Integrating Professional Experience - Essay Example

Project Planning Integrating Professional Experience Critically evaluate reflective practice and personal skill development in relation to past work experiences. TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 Introduction to the Planning: 3 Project planning 5 Project management 6 JOB DESCRIPTION 7 Personal skill development 8 The Need of Planning for Project to Reduce the Maintenance Work 10 How Planning in Infrastructure Projects reduces the maintenance work? 12 Advantages of Planning in Project 12 Conclusion 14 References: 18 Introduction to the Planning: The project planning is an essential and basic step towards project completion. It provides a roadmap to management for performing the tasks. It also helps in making decisions quickly. Planning gives us details what alternative choices we can chose during the project continuation. A complete plan clearly states the actions that need to be done, why these actions are required, who will perform these actions, when it will be achieved, what resources are required to achieve the objectives, and what actions very essential in order for the project to be acknowledged complete and successful. These same naysayer would also argue that the plan, once completed is disregarded and merely put on the shelf so the team can get down to doing some real work. To people management, we mean the planning activity that involves deciding on the types of people in form of resources that are required to fulfill the requirements of the project. In other words the types of skills and number of workers we need to complete the project (kwysocki, 1997). In this chapter, we will discuss about planning. What kind of role planning plays? Does it works in Governmental Infrastructure Projects? We will start this chapter with general talk about planning. Whenever we talk about the methods involved in the project management we normally refer those methods towards the management of people as well as resources. The management of people is the management of workers. Management of people guides us about the roles and duties that a worker can perform in a project for making a project successful. It also guides management what type of staff should reserve for a specific project. How management will take advantage of skilled workers to making a project successful. Project Management plays an important role in Government Infrastructure Projects (Kerzner, 2003). Planning is a basic element of project management which allows management to make plan needed for the completion of project. As such, it is a most important feature of intellectual actions. This thought action is required to the creation and improvement of a plan, or integration of it with other plans, that is, it merge forecasting of developments with the research of situation of how to take action to them. The Word Planning is also used for explaining the appropriate actions used in such an effort, including preparation of documentation, designing work, or meetings to discuss about the main issues in project, how to achieve objectives, and what approach should be followed. Further than this, the term Planning can be used in different contexts depends upon the situation (Kerzner, 2003). According to (Kerzner, 2003), There are three benefits to developing a project plan: 1. Even though we would never expect the project work to occur as accurately as planned, planning the work allows us to think about the likely consequences and to put the required remedial measures in position. 2. The mere act of planning gives us a superior understanding of the ideas and objectives of the projects. Even if we have to discard the plan, we would still benefit from having done the exercise. 3. Once we have defined the project plan and the necessary resources to carry out the plan, we can schedule the work to take advantage of resource availability. We also can schedule work in parallel; that is, we can do tasks concurrently rather than in series. By doing tasks concurrently we can shorten the total duration of the project. We can take more advantage of our resources and finish the project in less time by choosing alternative approach. Project planning Project preparation is part of project management, which associated to the use of schedules such as Gantt charts to arrangement plus next report growth inside the scheme environment. At first, the project capacity is distinct and the suitable methods for carrying out the mission are single-minded. Subsequent this step, the durations for the various tasks necessary to complete the work are listed and grouped into a work stop working organization. The commonsensical dependencies stuck between farm duties are definite using a movement complex diagram that enables classification of the significant path. Float or relaxed time in the timetable can be planned using mission administration software. Then the compulsory possessions can be likely and costs for every movement can be billed to each supply, philanthropic the complete project cost. At this period, the mission table may be optimized to realize the proper balance stuck between supply usage and project length to act in accordance with the project objectives. Once traditional and fixed, the sketch becomes what is known as the baseline. Improvement will be precise alongside the baseline all the way from opening to end the life of the mission. Analyzing growth compare to the baseline is known as earn value organization. Project management Project Management is the regulation of planning, organizing, and running possessions to carry about the victorious conclusion of precise scheme goal and objectives. A project is a limited shot—having explicit start and conclusion dates—undertaken to construct a exceptional item for spending or service which brings on the subject of positive adjust or new value. This finite distinctive of projects stands in spiky contrast to processes, or operations, which are everlasting or semi-permanent purposeful work to over and over again manufacture the same item for spending or examine. In practice, the administration of these two systems is often create to be pretty diverse, and as such requires the expansion of distinct scientific skills and the implementation of disconnect administration viewpoint, which is the subject matter of this piece. The main face of project supervision is to realize all of the project goals and objectives while adhering to model project