In most cases, the process of determining whether a project has been successful or not is not an easy task. I think that the Austin Hill project was successful because the institution conducted an extensive needs assessment to establish some of the needs and preferences of the students at the institution. Furthermore, the objectives, which include the construction of a computer lab, were achieved at the end of the project. Through input from the students, the institution was able to construct a computer lab that was capable of meeting the students’ need for using computers. Essentially, the project achieved the desired outcomes.
Furthermore, the project was successful because the primary stakeholders, who are the students, were satisfied with the final results. For example, the student representative underlines that the construction of huge computer labs will play a fundamental role in ensuring that many students can use computers at any time. The project also met the expectations of all the stakeholders. For example, the organization was able to construct a reliable computer lab for its student community while the students were provided with a facility that was capable of meeting their day-to-day needs of using computers.
I learned various lessons over the course of the project. Primarily, I learned that effective communication, especially among the stakeholders, is crucial for the overall success of a project. In most cases, project teams comprise individuals from diverse backgrounds, thereby posing communication challenges for the achievement of the project activities (Carroll, 2015). Therefore, effective communication ensures that stakeholders are in touch with the challenges confronting the project. Besides, communication helps members of the project team to understand various elements of the project as well as some of the issues that the sponsors and stakeholders expect them to implement. I noted that attention must be given to the type of information that is needed at every level of the project, and relevant steps must be taken to ensure that such information is freely relayed to the stakeholders. The information available to the project planners also influences the quality of the project plan and implementation. As a result, any information that might influence the scope, expectations, time, and quality of a project must be communicated to the stakeholders to enhance the accuracy of the planning process. In most instances, it is essential to outline the benefits of a project to the individuals that are influenced by the project’s outcomes or are affected during the course of the project, and this can only be realised through effective communication.
Additionally, I learned that outlining the specific project scope at the beginning of a project is essential to its eventual success. Specifically, documenting the project’s scope underlines the boundaries of the project, sets up the procedures for verifying and approving completed activities, and establishes particular responsibilities for the project manager (Carroll, 2015). Therefore, it guides the day-to-day activities that are undertaken to help in the implementation of the project. Primarily, it defines the goals and deliverable of a project.
One of the topics that stood out to me while watching the Austin Hall project videos was based on defining the scope of the project. Defining the project scope entails the process of identifying the tasks, goals, and sub-phases, budget, resources, and scheduling (Carroll, 2015). It is important because it plays a crucial role in establishing the parameters of the project and outlines what is excluded. Furthermore, this topic stood out because it underscores the fact that a properly defined and communicated scope is essential to the success of a project.
References
Carroll, J. (2015). Effective Project Management in easy steps. New York: In Easy Steps Limited.
