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Copyright © 2013 McGraw-Hill Education (Australia) Pty Ltd
Additional owners of copyright are acknowledged in on-page credits.
Every effort has been made to trace and acknowledge copyrighted material. The authors and publishers tender their
apologies should any infringement have occurred.
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Reproduction and communication for educational purposes
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Enquiries should be made to the publisher via www.mcgraw-hill.com.au or marked for the attention of the permissions
editor at the address below.
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National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Author: Dwyer, Judith, author.
Title:
Management strategies and skills / Judith Dwyer and Nicole
Hopwood.
Edition: 2 edition.
ISBN:
9781743077191 (paperback)
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Subjects:Management.
Other Authors/Contributors:
Hopwood, Nicole, author.
Dewey Number: 658
Published in Australia by
McGraw-Hill Education (Australia) Pty Ltd
Level 2, 82 Waterloo Road, North Ryde NSW 2113
Publisher: Norma Angeloni Tomaras
Development editor: Alex Payne
Production editors: Marisa Rey Bulen, Lindsey Langston
Permissions editor: Haidi Bernhardt
Copyeditor: Nicole McKenzie
Proofreader: Anne Savage
Indexer: Frances Paterson
Design coordinator: Dominic Giustarini
Cover design: Christa Moffit, Christabella Designs
Internal design: Georgette Hall, George Creative
Typeset in Utopia Std 9.5/11.5 pt by diacriTech, India
Printed in China on 70 gsm matt art by 1010 Printing International
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Foreword
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I have been involved in vocational education and training for over 25 years. I have known Judith Dwyer for over 18
years while we all came to grips with changes to vocational education and training in Australia.
Judith has been an educator in both the large public institution and the private sector training environment.
Her management experience includes establishing and running a successful Registered Training Organisation in
Newcastle. Emanating from her background as an educator, her passion has been to write quality education and
training materials for use in the vocational sector.
With this book she has done an exceptional job of taking management concepts and making them readily
understandable and applicable to the management student or practitioner in today’s working environment. The book
tackles contemporary issues such as the multigenerational workforce, sustainability and climate change, along with
the traditional concepts of management.
I know from experience how hard it is to find an appropriate text to support vocational training. This book is ideal
for any student in the field of management and an excellent reference book for any current manager.
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Graeme Dick
Training professional in the Australian mining industry
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Contents
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v
Contents in brief
PART 1 UNDERSTANDING MANAGEMENT
1
CHAPTER 1: Foundations of management
2
PART 2 MANAGING INTERACTIONS
31
CHAPTER 2: Managerial communication
32
CHAPTER 3: Presentations, public speaking and meetings
68
CHAPTER 5: Managing effective workplace relationships
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PART 3 UNDERSTANDING TEAMS
CHAPTER 6: Ensure team effectiveness
CHAPTER 7: Non-traditional teams
CHAPTER 8:
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CHAPTER 4: Managing personal work priorities and professional development
Develop teams and individuals in a workplace learning environment
88
118
151
152
184
204
229
CHAPTER 9: Leadership
230
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PART 4 LEADING AND MANAGING OPERATIONS
262
CHAPTER 11: Assign duties and appraise performance
292
CHAPTER 12: Manage and implement operational plans
324
CHAPTER 13: Manage projects
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CHAPTER 10: Staff recruitment, selection, induction and termination
384
CHAPTER 15: Problem solving and decision making
414
PART 5 IMPLEMENTING GOOD WORKPLACE PRACTICE
435
CHAPTER 16: Managing human resources and workforce planning
436
CHAPTER 17: Manage diversity in the workforce
464
CHAPTER 18: Ensure and monitor a safe workplace
488
CHAPTER 19: Risk management
522
PART 6 MANAGING FOR SUSTAINABILITY
541
CHAPTER 20: Sustainable development and policies
542
CHAPTER 21: Responding to change
572
CHAPTER 22: Manage quality and continuous improvement
600
CHAPTER 23: Strategic management
634
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CHAPTER 14: Manage and monitor customer service
BONUS ONLINE CONTENT
Manage knowledge and team development in a learning organisation
Management in globalised economy
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vi
Contents in full
About the authors
xv
Prefacexvi
Acknowledgmentsxvi
What’s new in this edition?
xvii
Features of this book
xviii
Digital resources
xx
xxii
CHAPTER 2: Managerial communication
2.1 Interpersonal communication
Communication process
Listen and acknowledge
Question and understand
Nonverbal communication
Communication barriers
34
35
38
39
40
40
2.2 Purpose of feedback
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Competency grid
PART 2 Managing interactions
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PART 1 Understanding
management
CHAPTER 1: Foundations of management
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1.1 Levels of management
4
Private sector, public sector and not-for-profit
organisations5
45
2.3 Feedback that works
Empathy45
Assertiveness46
Describe-outline-suggest model
48
Flag-example-benefit process
48
Benefits of feedback about performance
49
1.2 Managerial functions
Management roles
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10
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11
11
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1.4 Organisational structures
Types of organisational structure
13
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1.3 Management skills
Technical skill
Collaborate through technology
Interpersonal skill
Conceptual skill
Adaptive resilience and commitment to
sustainable practices
Diagnostic skill
Political skill
Change management skills
Ethical behaviour
Influencing skills
8
8
8
9
9
1.5 Challenges facing managers
18
Flatter structures and increased use of teams
18
Downsizing, restructuring and outsourcing
18
Changing patterns of employment
19
Diversity20
Innovation and sustainability
21
Globalisation22
Cultural environment
23
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2.4 Written communication
Writing guidelines
Common pitfalls in writing
52
52
53
2.5 Workplace documents
Writing emails
Writing business letters
Writing short reports
Writing service agreements
54
54
56
57
59
CHAPTER 3: Presentations, public speaking and
meetings
3.1 Business presentations and public speaking
Motivate the audience
70
71
3.2 Public speaking formats
Plan and structure the presentation
Create a presence and establish rapport
72
73
74
3.3 Managing meetings
Features of effective meetings
76
76
3.4 Formal, structured meetings
78
Standing orders
78
Constitution78
Agenda78
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Contents
CHAPTER 4: Managing personal work priorities
and professional development
4.1 Establish personal work goals
Focus on outcomes
91
91
4.2 Plan your own work schedule
Reflect organisational plans
91
91
4.3 Time management
Deal with the important
Estimate time accurately
Plan and schedule
Identify time wasters
Establish priorities against responsibilities
Manage technology
92
93
94
95
96
98
99
99
100
4.5 Coordinate professional development
Career anchors
Motivation and job satisfaction
Styles of working
Identify required skills and knowledge
Identify and access training and
development opportunities
102
102
104
104
105
5.4 Managing grievances
136
Features of a good grievance procedure
137
Mediation139
Conciliation and arbitration
139
PART 3 Understanding teams
CHAPTER 6: Ensure team effectiveness
6.1 Types of teams
The stages of team development
Team leadership and management roles
155
157
158
6.2 Plan to achieve team outcomes
Work within a framework
162
163
167
6.3 Facilitate and empower work teams
Facilitate team effectiveness and cohesion
167
Empower, acknowledge and reward
169
Encourage open communication
169
Encourage consultation
170
Manage an effective team meeting
171
Respond to resistance, negativity or internal
threats172
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4.6 Work–life balance
107
Relationship between stress and
performance107
CHAPTER 5: Managing effective workplace
relationships
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4.4 Monitor your own work performance
Receive feedback
Apply a process approach
Implement processes promptly
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The chairperson
The secretary
Duties of the members
vii
5.1 Behaviour influences relationships
Consultative approach
Develop trust and confidence
Employee engagement
Deal with an issue or problem
121
122
124
126
126
5.2 Negotiation methods
Positional bargaining approach—the issue
Principled negotiation—relationship and issue
Incorporate principled negotiation in the
10-step process
128
129
130
5.3 Managing conflict
Views on conflict
Levels of conflict
132
133
133
131
6.4 Liaise with management
Convey useful management information
Effective liaison
174
174
174
6.5 Enhance the organisation’s image
Ethical standards
Challenge unethical behaviour
Positive role model
175
175
176
176
CHAPTER 7: Non-traditional teams
7.1 Trends changing work and the workplace
Different kinds of workspaces
Team identity and interdependence
Types of distributed teams
187
188
188
189
7.2 Supporting virtual and distributed teams
Framework for high performance
191
191
7.3 Technologically mediated communication
Matching communications technology with
purpose, task and context
Online team rooms
Virtual meetings
195
196
197
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Contents
CHAPTER 10: Staff recruitment, selection, induction
and termination
8.1 Determine development needs
206
8.2 Types of learning and development
Workplace training
Action-based learning
208
208
211
8.3 Purpose of learning plans
Structure the learning plan
212
213
8.4 Support workplace learning
Address equity issues
Recognise workplace achievement
215
216
217
8.5 Monitor and evaluate learning
Competency standards
Assess competence
Achieve improvement
219
219
220
220
CHAPTER 9: Leadership
9.1 Leadership theories
10.2 EEO and diversity
Equal employment opportunity
Characteristics of a diverse workplace
267
268
269
10.3 Employment interviews
The interview process
Validate the selection decision
Potential problems
269
270
275
275
10.4 The induction process
276
Orientation277
Diversity needs
278
Induction training plan
278
10.5 Termination of employees
Reasons for termination
Managing redundancy
Unproductive and disruptive employees
Dispute resolution or grievance procedure
Voluntary termination by employee
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9.2 Leading across the generations
Baby boomers
Gen X
Gen Y
Implications for leaders
9.3 Leadership issues
Positive role modelling
Emotional intelligence
Power and influence
242
242
242
243
9.4 Empowerment and motivation
244
Quiet words of management
245
Networking246
Gender equity
246
Breaking through the glass ceiling
247
Valuing diversity
248
Leading remote workers
248
9.5 Mentoring and coaching
Mentor to support development
Coach to improve performance
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PART 4 Leading and managing
operations
10.1 Tools for recruitment and selection
Job analysis
Position description
Position specification
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CHAPTER 8: Develop teams and individuals in a
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251
280
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283
284
285
CHAPTER 11: Assign duties and appraise
performance
11.1 Clarify roles and responsibilities
Types of work instructions
294
295
11.2 Delegate for results
Effective delegation
Dealing with negative responses to delegation
296
298
299
11.3 Facilitate outcomes
Unlock the ability to perform well
300
300
11.4 Performance appraisals
Methods to appraise performance
The performance appraisal interview
Phases of an appraisal interview
Give and receive feedback
302
303
304
306
307
11.5 Constructive solutions to problems
SCOOP model
Crucial conversations
Coaching conversations
Permission statements
309
309
310
310
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Contents
CHAPTER 12: Manage and implement
operational plans
326
327
327
329
12.2 Develop an operational plan
Research and organise resource requirements
Apply SMARTTA objectives
Set key performance indicators (KPIs)
Prepare a work breakdown structure
Document resource requirements
Conduct a risk assessment
Develop contingency plans
Communicate with stakeholders
330
330
333
333
334
335
336
336
337
361
361
362
362
363
366
367
367
367
368
369
371
371
13.3 Administer and monitor the project
Communication and influence
Monitor and control
Records and reports
372
373
374
374
13.4 Finalise and review the project
Review project
Lessons learnt
Project review report
375
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12.3 Acquire human resources
Induct employees
338
Supervise and empower
339
Confirm delegations, accountabilities and
responsibilities339
340
340
341
341
342
342
12.5 Monitor and control operational performance
Correct unsatisfactory performance
Monitor profit, productivity, plans and objectives
Monitor and control quality
Monitor and control costs
Plan for process improvement
343
343
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345
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12.4 Acquire physical resources
SIPOC analysis
Coordinate materials control cycle
Select a supplier
Record materials received
Maintain physical resource inventory
CHAPTER 13: Manage projects
13.1 The project management process
Scope definition
Project documentation
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356
356
358
358
359
360
13.2 Developing a project plan
Work breakdown structure
Work packages
Project network
Activity-on-node method
Establishing controls
Estimating time and costs
Estimating processes
Project budget
Allocating resources and tasks
Managing risk
Risk register
Developing a communication plan
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12.1 Operational plans reflect corporate strategic plans
Sample strategic plan
The value of operational plans
Organisational planning cycle
Stakeholder analysis
Stakeholder profile
Clarification of issues
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314
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11.6 Value of individual performance plans
Performance plan guidelines
Rating scales
Types of learning and career development
Requests for review
Compliance with legislation
Equal employment opportunity
ix
CHAPTER 14: Manage and monitor customer service
14.1 Customer value
Customer segments
Types of customer interaction
Value proposition
387
387
388
389
14.2 A customer-centred approach
Lifetime customer value
Voice of the customer
Collecting VOC information
Providing sufficient information to respond
389
389
390
391
393
14.3 Manage the delivery of quality service
395
Customer service charter
396
Implementation strategies
397
Customer service standards
398
Coach and mentor to meet customer service
standards399
Providing customer satisfaction
401
Develop an agreed communication plan
401
Provide advice and gain cooperation from others
401
Deal with customer complaints
402
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x
Contents
16.4 Current issues and HR trends
Talent management
Work–life balance
Workforce diversity
Equal employment opportunity
450
450
451
453
454
CHAPTER 15: Problem solving and decision making
16.5 Enhance workforce capability
Environmental constraints on HR
Outcomes from HRM
454
457
457
15.1 Decision levels
Types of problems
417
417
CHAPTER 17: Manage diversity in the workforce
15.2 Productive thinking
Faster decision making
Consensus, majority, authority
418
418
419
466
467
467
467
468
17.2Discrimination
Legal definition
Anti-discrimination legislation
Hiring and firing
469
470
470
471
17.3 Equal employment opportunity (EEO)
472
17.4 Sexual harassment and bullying
Sexual harassment
Workplace bullying
Complaint handling system
476
476
476
478
17.5 Diversity management
Flexible work arrangements
Benefits of diversity
479
479
480
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15.4 Facilitate the group process
Role of the facilitator
Facilitation process
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15.3 Problem-solving process
Step 1: Identify and define the problem and analyse
the causes420
Step 2: Identify standards to assess possible
alternatives421
Step 3: Develop and assess alternative solutions
422
Step 4: Select from the alternative solutions
423
Step 5: Implement the decision (chosen solution)
424
Step 6: Monitor and evaluate effectiveness
425
Common mistakes in problem solving
426
17.1 Understanding diversity
An inclusive workplace
Diversity policies
Diversity awareness programs
Role of managers and supervisors
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14.4 Monitor, adjust and review customer service
Monitor and review customer satisfaction
Pareto analysis
SIPOC diagrams
Adjust customer service practices
Report on customer service improvements
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PART 5 Implementing good
workplace practice
CHAPTER 18: Ensure and monitor a safe workplace
CHAPTER 16: Managing human resources and
workforce planning
16.1 Human resource management and strategy
Strategic alignment
Alignment models
Ethical processes
Human resource strategy
439
439
440
441
441
16.2 Develop a human resource strategic plan
Research HR requirements
Prepare the plan
Measure HR results
444
444
444
445
16.3 Workforce planning
Workforce planning model
Succession planning
Employee engagement and retention
446
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448
449
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18.1 Legal framework of WHS in the workplace
Commonwealth legislation
Consultation with workers
Role of the HSR
Health and safety committees
Duty of care
491
491
492
493
493
494
18.2 Purpose of a WHSMS
Develop policies and procedures
Develop a WHS plan
496
497
497
18.3 WHS participative arrangements
Evaluate participative arrangements
499
501
18.4 Identify hazards, assess and control risk
A process approach
Identify hazards and treat risk
Types of hazards
Purpose of safety inspections
502
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Contents
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507
509
509
511
CHAPTER 19: Risk management
524
524
525
526
19.2 Risk management process
Communicate and consult
Establish the context of risk
Identify the risk
Risk analysis
Risk evaluation
Risk register
Risk treatment
Monitor and review
526
527
527
527
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530
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19.3 Benefits of risk management
Corporate governance
Value added
Positive outcomes
533
533
534
534
563
563
564
CHAPTER 21: Responding to change
21.1Change
The constant cycle of change
Causes/sources of change
574
575
575
21.2 Change agent
Internal change agent versus external change agent
Technical expert or process facilitator
Essential skills of a change agent
576
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577
578
21.3Diagnosis
Importance of accurate diagnosis
Diagnostic techniques
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21.4 Building commitment to change
Impact of change on individuals
Resistance to change and overcoming resistance
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PART 6 Managing for
sustainability
21.5 Change interventions
Seven forces for change
Kotter’s eight steps of change
586
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CHAPTER 22: Manage quality and continuous
improvement
CHAPTER 20: Sustainable development and policies
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20.5 Sustainability reporting
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting
Purpose of sustainability reporting
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19.1 What is risk?
Types of risk
Threats and opportunities
Risk culture
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18.5 WHS records and reporting
Incident reporting
Audits and compliance
Drivers of sustainable practices
Environmentally sustainable work practices
Benefits of sustainable business practices
Cradle to cradle
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Rank the risk associated with a hazard
Investigate incidents and take corrective actions
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20.1 Global thinking and partnerships
Rio 1992
2012 Rio+20 Conference
Greenhouse gas agreements
545
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546
546
20.2 Challenges to sustainability
Greenhouse gases
Climate change
Depletion of the earth’s ecosystems and resources
Ecological footprint
547
548
548
549
550
20.3 Government priorities
Carbon pollution reduction
Clean energy strategy
Green-collar jobs
Green buildings
551
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553
554
556
20.4 Sustainability policies and business practices
Sustainability policy
557
558
22.1 Understanding quality
The importance of quality
Quality management systems
Quality standards
602
603
604
604
22.2 Quality and continuous improvement
Continuous improvement
The Deming cycle
Six Sigma
Managing innovation and continuous improvement
605
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606
607
609
22.3 Tools for continuous improvement
611
Benchmarking611
Ishikawa fishbone diagram
612
Pareto analysis
614
Flowchart615
Histogram616
Control chart
617
Check sheet
618
Scatter diagram
618
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Contents
CHAPTER 23: Strategic management
23.1 Strategic management process
Levels of strategy
Characteristics of good strategies
Tasks of strategic management
637
637
637
638
23.2 Vision, mission statement and values
Analyse the internal and external environment
Strengths and weaknesses of existing and potential
competitors and allies
639
640
Analysis of the external environment
Analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities
and threats (SWOT)
640
23.3 Strategy and objectives
Objective setting
Measures of success
Implementing and executing strategy
Assign responsibilities
Set deadlines
Provide customer satisfaction
Continuous learning
Reviewing outcomes
Use performance indicators to monitor progress
Make necessary refinements to plan
642
642
642
642
643
643
644
644
645
645
645
23.4 Writing a strategic plan
Formatting a strategic plan
Align objectives across organisational levels
Assign duties and accountability
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22.4 Case application: Continuous improvement
620
Identify the problem
620
Objective of the continuous improvement project
620
Analysis of the current process
620
The continuous improvement team and
its responsibilities and objectives
621
Analysis of the current situation
623
Insights624
Futher data
624
Quality measure
625
Recommendations625
Conclusion626
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Glossary657
Index667
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xiii
About the authors
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Judith Dwyer holds a Master of Management (Public) from the University of Technology Sydney, Bachelor of
Economics from the University of Sydney, Diploma in Education from the University of Newcastle and membership
of the Australian Institute of Management (AIMM). She has worked extensively in vocational education and senior
management of organisations. Her senior management roles in both public and private organisations have provided
invaluable experience and support for the writing of Management Strategies and Skills 2nd edition. In her early
career Judith taught business students management, business and communication skills. She progressed to senior
management level within NSW Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and then worked as a chief executive officer
in a private sector organisation.
Judith views the second edition of Management Strategies and Skills as a tool that enables managers, supervisors
and team leaders to assess critically their role within an organisation from three perspectives. The first perspective is
an organisation’s vision, strategic objectives and internal business systems and processes. The second is innovation,
learning, sustainable development and continuous improvement. The third and most important is the perspective of
the customer.
Judith has become a leading vocational education and training consultant. She has authored textbooks and
learning and assessment materials linked to the national Business Services and other training packages. Her
involvement in industry, reflected in this book, provides the essential knowledge, stimulus and innovative ideas for
today’s manager.
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Nicole Hopwood holds a Graduate Diploma of Management and a Bachelor of Economics and is a member of
CPA Australia. Her professional experience includes working in various industries, including professional services,
banking and telecommunications. She has specialised in business reconstruction and insolvency in the professional
services industry. She has communicated the results of detailed analysis to decision makers in both investment and
retail banking in the United Kingdom and Australia. Nicole has set up and maintained monitoring tools for use in
analysing whether customers are credit worthy in the telecommunications industry.
Nicole’s extensive professional experience in Australia and the United Kingdom has led her to the realisation that
each member within an organisation has a responsibility for continuous improvement both personal and professional.
Her philosophy, reflected in this book, is that continuous improvement and learning are integral to improvement
in every aspect of an organisation’s activities. Linked to continuous improvement is ongoing organisational change
and deep insights can be gained from systematic collection and analysis of data. She believes the best decisions are
based on the correct analysis of quality data. Continuous improvement and effective management of change lead to
customer satisfaction, new customers, premium pricing, profitability, brand reputation, employee enagement and
high morale. The organised, systematic application of the knowledge, tools and resources of change management
provides organisations with a key process to involve stakeholders and achieve change successfully.
