Scope Creep

Describe a project, either personal or professional, that experienced issues related to scope creep. What specific scope creep issues occurred? How did you or other stakeholders deal with those issues at the time? Looking back on the experience now, had you been in the position of managing the project, what could you have done to better manage these issues and control the scope of the project?

According to our required text, scope creep is “the natural tendency of the client, as well as project team members, to try to improve the project’s output as the project progresses” (Portny, et al., 2008, p. 350). I’m going to write on a personal experienced issue related to scope creep. Last year I planned a vow renewal ceremony. I never consider my a planner and the event definitely proved that true. Since I didn’t have a wedding the first time around I really wanted this to be special. I was extremely clear on what I want but not very clear on instruction. My dream was in my head but never got on paper.

What specific scope creep issues occurred?

I never thought that it would turn out to e search a JOB!! My decorator and I could never get on the same page. The cost was far past what I had imagine. I thought I could be the bride and the coordinator the biggest mistake ever. My family helpers were just not on board and I was overwhelmed and under experienced.

How did you or other stakeholders deal with those issues at the time?

            I didn’t deal with the issues very well. Instance of delegating responsible to others I try to handle every thing on my own.  I knew what I wanted but not how to communicate it what others.

Looking back on the experience now, had you been in the position of managing the project, what could you have done to better manage these issues and control the scope of the project?

            If given the opportunity again I would be a better communicator. I would have hire a wedding planner to handle the event. I would have delegated responsibility to other and really just enjoyed the day.

Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., Sutton, M. M., & Kramer, B. E. (2008).Project management: Planning, scheduling, and controlling projects. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.            

Project Schedule and Estimating Activity Duration

In this week’s blog, we were  ask to conduct a web search (listservs, message boards, blogs) and locate at least two resources that would be useful in estimating the costs, effort, and/or activity durations associated with ID projects.  Explore the sites and consider how you might use them to help plan a project’s schedule, budget, or break down a project’s tasks.

One web resource I located is Clarizen. The website states:

The site is called “Clarizen For Project Managers”. Clarizen’s online project management software helps your team work more efficiently, effectively, and achieve better results. It’s the only project management solution to merge the power of the cloud with social communications. You can use it to:

• Eliminate work chaos by standardizing core processes
• Gain real-time visibility into projects
• Build high-performance teams and speed up the pace of doing business
• Increase efficiency of project execution”

http://www.clarizen.com/

The second web resource  that I explore is Businessball.  

            A project manage is able to find a variety of information relative to their project needs. This source specifies how to use Gantt charts, what should be included, and gives an example of what it will look like. It goes through each step of the project life cycle and explains what elements should be considered when planning a project. It is very detailed and specific.

                                                                                          

http://www.businessballs.com/project.htm

Communicating Effectively

This week we watched three modalities of delivering the same message. The differences were simple but interesting.

How did your interpretation of the message change from one modality to the next?

Email: Jane communication to Mark seems fairly clear. The interpretation of the message is based solely on the words written with no urgency. Dr. Stolovitch stated, in the weeks ‘media resource that a message should be communicated with a clear purpose that stated the situation (Laureate Education, Inc., n.d.). Jane email message began with a clear purpose.

Voicemail: In the voicemail message a sense of an urgent was conveyed more than in the email. It is not so much that the words were different but the tone was more businesslike. The fact that she picks up a phone rather than sending an email make the need more pressing.

Face-to-face: The face-to-face message was less formal to me than the email or voicemail.  The delivery of this message didn’t seem as if the report was as pressing as previously mentioned in the email and voicemail requests. Her body language is pleasant and easygoing. She is smiling and seems relaxed. This is probably the least urgent of the three modalities.

What factors influenced how you perceived the message?

I think the email message is the most effective. It is clear, concise and straight to the point. The direction is clear of what is needed as well as a direction on how to return the information. Although, the voicemail conveys the most urgency.

Which form of communication best conveyed the true meaning and intent of the message?

The email form of the message best conveys the true meaning and intent of the message. It is clear and directly to the point.

What are the implications of what you learned from this exercise for communicating effectively with members of a project team?
Good communication is vital.   Without effective communication all parties can suffer. The consequences are that the method chosen to communicate can affect the sense of urgency and important of information needed.

References

Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). Communicating with stakeholders [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

The Art of Effective Communication. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2017, fromhttp://mym.cdn.laureatemedia.com/2dett4d/Walden/EDUC/6145/03/mm/aoc/index.html