Question

Discuss two challenges project teams typically face during project execution. Consider the work you have done on the Global Treps project and discuss what you would do to overcome these challenges.

Answer 1

Project team managers or leaders have to face multiple issues when handling a given project. The problems can be multiple from HR, material resources allocation and management, poor communication among the team, unrealistic time frames, and the list never ends but an experienced project manager knows how to handle and resolve each issue for timely execution of project deadlines.

The two main challenges that a project team or manager's faces during project execution are,

1) Communication: Communication is not understandable to many, to communicate is to share your thoughts ideas solutions and to come up with a solution to problems faced during a project. Communication is a two-way street, if the manager of a project is not clear with the objectives of his project, the outcome may never match the expected results. Open clear concise communication and coordination between various departments of a project is what ultimately leads to the final time-bound execution of a project. Hence Communication is very much a very integral part of not only a project but also the daily lives of people. Rightly communicated any tough project becomes easily resolvable provided the team has an open-minded approach and communication between all parties involved are clear.

2) Resource Management or resource deprivation:  Every experienced project manager knows after his initial study of a project that the first thing he is going to calculate for the project is the estimate for the project in terms of manpower, materials, funds, time for execution, uncalculated risks and delays and so on. The reason why this is done is so that when the project is put into execution there are no delays during the project so that the project meets its proposed deadlines. An experienced project manager calculates, plans and organises in advance the financial costing, necessary manpower, material resources and all other requirements so that at the time of execution nothing becomes a hindrance as projects are based on strict deadlines and any delay in the project will eventually lead to an escalation of costs making the project financially non-viable, in many cases worldwide in today's times, we see projects are either stalled or scrapped completely due to delays and financial non-viability of the project.

Consider the work you have done on the Global Treps project and discuss what you would do to overcome these challenges.

Managing projects is a complicated process, project management requires accuracy, Subject knowledge and leadership. EXECUTION phase to be completely successful of a project demands attention to the smallest of the project’s details, multiple resources management, manpower management, deadline targets, as well as managing the budget and people, proper communication between all project teams, predicting potential risks and many more unforeseen challenges.

The main thing I would do to overcome the challenges faced during the project are as follows,

Self-improvement: Projects in today’s global world are going beyond human imagination, technology upgrades at a much faster rate than the human brain can absorb. New scales, technological advancements, Monstrous projects, climate changes many factors play a very important role during a project managers lifecycle, I would have to keep myself open to learn new skills, tools, subjects, technological advancements or upgrades so as to be able to keep myself abreast with the fast-changing world.    

Be a better leader: A project manager knows that though a project is a team effort the failure always lands on the project leaders lap, A leader is not one who only dictates, he has to be open to all ideas, be available for his colleagues questions and doubts, answer to the higher management and take responsibility for any failure on his teams part. Hence a leader handles multiple hats on a single head. A leader has to instil a sense of confidence among his team, partners and clients for the smooth functioning of the project. Being open-minded and available is another great trait for a project manager. Self-improvement in this aspect would be a long term asset not only for myself but also for the organisation that I am employed with as it shows the professionalism on my part to my team members.

These are the 2 basic things I will do to overcome challenges.