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xiv
Preface
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Throughout this book the term ‘organisation’ refers to private, public or not-for-profit businesses. All organisations
require managers, supervisors and team leaders with the ability to think through and define the vision, specific
purpose and objectives of the organisation. They need to plan, coordinate, monitor and control work productively and
manage and engage employees in sustainable, motivating processes and tasks to achieve organisational objectives
and ongoing customer value.
The focus throughout the book is on management practice and continuous improvement to provide customer
satisfaction. Managers, supervisors, team leaders and employees at all levels need to understand how the processes
within an organisation work, to analyse data about the process and to think and draw conclusions about how to
improve the process. Proposed improvements to systems and processes must be able to be tested, validated and
incorporated into the organisation’s standard operating procedures. Communication with others in similar processes
is required so learning happens across the organisation.
Managing change and people is about defining the organisation’s vision and then achieving that vision through
the management of self and very importantly the efforts of teams, groups and other stakeholders. Change is viewed
from the perspective of stakeholders, the customer and sustainable development.
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Acknowledgments
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We especially wish to thank the case study contributors to this book: Will Baker, Liam Burns, Dave Grosvenor, John
Hunter, Amar Sood and Nav Sood. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Maria Saupin for the giving of
her time to review and after the insightful comments that helped us to improve this new edition.
Thanks also to the many colleagues and individuals whose valuable suggestions and constructive comments
have contributed to the success of this book. In we thank John Burns for his wisdom, advice and generosity of spirit
throughout the writing process particular. John was an excellent sounding board and provided critical and stimulating
comments. We are deeply appreciative.
We wish to extend our appreciation to the professionals at McGraw-Hill. They include publisher Norma AngeloniTomaras, development editor Alex Payne and production editors Marisa Rey Bulen and Lindsey Langston.
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xv
What’s new in this edition?
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l
y
This edition has six parts and three new chapters: Chapter 7 Non-traditional teams, Chapter 12 Manage and
implement operational, plans and Chapter 20 Sustainable development and policies. Chapter 19 Managing risk was
previously available online and it now included in the book.
Part 1 Understanding management introduces the student to management principles and practices. Part 2
Managing interactions highlights the dynamics of personal and group interactions, presentations and public
speaking, the management of personal work priorities, professional development and the management of workplace
relationships. Part 3 Understanding teams focuses on principles underpinning team effectiveness, features of
non-traditional teams and the development of teams and individuals in a workplace learning environment. Part 4
Leading and managing operations addresses leadership theories, recruitment, selection, induction and termination
practices, how to assign duties and appraise performance, operational planning, managing projects, managing and
monitoring customer service, problem solving and decision making. Part 5 Implementing good workplace practice
presents practical strategies to manage human resources and workforce planning, manage diversity in the workplace,
ensure and monitor a safe workplace and manage risk. Part 6 Managing for sustainability focuses on sustainable
development, responding to change, quality and continuous improvement and strategic management. The online
content looks at knowledge management and learning organisations and management in a globalised economy.
The variety of features and learning activities throughout each chapter enables students to put their learning
into practice in their studies and workplace. The writing style is user-friendly and complemented with practical
applications of management principles and concepts that provide value to both students and lecturers.
Dwyer_FM.indd 15
15/03/13 1:36 PM
8
24
Features of this book
PART 1 Understanding management
Apply your knowledge
3
 Good
at the beginning of each chapter
1 practice
Work infeatures
small groups.
highlight
current
business
practices
or points
of view and
a)
Brainstorm
to
create a list
of the aspects
common to every organisation.
The findings of the Australia at Work Report (Van Wanrooy et al. 2008, p. 34) concur.
b) PART
Create
arelevance
checklist
of
tasks
helpthatstudents
see
of the
the
chapter.
2the
Managing
Interactions
34‘approachable’;
There was special praise for management
was
communicated
their expectations
‘clearly’;
who that face the management of every organisation.
PART 1 Understanding management
chapter
Contents:
1.1
Levels of management
1.2
Managerial functions
1.3
Management skills
1.4
Organisational structures
13
4
1.5
Challenges facing managers
18
6
8
c) Discuss the challenges facing managers, supervisors and team leaders in the current environment.
One of the issues facing organisations is the rapid growth of data and knowledge. A response to the explosion of knowledge
andGood
changepractice:
in the economic
andthe
social
Talking
talkenvironments has been the increase in the number of organisations with knowledge
Ask yourself
management
structures,
structures
and network
structures.
Discuss each of these structures and give an
Karalyn Brown’s article
‘Talking the Talk’boundaryless
quotes Liz Cassidy, from
Third Sigma International,
and Andrew Rogers,
the national sales
Managers work hard to provide direction, guidance and support in achievement
ofMaura
objectives
and outcomes.
manager atof
Fay Workshops,
on Interpersonal
why managers need to be powerful communicators.
Learning objectives
example
each.
roles, information and decisional roles are undertaken to ensure operations are managed efficiently and effectively.
3
Write a short information report. In your report:
Conversation
basics
ASK YOURSELF: How do you contribute in your area of operations?
role(s) do you undertake
to add value?
In what of employment and the impact on managers
a) So,What
discuss
changing
patterns
what definesthe
a good
business conversation?
ways can you provide direction, guidance and support to your team or department?
foundations
management
b) ‘First,
identify
pattern
of employment
provide
reasons
for of
your
choice
you needyour
a point’,preferred
says Cassidy. ‘Without
a purpose
it’s simply a two-wayand
flow of
something,
and it may meander
without
a
outcome.’
c) useful
explain
the reasons organisations have for embracing flexible work arrangements
Rogers is careful to clarify the difference between an outcome and an objective. ‘A lot of issues occur when people get these
d) confused,’
outlinehe says.
the ‘Lots
skills
managers
increasingly
toother
manage
distributed
andas avirtual teams.
of people
are not taughtwill
that an
outcome is: what doneed
I need the
person to do,
think or experience
of the conversation?’
1.3 Management skills 4
a) result
Describe
the outsourcing process.
Managers, supervisors and team leaders are He claims communication is not a joint responsibility. ‘We argue it’s not anyone’s responsibility to listen to a poorly-articulated
b) Create a two column table. List in column one the positive effects of outsourcing and in column two list the negative effects of
responsible for planning, organising, coordinating, message. If you acknowledge it is your responsibility for the outcome, then you take ownership of it’, he says. The classic response
recognised ‘prior learning’ and worker capacities; and were ‘supportive’ in moments of personal and emotional
upheaval … Conversely employees disliked management that lacked respect, sensitivity, or a willingness to consult
with the workforce.
y
1
2
After studying this chapter you should be able to:
on
l
LO 1.1 Identify the levels of management inherent in the private sector, public
sector and not-for-profit organisations
monitoring and controlling the systems, processes
and tasks of their department or team. Their skills
and abilities play an important role in managing
performance and achievement of objectives. They set
goals, guide, give directions, make decisions, handle a
variety of problems and act as role models on a daily
basis. Regardless of their management level effective
managers have the critical skills shown in Figure 1.2.
LO 1.2 Identify five functions carried out by all managers and explain the
importance of interpersonal, decisional and informational roles when
fulfilling managerial functions
LO 1.3 Identify and explain the importance of managerial skills to improving
managerial effectiveness
LO 1.4 Discuss factors that impact on an organisation’s structure and define
different types of organisational structures
LO 1.5 Describe the changing management environment and the challenges of
being a manager
Chapter openers include a chapter outline to provide a framework for
outsourcing.
from people who do not understand this premise is ‘Why don’t people listen to me?’ As easy asit sounds, quality listening is hard. ‘To
Technical
Political
have really great conversation you need to suspend yourself. Step back and actively listen’, says Rogers.
5
Change
downsizing.
management
e
skill
skill
c) Source:
Create
a checklist
that
managers at all levels in an organisation
can
use to and
minimise
thelearning
negativeobjectives
impacts of to
outsourcing
reading
study
chapter
focus the and
reader on key
Brown, Karalyn. ‘Talking the Talk’, Management Today, Australian Institute of Management,
April 2009,and
pp. 36–7.
concepts.
Collaborate
through
m
pl
skills
technology
Work in small
groups.
Management
a) Brainstorm the skills
tasks completed by a first-line manager.
Interaction
and communication Interpersonal
by managers, supervisors or team leaders 
plays
a key
role in workplace
Diagnostic
Ask
yourself
feature allows students to involve themselves in possible
b) management
Identify
competencies
required by a first-line manager.
skill the
skill with more senior managers, team members, staff, customers and
because
it connects them
Technical skill
inside
and outside
organisation.
A brief
survey of positions vacant
advertisements
for manager,
choices,
assess
possible consequences and consider how they might respond.
c) others
Create
a profile
of the
a good
first-line
manager.
Technical skill involves understanding and
team leaderEthical
positions in newspapers or on the internet shows many advertisements for
demonstrating competence to the level required in a supervisor or Conceptual
PART
1 Understanding
management
d) management
Compare positions
your
with
other groups.
This12
feature
allows
a pause
for thought and reflection.
behaviour
skill profile
require
communication
skills (e.g.‘… along with outstanding
communication
and
particular workplace activity. Technical skills include
accounting, engineering, heavy manufacturing,
stakeholder
management
capabilities’).
At all
stages
of their to
career,
communication
underpins
success
and of globalisation.
6 plantWork
in a group of six. Form into
two
teams
debate
the benefits
and
costs
operations, information technology skills, mining, the higher they rise in the organisation the more important communication becomes.
financial building and many others. A number of
The communication process is deceptively simple, yet it has many factors and influences. Elements in
1.2 > Management skills
technical skills are applied when, for example, using Figure
the process
consist of the sender, message, channel, receiver, feedback, barriers and context. Gaining an
computer software packages, creating budgets, understanding of these is the first step in understanding the actions and behaviour of others.
operating machinery and equipment, and using personal information managers (PIMs) and personal digital
Effective interpersonal communication enables managers, supervisors and team leaders Major
to control
causeswork
of illegal and unethical behaviour in the workplace include excessive emphasis on profits, misplaced corporate
assistants (PDAs).
systems
and procedures, motivate others and balance the needs and goals of individuals and the
organisation.
 in each industry and
loyalty,
obsession with personal advancement and unwillingness to take a stand about what is right.
The technical skills used will differ
at each level of management. First-level managers
Anneed
understanding
of the elements
inproduction
the communication process enables them to plan and monitor their
may engage in the actual operations of the organisation; they
to have an understanding
of how
communication
to ensure their
intendedfirst-line
message gets through to the receivers. They use their communication
and service occur in the organisation in order to direct and
evaluate line employees.
Additionally,
ASK YOURSELF: How does your organisation encourage ethical behaviour? How do you decide whether an action violates
such
as listening,
speaking,
nonverbal
managers need skills in scheduling workers and preparingskills,
budgets.
Middle
managers use
more technical
skillscommunication, questioning and offering feedback as they
anyas
company
or professional code of ethics? What options do you have to deal with unethical conduct in your workplace?
communicate
expectations
and
objectives.
Good interpersonal skills and techniques—such
empathy,
related to planning and organising. Top managers need to have the skills to understand the complex financial
workings of the organisation and the ability to innovate, adapt
and and
facilitate
the organisation’s
resilience
and working environment built on mutual respect.
listening
positive
feedback—create
a positive
responsiveness to changing circumstances in the external environment.
The main objectives of written communication are to transmit instructions or requests, inform staff
Figure 1.2 > Management skills
Ask yourself
Sa
8
xvi
Tables and figures provide a user-friendly visual
reference throughout each chapter.
KEY TErms
CHAPTER 1 Foundations of management
on new policies, arrangements, developments and processes and request information to assist in decision
making. Emails, letters, short reports and service agreements authorise actions, confirm decisions
and pass skills
Influencing
information,
suggestions,
ideas
and
developments
upwards
and
downwards
along
the
organisation’s
chain
of
The pace and global nature of modern business means managers, supervisors and team leaders have to
Influential managers, supervisors and team leaders are able to express their views, ideas and requests with
make effective decisions quickly and on occasions they command.
may be sent anywhere around the globe. They now
confidence. They use listening and questioning skills to understand others, overcome barriers and increase
adaptive resilience 10
interpersonal
roles 6
the likelihood of successful outcomes. The key to persuasive communication and gaining others’ agreement
to understand
apps 9 2.1 Interpersonal communication
joint isventures
23 the needs of others. Influence is not about ingratiation or sycophancy to more senior people.
Managers, supervisors and team leaders form part of the network of influence in their organisation. Their
Communication is
As well organisations
as being proficient11
in their functional and technical areas of expertise effective managers,
supervisors
boundaryless
knowledge
management
organisational
structure
role
requires
them to influence
others. According
to Barker16
and Coy (2005, preface): ‘Simply defined, power
any behaviour, verbal,
LO 1.1 and
Identify
thetolevels
of management inherent in private sector, public sector and not-for-profit organisations.
and team leaders are able to communicate and work
with6:55
others
in a purposeful, supportive
flexible
manner.
11/02/13
PM
is the ability
change the behaviour, attitudes and beliefs of others. Influence is the exercise of that power. In
nonverbal or graphic,
bureaucracy
14
4
Their communication
with team members is effective because it achieves the intendedmanagers
outcome
and
builds
that is perceived
by
other
words, power is something
that you may
or strive
for; influence
is what
you door
with
it’.
In Australia
organisations
classified
as have
private
sector,
public
sector
not-for-profit.
Organisations have
connections and ongoing relationships with others inside and outside the organisation.
Communication
is an(2008, p.are
another.
McInerney
34) suggests: ‘The art of influence in management is less about beating up on someone
business ethics 11
matrixmission,
structure
an overall
a15
vision,
valuesand
orusing
priorities
and strategic
objectives
toto:achieve several overall
else, than listening,
being generous
key interpersonal
skills’. Influential
managersdesigned
have the ability
communicate
authoritatively
with those
inside andor
outside
the organisation

core workers 20
network■structure
accomplishments.
They17have
long-term
strategies
approaches
to achieve the strategic objectives, systems,
■ diffuse anger and deal with conflict effectively
sub-systems,
processes,
policies,
procedures
and
plans
to
enable
departments, teams and individuals to achieve
corporate social responsibility (CSR) 10
not-for-profit
organisation
6
■ give honest, timely and fair feedback confidently
the organisation’s
■ adapt
style to different levels of staff as appropriate
decisional roles 7
organisation
4purpose.
■ deliver presentations, chair meetings and lead activities to achieve the best possible outcome for
Dwyer_Ch02.indd 34
16/01/13 6:56 PM
the
team
or organisation.
distributed team 16
13
LO 1.2organisational
Identify fivestructure
functions
carried out by all managers and explain the importance of interpersonal, decisional
Collaborate through technology
SummARY
Key terms are bolded in the text the first time they are
used, defined in the margin at that point, and listed at the
end of each chapter. They also appear in the glossary at the
end of the book.
downsizing 18
ethics 11
freelance worker 19
globalisation 22
hot desking 20
hotelling 20
informational roles 7
innovation 21
Dwyer_FM.indd 16

Summaries
provide a brief overview of the learning objectives.
and informational roles when fulfilling managerial functions.
outsourcing
19 to communicate effectively across the diverse range of people both within and outside the
They are able
organisation. The increasing diversity as organisations interact with others at the national and global level
The functions
undertaken
by all managers
are planning, organising, leading, controlling and monitoring. The
private
sector
5 to communicate
requires
managers
and influence a variety of people with different perspectives and diverse
roles identified
by 5Mintzberg
and career
experiences. are interpersonal roles (figurehead, leadership and liaison), informational roles
publiclifesector
Effective managers,
and teamand
leaders
use their power
influencing skills disturbance
to interact
(monitor, disseminator
and supervisors
spokesperson)
decisional
rolesand
(entrepreneur,
handler, resource
with others18
courteously and in accordance with the accepted norms of business behaviour. Ineffective
restructuring
allocator and
negotiator).
Managers
undertake
eachaggressive
of theseor roles
andbehaviours
functions
they plan strategy, utilise
managers
dismiss the value
of influence
and demonstrate
submissive
that as
increase
strategic
alliance
22
misunderstandings
and barriers
between people
and organisations.vision, purpose and objectives.
resources and
make decisions
to achieve
the organisation’s
sustainability 22
team 18
LO 1.3 Identify and explain the importance of managerial skills to improving managerial effectiveness.
Organisational behaviour is a direct or an indirect result of the organisation’s vision, values, systems, leadership and
Apply
your knowledge
management.
A successful
organisation has effective leadership and skilful management. Effective management
flows from the
skills
carried
an organisation’s
1
Create
a list
of tips for by
managers
under three headings: senior, middle and first-line managers. Skills include technical,
planning and organising
conceptual andb)a) diagnostic
skills
to
make
decisions, direct and guide operations towards required outcomes. They
leading
also include ethical
behaviour,
c) controlling
and monitoring.change management, collaboration, political and interpersonal skills to provide
2
a) Describe Mintzberg’s managerial roles.
feedback, motivate
and create a positive performance driven climate.
b) Consider your competence in each of these roles and create a two column table. In column one, identify your strengths and in
column two identify the role(s) in which you need further development.
LO 1.4
15/03/13 1:36 PM
c) factors
Prepare an that
action plan
to improve
that need for further development.
action
plan identify
steps, actions,
Discuss
impact
onthose
anroles
organisation’s
structureIn the
and
define
different
types of organisational
nonverbal behaviour demonstrates competence, confidence and acceptance of others. Constru
on performance, both positive and negative, develops a team of people willing to work together to
objectives.
LO 2.3
Describe feedback methods and how feedback motivates, rewards and improves performanc
Feedback is the connecting and continuing link in the communication. Effective feedback helps
enables. Managers, supervisors and team leaders give and receive feedback, acknowledge and reco
feedback about performance and empower the receiver. The outcomes from ongoing constru
are employees who identify with the organisation and its purpose, a positive work environmen
communication and transparent decision-making processes.
xvii
LO 2.4
Discuss the features of good business writing and strategies to avoid common pitfalls.
Good business writing is clear and moves straight to the point with easy to understand, concr
enhance meaning. Sentences are kept to about 20 to 25 words in length and clustered into p
flow logically from one idea to the next. Effective business writing has a courteous, confident ton
information appropriate to the writing purpose and a professional layout.
Strategies to avoid common pitfalls in business writing are removing unnecessary words, am
clichés,
avoiding astimulate
demanding tone,
addressing
concerns and complaints and taking the ti
Management: Strategies and Skills offers a variety of features to promote and
active
learning,
critical
thinking
an outline or dot points to plan an email, letter or report. Confident, courteous, organised and c
and develop management knowledge and skills. Each chapter of the book
has
the
following
features:
enhances understanding and hence efficient and effective action in the workplace.
LO 2.5
Apply your knowledge exercises provide short practical activities that
reinforce theoretical content. Some are designed to allow students to engage
in group
are practical
activities presented at strategic points
PART These
1 Understanding
management
24exercises.
in the chapter.

1
Work in small groups.
review queSTionS
1
CHAPTER 1 Foundations of management 2
a) Outline the relationship between effective communication and effective management.
b) Discuss the characteristics of effective management communication.
a) 27
Briefly explain the elements in the communication process.
b) 27
Discuss barriers to communication.
y
Apply your knowledge
Adopt a structured approach to writing emails, business letters, short reports and service lev
As they plan, coordinate, monitor and review processes and tasks managers, supervisors and team
data and transform it into logical, structured information. They analyse information, draw conclu
findings, make recommendations and take action to inform ongoing planning, problem solving
making. A structured approach—planning, writing and editing—enables them to convey their m
and confidently in emails, letters, short reports, service agreements and other forms of written com
 Review questions allow students to test their learning.
CHAPTER 1 Foundations of management
a) Describe the active listening process.
b) How do verbal communication skills complement listening?
on
l
3
a) Brainstorm to create a list of the aspects common to every organisation.
WORKinG TOGEThER
b) Create a checklist of the tasks that face the management of every organisation.
WORKinG TOGEThER
c) Discuss the challenges facing managers, supervisors and team leaders in the current environment.
Work in small groups. Your task is to:
2
One of the issues facing organisations is the rapid growth of data and knowledge. A response to the explosion of knowledge
Worka)inBrainstorm
small groups.
task is to: of managers in today’s organisations.
theYour
responsibilities
CHAPTER 1 Foundations o
and change in the economic and social environments has been the increase in the number of organisations with knowledge
b) Brainstorm
Prioritise the
responsibilities
of importance.
a)
the
responsibilities
oforder
managers
in today’s organisations.
managementbystructures,
boundaryless
structures and network structures. Discuss each of these structures and give an
c)
Create
a
checklist
of
essential
and
desirable
qualities
for
an
effective
manager
in
an
organisation
of
your
b) Prioritise the responsibilities
by order of importance.
example of each.
choice.a checklist
3
c) Create
of
essential
desirablereport.
qualities
for anreport:
effective manager in an organisation
of your
Dwyer_Ch02.indd
62
Write
a shortand
information
In your
d) choice.
Compile a job description
and
a newspaper
recruitment
advertisement
a person
with those qualities to fill
a) discuss the
changing patterns
of employment
and thefor
impact
on managers
the position.
d) Compile
a job description
andyour
a newspaper
recruitment
advertisement
for a reasons
person with
those
qualities to fill
b) identify
preferred pattern
of employment
and provide
for your
choice
e) the
Theposition.
person appointed
to the position
hasorganisations
not held a management
position
before.
