How the company can improve its project management
The business report covers several recommendations that I provided to the executive team in the NTZA on how the company can improve its project management. As a senior project manager, I highlighted some of the approaches the executive team can implement on how to manage their stakeholders. Embracing effective communication methods and involving stakeholders in decision-making processes are some of the approaches I discussed in the report. Secondly, I analyzed some of the approaches the company can use while selecting their projects. It being one of the crucial areas, I provided a detailed recommendation on the aspects the company ought to consider while selecting the best project option. The checklist model and scoring method are some of the approaches I endorsed to be effective at improving project management. Finally, I gave my opinion on sustainable project management and highlighted some of the approaches, such as risk management as well as Waste elimination and environmental damages.
1.0 Introduction
Every project is unique, and for it to achieve its ultimate outcomes, it ought to be managed appropriately. Therefore, any project manager should be well acquainted with project management in order to efficiently manage their projects to ensure they deliver the expectations of the project owner. As established by Gray (2008), project management is the appliance of methods, processes, experience, knowledge as well as skills to accomplish certain project goals corresponding to the project approval criteria within the approved parameters.
3.0 Discussion
3.1 Project selection
In order to improve project management in relation to project selection, the New Zealand transport agency ought to identify effective project selection methods that will comprehensively analyze all the options and provide the best alternative. In addition to that, vehicle operating costs, economic benefits, as well as travel time cost are some of the factors the NZ agency ought to consider while selecting the alternative road to construct.
Simple scoring method
Utilizing the scoring model approach will assist the management in identifying the alternative route to construct around the Manawatu gorge. In addition to that, it will assist the company in pointing out and rank the four alternative routes (Saddle, SH3, or Pahiatua track) according to their relevance. Cost of development is one of the Criteria the approach will analyze the SH3 route into details such as the traverse option around the Ruahine range as well as the numerous bridges such as the Manawatu river bridge required to be constructed despite its high cost and compare with the risks associated with the alternative routes.
Checklist model
Using the checklist approach will assist the management in analyzing comprehensively, which route to construct around the Manawatu Gorge. Some of the criteria that the management can develop will include the cost of development, risk of venturing such as construction techniques, and complex design that will be necessary for the Manawatu river bridge to be constructed despite the high cost as well as time.
3.2 Sustainable project management
The management should choose an alternative route around Manawatu Gorge that will not only meet their currents needs but as well as achieve the same objective in the future.
Risk reduction
In order to bridge the prevailing environmental-societal risks, the company ought to construct a reliable route around the Manawatu Gorge that will provide a permanent solution to the residents living in Woodville and Ashhurt among other communities. Ward (2003) pointed out that projects cited in environmental or social settings are vulnerable and have a high chance of exposing risks, meaning that for the project to be sustainable, the project team should mitigate the risk to ensure the project is beneficial. Therefore, the reduction of the risks is of great importance to ensure the project remains relevant and sustainable in the long-run. Despite the risk associated with the construction of the Wanawatu Bridge, the relocation of private landowners as well as the interruption of the Apiti wind farm, the company should construct the SH3 since it will provide transport efficiency at the long-run as described by (Ward & Chapman, 2003). However, this is one way the company will reduce the risk as well as ensure their project is sustainable.
Waste elimination and environmental damages
Mostafa & Dumrak (2015) describes that projects emit numerous wastes, and if not controlled, they can reduce the efficiency of the project. Always the project manager should investigate the role of the idea of constructability towards project waste elimination as a concept to accomplish project sustainability. In the case of the Manawatu Gorge, the environmental damages reduced the efficiency of the SH3 route that led to its closure; therefore, the management needs to address the problem associated with the current closure and provide a permanent solution by siting the project in areas with minimum environmental risks, for instance, relocating eleven private farms and the Apit wind farm in order to provide a long-term solution.
3.3 Approaches to managing stakeholders
3.3.1 Effective communication methods
As established by Cervone (2014), communication is one of the vital essentials in the operation of a successful project. The management ought to identify effective communication channels such as team meetings, emails, visual aids as well as workshops in order to communicate efficiently with the internal and external shareholders concerning the objectives of the projects as well as task division. For instance, the management should involve residents of Woodville and Ashhurt as well as Apit wind farms in order to air out their opinions concerning the construction of the SH3 road. In addition to that, Gray (2008) expounds that using effective communication methods will reduce shareholders’ resistance to the project, for example involving the eleven private firms that need to be relocated for the SH3 road to be constructed.
Involving stakeholders in the decision-making process
Stakeholders play a vital role in any project; hence they ought to be involved in the decision-making process as established by KK. Some of the stakeholders of the Manawatu include the public residents of Apiti wind farm, Woodville, Dannevirke, Ashhurst as well as those in Palmerston. In addition to that, they ought to involve the business owners as well as the road users so that they can provide their opinions concerning the alternatives of the Manawatu gorge routes. On the other hand, involving shareholders in the Manawatu project will assist the management in gathering numerous feedback as well as assessment concerning the economic analysis of the SH3 hence incorporates them in their decision making.
4.0 Conclusion
The report has analyzed the factors any organization need in order to improve its project management techniques. Managing shareholders is very crucial to any project in progress as the Manawatu project involved their shareholders through the entire project. However, there are several approaches an organization ought to consider while managing their shareholders as a technique of improving their project management. Involving shareholders in the decision of the project making as well as using effective communication channels are some of the approaches of managing shareholders effectively. In addition to that, projects ought to be selected carefully in order to maximize the organizational resources on a beneficial project. Checklists and simplified scoring methods are some of the approaches an organization could use to select a project. These methods analyze a list of criteria that enable the firm to choose the best project from a pool of selections. Finally, the report has analyzed the approaches an organization can consider to ensure their project is sustainable. Waste elimination and environmental damages, as well as risk management, are some of the approaches the executive team needs to consider while investing in a future project.
5.0 Recommendation
- Concerning project selection, the executive team should consider embracing modern project selection methods such as the scoring methods as well as checklist models since they comprehensively analyze various criteria against several projects hence will provide the executive team with the best and economical option to venture.
- Secondly, managing stakeholders is essential; therefore, embracing effective communication channels as well as involving stakeholders in the decision-making process will assist the executive team in making proper decisions and improve their project management techniques.
- Finally, risk management, waste elimination as well as environmental damages are some of the factors the executive team needs to consider while managing their projects to ensure their projects are sustainable to attain the current as well as the aimed future purpose of the project.