Competency E

Work collaboratively in teams and use project management practices effectively to solve user-centric information and data problems.

Introduction and PLO Discussion

Project management professional Joy Gumz said, “Operations keeps the lights on, strategy provides a light at the end of the tunnel, but project management is the train engine that moves the organization forward.” The aforementioned quote highlights the notion that project management is extremely vital to the successful functioning of our modern and technologically-driven world.

Definition and Stages of Project Management

So, what exactly is project management? According to the Association for Project Management (n.d.), project management is “the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge, and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters.” What truly distinguishes project management from “management” is that project management entails a final deliverable and a finite timespan, whereas “management” is an ongoing process (Association for Project Management, n.d.).

The project management life cycle is comprised of the following five stages: 1. Initiation, 2. Planning, Execution, 4. Monitoring and Control, and 5. Closure (National University, n.d.). As the crucial first stage of the project management life cycle, Initiation “involves defining the project’s purpose, objectives, and scope, as well as identifying the clients and stakeholders and their needs (National University, n.d.). Next, Planning involves smart and thoughtful strategizing on how to best allocate resources to meet the client’s needs and project requirements all within a determined budget and timeframe. Execution sets work into motion as the project manager works with team members to assign tasks and responsibilities to them and as team members contribute to the team through their individual and collective efforts. Monitoring and Control are the vital fourth stage that exists to keep a project on track and on the road to meet its objectives often utilizing key performance indicators (KPIs). Lastly, closure is the final stage “where the teams complete all the remaining tasks and activities to bring a project to a successful conclusion (National University, n.d.).”

Benefits and Challenges of Project Management

When implemented in a consistent, thorough fashion, the integration of project management to one’s individual/team’s workload can reap a variety of the following benefits: 1. Greater operational efficiency, 2. Deadline compliance, 3. Improved communication, and 4. Adaption to changes (Actio, 2023). Greater operational efficiency occurs as a result of optimized resource allocation and waste mitigation. Deadline compliance becomes more achievable especially with the “checks and balances” that comes from the Monitoring and Control stage. Due to the emphasis on meticulous monitoring and documentation of progress, team members also experience improved lines of communication. Finally, when project management is successfully integrated into the workflow, the emphasis on Agile methodologies allows teams to better handle unforeseen and challenging circumstances that may crop up.

It goes without saying that there are also challenges that come within the realm of project management including structural rigidity, documentation overload, and resistance to change. Since structural rigidity may prove disadvantageous especially when circumstances come up that try a team’s flexibility and adaptability, the team should strive to strike a balance between structure and flexibility. To avoid documentation overload, documentation should be kept as clear and concise as possible and should be consistently, meticulously managed from the project’s start. Finally, introducing change management strategies and maintaining clear, open lines of communication are integral to combating resistance to change.

Relevant Coursework and Future Goals

In terms of the sources of my evidence, INFM 205: Informatics Project Management offered two straightforward examples to fulfill Competency E. Because many projects require collaboration with others, I selected the final video presentation that my fellow team members and I worked on for INFM 213: Epidemiological Methods. Since project management is such an integral component to the work of an individual or a team, I believe it is worthwhile to pursue further learning on the topic by taking the Google x Coursera Project Management Professional Certificate program. Continuing to develop and enhance my project management skills would assist me in becoming a valuable contributor wherever my next role takes me.