PM202 Human Resources Management

1. Introduction

Project management mainly emphasizes on the overall planning and organization of a project as well as the resources (Levy, 2018). It eventually involves in identification and management of the lifecycle to be utilized and even application of it to the user centric design procedure. The project management team is being formulated for properly executing the phases of the project. With an effective approach of project management, it becomes quite easier to achieve the goals and objectives successfully. It is also helpful for the project team members to understand the responsibilities and efficiently utilize the available resources (Lock, 2017). Balfour Beatty is a popular and significant construction organization in the United Kingdom that has been executing several distinct projects. The following essay provides a brief discussion on the project management approach of Balfour Beatty with PRINCE2 methodology.

2. Discussion

2.1 Brief Discussion of the Organizational Approach to Projects

Balfour Beatty PLC is a successful player in the industry of construction in the United Kingdom. They comprise of different capabilities in construction services, infrastructure investments and support services and the organization has been doing business across the UK, Canada, the USA, Ireland and South East Asia (Balfour Beatty. 2022). They have executed several popular construction projects and have been following an effective and efficient approach to execute these projects. Every construction project is being organized for accomplishing the work in an effective manner and the project manager can consider the span of control in an efficient manner.

APM project management aspects are being followed in the organization to execute the construction project works. The complexity profile of a project as well as the skills and knowledge of the team can be easily analyzed and ensure that the project can be influenced without any kind of issue. Balfour Beatty has been following a formal approach for executing the project and as a result, the successful execution of the project has not been an issue for the organizational management (Meredith et al., 2017). The APM promotes the overall disciplines of project management and program management in the United Kingdom.

Balfour Beatty has also received an award for APM project management in 2021 for their successful approach towards the work and making these projects a successful one. They have included a program called the five dimensions of professionalism and APM also provides various products and services like registered membership and qualifications, online services and events (Richardson & Jackson, 2018). APM principles could be used for emphasizing a major shift for getting control. The main focus would be on individuals, who are accomplishing advantages through an engaged, accountable and even high performing teams for sharing data and team communication in Balfour Beatty. The distinct action that can be undertaken for implementing this principle is customer collaboration over contract negotiation and also focusing on contract negotiation.

One of the most distinct and noteworthy projects of Balfour Beatty is MECD or Manchester Engineering Campus Development. It is a flagship project of the University of Manchester for the core purpose of developing the innovators and engineers of the future generation for including forward thinking and collaboration research techniques. MECD is considered as one of the largest and single construction project that is being undertaken by a higher education institution in the United Kingdom (Manchester.ac.uk. 2021). The project would be responsible for transforming the method of the University educating engineers in respect to the requirements of the faster changing globalized economy.

The buildings in the campus involve modern and extensive teaching spaces, which reflect on the changing demands of the staff and students for flexible learning and mobile. As a result, it would be needed to focus on a highly distinctive and advanced approach and Balfour Beatty has selected APM project management approach for executing the project eventually (MECD. 2017). Moreover, for selecting the methodology or approach, they have considered lean project management methodology. The main reason for selecting lean methodology is that there had been greater visibility and improved communication. Moreover, the project can also be executed faster and risks are reduced. The distinct principles of lean management are values, value stream, flow, pull and perfection and Balfour Beatty can use a balanced scorecard for identifying the optimal factors and even avoiding every shortcoming of each aspect with the lean strategy.

