Running head: PM REVIEW 1

Culminating Project Management Review

Jacqueline Cunningham

OGL 320: Foundations of Project Management

Dr. Jennifer Chandler

October 8, 2020
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Culminating Project Management Review

Overview of Project Completion

At the beginning of the course my baseline assessment noted, optimism, nervousness and

curiosity. When completing the baseline assessment, I did not think of project completion any

differently then I did any other course. I planned my week, set dates for assignment completion.

After the baseline assignment, and after further progression in the course, I began see the class

as project and was able to identify and associate project management vocabulary. Completing

the project plan drove it home for me. Suddenly I was able to see ways to use a project plan,

project management principles in use practically and professionally. Many of the concepts in the

text are not novel. They are common principles for a working individual. Approaching project

completion in an organized manner with a living document was the most effective tool for me for

ensuring I met product delivery. I had to think about product specifications to draw on the most

appropriate strength for the product. I had to think about tasks and subtasks to think about how

much time to allocate to the product. It made it easier to navigate to between item specifications

and overall project completion. I found peer tips, support and feedback also to be key for project

completion. Peer support also helped maintain positive relationships with the client. My

interaction with the client was minimal. Virtual Meetings worked best for delineating client

needs. I did not have to request changes to product delivery dates. I had implemented

contingency plans. I had a planned move during a week where quite a few products were due for

delivery. That period of time was when I was at greatest risk for needing to request a change in

delivery dates. The only lesson or product I missed the mark grossly was the tasks and subtasks
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product. This gave me great anxiety because it was a significant part of the project plan. The

project plan was one of the largest assignments.

Overcoming Bias and Using Critical Analysis in Project Management

The lessons regarding, overcoming bias and critical thinking helped to understand Project

Manager principles. Some of the referenced bias are easy pitfalls. It could be easy for Project

Managers to succumb to ingroup, out-group bias. Especially, when the group is high performing.

We all have biases that shape our worldview. The main lesson of identifying the bias and

working to overcome known biases. Additionally, the lessons highlighted another skill that is

essential to project managers, critical thinking. Critical thinking is necessary for problem solving

and client satisfaction. Throughout the course the content pointed to a few constants, change.

Both of these toolset help the project manager work through changes, contingencies, and risks

associated with project management.

Project Manager Experience in the Course with Case Studies

There were several case studies reviewed in the course. Some spoke to missteps by

project managers. The case study, I most connected with was the Arizona State University Help

Desk case study. The Project Manager was uniquely suited for the project. He was familiar with

local culture and had recently executed a similar product successfully. He had strengths that were

perfect for project execution. Each individual project manager, the student, was uniquely

qualified for project completion. We each brought our own unique strengths to the course. Many

of had or have completed courses before. The other two case studies were not as success but

made some of the same missteps. Both had difficulty balancing resources with client and

stakeholder desires. I did share in some similar minor difficulties in allocating the correct amount
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of time and client expectations. There are times I did not meet product specifications; this was

noted in the last two cases. I did not provide a quality a product. The product, tasks and sub-

tasks did not meet product specifications. Overall, using my unique strengths enabled course

completion. The assigned project manager was the only person who could.

Summary

In conclusion, project management is practical and accessible. I find it fascinating that

everyone to a certain degree is a project manager. Completion of the project was quite

satisfactory for me personally. I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride in delivering a product

that met the clients product specifications and quality criteria.

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References

A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK Guide). (2017). 6th ed.

Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute, Inc.

O'Connell, F. (2011). What you need to know about project management. Chichester, West

Sussex, UK: Capstone Publishing. 

Wiefling, K. (2007). Scrappy project management: The 12 predictable and avoidable pitfalls

that every project faces. Silicon Valley, CA: Scrappy About.