How often and in what ways might internal politics factor into project success?
Politics is a major component in the work environment. The political dynamics of the business culture can either positively or negatively affect the success of a project since internal politics is about power. In many cases, the development of projects redefines a person's responsibilities and redistributes their power by changing the flow of information.
For example, even if the development of an ERP system would help the business to effectively analyze data, political problems will arise because those who were at the top of the informational hierarchy would lose their status. For a person whose identity is closely related to their job, this would be a huge threat and they could respond by sabotaging the project, consciously or subconsciously.
But whatever the project may be, political factors need to be addressed. Politics are seen at every level of an organization because they result from people's interactions and their positions in the hierarchy.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Failure
The definition of failure for me is unhappiness.
I know that even with all the practicing or preparation for a task doesn't promise a result of perfection. I'm not a perfectionist but acceptance of my actions and efforts is my definition for success. If I fail at a test or bomb in giving a presentation, I would say it was a success if I was happy with my efforts. Anything else I would label a failure.
I know that even with all the practicing or preparation for a task doesn't promise a result of perfection. I'm not a perfectionist but acceptance of my actions and efforts is my definition for success. If I fail at a test or bomb in giving a presentation, I would say it was a success if I was happy with my efforts. Anything else I would label a failure.
Amy: the Student Project
What is a project?
My professor asked this question on the first day of IT Project Management. While some of us stated goals, deadlines, and the usual book definitions, our professor agreed and then stated that we, as individuals are projects. We fit all the criteria.
So the next question is: how will I manage the project Amy?
As a student, my biggest area of risk is time management. With deliverables, training through research and readings, documentation, and other sub projects, time management will be a key to my project success. In order to control this aspect, I will commit a few hours everyday to work on school activities. Rather than prioritizing tasks by their due dates, I will be more pro-active and start tasks on the day they are assigned. This will help me to make sure things are not done last minute, which will also ensure quality.
Time management also includes attending all my classes and meetings with my student groups. Going to classes are the best ways to get answers to questions because those teaching the classes have authority in their respective fields. Gaining the right knowledge is vital for reducing errors, and required for success in the work place.
The ultimate deliverable for Project Amy is to graduate in Spring 2013. This event will stamp a success or failure to the project. However, a criteria for success will be graduating with a high GPA and an absolute appreciation for everything I've learned. Because this project is an investment of time and money, commitment to the project should result in appreciation of its development.
My professor asked this question on the first day of IT Project Management. While some of us stated goals, deadlines, and the usual book definitions, our professor agreed and then stated that we, as individuals are projects. We fit all the criteria.
So the next question is: how will I manage the project Amy?
As a student, my biggest area of risk is time management. With deliverables, training through research and readings, documentation, and other sub projects, time management will be a key to my project success. In order to control this aspect, I will commit a few hours everyday to work on school activities. Rather than prioritizing tasks by their due dates, I will be more pro-active and start tasks on the day they are assigned. This will help me to make sure things are not done last minute, which will also ensure quality.
Time management also includes attending all my classes and meetings with my student groups. Going to classes are the best ways to get answers to questions because those teaching the classes have authority in their respective fields. Gaining the right knowledge is vital for reducing errors, and required for success in the work place.
The ultimate deliverable for Project Amy is to graduate in Spring 2013. This event will stamp a success or failure to the project. However, a criteria for success will be graduating with a high GPA and an absolute appreciation for everything I've learned. Because this project is an investment of time and money, commitment to the project should result in appreciation of its development.
Projects
Why Do Projects Fail?
Douglas M. Arnstein wrote an article about his observations of the pitfalls that projects often fall prey to. For me, the heart of the matter is consolidating business needs with personal needs.
When a project is identified, it also needs to be aligned with business needs. A project can easily fall apart when it is not centered on the goals and objectives of the business. This is important since meeting business requirements will also gain the support of key management personnel.
At the other end of the rope are the individuals handling the development of the project. Managing people and the different personality types are not easy. But making a priority to involve everyone in an aspect of the project induces commitment to the project and responsibility. Taking the time to get the input from the Project Sponsor, key stakeholders, and the members of the development Team makes people feel that their roles are important, and they will become invested in the success of the project.
But a project's success rests entirely on COMMUNICATION between the two parties. You can have the most skilled people developing a much needed business project, but without project clarity things will fall apart. Creating a Project Plan, Project Scope, and Communication Plan are critical for everyone to have the same understanding and expectations of a project. Jumping into a project without validating the expectations, objectives, clear definitions for success, and standards for how, when, and what to communicate, confusion will not only stall a project but it will also be incomplete.
All three factors are important to the success of a project. If you miss one or don't give it the attention it deserves, then the likelihood of the project failing increases dramatically.
Douglas M. Arnstein wrote an article about his observations of the pitfalls that projects often fall prey to. For me, the heart of the matter is consolidating business needs with personal needs.
When a project is identified, it also needs to be aligned with business needs. A project can easily fall apart when it is not centered on the goals and objectives of the business. This is important since meeting business requirements will also gain the support of key management personnel.
At the other end of the rope are the individuals handling the development of the project. Managing people and the different personality types are not easy. But making a priority to involve everyone in an aspect of the project induces commitment to the project and responsibility. Taking the time to get the input from the Project Sponsor, key stakeholders, and the members of the development Team makes people feel that their roles are important, and they will become invested in the success of the project.
But a project's success rests entirely on COMMUNICATION between the two parties. You can have the most skilled people developing a much needed business project, but without project clarity things will fall apart. Creating a Project Plan, Project Scope, and Communication Plan are critical for everyone to have the same understanding and expectations of a project. Jumping into a project without validating the expectations, objectives, clear definitions for success, and standards for how, when, and what to communicate, confusion will not only stall a project but it will also be incomplete.
All three factors are important to the success of a project. If you miss one or don't give it the attention it deserves, then the likelihood of the project failing increases dramatically.
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