2.2 A Main Approach and Possible Alternatives for every Stage with Repercussions

The selected project of Balfour Beatty is MECD and the description of each of the stages of PRINCE2 methodology is provided in the following paragraphs:

1. i) Initiation: The first and the foremost stage of MECD is initiation, in which the respective project team evaluates the distinct project idea. PRINCE2 is a process based method for effective project management and it is responsible for providing the fundamental skills that are needed for a successful project work. It is needed to define the scope as well as expected results of the work and also identify every potential partner (Harrison & Lock, 2017). The project was initiated in 2016 and the scope of the work was analyzed properly. Balfour Beatty has ensured that the project management team has made the project scope properly for ensuring that the goals and objectives are clear. The project phase of PRINCE2 of starting a project is aligned with the initiation phase. The main approach has been identifying the key performance indicators that are needed for determining the factor, whether the objectives would be fulfilled. An alternative approach in the initiation phase would be analyzing the project timeline and costs; however, there is a major repercussion that the client might bring out a certain change in the project and the costs and timeline might be changed (Kerzner, 2017).
2. ii) Planning: The second phase of project management is planning and the management of MECD has ensured that they are focusing on complete diligence for laying out the entire roadmap of the work procedure. The timespan of the project work was required to be reduced, so that the additional time is avoided and the project can be completed without any kind of issue or complexity. The other phases of directing a project and initiating a project for PRINCE2 processes are involved in the planning phase. They have focused on the primary tasks like identification of the technical requirements and even developing the distinct schedule of the project (Brewer & Dittman, 2018). This particular approach was effective for them as the project was not delayed. One of the major alternative approaches in this specific stage would be creation of a communication plan for the team members. There is a repercussion that the communication plan might be responsible for bringing conflicts in the workplace and transparency would not be present.

iii) Execution: The next phase of project management is execution, in which the entire team does the actual work. It is needed to establish the most efficient workflows for monitoring the overall progress of the team (Kerzner, 2017). The next phases of PRINCE2 processes of controlling a project and managing product delivery are involved in this particular phase of project management. These ensure that the project controlling becomes easier and the negative effects are reduced. Moreover, the project manager uses different tools of project collaboration for increasing the productivity of the team in an effective manner. The key performance indicators and critical success factors would be established for gaining maximum efficiency. A main approach in this specific phase was quantitative tracking of the effort as well as cost in the process and an alternative approach would have been conducting team building exercises and motivating all team members (Boyle, 2017). A vital repercussion of the approach would be issues within the team members and not completing team building exercises successfully.

1. iv) Closure: Finally, in the final phase of the project, MECD has completed the work and the project was successful. The final processes of PRINCE2, which are management of the stage boundaries and closing of a project are involved and aligned with the closure of the project work and should be considered for getting better and effective results. This specific stage has indicated the end of the project after the final delivery and there are several times, when the external talent is being recruited especially for the project on contract and a successful termination of the contracts and completion of the required paperwork has been done successfully by the project manager (Meredith et al., 2020). A main approach has been checking of continuous improvement in the project as it was a campus project work. The alternative approach would be reviewing the completed project work for a detailed report, which can include every attribute. The repercussion would be getting gaps in the review; however it could not be changed as the work is being completed.

2.3 Description of the Approach to the Selected Project with a Case for and against Alternative Approach

The selected project of MECD has focused on the unique strategies and plans to gain efficiency and effectiveness in the project plan and also for focusing on the required changes in the processes (Radujkovi? & Sjekavica, 2017).

1. i) The alternative approach in the initiation phase is to analyze the project timeline and costs. One of the major examples for supporting the alternative is that the discrepancy in the cost and schedule of the project work would be estimated in the first phase. Since MECD is a construction project; there is a high chance that the organizational management might not be able to focus on every specific change related to time and cost and there would be distinct issues within the phases (Papke-Shields & Boyer-Wright, 2017). The case against this specific approach is that client has tendency to make changes in the design and as it is only the initiation phase; there could be a few changes from the client’s end. Hence, the project manager would not be able to include the additional costs and major issues would be identified. The theme of organization and quality can be developed by involving new ideologies and plans in the project work, so that the business case is improved.
2. ii) The alternative approach identified in the planning phase for MECD is to include a communication plan in the work for all team members. It is needed for them to share every vital detail of the project work and also ensure that every member is able to work properly and the negative impacts are reduced, due to the lack of communication. It can be stated as the supporting case for MECD (Nicholas & Steyn, 2020). On the contrary, the case against this specific approach is that since it is a long term project work; there can be a high chance that there would be different conflicts within the members and they would not be able to work together. Moreover, the project management approach considered for the execution of the work might not allow all the team members to maintain communication and transparency might be lost. The theme of plan of PRINCE2 is needed to be considered in this particular aspect and for this involvement, effective communication is needed to be maintained in the team.

