Project Manager Roles

Question: Critically evaluate the role and responsibility of the project manager and analyse the tools and techniques employed in the field of project management. Answer: Critical review of Journal article under consideration: Abiodun, E.J.A., 2009. Human Resources management, an overview. 110-121: Concept Publication. Andries, A.M., Apetri, A.N. Cocris, V., 2012. The impact of the banking system reform on banks performance. African Journal of Business Management Vol 6(6), pp.2278-84. Armstrong, M., 2006. A handbook of Human Resource Management Practice (10th edition). London: Kogan Page. Baker, D.C., 2014. Great Project Managers. [Online] Available at: https://99u.com/articles/6946/top-10-characteristics-of-great-project-managers. Barney, J., 2001. The resource-based view of the firm: Ten years after 1991. Journal of Management, Vol. 27, pp.625-41. Barron, W., 2014. Flexibility and work-life balance: who benefits? In Human Resource Management in Australia. 5th ed. Sydney: McGraw-Hill Australia. pp.315-16. Besner, C. Hobb, B., 2004. An empirical investigation of project management practice: In reality what tools do practitioners use? In D.P. Slevin, D.I. Cleland J.K. Pinto, eds. Innovations: Project Management Research. Newton Square: Project Management Institute. pp.337-51. Businessballs, 2014. Project Management. [Online] Available at: https://www.businessballs.com/project.htm [Accessed 27 April 2015]. CEB information Technology, 2012. Rules to Live By: 10 Guiding Principles for Project Management. [Online] Available at: https://www.executiveboard.com/blogs/rules-to-live-by-10-guiding-principles-for-project-management/. Dvir, D. Lechler, T., 2004. Plans are nothing, changing plans is everything: The impact of changes on project success. Research Policy, 33(1), pp.1-15. Fleming, Q.W. Koppelman, J.M., 2006. Earned Value Project Management. 3rd ed. Newton Square: Project Management Institute. Fray, A.M., 2007. Ethical behavior and social responsibility in organizations: process and evaluation. Management Decisions., 45(1), pp.76-88. Ganaway Nick, B., 2006. Construction business management: A guide to contracting for business success. Auchmuty. Gill, R., 2002. Change management or change leadership? Journal of Change Management, pp.3 (4), 307-318. Hillson, D., 2009. Managing Risk in Projects (Fundamentals of Project Management). Gower. Ika, L.A., Diallo, A. Thuillier, D., 2010. Project Management in the International development industry: The project coordinator's perspective. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business., 3(1), pp.61-93. Institiute, P.M., 2009. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: PMBOK Guide. 4th ed. Project Management Institute. Kerzner, H., 2009. Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling and Controlling. 9th ed. John Wiley and Sons. LT Construction, 2014. International projects. [Online] Available at: https://www.lntecc.com/homepage/common/interprojects.htm. Meredith, J.R., 2014. Project management in practice. (Fifth Edition). Wiley. MetropolitanWashingtonAirportAuthority, 2008. Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. [Online] Available at: https://www.dullesmetro.com/pdfs/FinalPMPV6-0.pdf [Accessed 03 February 2015]. Nokes, S., 2007. The Definitive Guide to Project Management. Financial Times. Schwabe, K., 2014. Information technology project management. (Seventh Edition). Cenage Learning. Smith, K.A., 2014. Teamwork and project management.(Fourth Edition). McGraw-Hill Education. Steadman, M.E.a.R.F.G., 2005. Implementing accounting education change: Bringing accounting graduates into the management mainstream. Managerial Auditing Journal, pp.10(3), 3-7. SupplyManagement.com, 2004. Oxfam targets better procurement. [Online] Available at: https://www.supplymanagement.com/news/2004/oxfam-targets-better-procurement [Accessed 11 December 2014]. Background: The study is about comparing and finding out relations between the project management efforts and project success following proper success criteria. This study has been done to give support to the idea that the success of a project does not only depends on its prior project planning but also on its monitoring and evaluation using right mix of tools and techniques in the project management. This way the project monitoring and evaluation helps in leaving long term impact on the project completion which proves to be more appropriate as per the project plans. The study has been carried by Lavagnon A. Ika, AmadouDiallo and Denis Thuiller. They carried out the study on 26 different countries in Africa. They actually used the method of questionnaire filling that was actually delivered to the sample population of 600 respondents through mail. There exists no hypothesis or research question in this research work; however the purpose or objective of the study is present. The purpose of the stu dy or main objective is stated as to analyze the empirical relationship among various Project Manager Efforts in the aid industry sector to accomplish project success using a definite set of success criteria and applying various Project Management tools. Literature Review: The researchers reviewed more relevant research studies that have been carried out earlier. These include the followings. According to Dvir and Lechler (2004) various known factors of the project management includes project mission, schedule, budget, scope, plan, and