Umali - EMC41S1 Individual - 2.2.1 Chapter 2 Assignment 3
Umali - EMC41S1 Individual - 2.2.1 Chapter 2 Assignment 3
Project Life Cycle refers to the sequence of phases that a project goes through
from initiation to closure. It involves phases such as initiation, planning,
execution, monitoring, and closure.
o Example: A company developing a software program follows the project
life cycle, starting with defining the scope, developing the software,
testing, and delivering it.
Product Life Cycle involves the stages that a product goes through from
conception to its decline. These stages typically include introduction, growth,
maturity, and decline.
o Example: A smartphone goes through the product life cycle—starting with
introduction to the market, growing as it gains popularity, reaching
maturity, and eventually declining as newer models are released.
Globalization: Expands the market and makes projects more complex with
cultural, legal, and logistical challenges. IT project managers must handle teams
from diverse geographical locations, manage time zone differences, and navigate
global market demands.
Outsourcing: IT projects are often outsourced to reduce costs or access
specialized skills. This requires project managers to manage contracts, external
teams, and maintain quality control while ensuring timelines and deliverables are
met.
Virtual Teams: With more remote work, IT project managers need to foster
communication and collaboration in a virtual environment. They must ensure
effective tools and practices are in place for seamless workflow, despite team
members being in different locations.
Agile Project Management: Agile emphasizes flexibility, iterative development,
and quick response to change. This approach shifts the traditional methods by
focusing on customer feedback, small sprints, and continuous delivery rather
than large-scale planning.
In Project Management:
For example, in a software development project, understanding how the product will
integrate with existing IT infrastructure is crucial. Considering the systems view helps
ensure alignment across various departments.
7. Organizational Frames
Organizations can be viewed through four distinct frames to understand their operations
better:
1. Structural Frame:
o Focuses on roles, responsibilities, policies, and hierarchies within an
organization.
o Example: In a tech company, the structural frame would detail how
departments like R&D, IT, and HR are organized to achieve the
company's goals.
2. Human Resources Frame:
o Emphasizes the needs and motivations of people within the organization.
o Example: A company offering training and professional development
programs to ensure employee growth and satisfaction reflects the human
resources frame.
3. Political Frame:
o Looks at power dynamics, conflicts, and the distribution of resources
within the organization.
o Example: Decision-making in a multinational company may involve
various stakeholders competing for resources and influence, with
departments vying for bigger budgets.
4. Symbolic Frame:
o Focuses on culture, rituals, symbols, and meaning within an organization.
o Example: A startup with an open, casual work environment and regular
company events builds a strong culture through shared rituals and
symbols like casual Fridays or team-building retreats.
These frames help project managers and leaders understand different aspects of the
organization, ensuring they can navigate challenges and leverage strengths
accordingly.