PM587 Week 7 Discussion

7/11/13 Topic Print View

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Week 7: Optimal Capacity Utilization and Emerging Project Management Approaches - Discussion

The UCP Model and The NCTP Model (graded)

Shenhar and Dvir discuss two frameworks used to classify projects: the UCP model and the NCTP model. Defineeach model. How do these models differ? How does the knowledge of these models help/hinder an organization?

Responses

Response Author Date/Time

The UPC Model and the NCTP Model Professor Orr 6/15/2013 1:56:03 PM

The UPC Model and the NCTP Model:

In your organization or one w here you have w orked previously, w hich model w ould you use? Why?

Regards,

Susan

RE: The UPC Model and the

NCTP Model Dwayne Grant 6/16/2013 10:52:15 PM

Modified:6/17/2013 8:49 PM

Just from the readings and previous experience my recommendation would be the UCP method. Ithas all the essentials of some of the project management fundamentals, and some of these taskshave been done at various organizations without the understanding of the project managementrelationship. The NTCP seems like it can only be used for technical and highly complex projects,and that would make its broad based use in functional projects not practical.


NCTP Model Sydney Williams 6/17/2013 7:27:51 AM

Modified:6/19/2013 6:00 AM

At my current organization now I would say we use the UCP model. Pretty much you take theelements of environment, product, and task then use Uncertainty, Complexity, and Pace to comeup with your Project Management Style. As to which model I would use, I am going to use theproject management favorite words "it depends". I would use the UCP style in portfoliomanagement as a top manager. If I need more dimensions, I would use the NCTP model. Thiswould be used to select project management style- leader, team, structure, and processes.


NCTP Model Emre Karakus 6/17/2013 9:52:33 PM

I w ould like to participate NCTP model w hich is mostly f it to a technology company. Softw are Companies must f ind a

balance betw een novelty, technology, pace and complexity to have successful projects and sustainable products.If

these four parameters placed on a chart it show s the successful project definition. How ever companies has

methods for revising plans during development process to keep it in balance. the most important components of NCTP

model are technology and novelty. These tw o components must be put forw ard w hile planning programs.




NCTP Model Jennifer Gherardini 6/18/2013 1:50:19 PM

I previously w orked at an Oak Furniture company. While they had some products that w ere pre-made for sale, most

products w ere made from customized orders. They w ould do w hole rooms, such as kitchen, up to w hole houses.

Each employee had a different part of the production of the order. I w ould recommend using the UPC model. They

had to test out a few different things sometimes before getting the design that the customer asked for just like they

w anted. There w as an uncertainty to how long that w ould take and depending on the size of the project they may

need more oak than they have on stock. The complexity of course depends on the customization that the customer

orders and w ho has w hich job. The pace is pretty easy to determine after they get the exact details w anted dow n.

It w ill take about the same for the rest of the project. This kind of model is easy to follow and falls right in line w ith

the kind of business they run.

Morris, P. & Pinto, J. (2007). The wiley guide to project program & portfolio management. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


NCTP Model Catherine Nderitu 6/18/2013 6:09:37 PM

In my opinion, i w ould say it depends w ith the projects involved. UPC model is somehow basic so i w ould opt for that

for simple projects. How ever, if projects are a bit complex then i w ould use the NCTP model because it involves an

covers more dimensions.

RE: The UPC Model

and the NCTP

ModelIsaac Oyan 6/18/2013 11:58:35 PM

In my opinion, I w ill recommend, UCP Model because it deals immediately w ith the Uncertainty at the

inception/initiation of the project, Also, it is used to determine the complexity of the project in terms of # of

elements and variety of factors and the interconnectivity that is involved in the project, coupled w ith the

Pace issue w hich deals w ith the available time frame for the project to be completed. UCP is very direct

and straight in dealing w ith how the project is going to be carried out.


NCTP Model Derek Amberson 6/19/2013 1:36:54 PM

The model w e are using is NCTP. This is because w e are doing test an development. These projects are very

complex, have a high degree of tech involved and w ill evolve over time as different tests are performed, data is

evaluated and decisions for next steps is determined. The UPC model just does not allow for the large degree of

precise decisions that these projects require. To achieve our goals w e have to use the complex one. As the text

stated the Boeing company used this model for the development of the 777, just as w e are using it for the

development of the TCAS/S band upgrade.