Apart
from inducting them Work in small groups. Your task is to:
c) explain
the reasons
have for embracing
flexible
work
arrangements
intoperson
the organisation
their
types ofneed
training
dobefore.
youdistributed
think
thefrom
person
should
d) and
outline
thedepartment,
skills has
managers
willother
to manage
and
virtual
teams.
appointed
to the
position
notwhat
held
aincreasingly
management
position
Apart
inducting
them
a) Brainstorm the responsibilities of managers in today’s organisations.
 e) The
4
receive?
Develop
aa)listand
of topic
areas
and give
reasons
yourofchoice.
Describe
outsourcing
process.
into
the organisation
their the
department,
what
otherfor
types
training do you think the person should
b) Prioritise the responsibilities by order of importance.
a two
column
table.
List in column
the positive effects of outsourcing and in column two list the negative effects of
receive? Develop ab)listCreate
of topic
areas
and give
reasons
for yourone
choice.
WORKinG TOGEThER
pl
outsourcing.
e
Exploring the web encourages students to research on the web and learn
more about relevant areas covered in the chapter.
c) Create a checklist of essential and desirable qualities for an effective manager in an organisation
choice.
d) Compile a job description and a newspaper recruitment advertisement for a person with those q
the position.
e) The person appointed to the position has not held a management position before. Apart from in
into the organisation and their department, what other types of training do you think the person
receive? Develop a list of topic areas and give reasons for your choice.
c) Create a checklist that managers at all levels in an organisation can use to minimise the negative impacts of outsourcing and
downsizing.
ExpLORinG
ThE
WEb
5
Work in small groups.
ExpLORinG
ThE WEb
a) Brainstorm the tasks completed by a first-line manager.
1
Sa
m
Complete the ‘How Good Are Your Management Skills?’ quiz at www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_28.
b) Identify the competencies required by a first-line manager.
htm to learn
your
management
skills.
Complete
themore
‘Howabout
Good
Are Your
Management
at www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_28.
c) Create
a profile
of a good Skills?’
first-linequiz
manager.
htm to learn more about
your
management
d)Guide
Compare
your Management:
profileskills.
with other
2 a) Visit the ‘Complete
to Ethics
Angroups.
Ethics Toolkit for Managers’ at http://managementhelp.
6
Work in a group of six. Form into two teams to debate the benefits and costs of globalisation.
org/ethics/ethxgde.htm.
2 a) Visit
the ‘Complete Guide to Ethics Management: An Ethics Toolkit for Managers’ at http://managementhelp.
org/ethics/ethxgde.htm.
b) Identify 10 myths about business ethics.
c) Identify
Identify 10
10 myths
benefits
of managing
b)
about
businessethics
ethics.in the workplace.
d) Identify
Prepare 10
a brief
written
description
of a in
highly
ethical organisation.
c)
benefits
of managing
ethics
the workplace.
e) Prepare
Developaan
ethical
checklist
that a of
manager
refer
to when faced with an ethical dilemma.
d)
brief
written
description
a highlycould
ethical
organisation.
1
e) Develop an ethical checklist that a manager could refer to when faced with an ethical dilemma.
1
KEY1:WORDS
CASE STuDY
ThE mAnAGER’S ROLE
CASE STuDY
1: ThE
mAnAGER’S ROLEinterpersonal roles 6
adaptive resilience
10
Working together enables students to engage in
group work.
ExpLORinG ThE WEb
2
Complete the ‘How Good Are Your Management Skills?’ quiz at www.mindtools.com/pages/article
htm to learn more about your management skills.
a) Visit the ‘Complete Guide to Ethics Management: An Ethics Toolkit for Managers’ at http://mana
org/ethics/ethxgde.htm.
b) Identify 10 myths about business ethics.
(This case study continues the information provided in ‘Good practice: The manager’s role’ on page 4.)
apps 9
joint ventures 23
c) Identify 10 benefits of managing ethics in the workplace.
(This
caseBaldwin
study continues
the information
provided
‘Good
practice:
TheLtd.
manager’s
role’knowledge
on he
page
4.)management
Michael
is a business
development
manager
Total
Tools Pty
In this capacity
investigates
potential
boundaryless
organisations
11 inwith
organisational structure 16
d) Prepare a brief written description of a highly ethical organisation.
businessBaldwin
opportunities
and opportunities
formanager
franchise
expansion.
Michael
is a business
development
with
Total Tools Pty Ltd. In this capacity
he investigates
potential
bureaucracy
14
managers
4
business
opportunities
and
expansion.
When asked
to describe
theopportunities
characteristics
offranchise
a good manager
Baldwin says, ‘good managers
are natural
and
business
ethics 11 for
matrix
structureorganisers
15
unafraid
to back
themselves
and their
.
core
20 decisions’
network
structure
17
When
asked
to describe
theworkers
characteristics
of a good
manager Baldwin says, ‘good managers
are natural
organisers
and
e) Develop an ethical checklist that a manager could refer to when faced with an ethical dilemma.
unafraid
backoutlet
themselves
their
decisions’
. completed
social
(CSR) 10 Baldwin will undertake a newnot-for-profit
organisation 6
When thetonew
ofcorporate
Totaland
Tools
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Ltd is fully
role as the outlet’s
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4
When
the new outlet ofdecisional
Total Tools
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role as the outlet’s
distributedofteam
16 he has been concurrently planning a marketingorganisational
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manager.
In preparation for the opening
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initiative, a follow
on 13
from the
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initial
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tasks include
ongoing
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the opening
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In
ethics
11
private
sector
5
the
client
base,
identifying
client
needs
and
developing
retail
and
management
systems
and
processes
to
meet
those
needs.
initial marketing research completed as part of the project approval to proceed. His tasks include ongoing development
of (This case study continues the information provided in ‘Good practice: The manager’s role’ on page 4.)
freelance
sector to
5 meet those needs.Michael Baldwin is a business development manager with Total Tools Pty Ltd. In this capacity he investigates
His client
attention
is identifying
also focused
on worker
ensuring
staff
are trained
in these
processes to be
ready for
the
opening.
the
base,
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needs19
and
developing
retail
and management
systems
andpublic
processes
globalisation
22
18 be going to planbusiness opportunities and opportunities for franchise expansion.
His
attention
is also
on ensuring
trainedassumes
in theseresponsibility,
processes to beeven
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the
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All up
his vision
of afocused
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whoare
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hotleading
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20 enthusiasm.
strategic alliance 22
andup
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clearly
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be
All
vision
of atogood
manager
is one who willingly assumes responsibility, even when things may not be going to planWhen asked to describe the characteristics of a good manager Baldwin says, ‘good managers are natural orga
20with enthusiasm.
sustainability 22
and
is clearly
seen toprovides
behotelling
leading
Baldwin’s
employer
a sound
supporting business structure which acts as a template or guide for outlet managers.unafraid to back themselves and their decisions’.
informationalbusiness,
roles 7 with appropriate policies and procedures, helps
team 18 the manager’s job easier
He believes
that a well-structured
Baldwin’s
employer
provides a sound
supporting business structure which acts as a templatemake
or guide for outlet managers.
21 within that structure to allow for change, local variations and unforeseen events, all When the new outlet of Total Tools Pty Ltd is fully completed Baldwin will undertake a new role as the outlet
butbelieves
there also
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toinnovation
be flexibility
He
that
a well-structured
business, with appropriate policies and procedures, helps make the manager’s job easier
manager.
prevalent
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today’s
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but there also needs to be flexibility within that structure to allow for change, local variations and unforeseen events, all
In preparation for the opening of the outlet he has been concurrently planning a marketing initiative, a follow
prevalent
forces
today’s volatile
business
environment.
A manager’s
role,inBaldwin
believes,
is mainly
concerned with the successful management of change. He notes that the
initial marketing research completed as part of the project approval to proceed. His tasks include ongoing de
manager’s
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every
day with
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market
client emphasis,
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to
A
manager’s
role, Baldwin
believes,
is mainly
concerned
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successful
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change.improvements
He notes that the
CASE STuDY 1: ThE mAnAGER’S ROLE
Case studies help students to link management concepts to management
practice. A scenario followed by questions allows for practical application of
the chapter content.
manager’s environment changes every day with shifts in market and client emphasis, staff changes, improvements to
the client base, identifying client needs and developing retail and management systems and processes to me
His attention is also focused on ensuring staff are trained in these processes to be ready for the opening.
All up his vision of a good manager is one who willingly assumes responsibility, even when things may not b
and is clearly seen to be leading with enthusiasm.
Dwyer_Ch01.indd 27
Dwyer_Ch01.indd 24
Dwyer_Ch01.indd 27
Baldwin’s employer provides a sound supporting business structure which acts as a template or guide for ou
He believes that a well-structured business, with appropriate policies and procedures, helps make the mana
PM flexibility within that structure to allow for change, local variations and unforeseen
but there also11/02/13
needs6:55
to be
11/02/13 6:55 PM
11/02/13
6:55 PM volatile business environment.
prevalent forces
in today’s
A manager’s role, Baldwin believes, is mainly concerned with the successful management of change. He note
manager’s environment changes every day with shifts in market and client emphasis, staff changes, improve
Dwyer_FM.indd 17
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Q Students...
Want to get better grades? (Who doesn’t?)
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that help you apply what you’ve learned? (You need
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A With McGraw-Hill Connect
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• Opportunities to apply concepts learned in the course
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• Immediate feedback on performance (No more wishing
you could call your lecturer at 1 am)
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Connect
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xx
Competency grid
Chapter
Units of competence
Chapter 1 Foundations of management
Chapter 2 Managerial communication
BSBADM502B Manage meetings
Chapter 4 Managing personal work priorities and professional
development
BSBWOR501B Manage personal work priorities and professional
development
Chapter 5 Managing effective workplace relationships
BSBWOR402A Promote team effectiveness
Chapter 6 Ensure team effectiveness
BSBWOR502B Ensure team effectiveness
on
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Chapter 3 Presentations, public speaking and meetings
Chapter 7 Non-traditional teams
BSBLED401A Develop teams and individuals
BSBLED501A Develop a workplace learning environment
Chapter 9 Leadership
BSBMGT401A Show leadership in the workplace
BSBMGT605B Provide leadership across the organisation
BSBHRM402A Recruit, select and induct staff
pl
Chapter 10 Staff recruitment, selection, induction and
termination
e
Chapter 8 Develop teams and individuals in a workplace
learning environment
BSBMGT502B Manage people performance
Chapter 12 Manage and implement operational plans
BSBMGT515A Manage operational plan
BSBMGT402A Implement operational plan
Chapter 13 Manage projects
BSBPMG510A Manage projects
m
Chapter 11 Assign duties and appraise performance
BSBCUS501C Manage quality customer service
BSBCUS401B Coordinate implementation of customer service strategies
BSBCUS403B Implement customer service standards
Chapter 15 Problem solving and decision making
BSBWOR401A Establish effective workplace relationships
Chapter 16 Managing human resources and workforce planning
BSBHRM503B Manage performance management systems
BSBHRM504A Manage workforce planning
Chapter 17 Manage diversity in the workplace
BSBDIV501A Manage diversity in the workplace
Chapter 18 Ensure and monitor a safe workplace
BSBWHS501A Ensure a safe workplace
BSBWHS401A Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and
programs
Chapter 19 Risk management
BSBRSK501B Manage risk
Chapter 20 Sustainable development and policies
BSBINN501A Establish systems that support innovation
BSBSUS501A Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability
CPPCMN4001B Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability
Chapter 21 Responding to change
BSBINN601B Manage organisational change
Chapter 22 Manage quality and continuous improvement
BSBMGT516C Facilitate continuous improvement
BSBMGT406A Plan and monitor continuous improvement
Chapter 23 Strategic management
BSBMGT608B Manage innovation and continuous improvement
BSBSUS501A Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability
Sa
Chapter 14 Manage and monitor customer service
Dwyer_FM.indd 20
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on
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8
y
CHAPTER
develop teams and individuals in a
workplace learning environment
Dwyer_Ch08.indd 204
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205
Contents
Determine development needs
206
8.2
Types of learning and development
208
8.3
Purpose of learning plans
212
8.4
Support workplace learning
215
8.5
Monitor and evaluate learning
219
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8.1
Sa
Learning objectives
LO 8.1 Describe the strategies that managers, supervisors and team leaders can
use to determine team and individual development needs.
LO 8.2 Distinguish types of workplace learning and development.
LO 8.3 Develop a learning plan and explain its value for the learner.
LO 8.4 Outline strategies that sustain a workplace learning environment.
LO 8.5 Explain the value of monitoring and evaluating training and other learning
and development activities.
Dwyer_Ch08.indd 205
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206
PART 3 Understanding teams
Good practice: Development is not the same as training
Development focuses as much on personal growth as skills that are directly related to the job. A development programme is designed
to make individuals more skilled, more flexible in their approach and better qualified for their chosen careers.
Through a development programme, employees can obtain transferable qualifications that benefit the individuals concerned as well
as the business. This can have disadvantages for the business, as it gives workers greater value in the job market. However, Aldi is
willing to take this risk as it believes in providing what is best for its staff. Development options for apprentices include working for
various qualifications. Aldi has a fast-track approach for graduates. Opportunities for graduate recruits at Aldi include secondments
to different international countries to develop all-round expertise.
Aldi retail placement scheme
on
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The Aldi retail placement scheme takes university students
on a one-year placement. This allows the chosen individuals
to show what they can offer the business and to find out
what the business can offer them. Aldi offers an excellent
reward package for students on a placement, but in return
expects trainees to have enthusiasm, drive and ambition.
Successful students get the opportunity to apply for a place
on Aldi’s Area Management training programme.
pl
e
To support their development, managers help employees
to set personal goals. These are identified during an
appraisal process. This is when a member of staff sits
down with their line manager to evaluate past and current
performance, to consider what skills are needed going
forward and to set targets for the future. This could involve
identifying further training or development opportunities.
© Bidgee, used under a Creative Commons Attribution License: http://
­creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Sa
m
Source: Extract from The Times 100. Business expansion through training and development, http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/aldi/
business-expansion-through-training-and-development/development.html#ixzz242l9HjDF, accessed 12 January 2013.
Managers, supervisors and team leaders operate in organisations ranging in size from large and highly
formal organisations to small and informal organisations. Whatever the size or structure of the organisation,
managers, supervisors and team leaders can facilitate team and individual development by:
■■ giving informal and formal feedback on performance of team members
■■ consulting with the team to review team performance in achieving goals and objectives
■■ identifying learning and development needs in line with organisational requirements
■■ developing learning plans in collaboration with teams and individuals
■■ encouraging individual team members to self-evaluate their performance to identify areas for
improvement.
The developmental aspect of a manager, supervisor or team leader’s role requires them to avoid, at all costs,
non-supportive actions such as criticism, blame and ridicule that demotivate individuals and teams, remove
the opportunity to learn from mistakes and prevent the opportunity to try something new.
8.1 Determine development needs
Any organisation’s effectiveness will increasingly depend on its ability to identify, collect and share knowledge
and information, store, retrieve and use knowledge and information, and innovate and adapt to changing
circumstances. Organisations need to learn.
Dwyer_Ch08.indd 206
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CHAPTER 8 Develop teams and individuals in a workplace learning environment
A learning organisation can respond quickly to the needs of clients, changing market conditions and
technological advances. Within a learning organisation it is the role of the manager, supervisor or team leader
to ensure that the work team has the necessary skills and knowledge to achieve organisational goals and
respond effectively to opportunities and threats in the changing environment.
Learning is often associated in our minds with training in a seminar or classroom. This is a narrow view. A
learning organisation shares skills, information and know-how by creating learning opportunities inside and
outside the organisation. An organisation may support learning through:
■■ on-the-job workplace learning, as shown in Table 8.1
■■ off-site activities such as visits to other organisations or industries to observe areas of interest and
best practice
■■ university, TAFE, registered training organisations, professional associations and other external
programs.
207
A learning
organisation
promotes learning
and exchange of
information among
its employees hence
creating a more
knowledgeable
workplace.
Table 8.1 > Workplace learning opportunities
Achieved by
Mentoring
Providing support for high-potential staff, developmental opportunities for minorities in an
organisation and sharing corporate knowledge and business processes
Work shadowing
Observing how an experienced person does the job and being able to identify and discuss new and
better ways of doing things on the job
Coaching
Working with or being matched to someone with more experience so knowledge or skills may be
gained and applied
Training
Trying out a new way of doing things on the job and evaluating the result with a mentor or a coach
Experiential learning
Reflecting on experiences in the workplace and discussing these with a mentor or coach
Job rotation
Moving to a new position (short term) to learn new skills or to determine whether the job is suitable
for career move
Project work (on the job)
Learning to become part of a team or project to gain new knowledge for the purpose of learning
and development
Provide resources in an in-house
learning environment
Providing resources such as manuals, DVDs, blogs and books, and by making time available for
discussion on what has been learned and how the learning may be applied
m
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Opportunities
Sa
Table 8.2 distinguishes mandatory training, core training and developmental training. Training
sessions can vary from one- or two-hour induction sessions through to a university degree program for a
trainee accountant employed in an accounting firm.
Table 8.2 > Requirement to provide training
Mandatory training
Core training
Developmental training
RG146 Training for financial advisors
Code of conduct for managers, supervisors
and team leaders
Building client relationships
Workplace health and safety site induction in
construction industry
Leadership development for all team leaders
Team building
Responsible service of alcohol (RSA)
Strategic management for senior managers
Manage and implement change
Manual handling
Performance appraisal process
Risk management
Fire and evacuation
Food safety training
Manage work priorities
Infection control
Induction training
Conflict management
Managers, supervisors and team leaders need the skills to operate in an environment of best practice,
quality and benchmarking and be able to model action-based and participative learning. Managers,
supervisors and team leaders who work effectively in a learning organisation promote learning and innovation
and facilitate team development.
Dwyer_Ch08.indd 207
Mandatory
training requires
organisations
to comply with
legislation to
provide training
for employees,
contractors and
others.
Core training
is training
considered valuable
and therefore
compulsory for all
regardless of their
functional specialty.
Developmental
training improves
work performance
and opportunities for
career development.
14/03/13 5:06 PM
208
PART 3 Understanding teams
Ask yourself
An advertisement for a shift manager’s position highlights the linkage of management position to results, innovative solutions
and the development of teams and individuals.
The role of a shift manager is to manage and direct the operations and activities of the team so that statutory, safety
and production performance targets are achieved. The shift manager works with experienced staff; trains, mentors and
develops staff; develops and implements innovative solutions to challenging issues; and manages and implements
workplace change.
y
ASK YOURSELF: What types of workplace learning and development do you prefer? What are some things you can do to
contribute to the development of your team? What are some of the things you should probably avoid doing?
e
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Workplace training
The progressive shift from technical expertise in one skill only to multi-skilling has created the need for ongoing
training, learning and professional development of employees. The result is that organisations require more
than trade skills or professional expertise. Organisations are now investing in training, mentoring, coaching
and other learning activities to provide leadership, conflict management, customer service, negotiation and
problem solving.
Managers, supervisors and team leaders may need to provide training in induction sessions, workplace health
and safety (WHS), using new technologies and web-based communication and other areas that cross the boundaries
of job classifications and descriptions. Multi-skilled individuals are able to perform a number of tasks across a variety
of skill areas at a number of different levels. The opportunity to work on different tasks and functions increases
engagement, motivation and productivity because the variety of work makes the job more interesting.
In their training delivery role the manager, supervisor or team leader is the expert in the subject matter;
however, they must also be facilitators of adult learners and understand how adults learn. Figure 8.1 identifies
the principles underpinning adult learning identified by Knowles (2005). Adult learning principles apply to
training and learning in the workplace or any other context. The well-known maxim ‘I hear and I forget; I see
and I remember; I do and I understand’ applies to workplace learning.
Some of the types of training and learning delivered by managers, supervisors or team leaders are:
■■ one-to-one training
■■ small group training
■■ demonstration of work skills
■■ mentoring in the workplace
■■ on-the-job instruction or coaching
■■ self-directed learning packages
■■ facilitated workshops and conferences.
Sa
Tacit knowledge
is knowledge people
carry in their minds
and is hence difficult
to access.
The purpose of on-the-job training of any type is improved performance. Performance in the workplace is
affected by business processes and procedures, work environment (layout, machinery and equipment),
individuals’ capabilities, limitations of team members and their interactions, knowledge and skills base of
individuals, the team and organisation and their application.
Explicit and tacit knowledge is transferred through workplace learning. Explicit knowledge is relatively
easy to access because it is articulated in reports, notices, standard operating procedures and other workplace
documents; therefore, it is stored and can easily be transferred to others. Tacit knowledge is difficult to share
because it is only known by the individual who may not realise its value to anyone else. The tacit knowledge
carried within the mind of an individual or within an organisation can be learnt through personal experiences,
practice and facilitated activities such as coaching, mentoring, training and other learning activities.
m
Explicit knowledge
is knowledge that
has been articulated
and stored and can
easily be transferred
to others.
on
l
8.2 Types of learning and development
Adult learning
principles state
that adults are
internally motivated
and self-directed,
bring life experiences
and knowledge to
learning experiences,
are goal oriented,
are oriented towards
relevance, are
practical and like to
be respected.
Table 8.3 provides useful guidelines to follow in the delivery of workplace training.
