WK6 - Analyzing Scope Creep

We all know projects that he have around the house. Several years back I was planning and redesigned the master bathroom. I set aside the money and took time off from work so that I could complete the project over a four-day period. While I was planning this project the wife, and I decided what needed to be complete on the project. Sometimes during the second day the wife came up to me and wanted to change something’s that I had not planned. Since my wife was the stakeholder on this project I had to readjust the triple constraint of the project, both the time and money needed to be adjusted in order to complete the project. As one of our resources, this week mentions about “scope creep which is the primary cause of cost and time. Changes need to occur due to a change in vision, needs of the customer, or a sudden change in the budget” (Lynch & Roecker, 2007 p. 96). In order to complete the project, the wife had to wait until the weekend before I was able to finish the project. My wife (the stakeholder) would have to put up with the bathroom being in disarray before I could finish the project. What I could have done differently was take some more time off and also estimate more funding for any further project around the house to anticipate changes that could occur during the next project.

Lynch, M. M., & Roecker, J. (2007). Project managing e-learning: A handbook for successful design, delivery, and management. London: Routledge. Copyright by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Reprinted by permission of Taylor & Francis Group, LLC via the Copyright Clearance Center.

WK3 Communication

During the various ways that one can communicate to stakeholders I came up with the following. During the E-mail modality, Jane wanted Mark to send the missing report where she needed that data from that report. She also mentioned that Mark could send over just the data that she needed in a different email so she could finish her report on time. When it came to the voicemail that I listened to Jane asked Mark that even though he was in a meeting all day she needed the report or the data in a separate email so that she could finish her report on time. Then, during a face-to-face meeting Jane said that she knew that Mark has been busy all day at the meeting. She would like an ETA on the report so that she could have the information in order to complete her report on time. Jane asked if he could send the report via email or send the data in a separate email so she could finish her report on time.

Even though throughout all different modalities I knew that Jane needed the report. To be honest, sometimes we all interrupt e-mail differently and normally I read my e-mails at work a couple of times, so I know exactly what the person is asking or telling me. Take, for example, when I read the email the first time I missed when she mentioned that Jane needing the report to finish hers. Then, during the voicemail I got most of what Jane was trying to tell me that she needed the data to complete her report via email or a separate email for the data. When communicating face-to-face I could see her facial expressions that we normally don’t get during e-mail or a voicemail message. Just by watching her facial expression, I could tell that it was important to her, getting her report done on time.

When we use communication with the project team, it is more essential to have a face-to-face communication compared to the other modalities. During a face-to-face meeting, I could see if the stakeholders understand the meeting, where we need to explain more so that we are all on the same page. In both the email setting and voicemail setting there is always about what the stakeholder interrupts the message. There are also a time and place that the other communications can be used, for example, a follow-up email stating what was said during a meeting or a voicemail reminding the stakeholder of the meeting that may be coming up.

WK2Assgn - Learning from a Project

While I was in the Navy many years ago, I was assigned to a hovercraft unit, which is located at Camp Pendleton, CA. There was a concern that the control tower by the beach where the hovercraft goes into the water needed a radar system so they could monitor the incoming hovercraft. For this project, we did some research on what was the best radar system we could use at that time. We also required to include some of the other technicians that have worked on radar systems before. Once we compiled a list and ordered the item that we needed.

The success of the project was how we went about including all the stakeholders in the project. We conducted meetings with the Commander, the Electronic Technicians, and the sailors that ran the tower. We knew that there was a need for this project, and we did research on what type of equipment we are going to need for the project beforehand. Then we ordered the appropriate items that we needed. Once the materials got delivered we worked with the Electronic Technicians to get the radar installed. Then the radar was tested and fine-tuned by someone that was qualified on the radar system. The unit used the radar system for years helping the control tower to watch for traffic and incoming hovercraft.