NCTP Model Mary Hart 6/19/2013 1:46:23 PM

Modified:6/19/2013 1:47 PM

I have experience w orking for an Alumina Production Plant, most of the projects developed here are internal

operational projects as maintenance, improvement and problem solving. I w ould consider these projects framew orks

w ithin the UCP model as they deal more w ith Uncertainty, Complexity and Pase. Novelty and technology, of the NCTP

model, w ere scarce / null in these types of projects.



Usefulness of the Framew orks Professor Orr 6/17/2013 6:15:12 AM

What are the framew orks useful for?

Regards,

Susan

RE: Usefulness of the

Framew orks Dw ayne Grant 6/17/2013 9:14:17 PM

Frameworks are for distinguishing between different projects, and each framework uses differentdimensions for project classification. The frameworks are used by different management levels fordifferent managerial reasons. Plus, each framework also provides guidelines for how managementshould handle the different projects.


Framew orks Sydney Williams 6/18/2013 5:50:12 AM

A Project Management Framework (PMF) is a tool that will help you plan/monitorthe progress of your project. It is a statement of all the required tasks that need tobe undertaken, as well as a timeline for each task and who is responsible for itsimplementation. A PMF is used to assist in tracking, evaluating andcommunicating the progress of a project.

The importance for the framework is that the Project Manager knows what stagethe project is at, at any given time. A PMF is a useful tool to assist in keeping theproject on track and determining how long it will take to complete the project. Ifyou have any kind of variations of your project, you should also update your PMF.


Framew orks Mary Hart 6/18/2013 8:04:58 PM

Modified:6/18/2013 8:06 PM

The frameworks are useful in grouping projects by classifying them within selected dimensionsand final user needs.The frameworks are also useful in guiding project managers as follow:-Selecting project management style.-Recruiting team members.- Determining structure and processes.-Choosing the right tools.



Reference :Morris, P. & Pinto, J. (2007). The Wiley Guide to Project Program & Portfolio Management. Hoboken,New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

RE: Usefulness of

the Framew orks Isaac Oyan 6/19/2013 1:30:04 AM

The usefulness of the Framew orks can not be over-emphasized because each of the framew ork

address many area of concerns about the projects w hich includes the follow ings:

Technology: The framew ork address w hat type or level of technology needs to be involved in

carrying out the projects, is it going to be High tech. or low technology?

Complexity: This is an area w here the framew ork tried to analyze various elements of the project

and how these elements w ere interconnected, and give a solution how to deal w ith such

complexity to more the project forw ard.

Novelty: This is also an advantage of the framew ork because it addresses how new the

products/services are to be introduced to the customers/users, their reactions, and how the

products/services w ill breakthrough after the completion of the products/services.

Pace: What is the time frame of individual activities/tasks in the project, it show s how critical the

time frame is, in the life of a project. Therefore, Framew orks help in determine how the project

could be completed successfully w ithin time and budget.


Frameworks Emre Karakus 6/19/2013 6:01:50 PM

Frameworks are useful for rapid development and consistency. Projects can be extended in timeand it is required a controller. Frameworks are controllers which draws the limit of project. Typesand conventions are protected which also gives the advantage of easy learning to the next users.Frameworks also gives simulating and testing functionality to projects. Frameworks enablescreating generic models, Generic models are time saving methods and increases re usability.


Framew orks Huyen Bui 6/22/2013 11:48:12 AM

A project management framework that defines the scope and boundaries of managing projects, as wellas the method to be adopted and applied to each project undertaken. The framework and supportingmethod should be integrated with the program management processes.

Areas the Framew orks Do Not Cover Professor Orr 6/18/2013 7:33:09 AM

What areas do the framew orks not cover?

Regards,

Susan

RE: Areas the Frameworks

Do Not Cover Sydney Williams 6/19/2013 6:13:45 AM

One area framework does not cover is Agile. Agile is not about project management. Agile is a



strategy for executing the product development of a project, not a project framework. Being aproject manager for a project using the agile method is quite different from being the projectmanager on a traditional project. An agile project manager is more of a visionary. The projectmanager has to guide the workflow and make sure the project team has the resources andmaterials it needs, but under the agile process, it's the team who is actually driving the schedule.In fact, it has been recognized that the people involved in the work need to be the ones schedulingthe work because they, in fact, know how long each process is going to take. This is a deviationfrom the traditional project, where the project manager enters all of the durations in MicrosoftProject and computes when tasks should start, stop, or be delayed.


