Critical Reflective Journal

Project manager

Introduction

For project managers to effectively manage the projects, they must understand the corporate strategy. In other words, they must connect the project with the company strategy to achieve both the project's success and help the organization achieve the strategy. As a project manager, I understand that the strategic objectives need to be restructured into micro-objectives or sub-objectives and at this point, managers from different levels of the organization such as project managers, and team leaders must be involved in the strategy implementation. Thus, as a project manager, I have a part to play to ensure that the organization achieves its goals.  Therefore, as a project manager, my role is to ensure successful projects through a corporate strategy point of view. This means that I should go beyond the traditional project management that focuses on time and budget goals and connect the project management with corporate goals and strategies.  In project management, my role is to align projects with the overall organization's mission, vision, and goals. Note that my role is not only to coordinate effort but I must start strategic or in other words, I must also ensure that the project helps the organization achieve the goals.  As a project manager, I will ensure that the projects are not tactical and regulatory but rather,  my projects will be strategic projects meaning that they will be leading indicators (drive strategic change) and lagging indicators (improving process). As a project manager, I will also create an action plan that will help in achieving the goals of a project. In strategic planning, I will apply my SWOT analysis. The evaluation of my SWOT will help focus on things that are important and set personal goals to achieve project success. In project management, my role as a project manager is to use the project processes not only to ensure successful project completion but also to achieve the strategic goal of the organization.

 

My role in Project portfolio management

As a project manager, I understand that organizations are interested in achieving a strategic advantage and stay ahead of other competitors. The organizations have strategic objectives or steps that will follow to achieve the ultimate goal.  Every organization expects all levels of the organization to understand the strategic objectives and apply real actions to achieve the ultimate goal. In other words, all levels of the organization must put the strategy in action (Romano, 2014, para. 2). As a project manager, it is my role and responsibility to help the organization achieve its strategic goals.  In this case, I will tie the role of portfolio management to help the organization achieve the strategies and objectives. As a project manager, I am aware that corporate strategy is a long-term direction toward creating a conducive business environment, achieving value, and fulfilling the stakeholders' expectations (Romano, 2014, para. 3).  I am aware that a strategy is complex; meaning that it is difficult to create strategic decisions, and it is also difficult to predict future needs.  Thus, as a project manager, I will immerse myself in the cooperate setting (bottom level) and play the role of evaluating the organization's resources and processes (Romano, 2014, para. 12). Note that for the organization to achieve the strategy, it must come up with organization initiatives. My role is to manage the portfolio or rather to come up with an operation plan under which the organization will achieve its goals.  As a project manager, I will come up with projects that align with organizational strategy. The purpose of setting up projects is to connect strategy with actions. In other words, the purpose of the project is to embark on the company potential initiatives and ensure that the particular project will bring the expected benefit (Cabanis-Brewin & Pennypacker, 2006, para, 2). Therefore, it is my responsibility to choose the right project that lines up with strategic objectives and generates value.  It is also my responsibility to eliminate all projects that do not align with the strategic objectives.  In general, my role as a project manager is to define the right project, align the project with strategic objectives or ensure that the project will bring competitive advantage, and control the project.

   I would like to put my roles clear by saying that as the organizations create a strategy, it establishes a well-defined process and gives a strategic direction to all levels of the organization.  In such a scenario, organization managers monitor the operations to see if the objectives are met.  In most cases, the organizations do not achieve the strategic goals since the projects remain incomplete. To address these problems, my role as a project manager is to provide the organization with criteria. For example, I will ensure that the corporate strategy is realism (Romano, 2014, part 11). This means that the strategic goals and mission must reflect or consider factors such as risks, performance, and cost.  Secondly, my role as a project manager is to ensure that the organization should understand the project type; whether it is long-term or short-term, the technologies that will be used, and other capabilities.  In general, it is my role to ensure that when a company decides to start a project, the project is strategically aligned (Romano, 2014, part 11).  As a project manager, I am aware that businesses are working in unstable markets and changing environments. This means that a six months company strategic trajectory could be altered due to the inevitable changes and unstable markets. To ensure that the organization achieves its strategic goals, I will provide a strategic awareness or in other words, I will understand the scope of the projects and then evaluate the future (Cabanis-Brewin & Pennypacker, 2006, para, 3). If I realize that the organization's strategic trajectory is wrong, I will act as a change agent. My recommendation to the organization is that as a project manager to be able to align the projects to the corporate strategy, the organization must communicate the strategy. Clear communication will help me to understand the visions and mission and ultimately transform them into tangible objectives (Romano, 2014, part 11). Another recommendation is that the organization should communicate the strategy to all the stakeholders. I understand that when all the stakeholders have the information, they will support decisions and improve the fulfillment of strategic objectives.

