Hello, this module focuses on how to manage projects in a complicated world. The world is changing rapidly and in unpredictable ways. Just consider the changes caused by new technology, worldwide trade and competition, social and political disturbances, and the environmental emergency.
You might think that project management has little to do with these major global matters. However, all kinds of organizations, whether large or small, are impacted by the world they operate in. How a company understands and responds to this complexity influences the projects it chooses to undertake and how it handles them.
This week, we begin by examining frameworks that help us grasp this intricate world. These frameworks guide our actions, responses, and decision-making in the face of complexity.
Next, we delve deeply into various methods and practices for managing projects when faced with uncertainty, instability, and change. These methods include linear approaches and life cycles, often known as the waterfall method, as well as iterative or agile approaches. You will explore the pros and cons of these methods, as well as the ongoing debates about them.
By the end, you’ll grasp how to use and blend these methods effectively to achieve successful project outcomes.
To start off this week, we’re interested in hearing about your experiences. Considering those major global issues like technology, competition, social and political changes, and environmental problems, think about how they impact your organization and the projects you’re involved in.
Feel free to share your experiences with fellow learners in the discussion.
Judith Isaac: The invention of Ai has been helpful in elevating human efficiency in the major aspect of work. The issue we have at work with this rise in technology is the unethical use of Ai. People lie about their proficiency level, allocating their role to Artificial intelligence.
Blessing Olusakin: The need to be relevant and stay relevant in my field in these days of advance technology and fast moving digital world has kept my organization and business on their toes. Virtually every thing is going digital now, digital farming equipments, use of robots in place of humans for manual labour in large scale farming e.t.c is impacting on the jobs meant for humans as means of survival. My take is, if I can’t have the job, then I need to be creative to be a part of the creators in the fast evolving digital world.
in the organization i currently work in, Technology has played a key role in improving
the managment and storing of data in the organization. We are now able to disseminate information to staffs in the organisation. These changes have made work easier and faster for operating in the work space.
Technology
Technology affects education by necessitating digital literacy and integrating advanced tools into learning. This requires ongoing investment in infrastructure, training for educators, and adapting curricula to include emerging technologies.
Competition
Increased competition demands that educational institutions continuously innovate to attract and retain students. This involves enhancing the quality of education, offering unique programs, and maintaining up-to-date facilities and resources.
Social and Political Change
Social and political shifts influence education policies, funding, and regulatory frameworks. Institutions must stay agile to comply with new regulations, address diverse student needs, and promote inclusivity and equity within their communities.
Environmental Crisis
The environmental crisis compels educational organizations to adopt sustainable practices. This includes reducing carbon footprints, integrating sustainability into the curriculum, and fostering environmental awareness among students and staff.
Each of these global issues requires strategic planning and responsive project management to ensure the organization remains relevant, competitive, and responsible.
These global issues can significantly influence a project success and performance in various way.
So effective adaptation, innovation, and strategic planning are crucial to navigate these challenges and capitalizing on opportunities proactively to ensure success and sustainability.
The big global issues could affect a business or organization in the following ways:
1. A supply chain could be disrupted when there is environmental issue such as earthquake or flooding
2. Technology is changing rapidly and staying up to date and mitigating cybersecuity risks would be traumatic
3. Social and political changes may affect organizations where there is government policy that may not favour it, this will hinder the reputation and ethics through which the company is known for.
Technology is playing a very impressive role in the health sector now compared to some years back. For example, We make use of computer softwares to help store and process patient data. The laboratory uses some specialize machines for investigations and we now use 2D, 3D ultrasound machines. These facility has led to the overall improvement in our services and happier customers. Although, for some cases there might be need for specialist attention and more complex investigations. Such cases we refer to appropriate specialist to continue management.
There are a good number of Competitors around us and that keeps us on our toes always. So, time and again we keep brain storming on ways to serve better and improve on our skills & services so as to maintain our spot as the preferred choice for customers health care in our vicinity.
On the Socio-Political scene, we have been loosing our health practitioners more often for the past few years now to overseas countries due to better and more organized health care system in more developed nations. This really sometimes takes it’s toll on the smooth running of activities in the organization.