Do Not Cover Mary Hart 6/20/2013 8:46:06 PM

Modified:6/20/2013 8:46 PM

I find that in the the UCP and the NCTP model the financial area is not covered. Thesemodels consider the complexity aspects of the project, however in a further classification stage

the financial area may be taken in account as it is a crucial factor in decision making.Group


Do Not Cover Emre Karakus 6/22/2013 10:33:07 PM

Project scope, activities, risk management and human resource and performance evaluation,activities which can be included under communication and budgeting information and costs whichcan be included under financial information are not covered in frameworks.

Trends in Project Management Professor Orr 6/19/2013 8:19:33 AM

What trends do you see in your organization or in an organization you have previously w orked for?

Regards,

Susan

RE: Trends in Project

Management Dw ayne Grant 6/19/2013 4:04:16 PM

One trend that is worth mentioning is that other professions are starting to use concepts derivedfrom project management fundamentals. I mean that even the field of education is trying to adoptconcepts, and they are doing it in a form called primary learned centers. It has concepts that aresimilar to a project management team, and this is a change in education because educators haveearned the reputation of working alone on an island. The second trend is globalization, and thispresents unique challenges. I want to give you an example just to frame the discussion, and itinvolves business opportunities. Just suppose you own and operate a business in Houston Texasand you are thinking about expanding to Skokie, Illinois. You would have to learn the businessdynamic is Skokie Illinois. The same challenge is magnified if you are trying to start a businessoverseas. You would have to learn the laws customs and business etiquette. So, globalization isthe next great business challenge.




Management Catherine Nderitu 6/19/2013 5:27:05 PM

Now adays, most organizations are defining project success as the delivery of perceived customer value as

opposed to the traditional completion w ithin/under cost/resource – schedule/time – scope/quality. As per our class

discussion in value management, project stakeholders are the main contributor to w hat 'value' actually means.

Organizations w ill therefore measure project success on how w ell it matches customers expectations.


Management Desmond Calloway 6/20/2013 6:28:31 AM

The trend that I have notice in the w ork place that I f ind very interesting the the move for lean resource pool

management. Take for instance the data center that I w ork in. When building out for the new vault area, the

customer has specif ic needs that must be met aside from using our normal tiles and and joists. Watch the process

myself, the project team order the items that w ere specif ic to the needs of the customer and found a w ay to

reallocate some resources that w ere not in immediate need in already completed projects or in future projects,

w here they can be replaced easily. The equipment, once reallocated, made it easy for us to go back and build in the

structured cabling and pow er w ith as little interference and impact to the resource pool (w orker) as possible.


Management Huyen Bui 6/22/2013 11:49:57 AM

The technical aspects of managing projects are undeniable, however; PM are

increasingly asked to lead the organization in transformative ways. Since project

managers often interact across the entire spectrum of departments within corporations,

they are often exposed to emerging trends within the industry that other or departmental

managers are not. Among the trends are an increased emphasis on project management

soft skills, the project management office (PMO) being viewed as a potential profit center

(vs. a cost center), sustainability aggressively planned into projects, and an increased

emphasis on corporate social responsibility.


Management Derek Amberson 6/22/2013 8:27:35 PM

Prior to going back to w ork w ith the DOD, I w orked for a Coca-Cola production facility briefly. The company w as just

learning the concepts of project management. They w ere beginning to try to understand these concepts and it w as a

little painful to see that this company that had been around for over 150 years w as so far behind the times. They

w ere very interested in the process and w orked tow ard achieving a success in each project that they ran. The

issue w as w ith the program off ice. They w ere just beginning in the system and even though they had very

know ledgeable individuals, they w ere hampered by senior leadership that did not understand the concepts and w ere

used to doing things one w ay, so changing their directions w as a little hard.


Management Emre Karakus 6/23/2013 7:11:52 PM

I was working for software companies where project management tools and technologies wereimportant for management. They were using software development tools to bring softwaredevelopment time and difficulty in standards. If any member of a project team has left thecompany, development time/quality is not changed. it means human resource based riskminimization. The other important technique they were using is standard programming libraries.Core development team of the company had developed a tool which makes front end programmingeasier. It is called rapid development technology. Programmers can able to develop on project



after a few training courses. Rapid development and risk minimization are techniques of sacrumand agile which has key role in project management.

