Project Management – Strategies And Models For Organizational Success

Introduction to Project Management

In my career, I am a certified professional with over ten years experience in the global business environment in the field of project management. While exercising my job skills, I have been able to work with clients and contractors side with high international and well-renowned persons. Currently, I am a manager in a KTC, a civil engineering firm, working as a cost control manager. The job is involved with responsibilities including delivering capital projects to the operation state of the world, reporting to the global financial controller.

It is well appreciated that strategic planning is an art and at the same time a science. Most of the ideas employed in implementing the management theories have been borrowed from practice. The subject came as compelling factors following my many years of professional experience where I have learned different strategies as applied by various companies I have contacts. Most of the conventional procedures by the different companies I have connections with includes financial re-structuring, some companies have launched new products to be able to acquire better market share and some lost finances to set a way for the new locations among other strategies. Following the interest in the module, the most appropriate and engaging learning I would acquire again and again are porter’s five forces, Mc Kinsey 7S model and the cost and differentiation leadership by Porter that will be useful to KTC.

Porter has been prompt in assisting in the areas of development as he has profoundly contributed to significant development strategic insights in industries regarding competition analysis and the importance of having competition strategies. The five forces model by Porter has allowed me to learn the best ways to analyze the sector based on the various stakeholders it mentioned in the example (Savelsbergh, Havermans & Storm, 2016).

I will apply the model in the development and setting of goals as the industry is rapidly evolving and becoming more sophisticated and digital. After learning the different strengths and weaknesses associated with the five forces stakeholders in the model, I can be able to plan for new developments and set future goals that will be in line with the recommendations derived from the five forces. The model will be useful at KTC as it will enhance my goal setting abilities and aid in setting goals that will match the competitive environment.

The model has improved my understanding of various elements of the organization including the structure, strategies employed, the staff, skills as well as the shared values of other items that can be integrated towards the achievement of the company effectiveness. The model enhanced my understanding and appreciation of the fact that strategy will only be enough with the help of the other 6’S.

Porter’s Five Forces Model

The 7’s model can be applied in the evaluation of KTC. When either of the S in the model is affected, I will be sure to take into account the remaining 6 S’s in the model. For instance, changing the top management to incorporate new management styles will need to ensure that the rest of the elements in the model are collectively aligned to achieve the objective of the company.

Porter is also the author and developer of the generic strategies to aid in gaining competitive benefits. To be able to take away sales from a competitor, two ways can be incorporated into the model. The strategy is interestingly the best and relevant to the current business environment filled with much competition, according to the model, it is either a business sell at a lower price than their rivals in the market of the differentiate their products or even incorporate the two (Attwood, 2005).

I would use the strategy to assist in the development of a cost-effective strategy following the fact that the company is currently struggling with revenue generation utilizing few assets.

In most cases, people get confused with the organizational structure and design as they have always thought of it as synonymous, and it is never the case. Corporate design is usually a combination of science and art. The biggest challenges that faced KTC in the past are different from the current problems, and as such, the ideas of organizations and organizational design are undergoing logical evolution. Managers are deeply getting involved in the design of their companies every day at work, but the majority of them never realize the fact. Organizational design offers people the tools necessary for the evaluation and understanding of why most of the companies grow and become successful while others fail ((Barney and Hesterly, 2015). Design and structure of organizations allow people to interpret the past event of things and the way things might happen in future. As such, firms can be managed more efficiently and in more efficient ways. However, companies are always seen to thrive for many years up to 100 years. Firms have to adopt various external environments such as the clients, rival companies, and the necessary strategy and structural changes needed. They also have to avoid any ethical issues and adopt the appropriate culture innovation required for success (Hill, Jones and Schilling, 2014).

The first organization to work for was an international engineering company based in America, dealing in procurement, construction and installation services, founded in 1923. The structural dimensions of the firm were;

Structural Dimension	Rank	Details
Formalization	High	The services offered are technical, thus, making the company a highly formalized one. The firm has higher levels of complexity in terms of corporate, product line as well as the procedure and policy levels of the state.
Specialization	Very High	Considering the structure of the firm, it can be categorized based on 4 grounds; engineering, procurement, construction and installation.
Authority hierarchy	High	The firm has a vertical hierarchy of power that tends to be tall and the current span of control is low
Technicality	Very High	Following the fact that it is a multinational firm, and also a technical corporate in nature, the complexity of the operations is very high.
Centralization	High	The head office of the company is based on Houston, as such; all the decisions are centralized from the head office.

