Put yourself in the role of a project manager collaborating with MTD, an events company.
Considering the difficulties and problems that MTD encounters in their projects, what insights have you gained this week that could offer assistance?
If an iterative approach were employed in organizing an event as a project, what would be the consequences? Similarly, what are the implications of adopting an agile approach? If the company sought your advice, what would you recommend?
Contribute your thoughts and ideas to the discussion.
As a project manager who is working in collaboration with the MTD,which is an event planning company I have learned over time to during my period of study in project management with DEXA,I have learned that Linear lifecycle have a start middle and end .
It starts with the development of an idea and an assessment if the idea is viable which is known as the CONCEPT
It proceeds into the detailed description of the project and it’s plans which is also known as the DEFINITION PROCESS.
The Linear
It also implements the plan and carries out a testing process to ensure that the project is well functional.this is also known as the DEPLOYMENT PROCESS.
Finally the project is handed over to the sponsors and the user this phase is known as the TRANSITION PROCESS.
The linear approaches woks more in a stable environment as compared to the ITERATIVE APPROACH.
Typically ITERATIVE PROJECTS
do not begin with detailed specifications, project plans and schedules
However as an event planner some of my features will be
1.managing the event planning processes
2.managing budgets and parameters
3.transporting good’s and lodging of guests
4.determining the venue of the event.
5.communicating and network development.
6.supervise event setups
7.select event speakers
8.interpersonal skills
The advantages of working ITERATIVELY is all of the aforementioned tasks are done one after the other over a longer period of time as compared to LINEAR APPROACHES which will carry out all of these tasks at once over a shorter period of time.
ITERATIVE APPROACH allows me to benefit from my stakeholders feedback and also to get early return on investment while retaining the ability to adapt and change course as the event progresses.
AGILE is not a methodology or a framework but a mindset that enables the organization or project managers to be more responsive to changes.
Therefore I would say that they both work holistically.
Blessing Oku
Cohort 17
Project management
As a project manager working with MTD, the events company, I’ve learned that an iterative approach to setting up an event as a project could bring several benefits:
1. *Flexibility*: Embracing change and adapting to evolving event requirements.
2. *Risk reduction*: Identifying and mitigating potential issues through continuous iteration.
3. *Improved stakeholder satisfaction*: Collaborative approach ensures stakeholder needs are met.
4. *Enhanced team collaboration*: Encourages open communication and collective problem-solving.
An agile approach would imply:
1. *Iterative planning*: Breaking down the project into smaller, manageable chunks.
2. *Continuous improvement*: Embracing lessons learned and applying them to future iterations.
3. *Customer-centricity*: Prioritizing stakeholder needs and expectations.
4. *Adaptive leadership*: Empowering team members to take ownership and make decisions.
My advice to MTD would be:
1. *Embrace flexibility*: Be open to change and willing to adjust plans accordingly.
2. *Foster collaboration*: Encourage stakeholder involvement and team communication.
3. *Prioritize iteration*: Break down projects into smaller, manageable tasks.
4. *Continuously improve*: Reflect on lessons learned and apply them to future projects.
By adopting an iterative and agile approach, MTD can enhance their event management capabilities, improve stakeholder satisfaction, and stay competitive in the industry.
As a project manager collaboration with MTD, events planning shouldn’t be considered as linear because the end user would always provide feedback and this would be useful in making the necessity adjustments, hence, the need for using an iterative approach.
I have learnt that most projects follow the linear cycle- beginning, implementation and then the end- transition phase which is seen in most developmental projects. However, through DEXA, and in the NGO space, I’ve come to understand that a project can have a Linear lifecycle however, in its management an iterative approach can be used when the goal of the project is ensuring that the end user gets the optimum care and attention as well as benefits from the project. This feedback helps with mitigating the possible risks and its management. Changing course is also done within scope and budget with resource levelling.
My advice to MTD would for them to be
1. Flexible; as much as they may have a Linear lifecycle, embracing change especially with the times would not only help them be creative but also help them with competitors
2. Incorporate iterative approach- they would do better in the identification and swift mitigation of risks
3. Feedback- with sprints created – tasks broken into smaller projects, feedback will be gotten more frequently and the right course plotted with regular team communication to ensure that they remain on course and the values of the organisation not breached.
Some of the things I’ve learnt that could help ameliorate the challenges faced by MTD includes the different methods or approaches of handling a project (it could be the linear approach, iterative approach or the combination of the two depending on the complexity of the projects), application of ethical decision making to project management.