Trends and Emerging Methodologies Professor Orr 6/20/2013 9:22:49 AM

After researching the trends and emerging methodologies, share other trends or emerging methodologies that you discovered.

Regards,

Susan

RE: Trends and Emerging

Methodologies Kelser Mcmiller 6/20/2013 3:02:49 PM

According to Project Times, Leadership skills w ill become a Critical Success Factor in new projects and programs.

This means not only having the experience in hours and projects, but also having the background of leadership

positions. Basically a PM w ill also have to know how to communicate w ell, react in social situations, and think

critically w hen dealing w ith changes and conflict.

http://w w w .projecttimes.com/articles/top-10-project-management-trends-for-2011.html

RE: Trends and

Emerging

MethodologiesIsaac Oyan 6/21/2013 12:25:34 AM

It has been observed that the Project Management style to be used/adopted

depends on three key factors/parameters which includes (a) Environment, (b)

Product and (c) Task.

The three factors has to be considered before any PM styles could be chosen.

Environment in the context of this premise is dealing with the external factors like

customer, industry, competitors even market/ general economic scales. Product on

the other hand is about the end result of the project, what type of product, therequirement/specification of the product while Task is the totality of the deliverables

at every level in order to achieve the goal of the project.

Therefore, the consideration of Uncertainty, complexity nature of all the three factors

and the Pace/time it takes to accomplish this project has to be considered in deciding

what PM style to put in place for such a project.

RE: Trends and

Emerging

MethodologiesJennifer Gherardini 6/21/2013 6:51:46 PM

I think leadership skills are extremely important and glad to hear that they are becoming a requirement.

Poor leadership can derail any team. Not only in improper managing of a team on a project, such as not

integrating team members or teams properly and managing conflicts, but also in building team morale. A

leader that contributes to poor morale instead of trying to build good morale w ill have a team that is

unmotivated and unhappy w ith their jobs. This can also be a result of not managing conflict properly. Or

even if they are just a pushover can contribute to team failure.

http://www.projecttimes.com/articles/top-10-project-management-trends-for-2011.html




Methodologies Desmond Calloway 6/22/2013 11:04:12 PM

One trend that is gaining more ground as time goes is the use of the automated project dashboard. This allow s the

project managers the ability to perform all tasks for the project and keep track of all of the progress being made by all

actors. The project itself w ill benefit greatly from using this tool. But the best part of this is the implementation of the

dashboard w hen looking at the progression of each project for the program managers and each program for the

portfolio managers. The projects and programs in the portfolio can be managed much in the same fashion as they

w ould independently. This information is important to large f irms as the planning commences for budget and the

fiscal reporting. I w ould recommend all project and program managers learn to use this tool as they progress in their

careers. The dashboard w ould allow the ultimate level of eff iciency for all involved.


Methodologies Emre Karakus 6/23/2013 7:18:49 PM

There are project for carrying know ledge in global. Projects are standardized so project management and project

experience is important to prevent failure. There are projects, developed for cloud and accessible globally. It is

important to know English for everybody all around the w orld. Also Google has a project to bring internet on each

ground of the w orld w ith antennas. It w ill be easy to access it as a radio starting in 2014. These tw o projects w ill

help better project and portfolio managements. We can see a project portfolio has participants all around the w orld.

The Future of Project Management Professor Orr 6/21/2013 9:53:13 AM

What do you think the future looks like for the profession of project management? What are your predictions?

Regards,

Susan

RE: The Future of Project

Management Jennifer Gherardini 6/22/2013 2:58:51 PM

The more I learn about project management the more I w onder w hy every business doesn't incorporate the practices

into all of their projects. By definition there are plenty of projects that businesses undertake and I really think they

could benefit from at least some of them. The organizing of projects in the very least from start to f inish is a great

start. I think the biggest is the documentation and lessons learned aspects. From the very start of the thoughts

about the project until it's f inished and maybe even further to keep taking notes on how some things have helped

w ith other things.


Management Catherine Nderitu 6/22/2013 8:47:49 PM

I believe it w ill continue to grow and become more recognized and adopted by most organizations. They w ill

understand it is a specialized skill and not everybody can lead a project. More advanced technology w ill be

incorporated into the process to increase eff iciency and effectiveness.


Management Kelser Mcmiller 6/22/2013 9:07:12 PM



I believe that the future of project management w ill require managers to have more than just a technical know ledge of

project managing. They w ill also have to develop successful leadership skills and a know ledge of overall operations.