McKinsey 7S Model

 The second firm and current firm i worked for is KTC, an engineering firm dealing in earthworks, infrastructural development and building works, with head office in Singapore. Its structural dimensions include;

Structural Dimension	Rank	Details
Formalization	High	The services offered by the firm are more complex and technical and as such, a highly formalized corporation.
Specialization	High	Looking at the structure of the firm, it is founded on 4 major categories of engineering, installation, construction and procurement.
State of Power	Medium	The company has a fat hierarchy of authority considering it is a locally based form. Following the hierarchy that is small in nature, the current span of control is widely distributed.
Complexity	High	The firm is technical in nature making its complexity high with the many associated logistics issues. However, it is easily managed as it is a domestic firm.
Centralization	Medium	Being a company headquartered in the U.A.E, every decision made was from the offices in Dubai but every department could give their contributions.

 How do you fit the design?

The topics listed below are the topics I chose for my assessment. Following the results, I have commented on three questionnaires.

Chapter 3: Fundamentals of Organizations: The Pleasure Of Working On Teams

Result	Score
Individual work	2
Team work	2
Comfortable with both	2

 Following the results, I was really surprised as the total and how accurate it brought out my analysis. I am comfortable in working both as a team and individually. And I do agree to the fact. Working as a manager, the draft is very accurate in its extrapolations. To be able to make a successful organization, there is a high recommendation to be able to work as a team to have a shared goal and collectively attain the objectives of the business. It is also advisable to be able to work individually as there are certain conditions that will demand an individual presentation and performance. As such, I am well armed to take an organization to its destined success as I will comfortably work within the two circumstances without any setbacks. It is important that I be flexible in my performances to enhance my managerial duties (Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson, 2012).

Result	Score
Active networking	8
Not active networking	2

 From the results, the total score for effective networking is quite the same as my personal networking attributes. In the current world of global business relationships, effective networking is highly relevant, and organizations highly benefit from networking. It is important to a manager to save existing networks across the international marketing environment to be able to access different insights and highlights that will promote organizational success regarding marketing and sales. As a manager, it is an essential activity to manage relationships with other companies through networking as it is believed to build mutual benefits (Fillat, Garetto and Oldenski, 2015). As a person with vast and active systems, I highly enjoy and contribute to partners and also have an extensive influence on the relationships between organizations. It is the best professional skill I have as a manager in an international business organization, and I believe I can make a positive change in the company towards achieving its goals and objectives. As such, I will continue to perfect my networking skills and abilities for the better of the organization and other companies I will work for in future (Albashiry, Voogt & Pieters, 2015).

Cost and Differentiation Leadership by Porter

Chapter 8: Technology for Control, Social Business and Big Data

Result	Score
Goal setting	8
Not goal setting	2

 The results are a reflection of my capabilities towards goals. I have had good goal getting skills that have allowed me to achieve better organizational success at KTC. Goal setting is important in an organization along measuring results and reviewing the progress of the people and departments. Many companies have their systems for target settings and review systems. In my case, I have goal settings strategies that I believe are an important aspect of my career journey that will help me be beneficial to my organization. The predicting questions are a reflection of the extent to which I have appreciated the art of goal setting in my career life (Wilcock, Campion-Smith & Elston, 2003).

Following the many years of my professional experience, I have been able to move from the junior level to the senior managerial level where I am currently positioned. Surprisingly, the results from the questionnaires have been an accurate reflection of the personality state I host today. Chapters three, five and eight shows the extent to which I am determined in organization and planning, and they reflect on the right skills and my growth in these areas (Hoenen and Kostova, 2015).

Following the results of the three questionnaires, I currently know and appreciate the areas where I am good and where in need to improve. I am going to exploit my strengths and work on my weaknesses. There are many models I learned from a strategic formulation point including the porter’s general strategy as well as cost and leadership differentiation (Daft, 2015).

