Leadership concepts and contemporary applications

Leadership

Solutions leadership focuses on the business environment, where projects are managed in such a way as to be completed within the optimal timeframe and funding requirements. This means that the solutions leader needs a high level of organization and negotiation skills. The articles that are reviewed will reveal that optimal project management requires an integrated skill set, including management, negotiation, and technical skills.

These skills can also be applied to life in general. In the information age, we currently live in an environment that is increasingly complex. The solutions leader can then apply learned skills such as management and organization to his or her home or business environment. In this, information technology is of vital importance. The solutions it offers can be applied to simple projects like personal finance, or to work projects of very high complexity.

The article entitled "Using Internal Consultants in Complex Projects" by Rune Aresvik considers the viability of internal consultants in solutions leadership for complex projects. The need for consultants on such projects is a given, as they will facilitate the process involved in making a success of the project with minimal difficulties and delays. The question however surrounds the viability of internal, as opposed to external consultants. The author considers the issue from both sides; noting both the advantages and disadvantages of internal consultants. The conclusion is that, while internal consulting groups have great value, they should generally be used in combination with external consulting teams. The article provides a balanced view on the issue, although there is some lack of empirical citations upon which to base the divergent opinions and the conclusion.

Another of Aresvik's articles, "Ensure that Projects Finish on Time by Avoiding Scope Creep," considers the challenges presented by what the author terms "scope creep," particularly to complex projects. Scope creep is defined as the tendency to do more work than is required by a project, or than is initially agreed upon. This then results in often important deadlines being missed. It is the task of the solutions leader to avoid or at least to minimize the effects of scope creep. The author identifies two types of scope creep: internal and external, each of which has its particular respective solutions. When internal scope creep occurs, this means that the project team itself is voluntarily doing more work than required, while external scope creep occurs when stakeholders or clients demand more work than originally agreed upon. The article suggests that the solutions leader should take control of the work schedule, along with negotiation strategies to offer solutions for scope creep. The article draws upon the author's personal experience to find solutions for the problem, and valid solutions are suggested.

In "More Than a To-Do List: Build Teamwork, Improve Execution wit a Project Checklist" James D. Murphy emphasizes the importance of checklists in effective solutions leadership. To substantiate his points, he cites evidence from research in the medical and aviation fields. Murphy also uses statements by retired Brigadier General Charles Campbell, who spent over 3,700 hours in high-performance jet fighters during his Air Force Career. This provides a practical consideration of the importance of checklists in solutions leadership. According to Murphy, such checklists provides teams with greater focus, a better ability to function as a team, and ultimately a smaller margin for error. The article makes good use of credible sources to bring across the point that checklists are in fact an essential part of effective solutions leadership.

The fairly brief article by Shaun Parker, entitled "Is Project Management Software the Way Forward?" promotes the use of project management software to improve solutions leadership within a company. Mr. Parker makes several good points. In addition to saving on costs such as paper and time, project management software simplifies to functioning of each specific project, provides each team member with his or her exact list of tasks, and offers all involved in the project with an open platform for communication and information. This is therefore very beneficial in terms of saving time and effort for the solutions leader, as many of the tasks are automated by means of project management software. Furthermore, software that is customized for the company's specific needs will help the solutions manager to integrate all the functions within the company. This will provide a global view of all the projects the company is involved in, how these integrate with each other, as well as with the company's overall goals and other functions. The implementation of such integrated software across the company will considerably simplify the task of the solutions manager. Indeed, it will contribute to the efficiency of both time, costs and project completion within the company. The article is very relevant in terms of current technological and IT developments. No company today can afford to ignore the value of IT solutions in the management of their projects.