Dwyer_Ch08.indd 208
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CHAPTER 8 Develop teams and individuals in a workplace learning environment
209
Adult learners need to know
and are motivated to
learn as they experience
Adults are
needs and interests that
autonomous and
Individual differences
learning will satisfy
self-directing, and
among people change with
have a readiness
age—make optimal provision
to learn based on lifefor differences in style,
related experiences
time, place and
and problem-centred activities
pace of learning
Adult learning
principles
‘Adults’ orientation to learning
is life-centred—the
appropriate units for
organising adult learning
are life situations,
Experience is the richest
not subjects
resource of adults’ learning—
the core methodology of adult
education is the analysis
of experience
on
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Adults have a deep need
to be self-directing—the role
of the trainer is to engage
in a process of
mutual inquiry
e
Figure 8.1 > Adult learning principles
pl
Competent trainers are confident trainers. They are willing to interact positively and use the participants
as a resource to facilitate and aid the learning process. On those occasions when a participant is more
knowledgeable, trainers are able to ask them to contribute and share that knowledge. They gather feedback
from participants, both during and at the end of the training session to improve training performance.
Steps for the training
m
Table 8.3 > Guidelines for the delivery of workplace training
What needs to be done
Planning for the
training
Sa
Knowing your audience • Access existing training needs analysis (TNA) within the organisation
and their capability
• Survey team to determine training needs
• Conduct informal chats prior to the session
• Ask participants what they know about the topic immediately after presenting the aims of the training session
• Identify clear objective(s) for the session or series of sessions
• Prepare a flexible schedule of activities (learner centred) for the session
• Prepare handouts, visual aids early, check the venue beforehand—chairs and tables arranged as required, proper
equipment, no distractions
Delivering the training
session(s)
• Present objective(s) at the outset in written format and expressed in terms of behavioural outcomes
• Undertake an ‘ice breaking’ activity very early in the session, e.g. provide information (short) about yourself and
ask people their names and one sentence about themselves
• Use a variety of delivery methods to stimulate active involvement of the participant—discussion groups, exercises,
role plays and brainstorming
• Involve learners as active participants in their own learning
• Respond positively and promptly to questions/queries
• Provide feedback and reinforcement to enhance learning
• Present information in chunked discrete, logical pieces
• Provide ‘hands-on’ opportunity to practise the application of the information
• Allow time for people to digest information
• Provide a reasonable level of repetition to enhance learning
• Monitor the progress of participants by observing and asking open-ended questions that let them show
understanding
Concluding the training
session
• Review and summarise information covered in the session
• Provide encouraging feedback to individuals and the group to motivate for future learning
• Link the learning to organisational and team objectives
• Point the way ahead
Dwyer_Ch08.indd 209
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210
PART 3 Understanding teams
The transfer of learning into the workplace completes the cycle of learning. Arrangements for the transfer
of learning into the workplace can be made through the use of mentors, partnering more experienced learners
with the less experienced, conducting follow-up sessions, or setting action-based projects or tasks to apply the
learning.
Mentoring
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Mentoring programs develop the mentees’ organisational knowledge and career paths. A mentor is
a person who takes an interest in another person’s career and provides positive support, help, advice
and encouragement either formally or informally. People learn from their mentor in a developmental
relationship.
Mentors are often selected from the organisation’s leaders or senior managers. They share corporate
knowledge, organisational values and business processes, and help the mentee build relationships across
the organisation. Examples of successful people who have benefited from having a mentor include business
people (Freddie Laker mentored Richard Branson), politicians (Robert Menzies mentored Malcolm Fraser)
and athletes (golfer Charlie Earp mentored Greg Norman).
Mentoring provides support for high-potential staff and developmental opportunities for minorities within
the organisation. The advantages for individuals and the organisation are improved motivation, performance
and career development. Refer to Chapter 9 for more information about mentoring.
e
Ask yourself
pl
Mentors provide their expertise to less-experienced individuals in order to help them advance their careers, enhance their
education and build their networks. A mentor provides counsel, insight and guidance.
Sa
m
ASK YOURSELF: What would you like a mentor to do for you? Give specific examples. What options do you have to find a
mentor at work?
Coaching
A coach is a person who helps another to learn, perform and achieve a specific work task or skill. A person
learns with their coach. Coaching is often a formalised process that follows six phases, as shown in Table 8.4.
Refer to Chapter 9 for more information about coaching.
As part of the coaching process managers can delegate specific learning tasks to complete as selfdirected learning. Any delegation of tasks for ongoing learning should happen early rather than at the
last minute and gain mutual agreement. The delegation should include clear, brief instructions about
objectives, resources, priorities and review dates. The manager, supervisor or team leader accepts that
others do things differently, avoids hovering, reviews together in private and on completion praises in
public.
Table 8.4 > Phases in the coaching process
Phases
1
Dwyer_Ch08.indd 210
What to do
Determine the training need and
the desired outcome
Identify and document the problem:
• Observe the team member on the job
• Look through the team member’s performance records
• Consider the outcomes of a formal performance appraisal program
• Decide what records should be kept, who is to keep them, who is to have access to them
and how confidentiality will be maintained.
State the desired outcome clearly
14/03/13 5:06 PM
CHAPTER 8 Develop teams and individuals in a workplace learning environment
Phases
What to do
Prepare a coaching action plan
Prepare a step-by step process:
• Include specific objective(s) preferably in behavioural terms
• Identify the necessary resources
• Identify rights and responsibilities of the respective parties
• Identify time lines for the attainment of the objective(s) and duration of the coaching
relationship
• Identify nature and extent of the contact between the coach and the person being
coached
• Adjust plan in response to ongoing feedback (if required)
3
Explain the process
Describe clearly to the team member:
• What the coaching process will involve
• What it is designed to achieve and why
• When coaching will take place
• How long each session will last
• What resources will be required
4
Demonstrate the desired
behaviour or task
Do it fast:
• Do the task or demonstrate the behaviour at the usual pace expected on the job
Do it slow:
• Break the task or the behaviour down into small sections
• Carefully demonstrate each section
• Clearly explain what you are doing and why
5
Practise
Do it with them:
• The team member should practise the task or behaviour with you at their side or assisting
Let them go:
• Arrange to observe only
• Encourage the team member to practise the task or behaviour as frequently as possible
by themselves
6
Feedback
Monitor the team member’s performance
Correct any variations from the expected standard
Avoid destructive criticism, encourage and motivate
Listen to problems the team member may want to talk about, or any suggestions they have
Reinforce positively
Acknowledge the team member’s progress and achievements
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2
Action-based learning
Action-based learning is shared learning in the workplace about specific work issues. An integral part of
the process is team involvement in real work, discussion, reflection, review and sharing learning. As well as
building task competency, team learning improves communication, teamwork, problem solving and decision
making. Examples of action-based learning methods are shown in Table 8.5.
Table 8.5 > Action-based learning
Type
Purpose
After action reviews
To enable the team to reflect on what worked and what needs improvement
On-the-job projects
To enable all team members to participate, gain and share new knowledge
Problem solving
To help team members work together to develop processes to solve problems
Quality circles
To encourage team members to improve processes as well as individual performance continuously
After action review
The after action review is a powerful learning tool because it lets those involved learn about what is happening
now in order to improve performance and increase their pool of knowledge. The after action review has
sequential steps as outlined in Table 8.6. It is important to plan well for the review and gain the participation
of all stakeholders.
Dwyer_Ch08.indd 211
211
Action-based
learning enables
people to learn
from workplace
learning tasks
or projects and
their interactions
with each other
as they identify
and implement
solutions to any
problems, issues or
opportunities.
After action
review is a
systematic process
to extract the
learning from an
event or activity. The
process addresses
the questions
‘what should have
happened?’, ‘what
actually happened?’
and ‘what lessons
are there for the
future?’.
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PART 3 Understanding teams
Table 8.6 > Seven-step process in an after action review
Step
Description
1
Identify the intended outcome
2
Identify what actually happened
3
Compare what happened with what was intended to happen
4
Identify the variations
5
Decide why there were differences
6
Document what was learnt from the review
7
Decide who should be told and distribute the after action review to them
Self-directed learning
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A manager’s, supervisor’s or team leader’s awareness of self-directed learning allows them to accommodate
the demands of productivity while enabling self-directed learners to pursue their learning, and to apply and
share it with others in real-time workplace tasks. A participative approach and an atmosphere of openness and
trust promote both learning and performance.
Opportunities for self-directed learners to reflect on their learning in after action reviews and learning
exchanges with other team members broaden the opportunities for learning and sharing experiences. Effective
self-directed learning enhances individual and team accomplishments, continuous learning and ongoing
improvements.
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Self-directed
learning means
the learner initiates
the learning,
makes the decisions
about what learning
and development
experiences will
occur, and how.
A motivated, self-directed team member with skills in self-reflection views the workplace as a continual
learning experience. They select and carry out their own learning objectives and methods of learning, and
evaluate how well they met their objectives. Self-directed learning can be formalised by approaching the
manager, supervisor or team leader to:
■■ discuss the purpose, objectives, appropriateness of the learning methods and intended outcomes
■■ gain the manager’s support, approval and sign-off
■■ prepare a learning plan together at a performance appraisal or at any time throughout the year.
Sa
Ask yourself
Professor Eve Mitleton-Kelly (2009) suggests:
During the learning process, individuals will influence each other and their ideas will ‘co-evolve’; that is each idea will
adapt and change in the context of other ideas, and once changed, it will, in turn, have an influence on what happens
next … Learning organisations encourage ‘self organisation’, so that groups can come together to explore new ideas
without being directed to do so by a manager outside that group.
ASK YOURSELF: How do you learn at work? Who influences your ideas and learning? How might you learn more at work?
After completing this chapter reconsider your answer.
A learning plan is
an agreement that
identifies what will be
learnt, how and when
it will happen, who
will be involved and
how performance will
be assessed.
Dwyer_Ch08.indd 212
8.3 Purpose of learning plans
A learning plan facilitates workplace learning, structures the learning and guides all stakeholders through
the process. Learning plans provide a useful mechanism for the learner and the mentor, coach, trainer, team
leader and other stakeholders to clarify how the planned learning will happen, support the learning, and
monitor and evaluate its outcomes.
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CHAPTER 8 Develop teams and individuals in a workplace learning environment
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Learning plans are an integral part of individual or team performance plans. A learning plan can be
prepared, for example, to fill a gap in performance identified in an after action review, a performance appraisal
or by any other means. Learning plans may accompany each employee’s goals or objectives for the upcoming
year. They structure and promote learning by identifying:
■■ what people need to do as they learn
■■ why they need to learn (the reason for learning)
■■ how to initiate the learning
■■ what time, resources and opportunities are available to allow them to learn
■■ how they will be facilitated, supported, mentored or coached as they learn
■■ how they will know when learning has been achieved
■■ how successful the learning was in meeting the goals of the learning plan.
Structure the learning plan
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An effective learning plan helps to remove confusion caused by the increasing range and availability of
knowledge and information and focuses the learner, mentor, coach and manager on the purpose of the
learning or development activity. A learning plan should document clearly opportunities for the learner and
mentor, coach or other team members to discuss, give and receive feedback on, and reflect on and apply the
new learning.
Managers, supervisors and team leaders need to:
■■ develop an overall strategy or plan to meet the learning requirements of the work team and the
organisation
■■ facilitate individual learning plans to satisfy both the team’s work goals and the professional
development needs of individuals.
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An individual or team learning plan communicates and structures the learning activities. The sequence in
Figure 8.2 is a useful guide to follow in the development of a learning plan.
Monitor learning against
the learning plan
Implement the
learning plan
Communicate the learning
plan to stakeholders
Set realistic objectives
and targets in the learning plan
List all the activities that
need to happen to achieve
the objectives
Order the activities
sequentially
Figure 8.2 > Follow a sequence to develop a learning plan
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PART 3 Understanding teams
Negotiate learning plans
Negotiate learning plans to improve the commitment to and effectiveness of learning by:
■■ identifying and confirming the learning or professional development need with the individual,
team or other relevant stakeholder in the learning
■■ setting and clarifying realistic objectives and targets
■■ negotiating an appropriate type and mix of learning strategies
■■ confirming convenience of time and place, and availability of learner, coaches, mentors or other
relevant stakeholders
■■ establishing feedback processes and how progress will be monitored
■■ identifying standards against which performance is measured, and identifying how and when
evaluation will happen
■■ documenting the learning plan and obtaining sign-off from the mentor, coach, subject-matter
expert and the person undertaking the learning.
As the plan is created identify the needs of the learners, the team and the organisation.
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Sample team learning plan
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A sample learning and assessment plan for a team of newly appointed supervisors is shown in Table 8.7.
A learning plan can be either a short-term or long-term plan.
Table 8.7 > Learning and assessment plan—new supervisors
BSBLED401A ‘Develop teams and individuals’
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This is a generic learning and assessment plan that you should refine to suit your organisation’s requirements.
Learning activity weeks 1 and 2
Assessment activities
Supervisors to determine development needs
of team against:
• team objectives and results
• organisational objectives
By conducting:
• skills audit
• bi-annual performance appraisal
Presentation and discussion by senior
manager
Group activity—performance appraisals,
workplace skills assessment and
learning plans
Conduct an individual skills assessment on
their own competence in developing and
leading teams
(end of week 1)
Question and answer
Case study (end of week 1)
Supervisor to discuss their skills assessment
with a more senior staff member and decide
how to fill any skills gaps (end of week 2)
Supervisors to develop individuals and teams
by supporting opportunities for:
• on-the-job training
• off-the-job training
• workplace learning
• coaching and mentoring
Presentation and discussion about on-the-job
coaching, mentoring, work shadowing, actionbased learning and self-directed learning
Group analysis of case studies to compare
the advantages and disadvantages of on-thejob and off-the-job training
Group work to identify mentoring skills
Work shadowing a manager experienced in
coaching
(end of week 4)
Participation as a group of six in an actionbased work project in which they create
together learning plans to match their skill
needs in developing teams and individuals
(weeks 3 and 4)
Question and answer (week 3)
Prepare a best practice checklist for coaches
(week 4)
Prepare a best practice checklist for mentors
(week 5)
Supervisors to monitor and evaluate
workplace learning:
• through feedback from team members
• against standards of performance
identified in national, industry and
organisational standard operating
procedures
• from observing and acknowledging
improvements
• from training records and reports
Each supervisor to be individually coached, on
the job, in giving and receiving feedback from
team members that encourages participation
and commitment
Group reflection on learning from participation
in the coaching session—thinking,
questioning, reflecting and planning for
improvements in next coaching session
Work-based application by coaching a team
member in a work task
(end of week 6)
Questioning and demonstration in a coaching
session
After action review, questions, answers and
improvement plans
Demonstration of coaching skills on the job
(end of week 6)
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Objectives
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CHAPTER 8 Develop teams and individuals in a workplace learning environment
215
Consultation within your organisation
The learning and assessment plan was prepared in consultation with the major stakeholders including training manager, supervisors, team
leaders and experienced staff who are willing to act as coaches. Three meetings were held to discuss the appropriate learning and development
mix. The stakeholders requested that the:
• off-the-job training be held in meeting room 2 as the facilities were appropriate to group learning
• on-the-job coaches provide support in the workplace
• learning, development and assessment take place within a six-week period
• action learning and demonstration of knowledge and skills in discussion, work-based project and application in coaching sessions
Learning and development mix
Two days off the job
Four on-the-job coaching sessions by two hours
Work-based project and application over six weeks
Signatures
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8.4 Support workplace learning
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SupervisorDate
ParticipantDate
Trainer/facilitator/coachDate
AssessorDate
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Workplace learning must be appropriate to the workplace roles, tasks and targets, and appropriate to the
needs of the team and individual team members. As participation in these learning opportunities takes time
and resources, benefits should flow to the organisation as well as the individual.
Key principles that facilitate implementation of learning and development across an organisation include:
■■ an organisation-wide training and development plan based on the results of skills analysis
■■ a series of coherent learning pathways to support organisation-wide initiatives
■■ training and development aligned to operational priorities and the development needs of teams
and individuals
■■ adequate budget and resources
■■ ongoing monitoring and evaluation of outcomes
■■ equality of opportunity to undertake training, learning and development.
Managers, supervisors and team leaders facilitate and promote a positive learning culture in the workplace by:
■■ providing direction, knowledge and constructive feedback such as talks, reports and informal
contact
■■ supporting their team, peers and other stakeholders in ongoing learning and personal mastery of
processes, tasks and change
■■ giving and receiving constructive, objective feedback about performance and taking action to
achieve improvement
■■ creating a shared plan of action to improve unsatisfactory performance and mistakes
■■ orienting the team’s vision towards the long term as well as immediate short-term success.
Two critical aspects of workplace learning are self-evaluation and feedback. Self-evaluation should enable the
individual to take responsibility for their own learning and professional development. It will also encourage
the individual to continually improve performance and competency.
Any self-evaluation should be measured against appropriate and known standards and benchmarks.
Some examples are:
■■ national competency standards (refer to http://training.gov.au)
■■ standard operating procedures
■■ safe work method statements
■■ legislative requirements
■■ benchmarked process activities.
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PART 3 Understanding teams
People closest to the work are those who should know most about the processes. When a gap exists, learning
must take place to improve performance in the job tasks. While managers, supervisors and team leaders may
be closest to where the training and learning is needed they must consult and gain commitment from relevant
stakeholders for the workplace learning and development. Table 8.8 identifies strategies used as the learning
opportunities are planned.
Table 8.8 > Organise workplace learning
Description
Gain approval for resources
and time lines
• Identify and gain approval for learning activities in accordance with your organisation’s requirements
• Allocate resources in accordance with assigned responsibilities and accountabilities
• Gain sign-off for cost budgets
• Negotiate time lines to take into account the needs and responsibilities of the job (e.g. a shift worker
accessing training)
• Inform managers because they may have to adjust shifts and times
Gain stakeholder approval
and ownership of the type of
learning
• Involve stakeholders from the planning stage because aims, agendas and preferred outcomes may be
distinctly different
• Consider the needs of three groups—those representing the company, those representing the workers,
those with responsibility and accountability for any associated costs and outcomes
• Gain sign-off and approval to enhance implementation and avoid resistance to learning methods
Organise activities as learning
opportunities
• Facilitate learning in the workplace by organising work activities in ways that provide opportunities to learn
• Plan, resource, implement and review tasks to be effective workplace learning opportunities
• Identify specific learning objectives to achieve results from these opportunities
• Keep the workplace learning learner-centred
• Make the learning performance-based and ensure it demonstrates results
Interact with individual
learners
• Interact positively with learners as they participate in workplace learning opportunities
• Demonstrate supportive and encouraging behaviour, which creates a positive learning environment
• Provide support and reinforcement to build confidence
• Recognise skills and knowledge acquisition
• Celebrate greater productivity and reduced errors and accidents
Support learning by doing
• Encourage questioning and practise
• Let team members explore one another’s point of view
• Give and receive feedback
• Encourage problem solving and decision making
• Focus on specific issues
• Encourage teamwork and sharing of information, ideas and knowledge
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Strategy
Address equity issues
Equity issues
involve fairness
or impartiality
in access to
opportunities in the
workplace.
Dwyer_Ch08.indd 216
Equity issues refers to fairness or impartiality in access to opportunities in the workplace. In New South
Wales, an organisation has a requirement under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 to provide fair and equitable
access to training and promotion for all staff. (Refer to www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act for more
information regarding the legislative requirements for employers.) This legislation requires employers to make
allowances for staff with special needs to ensure they are not disadvantaged in any way. The location, timing,
entry requirements or content of a workplace training initiative may need to be adjusted to meet particular
needs if the criteria discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction, social
origin, marital status, age or disability.
Some of the main issues regarding access to, and equity of, workplace learning initiatives are:
■■ Who is eligible to attend?
■■ Are there any prerequisites?
■■ Do the times/dates of learning sessions prohibit some participants from attending?
■■ Does the location of learning sessions prohibit some participants from attending?
■■ Are there facilities for employees with special needs?
■■ Does the home life of some staff prohibit them from undertaking learning sessions in their
own time?
■■ Is there a financial cost to employees?
■■ Will there be a social cost to employees who attend?
■■ Do any employees have language/literacy/numeracy issues?
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If some employees are excluded from learning, the manager, supervisor or team leader should clarify the
reasons and criteria for inclusion or exclusion. Access considerations will depend on the type of workplace,
the profile of the workforce and the type of learning.
Ask yourself
Implementing workplace learning develops employee capabilities and ability to handle new challenges, adapt to change
and act in more senior positions. Benefits include higher job satisfaction and productivity, employee engagement and
increased retention of staff.
Recognise workplace achievement
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ASK YOURSELF: What kinds of learning do you enjoy? What might an organisation do to attract and retain you as an
employee? What can you contribute to a learning organisation?
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Team members who receive information and appropriate recognition are likely to perform and contribute
positively to achieve better outcomes. Managers, supervisors and team leaders need to take a positive
leadership role and acknowledge workplace achievement either formally or informally. Formal recognition of
achievement may be an award, a commendation or a promotion. Informal recognition could be as simple as a
positive comment about a job well done or a reward such as a celebratory lunch.
Best practice in the development of teams and individuals incorporates the following guidelines:
■■ Orient the team to the long-term vision as well as the short term.
■■ Provide clear information to guide work processes and tasks.