My role in quality management and customer focus

As a project manager, my role is not only to provide an operational value but also a strategic value. This means that in project management, I will not only focus on the project life cycle but  I will also implement a more comprehensive framework that aims at promoting growth, market position, and increasing profits (Orčik & Gajić,  2012, para, 2).  In general, I will maintain the traditional mindset but I will go beyond to include a strategic mindset in project management. I am aware that the business strategy entails the creation of competitive advantages.  At the operational level, I will ensure that the projects and the business strategy move together. Traditionally, projects could increase attention on project goals, resources, scope, and other elements (Orčik & Gajić, 2012, para, 2). This means that there was no connection between the project plan and the business strategy.  However, my role in project management is to ensure that the project plans align with the business strategies.  I will consider both external and internal project strategy. In the external project strategy, I will ensure that the main purpose of the project is to make money and achieve the marketing strategy. In the internal project strategy, I will ensure that the project achieves the operational strategy. In general, to help the organization achieve its strategy, I will ensure that the project has a positive impact on the stakeholders, it brings competitive advantages, and it directs the behavior.  I understand that many organizations measure success on the basis is of financial and economic indicators. However, as a project manager, I would like to put it clear that project success factors are also a criterion for company success (Orčik & Gajić, 2012, para, 8). Thus, I will go beyond the triple constrains (time, cost, and performance) and involve another factor known as customer satisfaction. The triple constraints are primary factors whereas factors such as customer satisfaction, ethical conduct, government regulations, and more are secondary factors.   As a project manager, I will go beyond the triple constrains and ensure that the projects align with the customer-defined value.  Note that project success is not only measured by focusing on the triple constraints but other factors such as the impact on the customer determine the success (Orčik & Gajić, 2012, para, 8). Thus, in achieving the organization strategy, I will deal with the correct metrics. This means that I will involve both project-based metrics such as time, cost, customer satisfaction, and safety consideration, and process management process metrics such as benchmarking and more.  

 In the project portfolio, I will apply the resource-based theory.  Note that the project portfolio means that as a project manager, I should group projects to balance the number of projects.  In this scenario, the resource-based theory will help understand the company's capabilities and focus on activities that will meet the organization's goal (GARDINER, 2005, p.54). After grouping the projects, I will evaluate the projects of great value and benefits.  This means that the company's international capabilities and core competencies should support the project since the project will bring more opportunities and competitive advantage (GARDINER, 2005, p.54).  Rather than focusing on projects that will only bring profit, I will focus on projects that will increase value.

Ethical role as a project manager

As a project manager, I will observe the discipline and practices of the project management to create value for the entire organization. In taking about ethics, I understand that project management is not an independent entity but it is a unit that is part of the entire organization. This tells me that I should ensure that the project entity produces results that will impact the entire organization. As a project manager, I will ensure that the project team acts ethically, or in other words, they should develop moral character (Schweriner, 2007, para, 2). I am aware of many ethical issues such as bribery, blatant fraud, and other forms such as health and safety issues, information sharing, and more. However, it is my role and responsibility to ensure that the project team acts fairly and honestly and uphold professionalism in the project processes (Schweriner, 2007, para, 2).  As a project manager, I am aware that all organizational levels should create a business relationship to meet the strategic goal.  Similarly, as a project manager, I will ensure that the project management unit adheres to the code of conduct (Schweriner, 2007, para, 6). Note that failure to act ethically will affect not only the project unit but the entire organization including the customers.  As a project manager, I understand that the project team is involved in ethical issues such as conflict of interests where some members view the project as a new sale opportunity.  In such scenarios, I will develop a project charter, document everything, and incorporate ethics in the organization.

 

 

A personal SWOT analysis

 The following personal SWOT analysis will help me succeed in a project management career.

 Strengths

• Team leader- I love coaching team members, improving their strengths, and working with them to identify problems and resolve conflict.
• Effective communication skills- I communicate effectively with the project team and other managers at different levels of the organization.
• Ability to strategize- I do not only deal with the triple constrains in project management but I have a bigger picture.  I consider other factors such as customer satisfaction and ensure that the project aligns with the corporate strategy.
• Risk management insights- before planning the project, I identify the unanticipated issues and control the risk.
• Critical thinking- I do not only apply the classroom knowledge but I am objective or in other words, I go beyond to evaluate an issue and find solutions.
• Certification in project management professional- I have a university-based PMP and therefore, I am a highly-skilled project manager. I have the skills ad qualifications that are needed to manage the project.  I know how to manage the triple constraints and also to align the project with corporate strategy.

