Amongst the three types of organizations discussed in this weeks lecture, functional, project-based, and matrix, all of these have one thing in common which is a chief executive, functional manager, project manager, both, and lastly the staff members. In the project life cycle, staff members are responsible for the goals that need to be met (defining), they have to be aware of the schedules (planning), they have to be aware of any changes in order to execute the project, and they have to learn from their lessons in the closure phase. Staff members avoid breaking things because they know how much it might cost to fix it. They know how to work smarter not harder in order to meet deadlines. Do you believe that the chief executives and managers who hold these positions should be hired in with the educational background of business and management, or do you feel that they should be filled by staff members who understands how the business runs and can potentially work their way up?
Amongst the three types of organizations discussed in this weeks lecture, functional, project-based, and matrix, all of these have one thing in common which is a chief executive, functional manager, project manager, both, and lastly the staff members. In the project life cycle, staff members are responsible for the goals that need to be met (defining), they have to be aware of the schedules (planning), they have to be aware of any changes in order to execute the project, and they have to learn from their lessons in the closure phase. Staff members avoid breaking things because they know how much it might cost to fix it. They know how to work smarter not harder in order to meet deadlines. Do you believe that the chief executives and managers who hold these positions should be hired in with the educational background of business and management, or do you feel that they should be filled by staff members who understands how the business runs and can potentially work their way up?
This is a very good question and really made me think. I am torn because you want people with background on the team so it's not that hard to train to coming into the team. But you also want people to get a chance to prove themselves. Personally, I get turned away from a lot of jobs due to "lack of experience " and I feel that it is very unfair. I have the degree, which is some background and each job you get has to train you anyway so what's the problem? if everybody turns you down how are you ever suppose to get the experience? I think that giving people time to work their way up is smart. if you start at the bottom you will be an expert at every position. If you understand the business it won't be surprised by anything and will be able to tackle anything thrown at you .
Do you believe that the chief executives and managers who hold these positions should be hired in with the educational background of business and management, or do you feel that they should be filled by staff members who understands how the business runs and can potentially work their way up?
I truly think that those who know the business should be given an opportunity. I feel that if we hire those who do not understand the business, then they will not understand the type of work force needed to address these business needs. Furthermore, I do not believe that those hired in these positions will be as resourceful. In the end, if you hire someone who does not know the business and place then in a senior or executive role, then it will be up to those lower staff, who know the business to help the executives, with little to no experience. Sad unfair reality that we face these days but it happens every day especially at government agencies.
Great question. I think the best project managers have a mix of both higher education and valuable work experience. There are some qualities of a good project manager, including creativity and growth, that can only be learned on the job and not by obtaining a certain number of degrees or GPA. Developmental skills of the degree are earned on the job and this success depends on the ability to carry out operating plans individuals learned to create in higher degree programs and to find the problems that need to be solved using their learned problem-solving and decision-making skills. I think employers are learning that how a project manager will perform on the job is not indicated by the number of degrees an individual holds.
Good question Meagan. I feel like these upper management positions should be filled with staff members who understands the business and works their way up. I feel this way because, being a staff member myself, I feel like I can give better input on the business because I know and understand the basics of the business from the ground level. It's easy to learn business and leadership skills, but it is hard to govern a group of people in roles in which you do not understand. With understanding comes compassion for the staff who works under you and the drive to change things to make the business run smoother and more efficiently. I, as a staff member, can tell my bosses what can make the company, or processes, run smoother all day everyday, but they will never understand unless they understand my job roles and what my work entails on the day to day.
