Project Management
Week 2 Homework
What does it mean to take a systems view of a project? How does taking a systems view of a project apply to project management?
Through a systems perspective, you will view a particular project in terms of how the project will fit with the system and also how one can better the project for the particular system.
Explain the four frames of organizations. How can they help project managers understand the organizational context for their projects?
Structural
Focuses on roles and responsibilities, coordination, and control.
- Exist to achieve goals and objectives
- Increase efficiency through specialization and division of labor
- Have coordination and controls to align work to goals and objectives
Human resources
Focuses on providing harmony between needs of the organization and needs of people. People and organizations need each other; people need careers; organizations need the energy of people. It undermines the relationships
Political Frame
Assumes organizations are coalitions composed of varied individuals and interest groups. Conflict and power are key issues. Emphasis is on tactics and strategies, not conflict resolution.
Symbolic frame
• Focuses on symbols and meanings related to events. Culture is important.
• Seeps into the culture
• Maintain image of accountability and responsiveness; negotiate a new social order
Explain the differences between functional, matrix and project organizations and describe how each structure affects management of the project?
Functional
Traditional, classic hierarchy where each employee has one superior. Project managers have limited authority of the project, making it difficult to manage.
Matrix
Mixed organization structure which gives the project managers more authority to oversee and complete projects. Project managers have the ability to report to the CEO instead of multiple other authority figures above them.
Project
This
What does it mean to take a systems view of a project? How does taking a systems view of a project apply to project management?
Through a systems perspective, you will view a particular project in terms of how the project will fit with the system and also how one can better the project for the particular system.
Explain the four frames of organizations. How can they help project managers understand the organizational context for their projects?
Structural
Focuses on roles and responsibilities, coordination, and control.
- Exist to achieve goals and objectives
- Increase efficiency through specialization and division of labor
- Have coordination and controls to align work to goals and objectives
Human resources
Focuses on providing harmony between needs of the organization and needs of people. People and organizations need each other; people need careers; organizations need the energy of people. It undermines the relationships
Political Frame
Assumes organizations are coalitions composed of varied individuals and interest groups. Conflict and power are key issues. Emphasis is on tactics and strategies, not conflict resolution.
Symbolic frame
• Focuses on symbols and meanings related to events. Culture is important.
• Seeps into the culture
• Maintain image of accountability and responsiveness; negotiate a new social order
Explain the differences between functional, matrix and project organizations and describe how each structure affects management of the project?
Functional
Traditional, classic hierarchy where each employee has one superior. Project managers have limited authority of the project, making it difficult to manage.
Matrix
Mixed organization structure which gives the project managers more authority to oversee and complete projects. Project managers have the ability to report to the CEO instead of multiple other authority figures above them.
Project
This