iii) In the execution phase, the alternative approach is to conduct team building exercises and motivating the members. As it is the most crucial phase of a project, every vital and significant decision is being undertaken in this particular phase. Hence, the approach should be considered for better results and efficiency (Meredith et al., 2020). The case supporting the approach is that every team member should be focusing on the changes that are needed for the project welfare and support the activities of one another for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. However, the case against the approach is that there could be different issues within the team members and hence the activities might not be completed and the project can be delayed. The theme of change for PRINCE2 can be developed by considering every risk to the project work and avoiding them successfully.

1. iv) The final phase is closure, in which the alternative approach identified is to check for constant improvement in the project. MECD was being developed for numerous students and as a result, it was needed to ensure the entire team is focusing on utmost safety and security of the customers. The case supporting the alternative approach is that every specific stage or phase can be reviewed immediately and when any kind of issue or complexity would be identified; it would be easier for the project manager to correct them accordingly (Radujkovi? & Sjekavica, 2017). The case against the approach is that the project management team of MECD would be facing major delays in the work and problems would be identified that could not be solved. The final theme of PRINCE2 of progress can be developed and implemented by regular audit and checking of the processes.

2.4 Recommendations of Changes to the Organizational Approach as per PRINCE2

Balfour Beatty is one of the most leading construction companies in the United Kingdom and they have focused on using the most innovative and effective approaches for executing the work successfully. PRINCE2 is a popular and significant process based methodology for effective project management (Hinde, 2018). Different projects can be managed accordingly and also brought them on time and budget and focusing on a high quality deliverable accordingly. The project of MECD can be made more innovative and effective with the most accurate and effective with a few changes and these distinct changes are provided in the following paragraphs:

1. i) The first and the foremost recommendation to the project of MECD would be using technological resources. As per PRINCE2 approach, risks are inevitable for a project work and as a result, it would be needed to consider different technological resources, which can bring out new and innovative changes in the project phases and as a result, the negative impacts related to such resources would be avoided (PRINCE2 Case Studies. 2022). The rates of productivity for the construction company have dropped majorly for every sector and in the present pandemic situation, a project management team can be benefitted only when technological resources would be considered in the project and there could have been changes like using highly advanced resources and attributes. Additional investment is needed for developing this particular recommendation.
2. ii) It is also recommended to MECD to change their approach in the planning phase and focus on data based analysis to gain success. A construction project gets develops quickly at a faster pace and it could be extremely challenging for staying completely organized and significant. A proper and effective plan is needed to be in place and hence development and planning of the project would have been better for the project management team (Nicholas & Steyn, 2020). Moreover, data driven strategies would have been considered in such circumstances for the purpose of driving several planning efforts and even improving productivity accordingly. It is needed to ensure that the respective team is able to focus on the major strategies and plans, required by the organizational management in the business. The inclusion of business intelligence tools and techniques would be needed for developing the new process and recommendation accordingly.

3. Conclusion

Therefore, from the above discussion, a conclusion can be drawn that there are a few attributes for knowledge management in a project and these include integration management, scope management, time management, cost, quality, human resources, communication, as well as risk and procurement management. Communication is also encouraged subsequently and there are certain opportunities for planned and regular meetings as well as workflow for the approval and decisions. The phases of a project are required to be executed for proper visioning and conceptualizing the work in an effective manner. Balfour Beatty has been successfully executing several construction projects and this essay has focused on the involvement of PRINCE2 methodology for the organizational projects.

References

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