Project Management
Project Management is having the skill to oversee the many aspects of a project. Not only is it watching over a project, but it is leading it to a successful outcome as well. This is a skill that most, if not all leaders will need. Project Management skills are needed for all sizes of projects. Every project has a higher rate of success if there is a plan and a person to make sure it is followed.
Seeing as size does not matter in these scenarios, project management is a useful skill that I will need in the future. When I have the opportunity to join a team project, I want to make sure that I am prepared to support my team. This includes being able to complete assignments within the deadlines, plan ahead for possible complications, and deliver adequate results. After being apart of the Organizational Leadership program for a year, I have seen my leadership skills improve, especially my project management skills. I find that I do not struggle to organize projects like I did before, and I am always prepared for the next step.
Artifact: Project Management
The artifact I chose to include was a review paper I wrote while taking OGL 320: Foundations Project Management. This paper discusses four important skills I learned while studying Yves Behar's talk on how to create designs that matter. The artifact shows my recognition and comprehension of skills including how values influence project designs, how values influence your team, the effects of "scope creep", and lastly how my own projects have been affected by my personal values.
Reflection
There is significant importance of project management to the Organizational Leadership studies. This degree focuses on teaching students how to be a better future leader out in the world. Having strong project management skills not only makes you a good project manager, it also strengthens your skills as a leader. Leading groups of people towards common goals is a huge form of project management. You must be able to plan, set deadlines, prepare for complications, and deliver results.
Growth & Development
Initially when beginning this degree I thought the focus would simply be leaders. I was under the impression that there was one way to lead people, and we were here to learn it. I now understand that there are so many individual pieces that make up leaders, and they are unique to every person. One skill all leaders have in common is project management. After taking OGL 320 Foundations Project Management, I realized that I was lacking greatly in this area. I have since developed the skills and level of organization that is needed to successfully manage projects no matter their size.