■■ Set realistic targets that are both challenging and achievable.
■■ Use participative leadership styles and encourage shared responsibility.
■■ Retain coordination, control and accountability.
■■ Delegate responsibility appropriately.
■■ Give constructive feedback, encourage openness and share decision making.
■■ Solve problems rather than entering cycles of blame and self-defence.
■■ Recognise achievement, and foster enthusiasm and genuine commitment.
■■ Support performance, ongoing learning and continuous improvement.
Motivation is enhanced when people know what to do, how to do it and have the opportunity to perform well.
Refer to Table 8.9. Psychological rewards like knowing your work is worthwhile, achieving goals, receiving
recognition, developing talent and potential career opportunities are the motivators from Herzberg’s theory.
(Refer to Chapter 6 for more information.)
Table 8.9 > Performance expectation and opportunity
Know what to do
Know how to do it
Have the opportunity to do it
Understand job purpose
Have experience and qualifications
Leadership and sound management
Understand key result areas
Understand job purpose and responsibilities
Clear objectives, high expectations and
standards of performance
Understand operating procedures
Understand significance of job
Clear work systems and procedures
Have SMARTTA measures of success
Gain knowledge from learning culture and
environment
Adequate equipment, tools and technology
Apply teamwork and perform maintenance roles
Access to training, mentoring and coaching
Appropriate resources, time and information
Know how the hot stove principle applies
Participate in action-based learning, after
action reviews and self-directed learning
Clear communication, teamwork, and
recognition and support
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PART 3 Understanding teams
Good practice focuses the ongoing learning and development on the needs of the team and individual
members. People know what to do, how to do it and have the opportunity to do it. The learning and development:
■■ has relevance to workplace practices, routines and challenges
■■ enhances competence and acquisition of up-to-date skills
■■ promotes performance to the required standard
■■ supports quality service provision to satisfy the expectations of internal and external customers
■■ has the support of the organisation, acknowledges and celebrates achievement.
Apply your knowledge
1 Work individually.
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Scenario: After action review reflective learning
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At the handover of a project’s major deliverables, Mario the manager called together those involved and said, ‘I’m glad that one is over. You
all did very well, but I think we should learn from it. Can you stay for half an hour or so to do an after action review to see if we can do it
better next time?’ As it was the end of the day he had arranged a few drinks, cheese and biscuits.
Mario had prepared the following flip chart headings for his after action review:
• What was supposed to happen?
• What actually happened?
• Why were there differences?
• What can you learn from this?
a) Comment on the effectiveness of Mario’s approach.
b) Prepare a list of the advantages for teams of reflective learning.
c) Decide how you would build team learning and trust into the after action review process.
2 a) Consider the following quote: ‘The ability to learn faster than your competitors may be the only sustainable competitive
advantage.’ Brainstorm the benefits of learning to the organisation.
b) Explain how the ability to determine the development needs of their team benefits a manager, supervisor or
team leader.
c) Brainstorm strategies managers can use to develop teams and individuals.
3 a) Think of one mandatory training program, one core and one developmental training program in your organisation.
b) Who delivers this training and how is it delivered?
c) Identify other workplace learning and development opportunities and describe who delivers it and how.
d) How is the learning translated into the workplace procedures and tasks?
4 Work individually or in small groups.
Scenario: Brett’s learning plan
During a department store’s monthly WHS committee meetings it was obvious to Jan, chair of the WHS committee, that one of the team
leaders, Brett, had no skills in report writing. Jan decided to chat with Brett and encourage him to prepare an effective report on one
of the current WHS issues. Jan knew that Brett had some good ideas about the topic. Jan suggested to the meeting that she and Brett
work together on the report for the next meeting. After the meeting Jan worked with Brett to prepare a learning plan titled ‘WHS report
writing’.
a) Prepare a learning plan for Brett. In the learning plan identify the learning strategies, the activities Brett will undertake,
the activities Jan will undertake, and any resources available to Brett and the dates by which each activity will be
completed.
b) How does negotiating the plan together advantage Jan and Brett?
5 a) Workplace learning requires managers, coaches and mentors to provide direction, knowledge and constructive feedback.
Choose an example where you have been involved in workplace learning as the learner and describe the:
• direction
• knowledge
• constructive feedback you received in the learning situation.
b) Describe what you would do differently if you were providing the workplace training to a member of your team.
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CHAPTER 8 Develop teams and individuals in a workplace learning environment
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8.5 Monitor and evaluate learning
Whether learning takes place formally in a training program or continuing professional development program,
or informally through learning opportunities such as on-the-job projects, after action reviews or quality
circles, managers, supervisors and team leaders need to evaluate its effectiveness and on occasions suggest
improvements.
Competency standards
National competency standards provide a nationally recognised benchmark against which workplace
performance can be measured. Other documented workplace performance standards include:
■■ standard operating procedures
■■ safety legislative requirements
■■ customer service standards
■■ industry benchmarks.
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A competent person is able to perform their work to the standard required in their workplace. A competency
standard identifies what is to be done, to what standard and under what conditions. The elements of
competence for the national unit of competence, BSBLED401A ‘Develop teams and individuals’ (Innovation
and Business Skills Australia 2012) are:
1. Determine development needs
2. Develop teams and individuals
3. Monitor and evaluate workplace learning.
Performance
criteria are the
standards used to
evaluate a person or
team’s performance.
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Competency in developing teams and individuals includes the skills to complete each of the tasks required
to perform the element of competence to the standard identified in the performance criteria. A competent
person also has the ability to respond to unexpected events and other factors in the environment.
The performance criteria in the BSBLED401A national unit of competency (Innovation and Business
Skills Australia 2012) identifies the standard of performance required of a manager, coach or subject-matter
expert with responsibility to develop teams and individuals in the workplace. Performance criteria are the
standards against which performance is measured. It is critical to ensure performance is measured against an
objective and transparent performance criteria or standard.
Table 8.10 is an example of one element from the national unit of competence HLTFA301C – Apply first
aid. The three performance criteria (standards of performance) in column two must be demonstrated before
a student is classified as competent to assess the situation before applying first aid. Refer to the website http://
training.gov.au/Training/Details/HLTFA301C for the other three elements and performance criteria.
Table 8.10 > Example of element and performance criteria
Element
Performance criteria
1. Assess the situation
1.1 Identify, assess and minimise hazards in the situation that may pose a risk of injury or illness to
self and others
1.2 Minimise immediate risk to self and casualty’s health and safety by controlling any hazard in
accordance with occupational health and safety requirements
1.3 Assess casualty and identify injuries, illnesses and conditions
Ask yourself
Performance-based competency standards describe what people can be expected to do in their working roles, as well as the
knowledge and understanding of their occupation that is needed to underpin these roles at a specific level of competence.
Performance criteria are detailed and specific statements about what people are expected to do, to achieve.
ASK YOURSELF: Consider one of your routine work tasks. Write a statement to describe the task. How do you know you
have achieved the required standard of performance? Write three or four specific statements about what you are expected to
achieve and to what standard. How do written competency standards help you?
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PART 3 Understanding teams
Assess competence
Principles of
assessment are
validity, reliability,
fairness and
flexibility.
The assessment process uses the principles of assessment—validity, reliability, fairness and flexibility—
although each assessor assesses in a manner that best suits the circumstances, individuals and needs of the
organisation. Competency assessment involves assessing the ability of the person being assessed to:
■■ do the job
■■ transfer learning
■■ cope with problems
■■ communicate effectively.
All assessments of competence should comply with the four technical principles of assessment shown in
Table 8.11. Correct application of these principles ensures people have the same opportunity to demonstrate
competence.
Table 8.11 > Technical principles of assessment
Purpose
Validity
A valid assessment will assess against objective standards those competencies that are part of
the performance required in the workplace
Reliability
The same result will occur no matter who does the assessment
Fairness
No person should be disadvantaged and assessors should use the same approach with each
learner
Flexibility
The assessment must be valid, reliable, and fair and flexible in order to:
• deal with formal or informal learning opportunities
• accommodate any disability, for example, deafness
• ensure familiarity with necessary equipment or work methods
• allow varying time periods for assessment to give learners the opportunity to demonstrate
their skills
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Principle
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In the case of national management competencies two things are fixed:
1. the competencies themselves (which are related to industry competencies)
2. the requirement that the same process and evidence of competence must apply regardless of who
conducts the assessment or where it takes place.
Competence may be assessed in the workplace through:
■■ observation of the performance of a task or of the product from a task
■■ spoken or written answers to questions
■■ information from competency log books
■■ information from colleagues, managers or others
■■ previous qualifications such as certificates or licences.
Achieve improvement
Evaluation and review are essential parts of continual improvement. The learning process within any
organisation needs to be viewed from the perspective of quality outcomes. This justifies the investment in
learning and promotes the ideal of a learning organisation.
A review that is participatory encourages team members, both individually and collectively, to provide
feedback on their learning experience. Evaluating and analysing what worked and what did not and for what
reasons is the basis for planned improvements.
Procedure
A problem-solving approach or an after action review are two processes that can effectively review and
improve learning. These approaches will work better when they follow the seven-step problem solving process
in Table 8.12.
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CHAPTER 8 Develop teams and individuals in a workplace learning environment
221
Table 8.12 > Seven-step problem-solving process
Step
Process
1
Write a clear definition of the problem
2
Think about the result you want
3
Identify the cause(s) of the problem
4
List any solutions to the problem
5
Select the solution that will give you the result you want
6
Put the solution into practice
7
Check that the solution works
Record results of learning
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Records provide an organisation with:
■■ evidence to show how it meets its legal responsibilities and accountabilities in areas of mandatory
training such as responsible service of alcohol (RSA)
■■ information about the number and type of skills and any skills gaps in the organisation
■■ a historical record of the learning, development and assessments undertaken within the
organisation
■■ information for personnel records and evidence for remuneration and reward.
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Records of performance and learning are essential to allow any organisation to meet the requirements shown
in Table 8.13.
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Table 8.13 > Performance records
Type of requirement
Reason
Human resource (HR) requirement
To document and record that all staff have received mandatory training before
being allowed to advise customers (e.g. banking and insurance industry)
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Legislative requirement
To document all personnel details, superannuation, bank account details or next
of kin
To record individual targets and achievements, skills and work-performance
rating
Pay system requirement
To record individual and team targets for bonus payments
Training system requirement
To document and record all training activities undertaken by individuals
Sa
Performance review system requirement
The record-keeping system in an organisation needs to integrate data from each of the specific requirements
so that reports can be generated from the data. For example, a report is required at the end of the year that
details each individual’s:
■■ targets and bonus payments
■■ learning and development activities completed
■■ work-performance rating by their manager, supervisor or team leader.
Recording the results of learning is an important part of any manager, supervisor or team leader’s job. Records
of learning are useful, for example, in a performance appraisal. They:
■■ allow the manager conducting the appraisal and the person being appraised to understand the
range and number of skills
■■ give a benchmark against which improvements can be measured in the future.
The information and reports may be used to prepare for the individual’s performance review or to estimate
a pay increase, if appropriate. Most organisations will use a variety of record-keeping systems to handle this
information, but integration of systems is a crucial component of selecting an appropriate system.
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PART 3 Understanding teams
Apply your knowledge
1 Read the scenario and answer the questions that follow.
Scenario: Positive interaction
Mathew is a workplace coach. Whenever he was involved in a coaching session he made sure that he felt confident about his material.
Mathew was relaxed, he smiled a lot, maintained eye contact and spoke in a friendly manner. As he provided information he would explain
what he intended to do and what the learner had to do. He would always break the activities into stages and explain the process step by
step and encourage questions.
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Whenever the learner tried the task he added positive suggestions in a friendly manner and kept his coaching focused on what the learner
needed to know. Mathew would also take the time to meet with the learner several times in order to give the learner the time to learn,
reflect and practise the new knowledge and skills gained in the learning.
a) Identify the skills Mathew applies in his workplace coaching role.
b) How does he engage in a process of mutual inquiry and encourage the learner to be self-directing?
c) What benefits are derived from coaching based on work-related experiences and problem-centred activities?
2 a) Identify six of your work team’s activities and for each activity determine the standards of performance.
b) Describe how these performance standards are or will be communicated.
c) For one of the work activities you identified in (a), produce a learning plan. In your learning plan identify how you would evaluate
and assess the performance of your team members against your identified performance standards.
d) How would you record the results?
e) Assume you will be assessing your team’s performance next week. Prepare a short presentation for your team on how learning
will be evaluated and recognised. Include the principles of assessment in your presentation. The purpose of the presentation is
to minimise the fears of your team members.
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the action plan you intend to follow in the next three months
how your actions will facilitate improvements to team performance
a set of questions to be used as a checklist to help you evaluate and assess your work team’s learning
how you will monitor your action plan.
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a)
b)
c)
d)
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3 Prepare a short report for your manager on the actions you will take to promote learning in your work team. Include in your
report:
Key terms
action-based learning 211
adult learning principles 208
after action review 211
core training 207
developmental training 207
equity issues 216
explicit knowledge 208
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learning organisation 207
learning plan 212
mandatory training 207
performance criteria 219
principles of assessment 220
self-directed learning 212
tacit knowledge 208
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223
Summary
LO 8.1
escribe the strategies that managers, supervisors and team leaders can use to determine team and
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individual development needs.
Managers, supervisors and team leaders encourage and support training and other learning and development
opportunities. They coach teams and individuals in new and improved processes and systems and mentor
individuals to develop new skills, acquire organisational knowledge and promote career development. They
provide opportunities for job rotation and acting positions and encourage team members to assess their own
competence against required standards. They use leadership and communication skills to channel skills
development to improve the individual’s performance and career opportunities, and extend the organisation’s
knowledge base and capability to meet current and future needs.
LO 8.2
Distinguish types of workplace learning and development.
Develop a learning plan and explain its value for the learner.
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LO 8.3
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Different types of workplace learning and development include mentoring, work shadowing, coaching, training,
experiential learning, job rotation and on-the-job project work.
Learning plans identify what will be learnt, how and when it will happen, who will be involved and how
performance will be assessed. An effective learning plan provides a clear, agreed process.
LO 8.4
Outline strategies that sustain a workplace learning environment.
Explain the value of monitoring and evaluating training and other learning and development activities.
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LO 8.5
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Strategies that sustain a workplace learning environment include, in the planning stage, gaining approval for
resources and time lines, stakeholder approval and ownership of the type of learning. Organise learning activities
as opportunities to both learn and practice through mutual inquiry, feedback and problem solving. Ensure
impartiality in access to training, learning and development opportunities. Verify the learning and development
has relevance to workplace practices, routines and challenges, and promotes improvement in individual and
team performance across the organisation.
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Competence may be evaluated and assessed in the workplace through observation of the performance of a task
or the product from a task, spoken or written answers to questions, information from competency log books, and
information from colleagues, managers or others. Participatory evaluation and review enables learners to give and
receive feedback, recognition and encouragement. Any planned improvements should be implemented. Results
should be documented as they provide the evidence needed to meet the requirements of relevant legislation, HR
departments, performance reviews, pay systems, training, and learning and development records.
Review questions
1
andatory and core training are determined by the organisation. How can managers, supervisors and team
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leaders determine their team’s need for developmental training and learning?
2 Identify at least six types of workplace training and development delivered by managers, supervisors or team
leaders.
3 Briefly explain the adult learning principles.
4 a) Describe the sequence to follow as you develop a team learning plan.
b) What are the major components in a team learning plan?
c) Why should a learning plan be agreed and signed before the learning and development begins?
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PART 3 Understanding teams
5 a) How can managers, supervisors and team leaders facilitate and promote a positive learning environment?
b) How do they address equity issues? Give examples.
c) What type of workplace recognition for your achievements do you appreciate?
d) How do you recognise the achievements of your work team?
6 a) Why should relevant stakeholders be involved from the planning stage of workplace training or
development?
b) Choose an area of learning for your team. Identify the stakeholders you would involve and explain why.
7 High performance standards and expectations and the opportunity to perform to, or above, expectations are
motivating. How can a manager, supervisor or team leader ensure their team:
a) knows what to do
b) knows how to do it
c) has the opportunity to do it?
8 a) Define the terms ‘competence’ and ‘performance criteria’.
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b) Identify three standards against which the performance of your team can be evaluated.
c) Briefly explain the principles of assessment and their purpose.
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9 a) What is the purpose of evaluation and review of learning and development?
b) Briefly describe a procedure to follow in the review process.
10 a) Discuss the reasons for recording the results of learning and development.
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b) Give examples of how results of learning and development are used within an organisation.
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Working together
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Work in small groups.
a) Discuss and provide examples of the types of learning and development offered in an organisation of your
choice.
b) Choose one of the types of learning and prepare a set of guidelines for team leaders to use as they plan, deliver
and evaluate the learning.
c) A member of your team is highly skilled, experienced and personable. The person would make an ideal coach.
Prepare a convincing case to motivate and empower the person to accept the role.
d) Present the case as a group oral presentation.
Exploring the web
1 Learn more about David Kolb’s experiential learning cycle by visiting ‘The Experiential Learning Cycle’ website at
www.learningandteaching.info/learning/experience.htm.
a) List the four stages in the learning cycle.
b) ‘The four quadrants of the cycle are associated with four different forms of knowledge, in Kolb’s view. Each of
these forms is paired with its diagonal opposite.’ Discuss the styles of thinking associated with each form of
knowledge.
2 Learn more about self-directed learning by visiting www-distance.syr.edu/sdltools.html.
a) What is the purpose of a learning contract?
b) Answer the questions at www-distance.syr.edu/sdlcompetence.html to evaluate your competence for carrying out
self-directed projects.
c) Rate your self-directed learning skills by completing the self-rating at www-distance.syr.edu/sdlskills.html.
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CHAPTER 8 Develop teams and individuals in a workplace learning environment
225
Case study 1: Group learning and
­development
Erik knew that there were different techniques to use when conducting learning activities for groups rather than
individuals. Occasionally he had to assist on a course, but usually he conducted learning activities during meetings or in
other informal settings.
Erik was aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the project work group. Apart from Brook (inquisitive), Chris (experienced
but secretive) and Charley (after advancement) there were two other people in the group who had vast experience but said
little, unless requested. Then there was Jack who was good at summing up what had been discussed, and there were a couple
in the group who always had something to contribute although it was not always relevant to the topic.
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It had been agreed that on Friday, after lunch, work on the project would cease while they conducted an after action
review. This would take two hours. It was important enough to make the time available because there had been a very
nasty environmental near miss: the holding pond had been badly contaminated on a job site when an open drum of highly
volatile and flammable chemicals had been tipped into it by mistake. In addition, the standpipe had broken on a cement
truck when it was being flushed out. It was stopped just before the holding pond overflowed into the offsite storm water
drains.
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Erik wanted to ensure that there was a constructive learning session about the contaminated pond. Before the learning
session Erik said to Brook: ‘From time to time I’ll ask you if you have any questions. You just might note something that we
missed.’ He invited Chris to find out all he could and to present a report to the meeting.
Questions
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1 Review Erik’s approach to the after action review. What advantages are gained by involving the whole group?
2 List what other things he might do before and during the meeting to encourage productive involvement by as
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many of the project work group as possible.
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3 Identify the potential positive and negative impacts group dynamics will have on the group learning process.
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Case study 2: Lucille’s problem
Lucille sat at her desk in deep panic. She had to conduct a training session in a week and there was nothing in the whole
world she dreaded more than public speaking. Just thinking about it made her break out in a cold sweat. Standing up in
front of her work colleagues—some of whom were quite close friends—petrified her.
Her recent experience did nothing to help how she was feeling, if anything it made matters worse. Just yesterday she had
completed a workshop that went over four straight days. It was horrible—a huge waste of time and money.
The workshop was about the introduction of new financial procedures and systems. The senior financial officer, Melinda,
conducted the daily sessions.
The first problem was that nobody knew each other and nothing was done to break down the barriers. Further, after a
time, Lucille realised that of the 25 participants, about half of them need not have been there at all. Except for a few minor
matters, this group was well aware of the new procedures and systems. Some of them had even played a part in designing
them and knew more about them than Melinda. The others were much less experienced staff members. These poor souls
had spent four days totally confused; most of the time they just sat there in a daze.
There was no clear aim or purpose set out, neither at the start of the workshop, nor for any of the four day-long sessions. It
was all theory, with Melinda standing up there ‘preaching’ at them. She used PowerPoint and had nice pretty pictures, but
that was about all—it looked good, but it was all for and show with terribly confused content! There was no variation from
this format and the boredom at times was just awful.
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PART 3 Understanding teams
Given Melinda’s approach and manner, very few questions were asked. When someone dared to speak and asked one, it got
one of two responses: either the person was ignored or received a curt ‘yes’ or ‘no’ along with a sneer, which seemed to say
‘Are you dumb, or what?’.
Each session started off on a new topic and there was no opportunity to go over what had been done the day before. So
what precious little you did learn was quickly lost. Melinda covered large pieces of information and it was unrelenting—one
big complex procedure after the next, delivered rapid fire.
Another thing that Lucille experienced troubled her. When the workshop started she seemed to be a bit slow to catch on
to the few ideas that she was able sift out of all the confusion. For a while her understanding seemed to speed up a bit, but
then she hit a ‘flat spot’ where she seemed to be taking just ‘small steps’ in terms of her grasp of things. She could not work
out why her learning, what little of it there was, seemed to bounce up and down and was so uneven.