goal, progress measurement, monitoring and reporting. Out of these various factors, the project planning and monitoring is considered as vital factors that needs to be taken under consideration for successful project management. His research made in various companies during the early twenty first century proved that there exist various benefits of applying project management tools which enhances planning and monitoring of the projects. This way the project management techniques help in measuring quality of project to keep control and execute as per the plans. These techniques also help in achieving higher output and gains for the project but still does not ensures success of the project in the end. The reason can be the execution of the project management technique after careful selection and appropriate application. Therefore a proper Proj ect Life Cycle is suggested to be followed through evaluation of the data and information received through research process. This includes to add monitoring, controlling and report as an essential part after the planning process is over. The right monitoring, controlling and reporting can ensure that the project meets its planned outcome and will achieve its targets in the coming future. This way plans are nothing, but changing plans is everything. That is plans are formulated when the project work has not started. Later after the monitoring, controlling and evaluating process starts the project plan needs to apply changes to meet the new requirements. Various project management techniques are also suggested which includes the followings. Log frame or LF, Critical path method or CRM, Scheduling, Budgeting, Program Evaluation Review Technique or PERT. Etc. (Dvir Lechler, 2004) Fleming and Koppelman (2006), the process of implementation phase consisting of monitoring, controlling and reporting have proved to be a critical factor for the large projects to complete on time and as per the requirements. But the same approach has not proved completely effective for moderate size organizations. This is due to the fact that the project stakeholders interest and expectations varies from moderate to large organization. The large organization tends to achieve sustenance in the long run. On the other hand, moderate organization stakeholders has the main interest in earning profits and revenue from the project. Due to this reason the implementation phase of the project observes following a particular project plan in the large organizations but the changes are often seen to meet requirements in the short run by moderate organizations (Fleming Koppelman, 2006). Bersner and Hobbs (2004) identified seventy kinds of project management tools and techniques. They found out that the project managers often uses these different kinds of project management tools at different levels as per the project requirements without considering about the project characteristics. Thus the methods of application in the form of project management tools and techniques are varied but its selections as per the project characteristics depend on the project manager. This way the efficient and effective selection of the project management tools and techniques helps in achieving higher gains and profits for the organization by fulfilling the project and reaching its completion on time and within the available financial constraints. Any wrong selection made by the project management in deciding the project management tools and techniques will certainly cause unnecessary delays and over cost in the project plans(Besner Hobb, 2004). Literature review establishing research needs: The literature review establishes the base as of why the research was necessary or needed. Research was needed actually to take a next step towards the prior research by identifying the factors that could help in successful project completion other than project planning. These way ten factors were identified in the research. These would actually help in acting as a deciding measure to achieve project targets. This way the use of latest project management tools and techniques were made to analyze the factors and find out the desired outcome from them. The research therefore suggested various project management tools and techniques which can be used as measures that were used in the research were as follows. Log frame or LF. Work breakdown structure or (WBS). Activities/responsibilities (CHART). Codification of tasks (CODFIT). Budgeting of tasks (BUDGT). Critical Path Method (CPM). Work Progress Monitoring (MONITW). Monitoring of disbursements (MONITD). Performance indicators (PI). Microsoft project software (MSP). (Ganaway Nick, 2006) These way different measures of project management were actually utilized to achieve the desired outcome from the research. Sample and Data collection: Sample: The sample is a small group which should represent the total study population. When looking at the sample you should pose the following questions: The sample population was 600 recipients of questionnaires in 26 different countries in Africa. These were actually project managers who were taking up with one or other project management task for their respective organization. This way the study population in this journal research paper includes the project managers in 26 countries in Africa. These are the people who are a vital part of the research as the research intends to find out their response to evaluate the practical