On my job, I had the opportunity to work as an event planner for a symposium that we were having regarding Research Creativity Week. This event consisted of mentors and students from different community colleges and universities. The purpose for this event was for students to show work that they had created at their school.
The processes that was included in this event planning:
1. Meeting with all the staff that will be involved in the event planning and delegate tasks
2. Informing mentors & attendees to go on SurveyMonkey and register for the event
3. Downloading the attendees to an Excel spreadsheet
4. Contacting mentors from each school regarding the students that were going to attend
5. Contacting vendors
6. Reserve space for event
7. Following up with staff
8. Following up with vendors
The event was for students to show their talent during Research Creativity Week. Some of the topics that were presented during that event were biodiesel production, risk management, and many more. The presentations were presented through posters, oral presentations, and exhibits. By delegating different tasks to each staff member made things go smoothly. Having teamwork makes all the difference when working on a project. The only problem that I had in organizing this event was communication problem with the project head. The project head did not have any organization skills and communication skills. Even though I had these issues with the project head, the event was successful.
Was the person you had trouble communicating with the project manager? How do you deal with those types of people during a project. Do you believe if he would have defined the scope of the project and developed a linear responsibilities chart the communication would have improved greatly? How did you pull of doing your job so well with that person feeling like you were taking over or doing their job for them? If the project went well you must be a great communicator. Greer and Portny both express how vital good communication is during the project management process. Great job.
ReplyDeleteSonya,
DeleteYes, the person that I had trouble communicating with was the project manager. It was really hard trying to communicate with her because she thought she knew everything and thought nobody knew anything but her. If she had defined the scope and developed a linear responsibility chart it would have made things better. I am a person that tries not to let things and people get to me; so I work really hard to communicate with them. I feel I am an effective communicator so I was able to deal with this person. In spite of how the project manager was, the events really turn out well. This was my first time working on something this big; so I felt like it was accomplishment for me.
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that although the project was a success, there were communication and organization issues from the project’s head. Communication and organization skills are essential for the project’s success. Portney, Mantel, Meredith, Shafer, Sutton, and Kramer (2008) mention these skills in every phase of the project’s life cycle. In the Conceive Phase, it takes both skills to answer the two essential questions about the project: Can the project be done? and Should the project be done? In the Define Phase, the project manager and the members need to communicate and organize the plan to complete the project. In the Start Phase, a team is formed delineating the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved and this also takes the application of both skills. In the Perform Phase, communication and organization are vital skills to get the work done and updated. Lastly, the Close Phase requires a post evaluation to discuss the lessons learned. Each stage of the project requires these two skills; communication and organization, to be successful. In your project, the project lead became the negative impact for the project’s success. It must have been very difficult to carry out the project with these issues; still you were able to overcome it which proves you are a true professional.
References:
Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., Sutton, M. M. & Kramer, B. E. (2008). Project management: Planning, scheduling, and controlling projects. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Michelle,
DeleteIt was really hard trying to communicate effective with this project manager because she believes she was the only one that had ideas. I am an effective communicator so; in spite of how this project manager was it did not stop me from doing the things I need to do in order for the project to be successful. Since this was the first time I worked on something this big, I was motivated to do a great job and do whatever I needed to do to make the event successful.
You mentioned that tasks were delegated, and I think this is one of the keys to good project management. The PM isn't supposed to do the job alone, but her or she has to identify the people who can help get the work done and divide the project into logical parts. Good for you, making it succeed even though communication was lacking.
ReplyDeleteLyn,
DeleteI was determine to do whatever I needed to do to make the event successful.