Just to add to the catastrophe, handouts and notes were never available on time and building work was going on in the next
room for three of the four days of the workshop—what great planning!
At the end of the torturous four days, no one was asked what they thought of it all and there was no arrangement to make
sure that what you did manage to glean from the ‘workshop classroom’ was actually applied back in the office—things were
just left hanging.
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Luckily Lucille has a good friend, Kate, who works part time and is studying to be a teacher. Kate has mentioned that she
has studied learning theory in her course and she has done some practice presentations. Lucille sent Kate an email telling
her of her disastrous experiences and asking if Kate could help her prepare for the session she has to deliver. Kate replied
almost immediately and they set up a day and time for a meeting.
Kate also indicated that, in anticipation of their get-together, she would prepare a checklist of ‘dos and dont’s’ when
conducting a learning/training session. Kate suggested that they could discuss the list when they met and Lucille could use
it as a guide to avoid problems in her own, upcoming session.
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Lucille was much relieved and thanked her lucky stars she had a friend like Kate.
Questions
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Source: John Hunter, Program Coordinator, Management Studies, TAFESA Adelaide City TAFE.
session.
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1 Assume you are Kate and prepare a checklist of ‘dos and don’ts’ Lucille can use when conducting a training
2 Assume Lucille has decided to deliver the learning and development in coaching sessions rather than small group
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training sessions. Prepare a checklist of the phases in the coaching process Lucille could use to guide her through
the process.
3 Compare the advantages and disadvantages of small group training sessions and coaching sessions.
In your answers draw on the concepts presented in this chapter.
Bibliography
Blanchard, P. Nick & Thacker, James W. Effective Training—Systems, Strategies and Practices, 3rd edn, Prentice Hall,
New Jersey, 2007.
Fuller, Alison, Munro, Anne & Rainbird, Helen (eds). Workplace Learning in Context, Routledge, London, 2004.
Garvey, Bob, Stokes, Paul & Megginson, David. Coaching and Mentoring: Theory and Practice, Sage Publications,
London, 2009.
Illeris, Knud. The Fundamentals of Workplace Learning: Understanding How People Learn in Working Life, Routledge,
USA, 2010.
Industry Task Force on Leadership and Management Skills (Chair David Karpin). Enterprising Nation: Renewing Australia’s
Managers to Meet the Challenges of the Asia-Pacific Century, AGPS, Commonwealth of Australia, 1995.
Innovation and Business Skills Australia. HLTFA301C – Apply first aid, http://training.gov.au/Training/Details/HLTFA301C,
accessed 12 January 2013.
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CHAPTER 8 Develop teams and individuals in a workplace learning environment
227
Innovation and Business Skills Australia. BSBLED401A – Develop teams and individuals, http://training.gov.au/Training/
Details/BSBLED401A, accessed 20 August 2012.
Knowles, Malcolm S., Holton III, Edward F. & Swanson, Richard A. The Adult Learner: The Definitive Classic in Adult
Education and Human Resource Development, 6th edn, Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, USA, 2005.
Kolb, D. A. Experiential Learning Experience as a Source of Learning and Development, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 1984.
Malloch, Margaret, Cairns, Len, Evans, Karen & O’Connor, Bridget N. The SAGE Handbook of Workplace Learning, SAGE
Publications Ltd, London, 2011.
McNamara, Carter. Strong Value of Self-Directed Learning in the Workplace: How Supervisors and Learners Gain Leaps in
Learning, www-distance.syr.edu/sdltools.html, accessed 1 September 2011.
New South Wales Government Department of Premier and Cabinet. Equal Employment Opportunity in the NSW Public
Sector, NSW Government, www.eeo.nsw.gov.au/home, accessed 1 September 2012.
New South Wales Consolidated Acts. Anti-Discrimination Act 1977, www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/
aa1977204/notes.html, accessed 1 September 2012.
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The Times 100. Business expansion through training and development, http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/aldi/businessexpansion-through-training-and-development/development.html#ixzz242l9HjDF, accessed 12 January 2013.
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Tovey, Michael D. & Lawlor, Diane R. Training in Australia, 4th edn, Pearson Education Australia, Sydney, 2011.
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13
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chapter
manage projects
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355
Contents
356
13.2 Developing a project plan
361
13.3 Administer and monitor the project
372
13.4 Finalise and review the project
375
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13.1 The project management process
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Learning objectives
LO 13.1 Discuss the value of careful project scope and stakeholder definition.
LO 13.2 Develop project plans to determine what a project will entail, when it will
be scheduled, who will be involved, what quality level will be maintained
and what the budget will be.
LO 13.3 Outline the steps to administering and monitoring a project effectively.
LO 13.4 Explain the importance of finalising deliverables and reviewing project
processes, outcomes and lessons learnt from the project.
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PART 4 Leading and managing operations
Good practice: Stakeholder management
Stakeholder analysis is the technique used to identify the key people who have to be won over. The benefits of using a stakeholderbased approach are that:
• you can use the opinions of the most powerful stakeholders to shape your projects at an early stage; not only does this make
it more likely that they will support you, their input can also improve the quality of your project
• gaining support from powerful stakeholders can help you to win more resources—this makes it more likely that your projects
will be successful
• by communicating with stakeholders early and frequently, you can ensure that they fully understand what you are doing and
understand the benefits of your project—this means they can support you actively when necessary
• you can anticipate what people’s reaction to your project may be and build into your plan the actions that will win people’s
support
• by engaging the right people in the right way in your project, you can make a big difference to its success—and to your career.
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Source: Extract from Thompson, Rachel. Stakeholder Analysis: Winning Support for Your Projects, www.mindtools.com/pages/article/
newPPM_07.htm, Mind Tools Ltd, accessed 23 January 2013.
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Project managers undertake a range of activities including defining stakeholder expectations, scoping project
deliverables, developing work breakdown structures and network schedules, minimising project risk, developing
the project plan and schedule, and ensuring project quality by aligning objectives, processes and improvements.
They monitor and control time, cost, quality and project scope over the life of a project.
Project managers lead and work with project teams to sustain commitment, motivation and urgency. They
report project performance, communicate intent, monitor performance, take corrective action as required,
finalise the project handover, and review project processes and outcomes against the project scope and plan.
13.1 The project management process
The scope
statement,
sometimes referred
to as the statement
of work (SOW), is a
definition of the end
result or mission of a
project.
Scope creep is
the tendency of the
scope of a project
to expand once it
has started because
the project has
been inadequately
documented, defined
or controlled.
Dwyer_Ch13.indd 356
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Project life cycle
describes the phases
in all projects:
definition, planning,
executing and
closing.
A project is a temporary, planned and organised activity with a defined beginning and ending. It usually exists
within the framework of a larger organisation and may be dependent on the larger organisation for finance,
resources or guidance.
Confirmation of the level of support and involvement the organisation or sponsor will offer the project is
crucial. Ask the following questions: ‘Will the project be needing to use resources from the organisation and
how will resources be approved? Does the outcome for the project fit with the organisation’s objectives? Does
the organisation have the funds and resources to complete the project? Does the organisation expect status
reports? If so, how often?
Consultation with the sponsor and their delegating authority from the outset decreases the likelihood
of problems midway through the project life cycle illustrated in Figure 13.1. Information collected through
consultation is documented in the project’s terms of reference.
Scope definition
Scope statements typically include project objectives, deliverables, milestones, specifications, limits and
exclusions. The specification for a project is a brief, clear and complete one- to two-page document. A clear
written definition of what is required and by when increases the likelihood of the project’s success.
The scope statement focuses the project manager, team and other stakeholders on the project purpose
and provides evidence of what has been agreed. It identifies deliverables clearly and becomes part of the
project plan. Scope definition provides focus, clarifies the end item(s) of the project, mitigates the risk of scope
creep and describes what will be delivered in specific, measurable terms.
Typical steps in the project scoping phase are shown in Figure 13.2. Each of the six steps in the figure can
be used as headings in the written scope statement.
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CHAPTER 13 Manage projects
357
Defining—clarify scope,
establish objectives, form
teams, assign
responsibilities
Closing—deliver project,
redeploy project
resources and review
performance and capture
lessons learned
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Planning—determine
what, when, whom,
quality levels and budget
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Executing—administer
and monitor project
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Figure 13.1 > Project life cycle
Step 6.
Review
understanding
and agreement
with customer
Step 5.
Define limits of
scope of work
and exclusions
Step 1.
Define overall
project objective
Scope definition
Step 4.
Detail technical
requirements
Step 2.
Define major
deliverables
Step 3.
Develop milestone
schedule (major
segments
of work and
control points)
Figure 13.2 > Project scoping phase
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PART 4 Leading and managing operations
Figure 13.3 is a typical statement of responsibilities of the project manager’s role.
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The project manager is responsible for:
ensuring the scope of the project details
• planned target outcomes and performance measures
• customers who will utilise the outcomes
• resources required to complete the project
• timeframe and cost estimates
• uncertainty and risk to the project’s scope, budget and schedule.
monitoring the project to detect and correct any deviations that may affect
the final outcomes
• leading the project team to successful completion and delivery
• communicating information to stakeholders as per the communication plan
• finalising and reviewing project outcomes with project team and relevant
stakeholders.
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Figure 13.3 > Statement of responsibilities
Project documentation
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Documents will include the contract agreement, project plan or summary, and documents outlining the
expected outcomes of the project, inclusions and exclusions from project, time frames for project, required
resources, risk(s), and target activities and result indicators.
The documents in Table 13.1 are utilised in the project definition stage. This list is not exhaustive and will
vary according to the organisation.
Table 13.1 > Project information documents
Project brief
Documents facts about the project, including the rationale, benefits, budget and time lines
A contractual agreement setting out information that includes a statement detailing the project expectations, the
managerial directions, the assistance required from other bodies, and the tools and methods that will be used
throughout the project; it clarifies the project position, directions and specific methods, and determines the roles
and responsibilities of team members in a project organisational structure
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Terms of reference
Description
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Document
Project scope statement
or scope of work (SOW)
Identifies the boundaries of the project, defines the objectives and specifications for the project, and identifies the
deliverables as well as any limits or exclusions (see Figure 13.2). Clear project scope statements link the project
and client to facilitate planning and control
Risk assessment
Records risks to a project’s scope, budget and schedules, and contingency plans to deal with anticipated risk(s)
Feasibility study
A detailed investigation and analysis conducted before a project is approved to determine the financial, economic,
technical or other advisability of a proposed project
Cost–benefit analysis
Calculates and compares the costs and benefits of a project
Project proposal
Recommends or rejects the project—it is usually quite detailed, with information on the stakeholders, the desired
outcome, deliverables, management issues and various strategies
Stakeholder analysis
Stakeholders are
individuals or groups
who will be affected
by a project or who
can influence the
project.
Dwyer_Ch13.indd 358
Defining the project in consultation with stakeholders ensures it meets their requirements and expectations.
Stakeholders might include:
■■ the project sponsor, alliance partners or funding bodies
■■ senior executives, management and the project team
■■ relevant key personnel (internal and external) with special responsibilities such as suppliers,
lenders and analysts
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CHAPTER 13 Manage projects
359
■■ clients or customers (internal and external)
■■ interest groups, the press, the public and community groups, trade associations and government
authorities.
Stakeholder
analysis is
the process of
systematically
gathering and
analysing qualitative
information to
determine the
interests and
expectations of
those who have
power and influence
over a project and
those who will be
affected by the
project.
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Effective stakeholder analysis follows three steps. Step 1 involves identifying those affected, those with influence
or power over the project and those who have an interest in its successful or unsuccessful conclusion. Step 2
involves prioritising stakeholders in terms of those who have an interest in the project and either the power or
influence to block or advance the project. Step 3 involves understanding key stakeholders’ requirements and
expectations. Management and engagement of stakeholders is critical to the success of any project.
Ask the following key questions to understand stakeholder interests and expectations.
■■ What does this stakeholder need from the project?
■■ What financial or emotional interest does the stakeholder have in the project outcome?
■■ What role or responsibility does the stakeholder have, if any?
■■ What pressures is the stakeholder experiencing?
■■ What information will the stakeholder require, and in what form?
■■ What power and influence does the stakeholder have?
■■ What special requirements does each stakeholder have (such as reporting and consultation
arrangements)?
Developing a detailed profile of each stakeholder in a stakeholder analysis is a useful way to answer the
questions.
Stakeholder profile
Keep satisfied
(Stakeholder B)
(High power, less interested people:
require enough effort to keep them
satisfied but not so much that they
become bored with the message.)
Manage closely
(Stakeholder A)
(High power, interested people:
these are the people to fully
engage and require the greatest
efforts to satisfy.)
Minimum effort (Stakeholder C)
(Low power, less interested people:
require monitoring without too
much communication.)
Keep informed
(Stakeholder D)
(Low power, interested people:
should be adequately informed
to stay engaged as these
stakeholders are often very
helpful with project details.)
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Classify stakeholders in terms of their power over the project and their interest in the work on the power/
interest grid shown in Figure 13.4. Analyse the power/interest grid to determine the importance of each
stakeholder and understand key stakeholders’ perceptions and likely reactions to the project. Decide how best
to engage and communicate with them over the life of the project.
POWER
Low
Low
INTEREST
High
Figure 13.4 > Stakeholder prioritisation—power/interest grid
Stakeholder A in the ‘manage closely’ grid has high power and high interest, so communication should
be regular and informative. Stakeholder B has high power and low interest so they must be kept satisfied.
Stakeholder C has low power and low interest and requires minimum effort. Stakeholder D has high interest
and low power and should be kept informed.
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PART 4 Leading and managing operations
The information on the power/interest grid can then be entered into a table, such as the sample in
Table 13.2, included in the project plan and used throughout the project to meet stakeholders’ needs.
Table 13.2 > Stakeholder analysis
Stakeholders
Description
Primary need (stake)
Information needs
Residents,
landlords,
commercial
Users of the
waste service
Quarterly updates via Council
Need effective waste disposal
newsletter
services, as invisible as possible,
with extra services such as recycling,
green waste removal and pick up of
large waste
Other
Have no direct role or
responsibility other than placing
their waste for disposal as per
instructions
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The benefits of stakeholder analysis are using the opinions of the most powerful stakeholders to shape the
project, gain their support and win more resources. Regular communication with stakeholders ensures they
understand the project’s purpose, benefits and relationship to other organisational activities. Anticipating the
various stakeholders’ likely reactions to the project and identifying potential misunderstandings helps to win
and maintain stakeholder support over the project life cycle.
Ask yourself
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As the work you do and the projects you run become more important, you will affect more and more people. Some may be
strong supporters of your work. Others may have the power to undermine your projects and your position.
Create your own example of stakeholder analysis at work—whether for a task in your current role or a new project.
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ASK YOURSELF: What motivates your stakeholders? Are you communicating as effectively as you should be with your
stakeholders? What actions can you take to get more from your supporters or win over your critics?
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Clarification of issues
Before the project begins seek clarification from the project sponsor, manager or management representative,
funding body, customer or client on any issues related to the project and the project parameters. This minimises
the risk of misunderstandings or problems later on.
Issues may relate to project parameters such as:
■■ the scope of the project
■■ timelines, finances and any specific procurement requirements associated with the project
■■ integration of the project within the organisation
■■ physical, human and technical resources required
■■ risks associated with the project, including workplace health and safety
■■ reporting and any legislative or industry requirements.
Establish who has the authority or power to make final decisions, who has the responsibility or the obligation
to perform tasks, and who has accountability—the state of being answerable for the completion of tasks,
milestones and the project deliverables. In the project definition stage ensure clarity upfront to enable the
client to understand what will be done and to recognise the need for compensation for major variations or
changes in direction.
Issues arise when:
■■ stakeholders are slow with communication—waiting for responses to queries and approval can
impact on the flow of work and achievement of milestones
■■ the point of contact sees the project as a low priority and is slow to respond to queries
■■ a stakeholder is dissatisfied with the way the project is progressing.
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When a client is unsure of what they want, ensure the schedule has identified milestones, maps a path from start
to finish clearly, and shows how much leeway is available for any variations. As well as showing the sequence
and interdependencies between project activities, a clear project plan and schedule forces the client to be
specific with their requirements and keeps the project on track. Establish guidelines and explicit boundaries
at the beginning of a project to show stakeholders major deliverables, their milestones, and the date of project
finalisation and handover.
Apply your knowledge
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13.2 Developing a project plan
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1 Outline the major phases of a project’s life cycle.
2 Assume you are to fit out a floor of new building as office space for the organisation you work for or an organisation of your
choice.
a) Develop a project scope statement.
b) Identify the stakeholders in a stakeholder analysis table.
c) Write a statement of responsibilities for the project manager position.
d) Develop a list of project parameters.
Sa
m
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Project plans build on the information collected in the scoping (defining) stage of the project. They allow
the project manager and stakeholders to monitor progress and compare actual to predicted outcomes and
take corrective actions as necessary. A project organisational chart identifies roles, responsibilities and
accountabilities, and describes reporting arrangements.
The project plan must include project goals and objectives, a work breakdown structure and network
schedule to show the sequence and interdependence of activities, tasks and responsibilities, evaluation
criteria and communication plan. The plan will show how risks will be managed, identify required resources,
budget, timelines, milestones and project deliverables.
Every project represents a fine balance of tasks, time, quality, resources and cost. Consider any
uncertainties and constraints that exist now or are likely to arise over the project life cycle, and then prepare
the work breakdown structure (WBS).
Work breakdown structure
A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a hierarchical breakdown of a project into successive levels. Each
level contains more detail and shows how the elements of work to be accomplished relate to each other and
the end product. WBSs usually require only three levels; however, very large projects may require up to six
levels. The major groupings in a WBS are identified in Figure 13.5.
The project manager consults with team members and other specialist stakeholders to create the WBS.
The WBS integrates all tasks into a system of work that links tasks, task decision points and milestones. Each
task is assigned a duration, resources and costs. The WBS must be approved by the project manager and the
client.
The purpose of the WBS is to enable the project manager and team to undertake the activities in an
organised way. The WBS determines:
■■ what tasks need to be completed to reach the major outcome
■■ a unique ID number for each task
■■ the expected duration for the task
■■ which tasks depend on other tasks
■■ the resources for each task
■■ the direct and indirect costs for each task.
Dwyer_Ch13.indd 361
The project plan
is the tool used for
planning, scheduling
and monitoring
project progress and
finalisation.
The work
breakdown
structure (WBS)
divides the work
of the project
into a framework
or hierarchy of
major deliverables,
subdeliverables and
work packages. As
well as identifying
what needs to be
done, when and
by whom, the
WBS provides the
project manager
and team members
with information
to convey to
stakeholders
appropriate to
the stakeholder’s
level of power
and interest in the
project.
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PART 4 Leading and managing operations
Level
Hierarchical breakdown
Description
1
Project
Complete project
2
Deliverable
Major deliverables
3
Subdeliverable
4
Lowest subdeliverable
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Supporting deliverables
Lowest management
responsibility level
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Cost account
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5
Identifiable work
activities
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Work package
Grouping of work
packages for
monitoring progress
and responsibility
A work package
defines at the lowest
level of the WBS the
steps and a deadline
by which each of
the steps must be
completed in order
for the project to stay
on track.
Schedules
convey information
concerning the
project activities
or tasks to be
accomplished over
a period of time and
events or milestones
that take place at a
point in time.
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m
Figure 13.5 > Hierarchical breakdown of the work breakdown structure
Source: Larson, Erik W. & Gray, Clifford F. Project Management the Management Process, 5th edn, McGraw-Hill, USA,
2011, p. 108.
Sa
A project activity
is an element or
specific event of
the project that
requires time and
may or may not
require resources, for
example, purchase
materials.
An effective WBS breaks the project activities into a set of simpler tasks that together achieve the desired
result and provide a sufficient description of the activity to use as clear instructions for the person who will do
the work. You can make a task a milestone. A milestone is a significant point in the project and has no duration,
cost or resources assigned to it.
Work packages
Each work package is a portion of the WBS that identifies essential steps involved in the completion of the
work. Larson and Gray (2011, p. 110) explain: ‘Work packages are short duration tasks that gave definite start
and stop points, consume resources, and represent cost. Each work package is a control point.’ Multiple teams
may complete work packages simultaneously.
A work package:
■■ defines the work and how long it will take in a schedule
■■ identifies who is responsible for the work
■■ identifies resources and budget required to complete the work package
■■ identifies monitoring points to measure progress.
Project network
The network is a graphic flow chart of the project job plan. It is a logic diagram developed from the information
collected for the WBS. The project network depicts the start and end dates, the sequence and interrelationships,
and accurate time estimates for project activities.
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CHAPTER 13 Manage projects
The network provides project managers with an information system from which to make decisions
concerning project time, cost, and performance. Other stakeholders can view the network schedule to verify
the status of the project plan, analyse progress and evaluate alternatives.
Network scheduling is integral to the project’s risk management, financial and technical management
processes. It is an essential element of organising, leading, assigning tasks, controlling, finalising and
reviewing a project. An effective schedule provides a baseline for project monitoring, reporting and controlling
the project. A properly executed schedule opens communication among the project team and other
stakeholders, as well as supporting time and cost estimates and establishing commitment to project tasks and
milestones.