 

 

 

 Weaknesses

• I lack patience when working with the project team. I do not rely on them for project success and therefore I add extra ability to complete the project.
• I am detail-oriented- this is a weakness to me because I  focus too much to see if there are minor mistakes in the project processes.  This affects the team's ability to exercise their freedom and meet the deadline
• I find it hard to ask for help- sometimes I lack expertise in some areas but I find myself being too independent that I cannot approach other managers for help.
• I am unable to maintain work/life balance-I do not meet my personal needs because I love my work.

 

Opportunities

 As a project manager, I am exposed to plausible plans that will help achieve the organization's strategy. Note that once I come up with a project plan, I can make adjustments to align the project within a realistic approach (Kendrick, 2005, para, 4).  I can optimize plans and compress schedules to meet the interests of the sponsors and other stakeholders.  Another opportunity is that a project is associated with both beneficial and adverse outcomes.  It is possible to prevent adverse outcomes through standards risk measures.

 Threats

 In project management, workers need constant attention. As a project manager, I am required to create an authoritative and controlling environment to achieve the desired goals.  This is a threat in that a controlling environment will de-motivate workers and they will feel uncomfortable (Peterson, 2007, para, 7).

 

Goals and a reflective plan of action

  I have long-term goals that I aspire to achieve within two years.

• Be strategic- my long-term goal in the project management career is to be able to focus on the right project. My action plan for this goal is to start seeing projects using a different lens. Some projects have long-term impacts whereas others have short-term risks (Ferrer, 2018, p. 17).  I will execute high-impact projects that will be a competitive advantage.
• Increase my project management knowledge- as a project manager, I want to take my role seriously.  My action plan is taking  online courses and do self-study to increase knowledge and learn newer practices
• Deliver value to customers- as a project manager, I  do not want to achieve success in the triple constraints only but  I also want to deliver value to customers.  I want to fulfill the customers' expectations and ultimately achieve real success (Ferrer, 2018, p. 17).  My action plan is to create a relationship with customers to get a sense of what they needed.
• Focus on leadership- above all, I look forward to being a good leader to my team and my organization.  My action plan is to look for a mentor and participate in volunteer opportunities to widen my horizons. 

 

 

Conclusion

 

 My role as a project manager is multifaceted.  This means that my role is not only to execute project plans and controlling the project team to ensure a successful project but I am also responsible in ensuring that the projects align with corporate projects. Thus, I go beyond the traditional role of managing the project to include the modern role of measuring the objective of the project and organization and ensuring that the objectives move together. To ensure that the project aligns with corporate strategy, I will break down the project scope and choose the projects that align with the strategic plan and bring business benefits and competitive advantage.  My knowledge and skills will help in aligning the project with strategy since I will not only act as a project manager but I will also act as a company's strategic thinker. As a project manager, I have set my goals and action plans. I am aware that successful people want to surpass their standards and gain personal and professional development. Similarly, I want to gain professional development so that I can achieve the project as well as corporate objectives.  My strengths and opportunities will contribute to the project and the organization's success. However, I will also work on my weakness and threats and turn them into my greatest strength and opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

 Romano, L. (2014). Corporate strategy for project managers: why strategic alignment and

awareness is so important.  Project Management Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/strategic-alignment-importance-corporate-strategy-1405

 

976772. GARDINER, P. (2005). Project Management. Palgrave Macmillan. http://www.myilibrary.com?id=976772.

 

Orčik, A. and Gajić, S., 2012. The Role of Strategic Project Management in achieving

organizational success. Prague, 1st Multidisciplinary Academic Conference-MAC.

 

 Schweriner, J.H. (2007). Ethics considerations for the project manager in professional services.

Project Management Institute. Retrieved from:  https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/ethics-considerations-manager-professional-services-7398

 

 Kendrick, T. (2005). Project opportunity: risk sink or  risk source?  Project Management

Institute. Retrieved from:  https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/project-opportunity-management-risks-9947

 

 Peterson, T.M. (2007). Motivation: how to increase project team performance. Project

Management Institute. Retrieved from:  https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/motivation-increase-project-team-performance-7234

 

 Cabanis-Brewin, J. & Pennypacker, J. S. (2006). Best practices for aligning project to corporate

strategy.  Project Management Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/aligning-projects-corporate-strategy-performance-8074

 

Ferrer Romero, E.F., 2018. Strategic project management: a methodology for sustainable

competitive advantage. Revista EAN, (spe), pp.15-31.