Managing Project Teams

Project management involves a series of activities that are shared between the project manager and the project team. Proper execution of a project management plan helps an organization to operate within the set budget and time frame while prioritizing the most critical activities in the company. Project managers prefer running projects in phases to ensure that the team can achieve the objectives that align with long term goals. The phases in project management consist of initiation, planning, execution, performance and control, and project closing. An example of project management in healthcare involves a hospital taking measures like handwashing to prevent hospital-acquired infections. All the phases involve a series of activities that help achieve the objectives of the phase and hence the goals of the project.

Initiation

Project initiation is the first of the project management life cycle. The main activities here involve assessing the viability of the project and deciding whether to pursue the project. In the case of hospital-acquired infections, the initiation phase would entail the efficacy of increasing handwashing points in preventing the spread. Project managers use a business case document that justifies the project and contains an estimate of the expected benefits (Turner, 2014). Feasibility studies can also be used in assessing the viability of the project. The studies evaluate the project goals, timeline costs, and balance the potential benefits with the available resources to measure if the project is worthwhile (Anantatmula, 2010). If the project is profitable, the team pursues it, but if it is unfeasible, it is abandoned.

Project Planning

This step occurs after the stakeholders confirm the project to be profitable or feasible. It involves formulating a guide on how to operate within the stated timeline and with the available resources. In the project plan, the project team will state how to obtain resources including funds and procure the required materials. In the plan, the team also indicates the path for producing quality outputs, mitigate risks, manage suppliers, create acceptance, and communicate progress and benefits to stakeholders (Turner, 2014). In the case of preventing hospital-acquired infections, the planning stage would require the team to identify where to add water taps, whether to create guidelines on how to wash hands properly and then calculate what would be required to execute.  The plan also shows the possible challenges that might be encountered, the scope of the project, and the timeframe.

Project Execution    

After defining and planning events to take place in the course of the project, the team proceeds to execute the project. This step can be divided into two phases which include executing the plan and administration. In the first phase, the project manager follows the plan, assigns tasks to team members, then manages and monitors how the project is doing. On the other hand, the administration involves managing the contracts secured in the project. Other activities performed in this stage team development, procurement management where necessary, updating project schedule, and modifying project plans as required.   The two phases occur concurrently. In the case above, execution would include setting up new water points, preparing charts with guidelines on how to wash hands properly, and ensuring the availability of necessary materials for handwashing like soap and towels where necessary.

Project Controlling and Monitoring

This step happens throughout the process of execution, and it involves measuring the performance of the project at each progress and comparing the results with the intended results, as stated in the plan. Project managers will check key performance indicators and ensure that the project runs according to plan. The project manager ensures that objectives are met, check if the project will and within the stipulated time and whether the resources will be enough. Depending on the progress and use of resources, the project manager might be required to adjust such as controlling wastage of resources and time.

Project Closure

Project closure is the final step of the project management process, and it only occurs after the program manager is satisfied with results. In our case, the project may monitor the performance and statistics of individuals reporting hospital-acquired infections and only closes the project after confirming its usefulness. The team closes the project after delivering the finished project to the client who approves it and communicating the results to the relevant stakeholders (Anantatmula, 2010). The most significant part of this phase is the evaluation of the project. The team compares the final product with the intended product. The team assesses the resources used and the time used to confirm that they align with the plan. They also make notes for use in future projects.  They also identify the challenges that were encountered and note how they were handled. The administrator also cancels all existing contracts and stores the necessary documents distributing others to other stakeholders. The project manager also prepares a final report on the events that occurred during the process. After this stage, some project management teams organize a celebration to appreciate each other’s efforts in the project.

Ways in which the PMP affects each member of the project team.   

The project manager professional (PMP) plans the work to ensure that the intended goals are achieved in time and with the right amount of resources. The PMP, therefore, assigns all members the tasks that they should perform and sets the time frame within which each team member should complete the assigned task (Anantatmula, 2010). The PMP also organizes the team members by briefing them on the available resources to use. The PMP coordinates all activities happening, and this involves determining who brings what resources and which activities should occur and who should perform them. The project manager also does the communication in the team (Turner, 2014). This involves providing regular updates to other stakeholders, including upper management. The PMP also controls the contracts of the team members and cancels them upon completion of the project.  

Reference

Anantatmula, V. S. (2010). Project manager leadership role in improving project performance. Engineering Management Journal, 22(1), 13-22.

Turner, J. R. (2014). The Handbook of Project-based Management: Leading Strategic Change in Organizations. New York, NY: McGraw Hill Professional.