A four-step process to follow for schedule preparation is:
1. Define the activities.
2. Sequence the activities.
3. Estimate the duration of the activities.
4. Develop the schedule and schedule controls.
Network
scheduling
shows a depth of
detail about when
each activity is
scheduled to begin
and end, highlights
interdependencies,
identifies a critical
path for activities
that must be
finished to avoid
missing the
milestones and
completion date,
and identifies slack
(if any).
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Common methods to develop network schedules are PERT charts, critical path method, and Gantt or mile­
stone charts.
363
Ask yourself
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The components in network development are sequencing and estimating the duration of activities, determining resource
requirements and availability, preparing calendars to show when the work will be performed, identifying assumptions,
constraints and risks. The challenge in project management is to develop a project network that balances schedule, risk, cost
and performance.
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ASK YOURSELF: Which stakeholders would you involve in defining and sequencing the activities in a network schedule? How
would you identify the schedule controls?
Sa
Activity-on-node method
Activity-on-node (AON) (sometimes called the precedence diagram method) is an activity sequencing tool that
uses nodes to represent the project activities. Nodes are portrayed as boxes or rectangles connected with other
nodes by arrows to show how the activities are connected and the sequence in which things must be done.
Three basic relationships must be established for a project’s activities before a visual representation of the
sequence and logical interdependencies of the activities can be constructed.
1. Predecessor activities must be completed immediately before an activity.
2. Successor activities immediately follow an activity.
3. Concurrent activities or parallel activities occur as other activities take place.
AON diagrams are designed to show
the sequence and interdependencies
between activities. The AON diagram
in Figure 13.6 shows a ‘finish-tostart’ precedence—one activity must
be finished before the next can start.
Activities A and D must be done before
activity E can begin; activity F must be
done before G; activities A, D and F are
concurrent; A is a predecessor to B; B is
a successor to A and a predecessor to C.
Dwyer_Ch13.indd 363
B
A
BEGIN
D
C
END
E
F
Nodes are
predetermined
points in the
project’s schedule
network that
typically represent
meeting points of
some or all of a
series of specific
dependency lines
and/or significant
occurrences that
may take place
during the course of
the project.
G
Figure 13.6 > Activity-on-node diagram
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PART 4 Leading and managing operations
PERT charts
The Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT) chart follows on naturally from the WBS. It takes the tasks
from the WBS and charts them graphically, whereby the tasks are connected by arrows that illustrate their
relationships. The timeline is less important in a PERT chart: the sequence of tasks is the highlight. Figure 13.7
illustrates a basic PERT chart. The critical path (longest path) is from the start to F to G to C to the end
(6 + 12 + 4 + 6 = 28).
12
F
G
4
6
4
A
7
5
B
5
D
End
8
E
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Figure 13.7 > PERT chart
3
6
C
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To draw a basic PERT chart, take the tasks from the WBS and place them in boxes (nodes). Connect each
task using arrows, reflecting their dependencies (each task has a predecessor and is a predecessor for another
task, unless it is the start or finish task).
One of the primary advantages of a PERT chart is its ability to highlight errors in the schedule or task flow.
A PERT chart also shows paths through the project—sometimes just one, sometimes several. It also identifies
which path is the most critical. PERT facilitates determination of the critical path for the individual tasks and
allows the project to meet its deadline.
Milestones are
significant points
or project events
that mark major
accomplishment in
the life cycle of the
project.
Sa
Critical path method
The critical path
method (CPM)
identifies the longest
path(s) (start to finish
date) through the
network of project
activities that must
be completed on
schedule.
The critical path method identifies which task, series of tasks or milestones are crucial to the completion on
time of the project. If a task, or tasks, must be completed at their place in the schedule for the project to be
successful, their completion is critical. Critical paths are those that are:
■■ the longest from the start of the project to the finish
■■ contain tasks that cannot be started later than scheduled without endangering the project’s
completion date.
The critical path method identifies constraints and/or relationships among tasks and establishes the order
in which the tasks will be accomplished. Determine the critical tasks or milestones within the schedule by
identifying the:
■■ longest paths, that is, tasks joined together by predecessor relationships
■■ tasks with zero float, that is, cannot be started later than the scheduled start date without delaying
the project’s scheduled completion time
■■ tasks or milestones driving the end date of the project
■■ shortest completion time of the project.
A critical activity can be:
■■ a single task—known as a critical task
■■ multiple (independent) tasks—known as critical tasks
■■ multiple (dependent) tasks—known as the critical path(s)
■■ a milestone—known as the critical milestone.
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The longest path through a network is critical because delays or non-completion of its tasks will prevent the
project from meeting its deadline. The critical path is important because it helps to ensure the final outcome
happens on time and within agreed budgets. By considering the critical path in the planning stage, project
managers are able to verify if the project schedule is achievable.
Gantt or milestone charts
Figure 13.8 > Gantt chart
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Gantt charts are a combination of the WBS and PERT networks. Gantt and milestone charts display the actual
versus the planned progress of a project and draw attention to any variation from the planned schedule. The
Gannt chart plots tasks graphically against the timeline and identifies milestones.
However, it is typically helpful in attempting to ensure that the project is moving effectively as well as to
allow points in time for the project team to pause and look back on what has occurred.
Milestones identify accomplishments as points in time or significant events that allow the project team to
verify progress is on track. Milestones can occur at any significant point throughout the project and typically
refer to completion points for large schedule events and the beginning of the next series of events.
As well as communicating progress against tangible measures, milestones provide evidence of progress
towards the project’s completion for senior management or the project sponsor. Milestone accomplishment
allows the project team to celebrate their shared responsibility and accomplishment.
Figure 13.8 illustrates a Gantt chart from Microsoft Project.
Sa
A Gantt chart plots each task on a vertical axis and shows the tasks ahead as well as the work already
completed. An effective Gantt chart defines the critical path, allows the assigning of resources and information
to the task and clearly displays task dependencies, milestones and tasks with lead or lag time assigned.
In Figure 13.8, the second task has a significant lead-time into the first task and the chart shows which
task follows on from which. The timeline is clearly displayed across the top and non-working hours such as
weekends are omitted.
In addition to the availability of computer software packages to develop a Gantt chart it is possible to pin
strips of paper to a noticeboard or whiteboard, or use pen and paper, depending on the complexity of the
project and the skill of the users. In general, follow these guidelines:
■■ List tasks down the left-hand side.
■■ Place the timeline across the top.
■■ Indicate predecessors and successors with arrows.
■■ Shade the portions of activities accomplished to track progress.
■■ Use the Gantt chart for reporting project status.
The use of computer software to draw Gantt charts allows the entry of progress information about each task
such as resource and cost data, and the mark off of the percentage of task(s) completed.
Gantt charts are also useful for schedule simulation. In a simulation, the project manager and/or team can
try out different combinations of time, cost and resources to see what effects this will have on the schedule. The
preferred schedule is then chosen. Schedule stimulation is a form of contingency planning for any variations
in time, resources or budget that may occur during the project. If any of the contingencies identified in the
schedule simulations occur, strategies to deal with them have already been considered. By consulting with
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PART 4 Leading and managing operations
subject matter experts and asking those with project experience to check the project activities, tasks and
schedule, it is possible to identify gaps in the project plan and discuss options to fill the gaps. The Gantt chart
becomes a valuable monitoring tool.
Establishing controls
Controls are the means to monitor and influence a project’s progress. Cost, time and budget estimates are
the standards against which actual costs, time and budgets are monitored. An effective project plan identifies
controls to ensure project tasks are implemented and enhances monitoring and identification of any timebased variations, cost-based variations, specification-based variations and resource-driven variations.
Project control steps
The project baseline refers to the cost, schedule and resource allocation in the approved project plans. The
project’s baseline is used to measure how performance deviates from the plan. The project baseline allows
the project manager to measure and manage project time and costs. Performance measurement is only
meaningful if the baseline—the original scope, cost and schedule—is defined and documented accurately in
the project plan.
Table 13.3 describes the four-step process for measuring and evaluating project performance.
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The baseline is
the planned cost,
schedule and
resource allocation
against which actual
cost and schedule
performance are
measured.
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Table 13.3 > Four-step process for measuring and evaluating project performance
Description
1. Setting a baseline
Derived from:
• cost and duration data in the work breakdown structure
• time-sequence information in the network schedule
2. Measuring progress and performance
Involves:
• determining critical path is on schedule
• comparing actual against budget and ensuring budgeted cost of the work performed is on track
pl
Corrects deviations by:
• taking action to align project to original or revised plan
• incorporating new information and/or change into the baseline plan
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4. Taking action
Measures deviations from plan to:
• determine if corrective action is necessary
• monitor and measure status of project against expectations in project plan
• create status reports and allow for proactive correction before major deviations occur
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3. Comparing plan against actual
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Step
Effective control is dependent on information. Control requires the project manager and team to use
information in the WBS, the project network and the Gantt and control charts to compare what is happening
with what should be happening. Timely action to correct deviations can remove the cause, minimise the
impact of problems and enhance the opportunity for successful project completion.
Ask yourself
The Project Management Institute (2012) offers the following definitions:
A project is temporary in that it has a defined beginning and end in time, and therefore defined scope and resources …
Project management then is the application of knowledge, skills and techniques to execute projects effectively and
efficiently.
ASK YOURSELF: What are your strongest skills in project management? What skills in project planning do you need to
strengthen? What other areas of your work can benefit from capabilities in project management?
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Estimating time and costs
Cost estimating is the process of developing an estimate of the costs and resources needed to complete a
project. Accurate cost and time estimates reduce the uncertainty inherent in all projects. The size of deliverables,
effort or number of people times the number of days, weeks or months, and the project duration, productivity
and quality have an impact on the magnitude of costs of a project.
Estimating processes
Estimating is
the process of
predicting or
approximating the
time and cost of
completing project
deliverables.
Table 13.4 identifies methods in two common estimating processes—top-down estimates and bottom-up
estimates. Senior management usually create the top-down estimation on the basis of their experience,
information and mathematical relationships. People who are doing the work and have experience with the
activities, tasks and procedures usually create the bottom-up estimates from the WBS. Estimates are created
for all tasks at the lowest level of the WBS and accumulated to determine the estimates for the whole project.
Table 13.4 > Two approaches to estimating
Bottom-up approach
Consensus methods utilise the combined experience of senior
and middle managers to estimate time, costs and resources
Template methods use costs from similar past projects as guidelines to
estimate time, costs and resources—adjustments are made to cater for any
differences from previous projects
Ratio methods use a statistical relationship between historical
data and other variables, for example, square metres of an
office multiplied by cost of refurbishment per square metre—
reliant on collection and analysis of previous project cost data
to develop the cost estimating relationships
Parametric procedures applied to specific tasks determine the amount of
effort for the task either from a standard that has been established from
previous experience or by undertaking a sample activity if no standard
exists—also known as the object-based method
Apportion methods use the work breakdown structure to
estimate costs—useful when a project closely parallels a past
project’s features and costs
Work breakdown structure packages estimate for each lowest level work
package direct labour costs, direct costs such as materials and equipment
and indirect costs
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Range estimates from highest to lowest are used when the time and cost to
complete work packages are uncertain
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Function point methods use weighted macro variables called
function points, usually for software and system projects
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Top-down approach
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Project budget
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Learning curves draw from historic experience to determine patterns of improvement when the same tasks or product are repeated
several times
Three types of project costs are:
1. direct costs, which are costs that are clearly chargeable to a specific work package, such as labour,
materials, equipment and other
2. direct project overhead costs, which are directly tied to an identifiable project deliverable or work
package, such as rents and specialised machinery
3. general and administrative overhead costs, which are organisation costs indirectly linked to a
specific package that are incurred over the project life cycle.
The project budget is derived from the estimate of each work package and predicts how much will be required
to integrate the project scope, schedule and resourcing for accomplishing the project and when it will be spent.
The budget should estimate all of the expenses including the direct, indirect and overhead costs of resources,
equipment, materials, facilities and other items.
The key term in project management is accountability. The purpose of the project budget is to:
■■ predict and estimate costs
■■ measure and record actual costs
■■ compare actual to estimated costs
■■ communicate information gathered to stakeholders
■■ learn from the review and apply the learning to the next project.
The information provided in the budget can be used to make informed judgments and decisions in the next
project. In the review process, the actual costs are compared to the projected costs and the reasons for any
variations analysed.
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PART 4 Leading and managing operations
A budget is a forecast. In the finalisation stage the actual expenditure and revenue (if any) are compared to
the initial projections contained in the budget, hence when preparing the budget evidence should be provided
in writing to defend any variations in the initial estimates. Always:
■■ state in writing the assumptions underpinning the budgets
■■ show the level of tolerance stakeholders accept
■■ show how the estimates were derived.
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Typical reasons for any discrepancies between the budgeted forecasts and actual financials are:
■■ unexpected rises in costs over the life of the project
■■ errors when calculating the costs against project activities
■■ errors when transcribing figures into reports
■■ too little or too much time in the approved project schedules
■■ changes in the client’s requirements that lead to changes in the project’s scope
■■ insufficient qualified and competent skilled workers for the project
■■ inaccurate allocation of technical resources and equipment
■■ unexpected contingencies in the market; for example, supplier goes out of business.
Guesstimation
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Guesstimation is another of the recognised project management techniques for estimating time. Note the
guesstimate is unlikely to be exactly right; it must, however, be reasonable.
Experienced project managers have the advantage of their experience to help them make the guesstimate.
Defensive scheduling is built into the guesstimate to avoid being too optimistic and unrealistic about timelines.
Unexpected difficulties may arise so a little extra time or slack may provide the team with some tolerance
against mistakes.
The WBS, PERT chart and Gantt chart enable an estimate of cost and time against each activity or work
package. A guesstimate of the time each task will take is usually included at the bottom of the WBS in a sequence
diagram. This keeps the information in the one document and the project manager, team members and other
stakeholders can access information that is simple, clear and found in one place.
pl
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A guesstimate is
a working estimate
of time.
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Allocating resources and tasks
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Six resource types typically used in a project are human resources, plant and equipment, materials, working
capital and finances, information and technology. These resources may come from within or outside the
organisation.
Determining and accessing resources is split into three parts: determining resource needs, determining
where resources will come from and gaining approval to use the resources.
The focus of resource allocation is on meeting the project’s time, cost and specifications in the best possible
way. Two main types of resource allocation are:
1. time-limited resource allocation—time overruns cannot be tolerated
2. resource-limited resource allocation—no more resources than those allocated can be used.
Three useful formulae to calculate work, duration and resources are:
1. work = duration multiplied by resource units
2. duration = work divided by resource units
3. resource units = work divided by duration.
If the time allocated is insufficient, the size of the project will have to be reduced or more resources allocated to
complete it within the limited time. If there are insufficient resources, the scope of the project may have to be
reduced to fit the resource limitations. A project manager should ensure available resources are:
■■ adequate to resource the project through the whole cycle
■■ prioritised and determine any risks for the project
■■ supported by commitment from management to provide adequate resources.
The various tasks on the WBS and schedule are allocated to different people in the project team. The existing
skills and experience of each member of the project team and how to group together dependent tasks that use
common ideas, information and skills should be considered in order to minimise start-up times.
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The sequencing and allocation of the tasks must complement task relationships. Table 13.5 identifies four
types of task relationships. Monitoring the start and finish relationships helps to avoid time overruns.
Table 13.5 > Task relationships
Type
Description
Finish–Start relationships
Exist where Task B cannot start before its predecessor Task A has finished, for example, passing the baton
in a relay race
Finish–Finish relationships
Exist where Task B cannot finish until its predecessor Task A has finished
Start–Start relationships
Exist where Task B cannot start until its predecessor Task A starts. The emphasis is on Task A starting; for
example, the car ahead of you that is stopped at the traffic lights—the finishing line or time doesn’t impact
Start–Finish relationships
Exist where Task B cannot finish until its predecessor Task A starts. Task A must have started for B to finish
Managing risk
Risk breakdown structure
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Risk management attempts to recognise and manage potential and unforeseen difficulties or threats that
may arise over the life of a project. The AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009, Risk management—Principles and guidelines
standard identifies the following steps in the risk management process: (1) establishing the context,
(2) identifying the risks, (3) analysing the risks, (4) assessing and prioritising the risks, (5) treating the risks,
(6) monitoring and reviewing, communicating and consulting. Refer to Figure 19.1 on page 527 for an
illustration of the risk management process.
Risk is inherent in any project and includes an error in time or cost estimates or a misallocation of
resources. Risk management minimises the consequences of uncertainty and deviations from what is planned
or expected by identifying what can go wrong, what can be done about the possible risk before the project
begins, how to handle the event if it does happen (contingency planning) and how to source contingency
funds. Project managers and other stakeholders are concerned with uncertainty and the potential impact of
deviations from the project plan.
Sa
m
The risk breakdown structure (RBS) identifies the various areas and causes of potential risks. The RBS shown
in Figure 13.9 identifies three categories of risk—technical, cost and external. The RBS facilitates understanding
of the areas of a project that might require special attention to reduce the likelihood of any undesirable events.
TECHNICAL
RISKS
Risk management
is the process of
using risk analysis to
devise management
strategies to reduce
or ameliorate risk.
Risk in the
context of project
management is
the chance an
undesirable event
will occur and if it
occurs the possible
consequences on
project outcomes.
A risk breakdown
structure (RBS) is
a hierarchical list of
the identified project
risks arranged by
risk category and
subcategory.
PROJECT
COST RISKS
EXTERNAL
RISKS
Technology
Increasing price
of supplies
Regulatory
changes
Performance
and reliability
Overruns due to
inexperienced
estimators
Suppliers and
subcontractors
Complexity and
interfaces
Insufficient
contingency
funds
Weather
Figure 13.9 > Risk breakdown structure (RBS)
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PART 4 Leading and managing operations
The insights gained from identifying and categorising risks in a RBS reveal root causes of risk and expose
the most significant sources of risk to the project. When a risk is identified, it is assessed to determine how to
treat the risk. Five alternative ways of treating risk are shown in Table 13.6.
Table 13.6 > Responses to risk
Response
Description
Mitigate risk
Reduce the likelihood of the undesirable event, for example, by testing on a sample
Reduce the impact of the adverse event on the project, for example, by installing a back-up process
Avoid risk
Eliminate the risk or condition, for example, by changing the project plan
Transfer risk
Pass the risk to another party, for example, fixed-price contract or by insuring against risk
Retain risk
Accept the risk of an untoward event occurring, for example, an unexpected cost over-run
Share risk
Ameliorate risk and/or capture opportunities, for example, by sharing with a specialist team
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Contingency planning
Description
Averse
Risky events avoided, with an emphasis on caution
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Level
Neutral
Risky events managed, with an emphasis on balance
Risky events managed, with an emphasis on experimentation
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Seeking
A contingency plan
is an alternative plan
that will be used if a
possible anticipated
risk event becomes
a reality.
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Table 13.7 > Tolerance levels
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Risk assessment focuses on risks that can impact on the whole or significant parts of the project. High-risk
areas are critically evaluated and contingency plans for responding to an identified risk event are developed
first. Then contingency plans are developed for less consequential risks.
Contingency planning involves identifying risks, estimating the effects they may have and formulating a
plan to deal with them. The tolerance for risk and the treatment alternative chosen—mitigate, avoid, transfer,
retain or share the risk—will depend on the likely impact of the risk on the project’s scope, budget and schedule.
Three tolerance levels are described in Table 13.7. The amount of exposure to risk informs decision making
about how to treat the risk.
A contingency plan indicates what to do if unplanned events occur. They may be as simple as asking and
recording the responses to ‘What if …?’ questions or be a formal alternative plan to be used if a possible risk
event becomes a reality.
A contingency plan answers the questions of what, where, when and how much action to take when
contingencies occur. The keys to effective contingency planning are:
■■ recognising the key points in the project plan where alternative courses of action are possible and
thinking through the possible scenarios for each one
■■ learning from experience and the risk profile about patterns of unpredictable peaks and troughs
in activity
■■ identifying in advance those milestones which if missed will significantly impact on the project
■■ keeping all stakeholders informed and up to date on progress so that remedies or work-around
plans can be applied to events before they cause significant disruption.
The purpose of contingency planning is to pre-empt many of the problems caused by uncertainty about
how to deal with anticipated or new risks. Contingency planning evaluates alternative remedies for possible
anticipated events before the event occurs. Clear documentation of the contingency plan facilitates
communication, coordination and action should the risk event happen.
Documenting and integrating into the WBS every approved change caused by contingencies maintains
the currency and accuracy of the WBS. As well as tracking the allocation of contingency funds and the cost of
changes, recording approved changes shows who is responsible for implementing and monitoring the change.
The response and treatment of a risk event is visible to all relevant stakeholders.
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Risk register
Identified risks should be documented in a risk register. A risk register identifies each risk and its category, the
probability of occurrence, responses or treatment plans, owners of the treatment actions and the current status.
Refer to Table 19.2, on page 531, for an example of a risk register showing the consequences and likelihood of risk.
Ask yourself
Risk control involves executing the risk treatment strategy, monitoring trigger events, initiating contingency plans and
watching for new risks.
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ASK YOURSELF: What is the purpose of contingency planning? If a contingency occurs, how will you determine the
appropriate risk treatment alternative?
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Developing a communication plan
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Communication is a key driver in project management. The coordination and tracking of project schedules, issues
and action items depends on the flows of information between different stakeholders. The advantages flowing to
a project manager from the development of a project communication plan are engagement with stakeholders
due to the ongoing, purposeful flow of information. The power/interest grid developed during the stakeholder
analysis (see Figure 13.4) provides valuable information about who needs what information, and when.
