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Module Six: Final Reflection Paper

Marlina A. Savini-Boggs

August 9, 2022

Arizona State University

OGL 324: Resources in Project Management

Instructor: Dr. David M. Corlett

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Reflection:

Throughout this course, I have learned a lot about project resource management;

the types of resources, challenges, and best practices. When we think resources, we

automatically think equipment, facilities, supplies, or physical objects. By doing so, we

almost always overlook the people/human part of it. This course has certainly

emphasized the importance of people as the greatest asset in project management

because they are ultimately responsible for project success.

While physical resource management is concentrated on the use and allocation

of physical resources, team resource management focuses on forming an effective

team while considering different influential aspects, continual skill development and

competencies, and retaining/improving team satisfaction; thus requiring a project

manager who is well-rounded in decision-making and problem solving, agile, adaptive,

with great communication skills. An effective project manager will ensure that the

resources (physical or human) are identified, acquired, and made available for the

successful completion of the project.

With my experience in the Human Resources profession and the skills I have

learned and continuing to gain from project management, I feel that my biggest growth

and knowledge is in managing team resources. Expert judgement comes from both

experience and education which could assist in negotiating, talent management, and

developing team members. Through work, organizational, and resource breakdown

structures, project managers are able to form teams specialized for each task through

roles and responsibilities identification. Expectations and guidelines are made

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accessible through project charters, while the development, training, and recognition of

members would be addressed within a team resource management plan.

In the logistical side of resources, I feel there is much more to learn in terms of

estimating and controlling of physical resources. Not only to optimize resource

allocation, but through management methods for tracking scarce critical resources and

industry-specific resources. Through data analysis (current or historical), I feel you can

find so much information on supply and demand, as well as resource configuration as it

applies to similar projects. Not only would I like to be proficient in data analysis, but

gain more experience in some of the tools and techniques for estimating resources;

such as bottom-up, analogous, and parametric estimating. I believe the more tools and

techniques one has, the better able you are as a project manager to effectively adapt

and manage various projects.

For experience and in order to practice some of these methods, I volunteered to

lead our organizations upcoming newcomer’s orientation. I have reviewed input from

previous events, adopted some of the data for planning and management, and working

on identifying and securing new and old resources. By combining all the skills and

knowledge I have gained through project management education and previous

experience in leading projects, I feel I can be more efficient and effective in ensuring

project success. Of course, I will also be working closely with our organization’s project

coordinator whom will provide input and feedback throughout.

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Application:

Every year, the United States Army Cadet Command (USACC) conducts Cadet

Summer Training (CST) for all Universities with Army ROTC programs in Fort Knox,

Kentucky. And every year, millions of dollars are spent in ensuring personnel travel and

resources are available for that training to succeed. The problem is, most ROTC

programs already have the resources and personnel available at their host schools for

such training. They conduct semi-annual field exercises with warrior tasks and drills,

physical fitness tests, and weapons qualifications; all areas in which they test for at

CST. However, the USACC wants oversight of the training and since they are located

in Fort Knox, movement of personnel every summer to make that happen is a must.

The USACC’s mission is to produce and commission officers of character for the

Total Army. They do so by providing those with an interest in higher education the

opportunity to receive it free of charge, as long as you serve a time commitment with the

Army at the conclusion of their degree program. In addition to, students are to conduct

military training twice during the school year where they are also tested on their physical

and mental strengths. This ensures that they understand what is expected of them as

officers and that they stay within military standards.

This would all sound great if the military was not wasting so much time, money,

and resources for a training event that can be conducted at their home state. Each

program already has a designated site for training that can be utilized for this training

and certification. If oversight and management is what they seek, USACC can provide

personnel to each location to validate training. This would save the military so much on

resources, costs, and time. As it stands now, all university ROTC staff members and
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instructors from each program spends anywhere from one to three months of the

summer in Fort Knox. Logistically, USACC pays for transportation, lodging, and meals.

This is not including equipment, facilities, supplies, and vehicles utilized for the duration

of the training. All of which can be reduced tremendously by allowing the host schools

to conduct their own cadet summer training provided a few members from USACC is

present to validate and certify for management purposes.

The challenge I have presented are not be new to the organization, but certainly

is not one that can easily be changed. It is not as simple as a change request as it ties

into funding, policy changes, and would most likely require Department of the Army

approval. However, recommendations (especially once that can save time, costs, and

resources) brought to light can certainly make a difference in time. In the meantime, the

ROTC programs will continue to provide feedback and after action reviews at each

annual training in hopes that changes for the better will soon follow.
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References:

Project Management Institute. (2017). A guide to the Project Management Body of

Knowledge (PMBOK guide) (6th ed.). Project Management Institute.