The only recent
project that I have been a part of was the ADDIE project developing a learning
module. The project was the first online
group project that I worked on and initially had issues with determining the
scope of the project itself. As the
scope was discussed, the project grew and grew as each member added additional
items to the project.
To deal with this
creeping scope, I would have approached this project differently now that I
have looked at project management specifically.
The first step would have been to create a specific plan for the project
from the start. A one to two hour
training module does not need a lot of information or topics to be
included. By narrowing down the initial
topics, the project would have been easier to deal with and would have required
less time to rework the project at the end.
Secondly, a process
for adding items to the scope should have been in place. This could help with the additional topics
and narrowing down the scope of the project from the start.
Instead of naming
the project leader for the week, there really needed to be a manager for the
project itself. Having learned more
about project management through this course has provided the needed
information for me to make this conclusion.
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.
Mark,
ReplyDeleteI think that assigning a PM for the whole project would have been really beneficial in order to better complete the project. It was very difficult with project leaders changing every week, I felt our work was very inconsistent this way.
Hi Mark,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. There was some inconsistency within the project. It was difficult to try and collaborate with each individual and making sure everyone was doing their specific portion of the project. It seemed overwhelming when you were assigned the leader for that particular week. You not only had to complete your section, but you had to make sure everyone was on task and completing their section. I do believe that if there was a manger assessing everyone's progress through the duration of the course, it would have been less stressful and successful.
Mark,
ReplyDeleteI agree that having a consistent PM for the entire project is a huge asset. I know when I have had to take over a project, it takes me an enormous amount of time to sift through what has already been done and get the project moving again. Also, some PM's are better than others at keeping track of their project. For example, we are required to submit a status report following each training or meeting with a client. If the status reports are not complete, it makes it extremely difficult for someone to come in mid-project and pick up where they left off.
Hey Mark,
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for bringing up a very frustrating course and assignment from a few months back ... grrrr. It is nice to be able to look back now and understand why it was the mess it was and be able to blame some of it on scope creep. I think my main issue was lack of communication from other members but we did take turns in charge each week as you mentioned. Much could have been alleviated just as you also said with one assigned manager. I remember stepping up an taking the lead when others did not do their jobs but that resulted in me doing extra work and losing respect of the others who did less and less. I think a big part of scope creep is having to swap out team members, which in turn leaves you behind schedule and ending up doing more work because it is too little too late to get someone else up to speed.
Nice job provoking thoughts and reminding me of those frustrated evenings :D I think I'll go work out now !!!!
Mark,
ReplyDeleteYou said, "To deal with this creeping scope, I would have approached this project differently now that I have looked at project management specifically." I feel the same as you. When we had to approach the ADDIE process or project, understanding the scope was not giving to us as it has been now, but it was made totally harder for our groups to figure out something to come up with. Working with others in a project can be difficult to get going because so many ideas of how one wants it to be done is dished out. Creating that ADDIE plan was not an easy thing to prepare but the groups I assuming got it done. Where you able to display your project?