constraints. Usually reach, value, time and budget the inferior and more ruthless. Face is to optimize the part and incorporation of inputs needed to meet pre-defined objectives. A project is a vigilantly clear set of tricks that utilize property to get the project goals and objectives. JOB DESCRIPTION Project management is fairly often the area and liability of an entity project manager. This personage hardly ever participates straight in the actions that make the end product, but rather strives to continue the advancement and industrious shared contact of different parties in such a way that generally risk of collapse is concentrated. A project executive is often a customer delegate and has to settle on and realize the exact requirements of the client, based on facts of the firm they are in lieu of. The capability to get a experience for to the a range of inside measures of the astringent party, and to form close relatives with the designated legislature, is indispensable in ensuring that the key issues of cost, time, quality, and above all, client happiness, can be realized. In whatever field, a flourishing development manager must be able to predict the total project from begin to finish and to include the capability to guarantee that this mental picture is realized. Any type of produce or service — Pharmaceuticals, buildings, vehicles, electronics, computer software, financial services, etc may have its realization overseen by a development director and its operations by a produce executive. Personal skill development There should be following skills need in personal skill development. Assertiveness Dealing with Conflict Presentation Skills Stress Management Negotiation Communication Skills Time Management Problem Solving Without proper planning a project can not achieve success. There is a successful planning behind every successful project. The key to a winning project is in the planning. Forming a project plan is the first thing managers should do when taking responsibility of any kind of project. Often project planning is disregarded in for saving time. However, many people fail to recognize the significance of a project plan in saving time, money and many problems. When projects sprint into problems, planners also notice a comparatively limited number of causes. Sometimes Planners consider that marketing fated planning efforts right from the start by in advance promising features, techniques, and budget. They think that the planning course was quick, poorly budgeted, and with irritation managed by management. Planners think that the development group did not completely make use of their planning documentation and that management permitted them to deviate too far from the planned design. According Definition of Project Management by (Yamal, 2006): Project management is a series of techniques and methods that is applied to complete the project. These activities, techniques, and methods include planning, estimates of cost and resources, and work activities for getting the required results. Excellent planning and up to date management is very important part of Governmental Infrastructure projects. So the planning for Government Infrastructure projects comprise a sequence of goals and restrictions for instance fewer time frames for the completion of project. With the help of suitable technology and well plans, the management of infrastructure projects can be improved (Yamal, 2006). During the planning of this kind of projects Decision makers should think a lot. They should keep in mind different type of questions, i.e. from availability of alternative roads during the construction of the bridge. It would safe the population from harm. And they should keep in mind the following points (kwysocki, 1997): There should be enough designers to complete the design of the project within sensible duration. There should be a builder that has ability and skills to manage the large projects. How many skilled workers will need to complete the construction work on time? Delivery of Materials in adequate quantities and of high level quality during the project. Availability of the neighboring atmosphere on the way to help the huge number of personnel to provide them housing, transportation and other services for a comprehensive period of time. Normally the Government Infrastructure projects are constructed in close surroundings sometimes very near to main residents regions and focus to strict type of weather circumstances. Therefore, particular properties of each construction project should be estimated with awareness. Planning is the basic step towards the success of infrastructure projects. Planning takes more time than the construction. Contractors should hire skilled and experienced person for developing the plans of infrastructure projects. In the Chapter 2, we will discuss importance of planning in detail. We will see different case studies, how big construction companies start their projects, plan and design their projects. What importance they give to planning. In chapter 3 we will discuss advantages of planning in Infrastructure projects, we will see how planning an important role plays in the success of a construction project. The Need of Planning for Project to Reduce the Maintenance Work If the planning for a project took place effectively then the work load on other activities of project management reduces dramatically. In the previous chapter we have discussed about usefulness of planning in Governmental Infrastructure Projects. We have seen deeply the importance of planning with few cases. In this chapter we will discuss need of planning for Infrastructure Project to Reduce the Maintenance Work. We will discuss how big construction companies from all over the world use planning in their projects. We will discuss few cases in detail. Transport has a very important role to play in general development of the country and especially in its economic development. It has been described as veins and arteries for the flow of the economy of the nation. In a vast developing country like ours the goal of the industrial development can only be achieved trough an efficient transportation system of the wide and varied nature. Our social, cultural and political institution cab be the built up and life of the people in general can be enriches only through efficient transportation system. In the absence of suitable transportation network, life would get confined to the primitive style of advises and the