Ojomo Ayodele
Cohort 16
Team 7
Technology: in my organization, which is the poultry industry, technology has revolutionized the way we do things, e.g. artificial insemination, hatchery, butchery section, machines, implements that can complete tasks by the second are being invented which is truly amazing. Every organization needs to adapt to the technology of it’s time to remain relevant, even the internet is a strong footing for any organization to interact with the whole world. Acceptance, receptiveness to change and adaptability to the said change of the project managers and the organization as a whole therefore translates to higher productivity, machine learning, projects being completed accurately and effectively over short periods of time.
Competition can either affect an organization negatively or positively. Positively in a sense that, it can give project managers that drive to be better, think better ideas, ways to make work faster, better branding of products, more productive and easier, also build more self confidence, knowledge and skills of the workers. that’s what I call “healthy competition”. Competition is only negative when it targets the elimination of an organization or the employees of said organization instead of improving the quality of the products, projects or services rendered by such companies.
Social & Political Change: organizations are citied in cities, cities are in countries, if a country is in war, either civil or otherwise, every organization in that country will be definitely affected adversely, restricted movements, insecurity, etc. A change of government can also affect organizations or projects because everything they do must be legal and law abiding including tax payment. Also project managers & organizations should take note of the society in which they find themselves, what they accept, prohibit or hate because they will directly or indirectly influence their products, projects and growth of such organizations
Environmental Crisis : factors like global warming, pollution e.g. gas, noise or water directly affects my organization because we cannot be cited in or near any geographical location that emits such. For the health & safety of both the employees and animals being reared and also for biosecurity reasons.
Harsh or Severe weather conditions as well reduces productivity in my organization and when not managed properly, the result is usually catastrophic, were talking about loss of livestock numbering in thousands.
Diseases can also result from bad environmental practices which can deadly for organizations cited in that specific area. Project managers & employees are educated on safety protocols and precautions when faced with such precarious situations.
Pm Team 9
I will be discussing my experience working in the Banking sector
1) Technology: Technology has played a major role In the banking sector by transforming traditional banking system to a digitalized form of banking. Technology has made it possible to send money from the comfort of your home to any part of the world within seconds but this has also increased the rate at which accounts are been hacked and data stolen. I remember when we were trying to test run a new software before the Go live of the new software, it was hacked and the bank was forced to abandon that project which caused a lot of funds and time to get another software and a bigger cloud-based storage. The bank had to start sensitizing customers on how to safeguard their data by not sharing their token pin and transfer pin, authorizing 2-step verification, using online virtual cards instead for online transactions, and not using them on suspicious sites, etc
2)Competition: competition is the bane of every organization but it also makes the organization keep researching to do things better to retain its customers. The rise of different fintech companies, Microfinance banks, mortgage banks, and so many others has made commercial banks develop strategies to retain their client. In my organization, we had to start up projects like collaborating with some fintech to start giving small loans to petty traders and striking a deal with the Civil Service Commission so that civil service workers can apply for mortgage loans and personal loans and it will be deducted from their salaries .
3)social and political change: Political instability is one of the major reasons for social inadequacy. when there is political instability or poor economic performance it affects every aspect of a country. when investors suspect that a system is not conducive, they start to pull out their resources and this might affect the standard of living. looking at Nigeria, stiff policies on the exchange rates is affecting every sector of the economy, and the banks are not left out because banks make money money from forex. These stiff policies intend to curb illegal markets but also have made most Banks lose investors and increase their interest rate on lending which in turn affects everyone.
4) Environmental crisis: we are in an era where climate change is affecting every part of the world and we are experiencing harsh weather. The 2023 flood in some parts of Nigeria affected Banks that gave out loans to their customers living in those areas and a majority of the customers were unable to repay their loans. This year in my place of work we started a project for cleaner energies and also we are reducing funding of businesses in flood-prone areas pending when the government can mitigate the risk that comes with excessive flood.
Rose Matarise
Technology
There will be need to adapt to new technologies and intergrate innovation in our projects to stay competitive.
There will be need to train and develop my team’s skills to leverage new technology
Competition
There is increased pressure to be innovative and also to be diffrerent in the face of global competition
Adaptation to market changes and customer expectations
Social and Political Changes
There is need to adapt to regulatory and political changes in areas of operation
There is also need to manage risks related to political instability and conflict in other regions
Environmental Crisis
Develop more sustainable products or services
Impact of climate change on our operations or particular projects
Reducing environmental footprint of our projects