Project Management : Module 2 Check Your Understanding

The paper is divided into three sections, the first of which will establish a timeline of events. This project background will serve as a case study for the analysis in the following section that will be structured such that each of the previously mentioned facets will be independently analyzed and contrasted with project management principles. Finally the paper will conclude with a summary of the analysis and recommendations based on

In the current business environment, the demand for project managers is ever growing. In short, project management is a provisional project constrained by time, cost and scope (A guide to the project management body of knowledge, 2013). Between the immense organization, optimization, and communication assets skilled project management brings to a project, it is easy to see why project management is a booming field of study. Furthermore, project management can be both financially and personally rewarding when long term milestones and goals come to fruition.

Project Management Institute. (2000). _A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (4th ed.)._

While APA format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

* Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific

The purpose of this paper is to get familiar with APA manual, to know how to use the manual, and what the paper requires.

Directions: Please answer each of the following questions. Ensure that your responses are at least 1-2 paragraphs in length for each question. You may include examples from the text; however, please include APA citations as necessary. Please visit the Academic Resource Center for a concise guide on APA format.

Note. APA formatting is not required for this assignment. Use a title and reference page where appropriate. Consider using a checklist or flowchart to outline your process.

* Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide. An abstract is not required.

In his book, Project Management for Dummies (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2013) Stanley E. Portny helps others recognize the basics of successful project management. He provides the necessary information to plan and manage projects as well as providing important guidelines to develop and use the information. Project management includes dealing with a variety of people and tips are given to help identify and involve key players. This book navigates the critical tools needed to support project planning, scheduling, budgeting, organizing and controlling.

Directions: Type your article references in APA format and answer the following questions in complete sentences about the article. You do not have to provide in text citations in the answers. (2 points for grammatical issues) APA Reference (9.5 points) Questions (0.5 points each)

In the modern economic environment, organisations appreciate the fundamental strategic and supportive role that project management performs in the market. However, in order to ensure project success, should the focus be on the project management system or is the organisational culture more influential? Project management can take on a variety of applications and systems, making it difficult to find a consent concise definition within literature. However, Cleland and King (1983) succinctly define project management as a “combination of human and nonhuman resources pulled together in a ‘temporary’ organization to achieve a specific purpose” (Cleland & King, 1983, p. 187). Galbraith (1971) characterised a continuum of project management systems. At one end of the continuum is ‘functional organisation’, often regarded as more traditional, through to ‘product organisation’ at the other end. Existing in the middle is ‘matrix organisation’, a hybrid of either end of the spectrum (see fig. 1). Three different forms of matrix organisation are identified in literature: ‘functional matrix’, ‘balanced matrix’, and ‘project matrix’ (Gobeli & Larson, 1986; Vasconcellos & Hemsley, 1981; Youker, 1977). Each of the project management systems establishes distinctive associations between the various participants in a project. Project success appears to be strongly linked to organisational culture. However, the role of both organisational structure and organisational culture are significant

Question Discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of the functional, matrix, and dedicated team approaches to managing projects. [20 marks]

Project management functions as a result of a structured organisation. Moore (2008) notes that despite the project organisational structure applied, a hierarchy denoting the levels of authority will exist. He further notes that functional organisational structure are employed within the organisation, while project-based structures are established to handle specific projects. One thing to note, however, is that in each case there will be a hierarchy of authority depending on the role. For instance, the client[s] will be at the top of the hierarchy as the financiers and primary decision-makers. The project management group, on the other hand, will have its own hierarchy headed by the project