My capstone project for undergrad required us to validate that our device could properly detect muscle spasms. Since we couldn't validate it by inducing muscle spasms in human subjects, we chose to feed EMG data from a muscle spasm to the device to see if it would activate. When we reached the validation testing we were unable to find any usable EMG data. So, we were forced to alter our original validation testing protocols to instead lower the baseline EMG level and use muscle flexing to replicate spasms for our tests. The idea of using EMG data was initially our advisor's idea, but once we explained how the EMG data we found didn't meet our purpose, he understood and supported our proposed change.  

I've also had a similar situation with capstone in which a timeline had to be pushed back because of an outstanding task that was not completed which resulted in the whole team being behind as one task was intertwined with another. As a result, we had to cut back on some long term goals that were to be reached for the project to allow for extra time to make up for the lost time. The stakeholder was not pleased, however they did understand the nature of the situation and accepted that some future tasks had to be cut out in order to ensure the project was not rushed and completed to its potential. While it was stressful to be behind, thankfully we did account for setbacks and held ourselves to a personal deadline that was 2 weeks before the actual deadline which eased our tension. 

I have had a situation where the timeline of my project had to be pushed back. When managing my first project and having to look at deadlines and timelines, it was up to me to figure out how everyone's timeline was doing and to effectively communicate to upper management the status of the project and if more time was needed. One situation that I encountered was when a particular team that I was managing reported back that their deadline was not being able to meet because the person who they needed to communicate to was not responding and would not respond till after the deadline and would need more manpower to complete the task. To rectify it, I utilized other team members from another division who were ahead of their schedule and placed them in that team. Because all the team members worked with each other previously, there was minimal time to get everyone up to speed, and by the end of the task, they had only a few days of extension that was needed instead of another month. 

A project where a big problem pushed back on our time was my capstone project during the peak of the pandemic. My team couldn’t get all the resources we needed to finish our project, along with if we had everything expedited, the cost of the project would have easy been doubled. 

To finish the project by our projected deadline which was the final presentations, we had to utilize materials from other labs, connect with other professors as to who had what, which UV Lights/GELMA materials were available, and it helped us to finish the project precisely one day before the deadline. It was extremely stressful to constantly not have results, errors, and meet with our advisors empty handed, but also allowed for us to create backup plans in case we couldn’t get certain materials or get certain machinery in time. Our advisors were super doubtful since the pandemic changed the availability of materials and also altered how often we could go into the lab. Since only X amount of people could be in the lab at the same time as well, this became another issue we had when trying to delegate tasks. Everyone had to be available at any time to jump into the lab to take on the next role so our project could get done efficiently and on time. 

I've been recruited to work on a project where I was asked to begin participation late. The project required daily input but because there was no prior establishment and acclimation to the assignment, some components were missed. The project ended and I was unable to get all items completed and was scored below ratings as a result. In this instance, there may have been fault on both parties in regard to project manager as the timeliness in providing the assignment was off and also myself in not being diligent in completing all tasks even though it was not provided in a timely fashion.

From my personal experience, I would have to say it was during our reconstruction after hurricane Irma. I think every aspect of Project management was tested. Time management from a project projected to be completed in about six months took almost two years—delays in getting architectural plans approved. Delays in shipping involved Cost Management; getting items shipped in proved a challenge. There were so many unplanned obstacles that changed the scope of work. 

An example that I can think of that happened on a project I was assigned on was reclassifying the importance of what I was working on. Before being passed on to me as an intern to obsolete or change the documents in question, they were part of a very large project. Unfortunately, team members were changed last minute and close to the deadlines, as was in my case. The documents that I needed to update were tied to a larger project but were not incredibly important for the completion of that project by THAT deadline. I worked hard to have everything completed by the established due date, but there were some factors that were out of my control that prevented that. My Sr. Engineer took a closer look at everything that needed to be submitted and saw that the priority of my documents could be reclassified and a note can be attached to their project indicating that my documents will be tied to another update. With this move, the larger project was able to be completed by the deadline and my documents were able to obtain all necessary approvals after the deadline. 

A project manager has an important role within a team because they must keep their stakeholders and team members happy simultaneously. To keep stakeholders happy, it is important that deadlines are met and the steam is not backed up with work. It is also important for the team to be well staffed and equipped to move the project along. I have not yet worked on a project professionally, but I did work in a lab that would take in many samples during the pandemic.. When I was working at the  laboratory, one area in the lab was very backed up and another area was on track. The managers move staff from one area to another to make things move along more smoothly. This change helped get the work done quicker and helped us meet the deadline. Since some samples were priority, we had to work on those first before moving on and we were able to finish all priority samples. This change helped us get back on track even with the standard samples.