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.
From the lessons so far, i will recommend an hybrid approach in dealing with the process because of the similiarities involved. Using only the linear approach might not give the team all the necessary details they need therefore, both approaches should be considered and then monitor the result it will yield .
As the MTD manager, the project have the tendency to be volatile and ambiguous so there’s need to employ the linear approach in order to get a predictable outcome in the mind of the sponsor but due to its volatile nature, there will be need for some agility to meet deadline
In my capacity as the Project Manager at MTD, the events company faces challenges like environmental awareness, client budget constraints, and the complexity of managing diverse events. Learning from iterative and agile approaches, recommendations for MTD include adopting a hybrid methodology that combines aspects of both. This involves using iterative methods for environmental considerations and agile practices for client collaboration, transparency, and satisfaction. Key recommendations include forming cross-functional teams, incorporating continuous feedback loops, adopting adaptive planning, integrating technology, and prioritizing stakeholder engagement. By implementing these strategies, MTD can enhance project success, effectively manage sustainability goals, and navigate the complexities of event management.
As an MTD manager it is expedient that a holistic and iterative approach is applied, which allow to feedback and review from the the end users or customer.
As MTD manager, I need to have a correspondingly varied set of tools and techniques at my disposal. Therefore, the implications of taking an iterative approach to setting up an event as a project would be that the project can be delivered regularly and frequently (time boxes) and also to give room for feedbacks from the users and the stakeholders which will help me adapt and change course as the business environment changes.
The implication of an agile approach was to create a better way of managing the project having exceeded the time, schedules and also failed to satisfy the sponsors, staff and the users’ need.
My advise to the company would be that the company combine both linear and iterative methods by using all their spectrum of techniques and practices that they offer to deliver successful projects in this volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environments.
As the project manager for the MDT I would select and adapts the best method as necessary. Looking at the project plan I would go go iterative method because of the benefit of the time frame which can help with getting positive outcome in time.
I would use iterative method considering the volatility of this project, the uncertainty to expect due to what is required and not forgetting the complexity with any ambiguity in the project.
Due to the unstable situation of the project I would go for iterative approach but would have consider linear method at the initial stage of my approach and because I would want to deliver on time with positive outcome, having regular feedback of the sponsors and stakeholders will benefits the outcome of the project on time iterative method will still be my choice.
Applying What I Have Learnt:
Taking an iterative approach to setting up an event as a project would allow MTD to address challenges and issues more effectively. By breaking down the event planning process into iterative stages, MTD can continuously gather feedback, make adjustments, and adapt to evolving requirements, ultimately improving the event’s quality and relevance to stakeholders.
Similarly, an agile approach would enable MTD to respond rapidly to changes in event requirements, stakeholder needs, and market dynamics. Agile methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban, could help MTD in fostering collaboration, maintaining flexibility, and delivering value incrementally throughout the event planning and execution phases.
If advising the company, I would recommend the following:
1. Embrace Iterative Planning: Encourage MTD to adopt an iterative approach to event planning, focusing on short feedback loops and continuous improvement to enhance event quality and relevance.
2. Foster Agile Mindset: Promote an agile mindset across the organisation, emphasising adaptability, collaboration, and customer-centricity to effectively respond to changing event requirements and stakeholder expectations.
3. Invest in Communication: Prioritise clear and transparent communication among team members, clients, and event stakeholders to ensure alignment, manage expectations, and facilitate rapid decision-making.
By implementing these recommendations, MTD can enhance its project management practices, improve event outcomes, and better navigate the challenges and issues encountered in event projects.
As the project manager of MTD, I will use the iterative approach instead of the linear approach because iterative approach makes features usable for users, customers need to understand what features they needs, it gives speed too because the project team is able to deliver the outputs regularly and frequently, rather than all at once at the end of the stage or project. This allows organizations to benefit from user & stakeholders feedback, and to get early return on investment, while retaining the ability to adapt & change course as the business environment changes. Iterative projects are in many ways more predictable than linear ones.
MTD operates a linear approach. While this approach works very well in a stable environment, it’ll be less effective in case of any volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA). There’s therefore need to switch to iteration approach which prioritizes sponsors and users needs to resolve this issues and still deliver the project on schedule.
As a project manager for MTD, I will recommend an hybrid approach in dealing with the process because of the peculiarities involved. Sticking to only the linear approach might not give room or capture all that is required for this project, therefore a blend of both approaches will suffice.