There are different implications of taking an iterative approach to setting up an event, it could be positive or negative. Some of the positive implications includes: it encourages flexibility, the team can make changes in the scope of events; it also encourages team collaboration and one of the negative implications is that higher cost might be incurred due to changes in scope or experimentation.
Some of the implications of agile approach includes increased customer satisfaction, the delivery of each product meets the needs of the customer.
There is transparency among the stakeholders because everyone will see the progress of the project at any given time.
There are so many approaches to accomplishing a task as a project manager, so my advice would be to adopt an approach that encourages flexibility, collaboration among the stakeholders so as to tackle any potential challenges that may arise in the project.
No matter the situation the project manager should always remember to apply the ethical principles and communicate effectively.
As a project manager working with MTD, some of the skills i would make implement is communication as well as teamwork. communicating with the necessary stakeholders is key as that could make or mar the outcome of the project.
One of the implications of taking an iterative approach to setting up an event as a project manager would have to do with ethics because there’s a sprint set up to meet different goal at the same time, team members may jeopardize the company’s ethics over the outcome of the project.
If i were to advice the company, it would be for them to make use of the hybrid approach and not stick to either linear or iterative approach of executing a project as this would help detect unforeseen risks and mitigate them without exceeding the budget.
Obongha, Bassey Ofem
Team 7
As a project manager with MTD, I have learnt that communication with team members is very important as well as with Colleagues, Sponsors and Stakeholders.
I will advise the company to go for iteration approach because:
1. Feedback will be received from the customers thereby seeing the impact.
2. Attention will be given to the customers by the team
Adopting Agile methodologies
1. All team members feel engaged in the process
2. Transparency when it comes to information
3. Team members, Sponsors and Stakeholders participate in decision making.
As a Project Manager at MTD, I would apply the insight of the Hybrid Approach. They can start off with the Linear Approach and end with the Iterative Approach, thereby applying both methods hence ending up with the Hybrid Approach to get the desired outcome.
If an iterative approach were employed in organizing an event as a project,
1. The team will get feedback from their customers, thereby seeing the impact it has on their customers.
2. Customers will get attention from the team, thereby engaging the in process.
Implications of adopting an agile approach are:
1. The teams feel engaged in the process
2. There is information transparency
3. Everyone gets to participate in decision- making.
NDIDI IFEDIBA NWOKEDI
Okolo Nancy: Team 8
As a project manager working with MTD, I would advise the company adopt both the iterative and agile approach thereby helping to accomplish simple, complex and complicated tasks in the course of the events.
I will recommend having the team and stakeholders meet and deliberate on how best to get the project done, and I will ensure there is effective communication while changing the approach of operation under proper monitoring.
As a project manager collaborating with MTD, I’ve gained insights into the challenges they face in event planning, such as:
-Unpredictable timelines and deadlines
-Changing client requirements and expectations
-Managing risks and unexpected issues
Applying an iterative approach in organizing an event as a project could lead to increased flexibility and adaptability to changing requirements and improved risk management through incremental testing and feedback
Employing an agile approach would mean :embracing change and uncertainty as opportunities for improvement,focusing on delivering incremental value to clients and stakeholders and also encouraging active stakeholder participation and feedback.
If MTD sought my advice I would recommend
1. Providing training and support for team members to develop agile skills and mindsets
2.Fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement
3.Establishing clear communication channels and stakeholder engagement strategies
4. Implementing agile methodologies (e.g., Scrum, Kanban) to enhance flexibility and responsiveness
One of the difficulties that could be encountered in MTD is inadequate supply of water for an event. The way I would solve that as a project manager would be to communicate. I have learnt so far,that a project manager does not mean you dont accept help from your team members,in fact it means the very opposite. As a project manager in this situation, I would communicate to my team members and see how I can fix ths issue before the event begins,if we can’t on our own then I’ll involve sponsors or stakeholders,so they’re in on what is happening and offer hell where they can. There’s always a solution to every problem,so don’t be an island of yourself.
Iterative approach requires the ability to be quick to change, spontaneous e.t.c.unlike in linear where if the event does not follow a particular plan,then it most times fails. An iterative method is one of the best things to happen to any project.
Agile method implications:
1. Satisfied customers
2. Reduced expenses.
P.S: note that linear and iteration must not be in a competition. A project may kick start by using linear method and then change to iteration method.
Pamela Ogechi Anibuko
Cohort 17, team 2