People have had the wrong ideas that career development comes to an end with the completion of the school where they set out on their career journey. However, many people know the fact isn’t true and to be able to get ahead and continue to strive, there have to be ways to grow and develop. These will be possible when one finds better ways to improve, update their career goals and also promote self-interest. Many people are willing to make a move but they are never sure on the means to go about the case. In my case, I have a dream to become a leader in a company and to utilize my experience, knowledge, and skills acquired in the project and the field of operations management (Manship, 2014).

Short term goals	Mid-term goals	Long term goals
Short term goals
Action	Personal performance indicator	Challenges	Approaches to challenges	Start date	End
Develop skills on analysis and data mining	The art of statistical analysis and data mining are for a company in Dubai. The skill has been confirmed to be the most preferred by the recruiter	No challenges as it is a short term goal	No challenges available	April	May
Mid-term goals
Action	Performance indicators	Challenges	Approaches to challenges	Start date	End
Developing skills on implementation of cost leadership and differentiation of products	Elements of mechanical engineering from technical institute Licensed Profession in supply chain	Fears of losing jobs because of right sizing. Many responsibilities at work causing limited time	Work on time management skills. Work within the firm following the connections or employment agencies (Eden and Ackermann, 2013)	Feb 2017	Feb 2018
Long term goals
Action	Performance indicators	Challenges	Approach to challenges	Start date	End
To become the head of the project control department and/or operations manager	Study MBA in international business from Harvard university. Have a degree in surveying from oxford University (Furman, 2012)	Frequent fluctuations in the oil industry affecting my current employer that threatens loss of employment. Family issues and health conditions	Find possibilities within the oil and gas using the networks and employment agencies. Be updated on latest developments from various references. Work with passion and have a determined focus on work life balance and health	June 2017 April 2018	March 2018 May 2019

References

Attwood, M. (2005). Professional development: A guide for primary care. Malden, Mass: Blackwell.

Albashiry, N, Voogt, J, & Pieters, J 2015, ‘Improving curriculum development practices in a technical vocational community college: examining effects of a professional development arrangement for middle managers’, Curriculum Journal, 26, 3, pp. 425-451, Professional Development Collection, EBSCOhost, viewed 21 March 2017.

Barney, J.B. and Hesterly, W., 2015. Strategic management and competitive advantage concepts and cases. Pearson.

Daft, R. L., 2015. Organization Theory and Design 12th Edition. 12th Edition ed. Canada: Cengage learning .

Eden, C. and Ackermann, F., 2013. Making strategy: The journey of strategic management. Sage.

Fillat, J.L., Garetto, S. and Oldenski, L., 2015. Diversification, cost structure, and the risk premium of multinational corporations. Journal of International Economics, 96(1), pp.37-54.

Furman, L. R. (2012). Instructional technology tools: A professional development plan. Bloomington, IN: iUniverse, Inc.

Hill, C.W., Jones, G.R. and Schilling, M.A., 2014. Strategic management: theory: an integrated approach. Cengage Learning.

Hitt, M.A., Ireland, R.D. and Hoskisson, R.E., 2012. Strategic management cases: competitiveness and globalization. Cengage Learning.

Hoenen, A.K. and Kostova, T., 2015. Utilizing the broader agency perspective for studying headquarters–subsidiary relations in multinational companies. Journal of International Business Studies, 46(1), pp.104-113.

Manship, S 2014, ‘Research Article: The Perceptions of Ontario Radiation Therapists and Their Managers Regarding Continuing Professional Development’, Journal Of Medical Imaging And Radiation Sciences, 45, pp. 85-91, ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost, viewed 21 March 2017.

Savelsbergh, C, Havermans, L, & Storm, P 2016, ‘Development paths of project managers: What and how do project managers learn from their experiences?’, International Journal Of Project Management, 34, pp. 559-569, ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost, viewed 21 March 2017.

Wilcock, P., Campion-Smith, C., & Elston, S. (2003). Practice professional development planning: A guide for primary care. Abingdon, U.K: Radcliffe Medical Press.