implications that are followed for any project completion and how it gets affected by different factors. The sample chosen from the study population is done at random. That is the smaple rare slected from the population of project managers in 26 countries. In this Journal research hpaper the sample chose are from the target population of the project managers who are taking up one or other project management project. A total of 600 samples were chosen from the population to get the desired response and output from them. The size of the sample is 600. They are selected from the population of project managers who takes not hand various projects meant to fulfill a particular target or support business process to the organization. The sample is representative as it has taken into consideration the project managers from different countries with different professional status in the organization. These way efforts are made to achieve a more generally acceptable outcome from the research. Data Collection: The researchers have justified in their choice of data collection tools. The tools used by the researchers include the followings. Log frame or LF. Work breakdown structure or (WBS). Activities/responsibilities (CHART). Codification of tasks (CODFIT). Budgeting of tasks (BUDGT). Critical Path Method (CPM). Work Progress Monitoring (MONITW). Monitoring of disbursements (MONITD). Performance indicators (PI). Microsoft project software (MSP). All the above stated statistical methods can help in getting the most appropriate outcome and could help in finding out correlation and variance between different factors under consideration in this research. Strength and Weaknesses: The strength and weakness of this method are as follows. Strength Use of latest techniques and tools of project management has been used. The questionnaires were designed efficiently to meet the desired outcomes. The questionnaires were asked from a good number of people which were termed as sample population consisting of 600 respondents. Efforts made to reach a far effective outcome through getting feedback from sample population from nearly 26 countries in Africa. The selection of various techniques in application has been applied in research. This includes Log frame, Codification of tasks, Budgeting of tasks, Critical Path Method, Work breakdown structure etc. The outcome is clearly stated in statistical form so that the evaluation can related the correlation between the various factors under consideration of the research work. Weakness: 1. Pilot survey was missing. 2. The sample population was disbursed in 26 countries which actually made it difficult to handle them. 3. The use of different techniques and tools was made instead of selecting on a few and most appropriate one for the research work. 4. In this world mailing is considered an old process and instead of that use of email was required to be done for this work this purpose. Data Analysis: The data collection method used was mailing of questionnaires to the 600 sample population which was selected at random so that the desired outcome can be achieved. The data is collected by following a below stated format for data collection. Identification of the project. Project appraisal. Negotiations and approval. Execution and supervision. Execution and completion. Ex-post evaluation. Assistance strategy. Hence the usage of mailing techniques for survey was used on 600 sample population consisting mostly of country in the Sahara region. The questions were mailed in English and French language as well. Nearly 350 questionnaires were in French while the rest 250 were in English. This way data if collected and later validated using the International Development Project Management or IDPM tools using extraction techniques which consider maximum likelihood. Also the use of x^2 test was done for further factor analysis and achieving correlation between the project success measures and Project managers efforts. There is no evidence of a pilot study which helps in getting applied the survey on few people response and compare it with the desired outcome before it is actually applied to whole sample population. Hence a lot of risk was taken while sending questionnaires which could have been curbed through pilot survey. The pilot survey actually could have helped in getting knowledge about the actual survey outcome when the response in pilot survey would have matched the requirements and helped in identifying the issues and problem that might have became obstacle in the actual research process(Nokes, 2007). Study results: The researchers conclusions about the literature are justified up to great extent. He actually wants to convey that mere making plans for the project do not ensure its successful completion. Therefore the plans must follow a definite method or tools of monitoring, controlling and reporting. These tools include methods like Log frame or LF, Critical path method or CRM, Program Evaluation Review Technique or PERT, Scheduling, budgeting etc. These are among the most common techniques that are developed overtime to efficiently and effectively manage the project completion through monitoring, controlling and reporting. There is a need for this study as it helps in further identification of the particular factors that are part of the monitoring, controlling and reporting process which could ensure completion of project and its accomplishment of desired goals. This research takes into consideration ten project success measures which could be responsible for the completion of the project in a stipulated time frame and within the constraints. These include the followings. Identification of the initial objectives of the project. Fixing project time. Fixing project budget. Output as per the estimates. Stakeholders interest is given due important.