheduled), earned value (budgeted cost of work performed), and actual cost to determine the project`s performance against the baseline.
- Communication Management: Effective communication is crucial for project success. Techniques such as stakeholder analysis, communication plans, status reports, and project meetings ensure that information is exchanged timely and accurately among project stakeholders.
- Quality Management: Quality management ensures that project deliverables meet the specified requirements and standards. Techniques such as quality planning, quality assurance, and quality control help in identifying and addressing quality issues throughout the project lifecycle.
- Agile Methodologies: Agile methodologies, such as Scrum and Kanban, emphasize iterative and incremental development, adaptive planning, and continuous improvement. They promote flexibility and responsiveness to changing requirements and customer feedback.
By employing these tools and techniques systematically, project managers can effectively plan, execute, monitor, and control projects to achieve their objectives within scope, time, and budget constraints while ensuring quality and stakeholder satisfaction
