Page 196 - DMGT302_FUNDAMENTALS_OF_PROJECT_MANAGEMENT

Unit 12: Future of Project Management-II

12.4 Future Growth Notes

Future improvements in project management may be made through better tools and practices,
but the one area ripe for change is the project team. Work is only accomplished through people
and well-led people perform at their best following a high performance project leader.
In a 2000 interview with the former project manager of both the US Air Force’s F-15 and SR-71
aircraft, the project manager attributed the success of these two aircraft to the composition of the
team. Both project teams were selected based on their qualifications and each member was
offered the opportunity to serve in an assignment other than the project. Only one person opted
to take another assignment and the teams were comprised of people who wanted to be part of
the projects. Not all projects have the luxury of having an all-volunteer team. The F-15 and
SR-71 project manager gave full credit to his project teams and suggested that project success is
largely dependent upon the project team and its ability to function as a true team. The products
of these two teams, the F-15 fighter aircraft and the SR-71 strategic reconnaissance aircraft, have
set world records for performance that has lasted for more than 30 years. More technically
complex and with a greater need for superior leadership, these two air-craft demonstrate the
outcome of high-performance teams.
A more recent example of projects that were replicated many times although each was unique
and each involved major risk factors proved successful because of team training by simulation.
Each project was simulated on a computer whereby each team member saw his or her role and
was able to understand the parameters of their respective roles.

Team members were afforded the opportunity to ask other team members questions and respond
to questions. Projects were limited in duration and scope to ensure rapid simulation of the tasks
within the projects. This simulation of projects has given the organization a unique capability to
integrate the efforts of all team members for the most effective results. While the simulation
consumes project time, it has the advantage of reducing communication requirements during
project implementation and has materially improved the probability of success for the project.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
5. ....................... improvements in project management may be made through better tools
and practices.
6. ....................... were afforded the opportunity to ask other team members questions and
respond to questions.
7. More ....................... complex and with a greater need for superior leadership, these two
air- craft demonstrate the outcome of high-performance teams.
8. ....................... were selected based on their qualifications and each member was offered the
opportunity to serve in an assignment other than the project.

12.5 Techniques and Tools

Techniques and tools will continue to play an important role in such areas as planning, information
management, and risk assessment. There will be more reliance on automated techniques to
support decision processes.

Task Compare the future of Project management in India as well as Globally.

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