Homework Assignment 1

1. What are the main lessons learned from reading this case?

This case offers us a great example of effective project management. Based on this case, we can
learn several lessons.

First, it has a clearly defined problem. Managing a project starts with having a strong sense of
precisely what the team is striving to accomplish. In this case, Sasol needs to fix a damaged
portion of the 19-foot-wide, 231-foot-long column by cutting it out and then replacing it before it
can operate the facility again within 40 days.

Second, it has productive collaboration. This case has goals in sight that the project is to be
schedule-driven but not cost-driven. It also sets priorities that the team will plan to reduce
schedule times but not meet the deadline and that a higher premium would be placed on team
performance than on individual performance.

Third, effective communication is important for effective project management and

communication should be a two-way street. One of the most important characteristics of an
effective project manager is that the leader or project manager regularly consults with the team.
The leader sets the overall direction and ensures the tasks each team member works on will push
the larger objectives forward. In turn, the individuals see how their parts depend on each other
and all play a role in the mission. At the same time, each team member also communicates with
the leader or project manager effectively. Team members who feel valued and heard are more
likely to work up to their potential. In this case, the communication will be continuous across all
levels. A communication board was installed and updated twice daily to communicate project
progress, and especially time saved on the schedule with the person’s name who achieved it.
There were both twice-daily shift change meetings, where each shift communicated with the
previous shift about progress and problems, and twice daily planning meetings where the work
activities of the next two days were planned in minute detail.

Fourth, effective project management uses tools to monitor progress. Effective project
management tools include Gantt chart, PERT chart, WBS diagram, calendar, timeline, status
table, HOQ, and mind map. No matter which tool has been used in this case, it is used
effectively. That’s why the project can be completed 15 days early and it save over $21 million
out of an $85 million budget.

Fifth, effective project management adapts to circumstances. It may be a good idea to alter some
of the milestones you started off with. A certain amount of flexibility allows employees to show
off their inspiration and creativity when they have a great idea. The key is to know when to let
workers experiment and when to rein them in, based on the principles of effective project
management. Given the urgent of this case, resources are not to be considered as a limitation, but
safety and quality will not be compromised. The “soft” aspects of management were always
taken into consideration. A communication board was also installed. Everything that help the
team strive to reduce time on the project has been done. People raised ideas for saving even five
minutes on the schedule. Enthusiasm for the project, and saving project time, became the
dominant culture.

Each of the above points plays a very important role in the success of the project management.

2. What does it mean ‘soft’ aspects of management?

“Soft” aspects of management mean that the aspects of management are related to
communication and interpersonal consideration in contrast to “hard” aspects of management,
such as strong leadership skills, decision making, and technical expertise. In this case, the “soft”
aspects of management were always taken into consideration: making sure transport was
available, accommodations were acceptable, food was available, excessive over- time was
avoided, communication forms matched each member’s preferences (verbal, phone, written,
etc.), and so on. These steps provide convenience and considerations for team members. Each
team member can feel the care. Under these “soft” aspects of management, each team member
can realize their maximum potential and contribute to the project. Eventually, the efficiency and
output are improved greatly.