Project Management and the Importance of Time - Essay Example

This paper will discuss time, human resources and communications being the most important knowledge areas for the trade show project.

Time is very vital for the trade show because it is participation in some global show. The trade show materials have to be shipped in time to reach before the trade show, the vendor/printed has to deliver in time so that they can be shipped in time. The timing for training the staff is vital as Pat will be away on vacation; travel arrangements are essential to avoid last-minute complications as shows of this magnitude attract participants from all over the world. Not all, but many activities are dependent on the previous activity, which adds importance to adhering to time schedules. Hence, time management would involve defining and sequencing the activity, estimate the duration and the resources, and develop the schedule (ITPM, n.d.).

The second most important knowledge area recognized by the PMBOK is human resources management. Every knowledge area includes a planning area (ITPM). The most effective use of the people involved in the project has to be done. The first task is to identify the staff and assign roles, like Pat and Terry have been identified, taking into account their strengths and weaknesses. The project roles, responsibilities and reporting relationships have to be assigned (Duncan, n.d.). Staff acquisition is essential after which the team development needs to be executed. For any project to be successful teamwork is essential, hence acquiring, developing and managing the project team is essential. The effort and expertise of different individuals are necessary to execute the project effectively. Hence, this knowledge area also involves delegating, motivating, coaching and mentoring.

The third most important knowledge area relevant to the trade show project is communication. This involves the timely and effective generation, dissemination, storage and disposition of the project information (Duncan). Since most activities are independent, communication at all levels gains importance. Everyone involved in the project must be prepared to receive and send a communication in the language understood by all. Communication planning involves identifying who needs what information at what stage and how it will be conveyed to him. Since there are so many different activities involved in the trade show, communication channels have to be properly identified. Information has to be distributed in a timely manner since this is a time-critical project.

In the absence of any of these areas, the trade show project would suffer as it is time-critical and totally dependent on people and effective communication.