Chapter 4 Ideas

Chapter 4 detailed the necessary documents that are necessary to the success of a project. Documents such as the project charter, statement of work or a communication plan all have important roles in the project. Specifically, there are three essential tips that I found to be most essential:

1. Agreement on the goals of the project among all parties involved

This idea ties into everything we have learned in the class so far. From the prior readings, we have learned how crucial it is to have all participants involved within the project to be on the same page, to keep everyone informed and to establish thorough communication so that no one is left out. In addition to that, it is also important to have everyone focused on the same goal. In my opinion, a team that doesn't aim for the same goal cannot be called a team, it is merely a bunch of people working on different projects.

2. Establishment of a Statement of Work

The writing of a SOW helps all parties to see what is expected of this project, the obstacles, as well as the definition of success. As the books says, it lays down "the rules of the game." A clearly written SOW allows the participants of the project to be more focused and to have a clear understanding of what they needed to do in the completion of this project. It serves as a standard and guideline for all the team members to follow.

3. Dealing with Change

As a project manager, he/she must understand the changes that may occur within a project. As a leader, he/she must be able to adapt to the changes, and make adjustments accordingly so that project can still be completed. When changes occur, it must also be reflected in the SOW.

Dealing with change is, in my opinion, the toughest part of project management. When a change takes place, the successful project leader controls the altered environment, helps the team to stay focused, and keep the progress of the project on pace. Therefore, the ability to "deal with change" is essential.