PROJECT MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW AND CONTEXT

Reflective Learning Journal

What you have understood by reading the chapter?

There are four core values that the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct identified for the project
management profession are Responsibility, Respect, Fairness and Honesty, and there are 12 principles
aligned with these values to provide guidance for effective project management. Below are the 12
principles.

• Be a Diligent, Respectful and Caring Steward- Stewardship in project management upholds

responsibilities to the organization, whether internal or external. Steward's actions and decisions
should balance the impact and value to their organization and its resources, team members,
partners, and social communities. As stewards, project managers are obligated to be ethical in
handling the resources and authority entrusted to them. Project managers should know the
gravity of their projects and act with a moral compass as they manage projects that may affect
the lives of the people involved or those affected by the project's outcome and deliverables.

• Create a Collaborative Project Team Environment- An inclusive and collaborative atmosphere

encourages a project team to give their best effort for the team's common goal while supporting
shared learning and individual growth. This kind of environment fosters collective expertise and
strength in the group. Company culture also influences the dynamics of a team. Team
agreements, organizational structures, and processes are established to clarify the team's roles
and responsibilities. This also helps shape a team's culture and accomplish a project's objective.

• Effectively Engage with Stakeholders- Stakeholders can positively or negatively affect aspects of
a project. Stakeholders' influence and impact may change throughout a project, so it is vital to
effectively manage them. Project managers need to identify and prioritize stakeholders,
understand their needs and expectations, and plan how to communicate and nurture a positive
relationship with them. Effective communication is crucial in engaging the stakeholders.
Proactively engaging stakeholders significantly contributes to bringing value to the project.

• Focus on Value- The ultimate goal of a project is the value it brings to the organization and the
stakeholders. A project is intended to address a need with a valued solution through outcomes,
and a business case provides the rationale, justification, and strategy to be undertaken. The
business case presents the information a project team needs to make decisions. A project team
continuously evaluates its progress and realigns, if necessary, to provide the intended value.

• Recognize, Evaluate and Respond to System Interactions- A project team can positively respond
if they understand how a project may be a part of a more extensive system or have subsystems
to realize benefits. This is especially true with complex tasks that are interconnected. Systems
thinking will make the project team see the bigger picture and recognize how their individual and
team contributions relate to the project's impact and the overall success of the more extensive
system. Systems thinking also helps the project team to see beyond the project closure to the
operational state.

• Demonstrate Leadership Behaviors- Leadership can be demonstrated by anyone from the team
and be shown in different traits, styles, and skills to achieve the team's objective. Effective
leadership combines different types of leadership and adapts to situations. It is a skill that can be
developed and continuously improved. Strong leadership allows team members to share their
 leadership skills that support the team's overall success. Project teams thrive when members are
motivated and can practice their leadership skills. Shared responsibility promotes kinship and
each member's desire to achieve the team's common goal.

• Tailor Based on Context- Every project is unique in characteristics and requirements, and
although there are proven methodologies, there is no all-encompassing way for a project to be
successful. Adapting the approach, processes, and governance to fit the project's distinctive
scenario will boost value, manage limitations, and increase project performance. Flexibility and
adaptability to every project will increase the likelihood of success.

• Build Quality Into Processes and Deliverables- Project teams measure quality using metrics and
acceptance criteria based on requirements. Quality is not practiced in a single or separate phase
but instead integrated throughout the project lifecycle. Ensuring quality in every deliverable and
process gives early detection and prevention of errors, minimizing waste and maximizing chances
of achieving project outcomes aligned with stakeholder's expectations and acceptance criteria.

• Navigate Complexity- Project complexity results from individual elements within the project and
system. Human behavior, system behavior and ambiguity, and technological innovation are the
sources of project complexity, which can happen at any time or in any area in the project lifecycle.
By staying attentive, project teams can adapt their approach to counter complexities.

• Optimize Risk Responses- Risks are uncertain conditions that positively or negatively affect a
project. Identifying potential risks will allow project teams to seize opportunities and respond to
threats to lessen the negative impact on a project. It is also essential for project teams to know
the risk appetite of relevant stakeholders and risk threshold so they know when and how best to
respond to risk.

• Embrace Adaptability and Resiliency- Projects are bound to have changes from the initial plans
as there are internal and external factors constantly influencing the project. Because of this,
project teams need to reassess if their plans and commitments made during early stages is still
beneficial. The project team needs to adapt to the changing conditions and be able to quickly
resolve to improve unfavorable circumstances. Adaptability and resiliency will make a project
team stay focus on the goal regardless of the situation.
• Enable Change to Achieve the Envisioned Future State- Change can originate from internal
influences or external sources. Project team and project managers need to assist change in a
structured approach to help individuals, groups and organizations transition to the future desired
state. The team can work with key stakeholders to communicate the value and vision of the
change to those affected by the change and mitigate resistance or fatigue. However, too many
changes in a short time will lead to change saturation. Facilitating activities that supports the
change will help stakeholders to realize the benefits of the change.