The managing of projects instead of departments w ill develop so as to lessen the risk of committing to permanent

ideas for an organization.


Management Derek Amberson 6/23/2013 5:20:11 PM

Well seeing w hat I see now , I w ould say that the future is more w ith less. There is so much coming out in terms of

technology that it might be that teams w ill never meet. These teams w ill input data into one system and it w ill auto

calculate the completions, notify the next task ow ner that they may begin and deliver the appropriate information to

them.


Management Emre Karakus 6/23/2013 7:21:25 PM

Project managers role w ill become more important and standardized in future because of the productivity is better in

project based business models. In softw are programming terminology there is a motto for each objects: "thing every

structure in class", w e w ill say think every event as project.

Most Valuable Lessons Learned in

PROJ587 Professor Orr 6/22/2013 3:48:58 PM

Hi Everyone,

What are your most valuable Lessons Learned in PROJ587?

Regards,

Susan

RE: Most Valuable Lessons

Learned in PROJ587 Isaac Oyan 6/22/2013 7:49:22 PM

There w ere a lot of lesson learned in this course, one of them is the Project Manager Professional Code of ethics

w hich includes, the Responsibility, Respect, fairness and Honesty, The code of ethics serves as a guidelines and

valuable matters w hich every Project managers needs to embrace and utilize every times, Whenever, every of these

four core values are displayed, then integrity is uphold and respect is earned.

Also, a lot of models w ere clearly explained w hich every project managers need to know and utilize as time permit

so as to achieve our aim of having a successful project at the end of the day. It needs to be mentioned here that this

course is more of research base.


Learned in PROJ587 Desmond Calloway 6/23/2013 6:15:28 PM

This course has proven to be most interesting. I have never been in a class w here the structure of the course is to

develop all aspects of the f inal project each session. One of the most vital lessons for this session w ould have to

be that there is such a thing as too much planning. When w e undertook the projects that w e endeavored to be

graded on this session, w e each made plans w ith our teams that helped to shape how each team functioned. Even

w ith the best laid plans, teams w ere changed and even lost members due to unforeseeable circumstances. The

collaboration w ith other teams built on the character of the students in the class and created an environment w here

the teams w ere each able to produce their best products, even w hile learning more from their colleagues. If it w ere

not for this environment of collaboration and communication, this w ould not have been possible. This is not alw ays


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the case as w e all know . The development of the projects w e w ork on professionally w ill depend on this culture of

cooperation and communication. Building this culture far exceeds the scope of simply planning the project from the

planning phase to the implementation phase. The best plans that can be produced can be f law ed in the exacting

nature of the plans themselves. There must be room for error and renegotiation of resources. There must me a

index of allow ance given for the f lexibility of the project to be sound. That is the lesson that w ill stick w ith me from

now on.


Learned in PROJ587 Emre Karakus 6/23/2013 7:23:39 PM

Framew orks and value management classes w ere really valuable for me i have learned many thing w hich w ill be

helpful for my future plans. Also team w ork changed my mind about it can be better if it is done by team.

UCP Joseph Miller 6/22/2013 8:20:40 PM

UCP (Uncertainty, Complexity, Pace):

* Uncertainty – process premise is to reduce uncertainties.

* Complexity – scope determines project intricacy. The more complex a project determines organizational applied sciences of

PM and formality…

* Pace – various time constraints and projects w / high priories w ill determine pace

(Morris & Pinto, 2007, pg 180)

NCTP Joseph Miller 6/23/2013 9:34:15 AM

NCTP Novelty, Complexity, Technology, Pace):

* Novelty – 3 dimensions (derivative: improved product, platform: new gen in existing product line, breakthrough: f irst of its

kind).

* Complexity – scope determines project intricacy. The more complex a project determines organizational applied sciences of

PM and formality (system scope)…

* Technology or Technological Uncertainty – (Type A: low -tech – existing successful projects, Type B: med-tech – new

capabilities implemented in to previous projects, Type C: high-tech – new but existing technologies are utilized w /in the project,

Type D: super high-tech – f irst of its kind technologies )

* Pace – various time constraints and projects w / high priories w ill determine pace (regular, fast-competitive, blitz-critical)

(Morris & Pinto, 2007, pgs. 183-192)

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PM587 Week 7 Discussion