tribal living in remote mountains and jungles. Through our transportation system compares nowhere with that of the advanced countries, yet it has helped in the elimination of famine and reduction of diseases and distribution of consumer goods and their necessities. It has helped in maintaining peace and order of the country and improved defense of the nation. The transportation system comprises of distinct services such as railways, roads, shipping, inland water transport, airlines, ropeways and pipe lines. Transportations of men, material and information can by effected by air, sea and land. Railways and roads play an important part in transportation on Land. As the roads can reach the consumer directly, the handling charges at the starting and destination points for roads are much less than those in the case of railways. It is by road only, the goods and passengers can by transported from railways stations, harbors and aerodromes. Roads thus will form an integral system of transportation from one place to another for light traffic and short distance. It will be also cheaper as handling charges are very low (Catling, 1994). How Planning in Infrastructure Projects reduces the maintenance work? 1. If planning is effective then it will be easy for contractors to decide what resources and how much resources will be required to complete the project. 2. If planning is efficient then it will help to contractors to decide how much time should be spent on any activity. 3. If planning is efficient then it will help the Government to decide whether this project should start or not? 4. If planning is efficient then it will help the Government to decide whether they should start new construction or they should concentrate on old. 5. Planning helps the Government to decide which contractor is more suitable for this infrastructure project. 6. Planning helps in maintaining the resources and cost of the project. Advantages of Planning in Project There are number of advantages of planning in a Governmental Infrastructure projects. In the previous chapters we have discussed how planning reduces the work load on other activities of the project management. In this chapter, we will discuss advantages of planning in detail. We will discuss why planning plays an effective role in Infrastructure project. We will discuss main elements of planning, and how planning is done, who does planning and what are deliverables of planning. Then advantages of all the elements involved in planning. Development of detailed plan of an infrastructure projects may be an exercise for two or three experts, but it is often takes place in a formal planning session attended by those who will impact or be impacted by the project. The deliverables from this planning session is the project proposal. This document includes the following. A detailed description of each work activity. The resources required to complete the activity. The scheduled start and end date of each activity. The estimated cost and completion date of the project. Following are the advantages of project planning: Planning helps in estimating the cost and time for the project, it helps the experts in choosing the best methods and techniques for the construction. Planning gives the idea of material and resources needed to complete the project, it helps the experts in estimating the cost and workers required to complete the project. Planning helps in estimating the number of machines required completing the project, and for how much time duration machines are required. The number of experts needed for the project is decided after the planning. The total duration for the project is decided after planning, it’s mean long before the starting of project. Project Planning offers its role not only before the project as well as during the whole project until its completion. A plan informs the experts how much work should be completed in specific period. How much work should be done per day to complete the project? A plan clearly informs about the cost of the project, and how much they should spend on a specific activity. A plan helps in minimizing the weaknesses of project, it also helps in decision making on different situation. It clearly defines which activity of a project is important and should be completed prior to other activities. A construction plan helps in minimizing the cost of project by choosing alternative methods and techniques. Conclusion Duration of project planning should be higher than the whole duration of the project. Because once a plan is developed successfully then success of the project depends upon implementation that plan. If project plan is successful and successfully implemented then of course project will be very successful. Before dealing with the various type of planning required for finalization of alignment there are certain basic consideration which has to be taken in accounts in respect of the project as a whole. These factors are given below: 1. Straight route 2. Easy grades and curves 3. Good straight distance 4. Proper drainage 5. Availability of road building material 6. Availability of adequate road land 7. Suitable bridge side 8. Freedom from slides and snow condition Governmental Infrastructure projects normally involve more personnel as compare to other projects. Because Governmental Authority has also many experts like contractors. They all aim the success of project. Use of their skills can make project planning very effective. For example, when contractor start Construction planning then they should involve experts and engineers in project planning. If contractors involve engineers from Government side then project planning will take less time. Construction Project planning is not a matter of single person. It is a matter of people from two sides. So, it is not suitable if only one person plan for the project. There should be two or three experienced engineers for this purpose. Mostly construction projects engage with human populated areas. For example, the construction of a bridge over a huge traffic road. Or a construction of main roads in populated areas. In this situation Government and contractors should involve the some people of that area in planning, because the people living in that area know their area very well. They can guide planners about the difficulties in project construction. References: Atkins. (1980). Highway, materials and concrete. PEARSON PTR. Bateman. (1948). 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