| Project has an opportunity of getting developed overtime through more time and money investment. Project meets the expectations of the planners. The beneficiaries achieve the satisfactory level of gains. The project shows visible benefits the organization. The project supports the organization process. Thus the above ten factors which are part of the project profile and project impact are considered in this research which will help in analyzing the benefits of monitoring, controlling and reporting to the organization other than just project planning. The main findings of the study were as follows. There existed a not so significant correlation that is between 15 to 31 percent for the project success and project manager tools. Project re-formulation and re-planning tools are among the vital tools that could help in achieving higher success rate. Project monitoring and evaluation helps in easy accomplishment of the project goals and objectives. Therefore there exists high correlation between the project manager efforts on one side and project success variables on the other side. Finally the project profile needs to include the respondents characteristics for further decision making process. (SupplyManagement.com, 2004) Discussion and Conclusions: The researcher made attempts to compare their findings with other research studies but the in-depth analysis and comparison was missing that could spell the main difference or similarities between the research outcomes. The researchers have answered the research question by identifying the main factor that are closely associated with the success rate and efforts of the project manager. The hypothesis were absent, however the research aim was achieved as it found out that the planning has lower correlation in comparison to the monitoring, controlling and reporting. The limitations of their study include the followings. There are not specific columns for research aim, research questions and research objectives. Project hypothesis is completely missing. The prior research does not consist of any qualitative or quantitative outcome that could actually be compared with the outcome of this study. The study findings therefore states that planning plays a lesser important role in project completion and its success. The major factor that correlates with the project success includes the project success factors and project manager efforts. This way an accurate conclusion has been drawn based on the study findings that planning is lesser important than execution, monitoring and reporting(Schwabe, 2014). Own Conclusions and recommendations: The data collection approach used by the researcher was a proper format as per the Baums cycle that can be displayed as follows. Image 1 Thus we see a proper planning and execution method had been followed for the research. The first step was the identification of the project. That is what the project meant to and what its motives were. The second step was project appraisal so that the pre-requisites for project can be easily identified well in advance. The next step was negotiations and approval of the main topics of research. The execution and supervision was later followed to achieve the most appropriate outcome from the research. The next followed was completion of the project and ex-post evaluation was followed so that the desired outcome was achieved and the research meet its target outcome. Finally assistance strategy was followed to reach outstanding outcome. This way proper handling of the survey of 600 people in 26 countries were handled with 350 French questionnaires and 250 English questionnaires. Also the uses of X^2 test was made along with the correlation analysis to measure the relation between the va rious project success measures discussed above with the project managers efforts. This way the study was easy to read as it used easy language to interpret and discuss the outcomes. The use of references at appropriate places further helped in identifying the context of various researchers in this journal research for the same purpose. The study was easy to interpret and the quantitative research methodology further helped in getting the first hand information and outcomes for the research work. The quantitative data was analyzed using the various statistical tools and techniques. These include the usage of followings. Log frame or LF. Work breakdown structure or (WBS). Activities/responsibilities (CHART). Codification of tasks (CODFIT). Budgeting of tasks (BUDGT). Critical Path Method (CPM). Work Progress Monitoring (MONITW). Monitoring of disbursements (MONITD). Performance indicators (PI). Microsoft project software (MSP). (Kerzner, 2009) The outcome of these research methods were used to get the x^2 test and correlation analysis to figure out the possible relation between the project success measures identified above with the efforts of the project manager. The study results were discussed under heading data analysis and results which was actually counted as sixth chapter. The results were presented