If I were a project manager in a medical industry, I would motivate the team members by using various methods, since I believe everyone is motivated differently. However, I think the project manager should first be motivated, since setting a…   Read more»

This class was very helpful in allowing me to understand the various aspects and steps needed to successfully manage a project, from the necessary documents needed for each PM process, to the soft skills required in a project team. I…   Read more»

I agree with the previous posts that someone planning to go into management should have experience in the more entry-level jobs and go up the ladder, step by step. This way, the manager can relate to those under management and…   Read more»

I am also not surprised by these results, since exciting and challenging work seems to hold the most importance for most people in general when asked about work. Also, in a previous forum, when asked what their motivation was, many…   Read more»

What motivates me is collaboration coupled with learning. Whether it be a group assignment in a class, or working together with co-workers, or reaching a goal with another individual, the simple case of working with others to achieve something greatly…   Read more»

I also agree that reactive management is not necessarily bad, but preventative management is preferred. It is best to leave reactive management to circumstances which need immediate and sudden action, as the name implies. If people only relied on reactive…   Read more»

The project manager should not be the sole communicator, but should instead effectively encourage the communication of groups and bring together those who should be communicating together. I agree with the posts above which mention everyone on a project should…   Read more»

Project team members usually do give at least two weeks notice before changing positions to a different job, however, in the case that an emergency occurs or the team member suddenly quits, which does happen, other actions must be taken….   Read more»

Everyone has emphasized the importance of communication in this situation, which I agree should be of focus. I would like to add that in the case a substitute is found for the person on vacation or emergency situation, the substitute…   Read more»

I agree with the previous posts on the importance of metrics in the success of a project and would like to add that it not only gives upper management or project managers a better idea of how the project is…   Read more»

Since planned value and actual costs have already been defined in the previous posts, I would like to add that the planned value and actual cost metrics not only provide information on the success of the project, but could also…   Read more»

Given the high likelihood of there being scope growth/creep during a project, I believe that adaptability is important. The project team should be prepared for scope creep and adaptable in the case where changes or additions have to be made….   Read more»

In addition to the various steps for controlling changes, as mentioned in the previous posts, various types of changes exist, which may influence which steps to take. Different types of changes include: non-essential design change (NDC), design change number (DCN),…   Read more»

I agree that status meetings and clear communication can help improve the design transfer process, as well as continuing support after a product launch. However, I believe that in order to minimize the amount of time spent on solving problems…   Read more»

I agree with the aforementioned that the project team members’ schedules and vacation times should be planned before executing the project. However, in order to remedy emergencies, I would like to suggest that it may help for at least one…   Read more»

Although it may seem that the executing phase is the most important part of the project, I believe that the planning phase holds slightly more importance due to the greater ease of execution when planning is done right and well….   Read more»

So far, this course has allowed me to see aspects from a management point-of-view, which is very useful, especially in industry. Having mostly academia-focused experience, it was interesting in seeing what some important aspects of industry-work is like. I especially…   Read more»

I believe the most effective way to minimize risks associated with deadlines is to give a longer period between the early start date and the late start date, and to actually start the project as soon as possible. Due to…   Read more»

I agree that returning to planning of the earlier phases does not mean the project is necessarily losing ground or going in the right direction. I believe it is better to go back to the earlier stage and correct for…   Read more»

I agree with the previous posts on emailing/calling the unresponsive team member, since this allows for clear records. Additionally, I believe it is important to gather everyone’s schedules before the start of the project, to make sure everyone has enough…   Read more»