Project management concepts and applications

¶ … Emotional Intelligence

Read the case study-Finding the Emotional Intelligence

What are the differences between leaders and managers? Can anyone be a leader? Which would you prefer to work for and why?

Leaders are typically thought to be more visionary, inspiring, and often humble while managers are frequently assumed to be more administrative and organized. Each role has value to the organization and can move the organization towards the achievement of its strategic goals in the right circumstances. Management is aimed at monitoring, controlling, and motivating employees through economic incentives and other exchange incentives (Bass, 1985).

Share an example from your work or school experience with working through the five stages of team development.

Figure 1-5 Stages (UIC, N.d.)

One of the classes in business I had last semester had a group project. The groups were formed by the professor and many of the people in my group did not know each other. The period of storming came quickly after as people tried to figure out where they fit in and we divided up the work. After the dust settled, there were some norms that developed and lasted through the end of the semester. The group performed by getting all the work done and at the end of the semester the group adjourned.

3. Select one of the characteristics of an effective project manager and tell why it is important.

Time management is one of the critical success factors for a project manager. The project manager must balance many activities and many people during their daily workloads and it is important the they make the best possible use of their time.

II. Quality Management Processes

1. Why are measurements critical to quality management? What types of measures are available for quality?

Measurements are critical to quality management because you have to be able to measure something to manage it. There are a variety of measures that can be used. One example would be the defect rate in manufacturing. Another example could be customer surveys.

2. How important is it to include a quality assessment in your project WBS? What can happen if quality is overlooked?

It is usually critical to include a quality assessment in a WBS because quality is generally a key consideration in the scope of the project. If quality is overlooked then the project could not satisfy the quality requirements of the end users and the project will be unsuccessful.