clearly under different headings such as factor analysis consisting of principal component analysis like LF, WBS, and CPM, PERT etc. Then the correlation analysis was displayed along with different measures. These way efforts were made to showcase the coordinates of the toolboxes on the initial items. Finally the use of descriptive statistics study was made for the average composite to fetch the Project managers tools scores. The benefits of the findings be to the Project Management profession includes the following guidelines for the project manager to achieve high success in their project work. The project manager should consider all the factors that could affect the project. Not only planning for the project but also its effective monitoring, controlling and reporting should be given equal weight age while considering project related requirements. Project success depends on the selection of the most appropriate project management techniques and tools. The project manager responsibility starts with the project identification and planning. This continues till monitoring and controlling and finally ends up with the achievement of various project related goals and objectives. Proper steps are required to be followed to achieve fulfillment in different stages of project development and completion. (Businessballs, 2014) Recommendations: A number of recommendations can be given for the research. The use of hypothesis should be done in research work. The research should consist of prior studies. The research should compare the prior studies with the outcome of the study. The conclusion should be enhanced and made more reflective. The use of data facts and figures should be made along with the diagrams so that the attractive display of outcome can be made. (Barron, 2014) Bibliography Abiodun, E.J.A., 2009. Human Resources management, an overview. 110-121: Concept Publication. Andries, A.M., Apetri, A.N. Cocris, V., 2012. The impact of the banking system reform on banks performance. African Journal of Business Management Vol 6(6), pp.2278-84. Armstrong, M., 2006. A handbook of Human Resource Management Practice (10th edition). London: Kogan Page. Baker, D.C., 2014. Great Project Managers. [Online] Available at: https://99u.com/articles/6946/top-10-characteristics-of-great-project-managers. Barney, J., 2001. The resource-based view of the firm: Ten years after 1991. Journal of Management, Vol. 27, pp.625-41. Barron, W., 2014. Flexibility and work-life balance: who benefits? In Human Resource Management in Australia. 5th ed. Sydney: McGraw-Hill Australia. pp.315-16. Besner, C. Hobb, B., 2004. An empirical investigation of project management practice: In reality what tools do practitioners use? In D.P. Slevin, D.I. Cleland J.K. Pinto, eds. Innovations: Project Management Research. Newton Square: Project Management Institute. pp.337-51. Businessballs, 2014. Project Management. [Online] Available at: https://www.businessballs.com/project.htm [Accessed 27 April 2015]. CEB information Technology, 2012. Rules to Live By: 10 Guiding Principles for Project Management. [Online] Available at: https://www.executiveboard.com/blogs/rules-to-live-by-10-guiding-principles-for-project-management/. Dvir, D. Lechler, T., 2004. Plans are nothing, changing plans is everything: The impact of changes on project success. Research Policy, 33(1), pp.1-15. Fleming, Q.W. Koppelman, J.M., 2006. Earned Value Project Management. 3rd ed. Newton Square: Project Management Institute. Fray, A.M., 2007. Ethical behavior and social responsibility in organizations: process and evaluation. Management Decisions., 45(1), pp.76-88. Ganaway Nick, B., 2006. Construction business management: A guide to contracting for business success. Auchmuty. Gill, R., 2002. Change management or change leadership? Journal of Change Management, pp.3 (4), 307-318. Hillson, D., 2009. Managing Risk in Projects (Fundamentals of Project Management). Gower. Ika, L.A., Diallo, A. Thuillier, D., 2010. Project Management in the International development industry: The project coordinator's perspective. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business., 3(1), pp.61-93. Institiute, P.M., 2009. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: PMBOK Guide. 4th ed. Project Management Institute. Kerzner, H., 2009. Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling and Controlling. 9th ed. John Wiley and Sons. LT Construction, 2014. International projects. [Online] Available at: https://www.lntecc.com/homepage/common/interprojects.htm. Meredith, J.R., 2014. Project management in practice. (Fifth Edition). Wiley. MetropolitanWashingtonAirportAuthority, 2008. Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. [Online] Available at: https://www.dullesmetro.com/pdfs/FinalPMPV6-0.pdf [Accessed 03 February 2015]. Nokes, S., 2007. The Definitive Guide to Project Management. Financial Times. Schwabe, K., 2014. Information technology project management. (Seventh Edition). Cenage Learning. Smith, K.A., 2014. Teamwork and project management.(Fourth Edition). McGraw-Hill Education. Steadman, M.E.a.R.F.G., 2005. Implementing accounting education change: Bringing accounting graduates into the management mainstream. Managerial Auditing Journal, pp.10(3), 3-7. SupplyManagement.com, 2004. Oxfam targets better procurement. [Online] Available at: https://www.supplymanagement.com/news/2004/oxfam-targets-better-procurement [Accessed 11 December 2014].