Planning and developing the communication plan requires completion of the following:
■■ Identify what information needs to be collected and when.
■■ Determine who will need the information and when.
■■ Decide how to collect, store and disseminate the information.
■■ Decide if there are restrictions on who has access to information.
■■ Determine time frames and reporting channels.
■■ Choose templates and version control method(s).
■■ Choose channels of communication appropriate to the communication purpose and
stakeholder need(s).
Table 13.8 identifies the communication needs, preferred channel, format, when and responsibility in a
communication plan for three stakeholders—the client or project sponsor, project team members and
senior management. An effective project communication plan identifies the variety of stakeholders, their
communication needs and a list of possible project documentation, such as meeting minutes and records of
monitoring processes required over the project life cycle.
A risk register is
the formal record
of identified risks,
an assessment of
potential risks and
their likely impact
on the project, and
how the risks will be
treated if they occur.
A communication
plan defines for
each target group
what message and
methods will be
use to reach them
and the frequency
of the different
communication
activities for each
target group.
Table 13.8 > Sample communication plan
Stakeholder
Preferred channel
Format
When
Person responsible
Client (Sponsor) Status reporting—
schedule, budget,
variances, issues
Email and hard copy
Progress report—one
page summary including
table for scope status and
issues and spreadsheet for
schedule and budget status
Fortnightly following
project team meeting
Project manager
Project team
members
Assigning and
tracking tasks
Online shared
workspace
Face-to-face toolbox
meetings
Schedules, task lists,
specifications
Gantt charts
Group calendars
Ongoing
Project manager and
team members
Senior
management
Communicating
progress of project
Email and hard copy
Milestone report
Bi-monthly
Project manager
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PART 4 Leading and managing operations
Established methods of communication such as written progress reports, email, interaction via social
media, meetings, team briefings, problem-solving groups and face-to-face discussion are essential. Effective
communication promotes teamwork and enables the project team to monitor progress, receive early warning
of problems and acknowledge achievement of milestones.
An effective communication plan defines who will carry out the planned communication activities,
coordinate and follow up to verify that activities have been implemented in the way foreseen in the
communication plan, and identifies activity and result indicators.
Apply your knowledge
2 Write a short information report. In your report:
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list the major groupings found in a WBS
identify the features of a work package
discuss the purpose of a PERT schedule
discuss how to establish the time, cost and quality standards of performance.
Explain the relationship between the work breakdown structure and project scheduling.
b) How is the critical path determined?
c) Why should project managers consider the critical path in the planning phase?
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3 a)
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plan including:
• a work breakdown structure
• a project schedule
• a contingency plan
• a communication plan.
b) Identify strategies you could use to:
• consult with project team members
• provide support to project team members
• involve project team members in the project review process
• reassign project members on project completion.
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1 a) For the fitout of a floor of a new building you scoped in question 2 of the Apply your knowledge on page 361, develop the project
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4 Work in small groups.
a) Discuss how to identify and anticipate potential sources of risk.
b) Brainstorm the kinds of risks that may occur in projects.
c) Develop a list of strategies for mitigating project risk.
5 a) What is the purpose of a project budget?
a) From whom would you seek approval for a project budget in your work area?
b) What are the advantages you gain by documenting the budget for a project?
c) Create a list of common reasons for discrepancies between budget forecasts and actual financials.
13.3 Administer and monitor the project
Project management requires implementation of the project plan. It also requires controls that enable those
administering and implementing the project to maintain task flow and stay on the critical path. ‘Staying on the
critical path’ means the project is being managed according to the plan.
There are two dimensions to project implementation. The first is the technical dimension—planning,
scheduling and controlling. The technical dimension includes stakeholder analysis, scoping project
deliverables, developing the project plan, mitigating project risk, development of the WBS, resource allocation,
reporting and other technical tasks. The technical dimension is the formal, logical part of the project
management process.
The second dimension is the sociocultural side of project management. Larson and Gray (2011, pp. 15–16)
explain:
In contrast to the orderly world of project planning, this dimension involves the much messier, often contradictory
and paradoxical world of implementation. It centers on creating a temporary social system within a larger
organisational environment that combines the talents of a divergent set of professionals working to complete
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CHAPTER 13 Manage projects
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the project … Overall the manager must build a cooperative social network among a divergent set of allies with
different standards, commitments and perspectives.
Figure 13.10 illustrates the two dimensions of project implementation.
Sociocultural
Technical
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Scope
WBS
Schedules
Resource allocation
Baseline budgets
Status reports
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Leadership
Problem solving
Teamwork
Negotiation
Politics
Customer expectations
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Figure 13.10 > The technical and sociocultural dimensions of the project management process.
Source: Larson, E. W. and Gray, C. F. Project management the managerial process, 5th edn, McGraw-Hill USA, 2011, p. 15.
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Communication and influence
Project managers must lead and manage the project team and other stakeholders across the range of
project activities. They initiate contact with key stakeholders, reinforce project objectives, provide feedback
and problem solve. They are able to adapt as circumstances change and build sustainable, cooperative
relationships.
Project managers exercise leadership, facilitate teamwork and manage and control resources, costs
and time. The people skills required in the implementation phase are as essential to the project’s success as
those in the planning phase. Negotiation, conflict management, problem solving and meeting stakeholder
expectations are all keys to successful implementation. (Refer to Chapters 5, 6 and 15 for more information.)
Effective communication is essential for maintaining the support, commitment and engagement of
all stakeholders. Appropriate channels of communication include project meetings, formal presentations,
informal discussions, project reports, project online shared workspaces and instant messaging. Communication
builds and maintains relationships.
The temporary nature of a project and the interdependencies among different groups of stakeholders
means the project manager must exercise personal power as well as positional and expertise power to influence
stakeholders. Managing the relationships both within and around the project across a range of stakeholders
such as project sponsors, top management, the project team, administrative support groups, contractors,
government agencies and customers requires a project manager to exercise influence upwards, downwards
and sideways.
The communication plan is enacted and used in project meetings to report on progress and keep other
stakeholders informed and engaged. As well as keeping stakeholders informed, good, accurate and timely
communication motivates and enhances an understanding of the project’s direction and status.
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Monitor and control
Table 13.9 > Per cent complete rules
Description
0/100
Measurement only happens and is recorded after the project is fully competed
Milestone
Measurement and monitoring happens when the control point or milestone is reached
Standard dollar expenses
The percentage of costs (say 20%) are assigned to an equal percentage of time interval (say 20% of
project life)
50/50 rule
Records half the achievement for each task when the work is scheduled to begin and the other half when
the schedule is completed
Equivalent units
Measures achievement against number of completed project tasks
Level of effort
Measures the resources used over a given period of time
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Per cent complete
rules are applied
in the monitoring
phase as checkpoints
against which
progress is
measured.
The purpose of monitoring and controlling project work is to maintain an efficient and effective workflow over
the project life cycle. Monitoring and control processes measure performance against the project baseline.
Time performance is measured against the critical path; actual costs are measured against the budget. Periodic
monitoring of planned against actual performance holds people accountable and prevents small problems
from escalating into large problems.
Effective monitoring and control ensures the project activities conform to the benchmarks and
performance standards defined in the project scope statement and in the project plan (WBS, network schedule
and budget). Control of cost, schedule and specifications throughout project execution and follow-up activities
ensures performance and outcomes adhere to the predefined standards, target values, activity and result
indicators.
During monitoring project managers pay particular attention to costs, time and budget. Six examples of
loose per cent complete rules used in measuring project progress are shown in Table 13.9.
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Performance is measured to compare what is happening with what should be happening and to take
corrective actions to correct any deviations from performance measures and standards. The project manager
and members of the project collect predefined project performance data identified in the project plan.
The project manager monitors responsibilities and the carrying out of the planned activities in the way
foreseen in the WBS and network schedule. A contingency response is implemented when control information
gathered through observation, discussions, meetings and analytical tools identifies variances from planned
progress. A risk response is initiated when any variance reaches an identified level of tolerance. Responsibility
for treatment of the risk lies with the risk’s owner, as set out in the project risk register.
Records and reports
Clear and concise records confirm the activities undertaken across the four phases—definition, planning,
execution and closing—of a project. The records show achievements against project scope, schedules, critical
paths, milestones and deliverables.
Records substantiate claimed expenditure for the project activities to which the expenditure relates.
For example, claims for salary, materials and other costs must be supported by documentation. A record
of transactions enables them to be traced and verified through the project’s or organisation’s accounting or
finance system.
A good project record-keeping system will detail project performance, achievements, expenditure and
outcomes in accordance with organisational and legal requirements. The records enable the verification and
timing of expenditure and establish that the amounts claimed are directly attributable to particular activities
and deliverables.
Project reports
Project reports should convey complete, accurate, concise and objective information to stakeholders. Data
should be collected and actual activity duration times, resource usage, rates and costs compared against
planned times, resources, budgets and quality specifications. The purpose of four types of project reporting is
shown in Table 13.10.
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Table 13.10 > Types of project report
Purpose
Formal progress reports of what
has happened, how, when and
by whom
Convey information (often in short report format) about:
• project commencement—on time, behind or ahead of time against task schedules and milestones
• progress against schedule and milestones
• actual financial performance against budget and cash flow forecasts in project plans
• conformance of project outcomes with project specifications
• work-in-progress conformance with resource allocations in project plans
• completion of deliverables—on time, behind or ahead of time against task schedules and milestones
Status reports are required at
regular intervals throughout
a project
Convey information about conformance to specifications, resource availability and budget at status date.
Summarise (often in table format) the:
• schedule—activity, work completed, approved milestone date, revised date(s) and current estimated
completion date
• activity—budgeted cost, revised actual cost
• budget—original approved budget, authorised changes and current estimated budget
• issues or risks that have resulted in approved changes to scope, schedule, budget, quality or
functionality and who is responsible for implementing corrections
Variance request is a formal
process that documents changes
to scope time, cost or quality
Identifies (often in table format):
• item of scope affected
• requested change and reason for change
• impact on scope, budget and schedule
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Ask yourself
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Provides a brief background and a short description of a project’s performance—what happened, what
A completion report evaluates a
project’s outcomes for the benefit was learned, what went well and did not go so well. Refer to Figure 13.11, page 377, for the components
in a completion report
of subsequent projects
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Project reports and records fulfil legal and accountability responsibilities, maintain historical records of a project’s activities
and provide lessons for future projects.
ASK YOURSELF: What sort of information would you require before approving a claim for expenditure on a project work
package? What problems are likely to arise if an expenditure claim is not supported with appropriate evidence?
13.4 Finalise and review the project
Three essential components of the project closure are wrap-up, evaluation and lessons learnt. Wrap-up
involves closing accounts, paying bills, reassigning people and equipment, closing facilities and the final
report. Evaluation involves a review of performance against the project’s predefined standards, target values
and activity indicators. Lessons learnt—successes and failures—are captured in reviews conducted by either
an independent facilitator or the project manager with the project team. Lessons learnt inform future projects.
A final report is prepared to document the progress through the project, its achievements and final outcomes.
Closure of the project is communicated to the project team and other project stakeholders. They must also
be informed of follow-on activities such as assignment to a new project or reassignment to previous duties.
By providing recognition of achievements and initial and ongoing support and guidance as the project team
members are assigned to new projects or roles, the project manager will reduce the risk of the project member
becoming demotivated and disengaged from the organisation.
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PART 4 Leading and managing operations
Formal closure should be recorded in writing. Always gain sign-off from the client. Some of the typical
items to include in a written formal closure are:
■■ a completion checklist
■■ an agreement that the project conforms with the specifications
■■ an agreement that the project meets the terms of reference and fulfils the scope
■■ an agreement for final payment and client sign-off.
At the close-out stage provide the client with completion certificates, warranties (if any), maintenance
contracts and operational documentation.
The contract and other relevant documentation such as progress reports, status reports, financial records,
invoices and payment records are stored in the project file.
Review project
Lessons learnt
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Review meetings provide the opportunity for project stakeholders to voice issues or seek clarification on
budgets, schedules, objectives and milestones. Guidelines for encouraging participation in project review
meetings include:
■■ setting aside a fixed time and schedule for meetings with the project stakeholders, and keeping
the commitment
■■ setting guidelines for expected response times from project team members
■■ ensuring that you respond to emails and voice mail messages promptly
■■ using available technology such as instant messaging and the telephone to get immediate
feedback
■■ replacing or augmenting traditional noticeboards with intranets and shared online workspaces to
keep project team involved
■■ conducting regular status reports to make formal objective review of achievements across project
activities and time lines more effective
■■ ensuring emails, online and written communication is clear, concise and complete.
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Learning about what went well and not so well over the project life cycle requires facts and information to
uncover the causes of failures and successes. Projects are evaluated according to accomplishment, cost and
time spent.
Positive and negative lessons are learnt from evaluation of the following aspects of a project:
■■ quality of initial project definition—scope, stakeholder analysis and identification of deliverables
■■ accuracy of project plans, budget and schedules
■■ appropriateness of interventions to manage change
■■ problem solving—timing, diagnosis of causes and implementation of corrective action
■■ communication within team and with other stakeholders
■■ teamwork—sharing knowledge and skills, commitment to team processes and success
■■ performance against schedule, resource use, budget and quality of deliverables
■■ control of uncertainty and response to risk
■■ factors underpinning accomplishments or causing problems
■■ quality of documentation—adequate, informative, clear, complete and easy to access.
Typical barriers to implementing the lessons learned are lack of time, inadequate reporting, people blaming
one another and an unwillingness to accept constructive feedback. Lessons learnt should be shared across the
organisation to help in the planning and implementation of other projects.
Project review report
The project review assesses the success of the project and informs future projects. The report documents
how well the project fulfilled its objectives by comparing the project outcomes against the original project
definition and plan. The level of detail provided will depend on the project and the organisation or project
sponsor’s requirements.
Figure 13.11 identifies the typical sections of a project review report.
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Title page
Introduction including:
Project scope including expected outcomes of the project
Initial consultation
Project brief and objective
Agreed changes to project objectives from variance requests
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Main body
Project plan or summary including deliverables, milestones, quality
standards, budgeted cost, scheduled date
Final actual cost and final date
Summary of risks and issues and the action(s) taken to resolve them
Lessons learned—analysis of what worked and what did not work for
each phase of the project and relevant supporting objective evidence
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Conclusions
Summary of lessons learnt based on analysis in the main body
Recommended improvements
To avoid the same mistakes and apply key lessons learnt to improve
management of future projects
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Figure 13.11 > Sections in a review report
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Appendices
Contain documents such as contract agreement and other documents
relevant to the review
Apply your knowledge
1 Monitoring and control ensures the project activities conform to the benchmarks and performance standards identified in
the project scope and plan.
a) Develop a list of controls used to manage a project and explain how controls help the project manager and project team
members
b) Identify three factors project managers must pay particular attention to as they monitor a project.
c) Identify two variances from planned progress that would initiate a risk response.
d) Where would treatment of the risk be recorded?
2 Write a short description of:
• the technical dimension and sociocultural dimension of project implementation
• how knowledge of the two dimensions helps a project manager build a cooperative social network among stakeholders
• the types of power exercised by a project manager.
3 For your project—fit out a floor of a new building as office space:
a) describe and explain the reports you would prepare over the life of the project.
b) prepare a document for completion and sign-off of the project.
4 Imagine you are holding a start-of-project information session for staff. In your presentation:
• Explain what risk management is about, and why it is essential for the project.
• Discuss at what point should a risk response be initiated.
• How would you respond to this question from one of the staff: ‘Would you be happy to change a project objective if a risk
threatened it?’
• Explain the reasons for gaining agreement from stakeholders to change an objective because of a risk threat.
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PART 4 Leading and managing operations
5 Create a checklist of the activities you should complete in the handover or completion stage of the project. Next time you
participate in a project use the checklist to verify each of the activities has been completed.
6 a) Briefly discuss three benefits gained from identifying responsibilities and providing assistance when assigning project staff to new roles.
b) Why should you report and close the project formally?
7 a) What are the benefits of having an independent facilitator lead a review meeting?
b) Develop a list of guidelines for encouraging participation in review meetings.
8 Lessons learnt are an analysis of what worked and what did not work.
a) Identify at least three aspects of a project you would review.
b) Lessons learnt and passed on to future projects are ‘worth their weight in gold’. Identify typical barriers to implementing the
lessons learnt in future projects.
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c) Choose one of these barriers and suggest how to overcome the barrier.
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project plan 361
risk 369
risk breakdown structure (RBS) 369
risk management 369
risk register 371
schedules 362
scope creep 356
scope statement 356
stakeholder analysis 359
stakeholders 358
work breakdown structure (WBS) 361
work package 362
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baseline 366
communication plan 371
contingency plan 370
critical path method (CPM) 364
estimating 367
guesstimate 368
milestones 364
network scheduling 363
nodes 363
per cent complete rules 374
project activity 362
project life cycle 356
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Key TerMS
Summary
LO 13.1 Discuss the value of careful project scope and stakeholder definition.
Scope definition identifies the project scope, stakeholders, the limit of the project manager’s responsibilities,
reporting requirements, the relationship of the project to other projects, and the availability of resources. Clear
scope definition, stakeholder analysis and project documentation enhances understanding by all stakeholders
of their roles, responsibilities and project start and end dates.
LO 13.2 Develop project plans to determine what a project will entail, when it will be scheduled, who will be
involved, what quality level will be maintained and what the budget will be.
Effective project planning clearly defines the project, determines the work breakdown structure, develops
the project network schedule, identifies resources, develops a budget, identifies risk and creates a project
communication plan. Good planning enables the person(s) approving the project and those undertaking the
work to understand the planned approach to each phase of the project life cycle.
LO 13.3 Outline the steps to administering and monitoring a project effectively.
Project managers must initiate contact, collaborate, facilitate teamwork and adapt to changing circumstances.
They communicate responsibilities and project requirements in face-to-face contact, written reports and records.
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They implement and monitor plans and controls for managing finances, resources and quality. Controls facilitate
work in accordance with the overall project plan and assure deliverables meet expectations.
LO 13.4 Explain the importance of finalising deliverables and reviewing project processes, outcomes and lessons
learnt from the project.
The closing phase of a project confirms completion of the deliverables and transfer of them to the project sponsor.
Closure-related activities and deliverables such as review, lessons learnt, completion report and training must be
finalised before a project is deemed closed. A project is complete after all project plan activities are completed,
consistent with established success criteria, approved and accepted to the satisfaction of the project sponsor.
Review questions
1 List the major phases of project life cycle.
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b) Detail three steps to follow as you analyse project stakeholders.
c) What are the benefits of stakeholder analysis?
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2 a) Why is it necessary to identify all stakeholders in the project definition stage?
3 Explain how determination of guidelines and explicit boundaries at the beginning of a project can minimise
and/or resolve issues over the project life cycle.
4 List the elements in a project plan.
b) What is a work package?
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6 a) What is the purpose of network scheduling?
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5 a) How does a work breakdown structure aid a project manager?
b) Differentiate predecessor, successor and concurrent activities.
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7 What is the purpose of a PERT chart?
8 What is the purpose of the critical path method?
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9 What are the benefits of using Gantt or milestone charts in project scheduling?
10 Define the term ‘project baseline’ and briefly explain its purpose.
11 Briefly outline a four-step process for measuring and evaluating project performance.
12 a) Identify three types of project costs.
b) Identify typical reasons for discrepancies between budgeted forecasts and actual costs.
13 Compare the benefits of top-down and bottom-up approaches to estimating.
14 Identify two types of resource allocation.
15 a) What types of risks are identified in a risk breakdown structure?
b) Identify five alternative ways of treating risk.
c) Why should a risk register be included in a project plan?
16 Why is the communication plan a key component of the project plan?
17 Distinguish the technical and sociocultural dimensions involved in the execution of projects.
18 a) What factors must project managers pay particular attention to when monitoring a project?
b) What advantages does a project manager gain from defining reporting requirements and maintaining records
consistently throughout a project?
c) Differentiate four types of project reports.
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PART 4 Leading and managing operations
19 a) What are project outcomes reviewed against?
b) What are the reasons for documenting and reporting lessons learnt in the review process?
c) Why is involvement of the project team members and other key stakeholders a key component of the project
review process?
20 Identify typical sections in a project review report.
Working together
Work in small groups.
Briefly discuss the factors that enable you to administer and monitor a project effectively.
2
Brainstorm a range of strategies you can use to communicate with and support project team members.
3
xplain why project standards and benchmarks are established and why project performance, achievements
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and outcomes must be recorded.
4
Develop a briefing paper titled ‘Managing project risk’ for members of a project team. In the briefing paper:
define and give examples of risk to a project
explain the purpose of the risk breakdown structure
outline the contingency planning process
explain the reasons for keeping a risk register.
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Exploring the web
1 Assess your project management skills by visiting the Mind Tools website at www.mindtools.com/pages/article/
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newPPM_60.htm and complete the quiz ‘How Good Are Your Project Management Skills?’.
2 a) Visit the website ‘Lessons Learned Purpose and Agenda’ at www.cmu.edu/computing/ppmo/
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project-management/life-cycle/closing/lessons/index.html.
b) Develop an agenda for a meeting of the project team and other relevant stakeholders. The purpose of the meeting
is to capture and report lessons learnt across the project’s life cycle.
Case study 1: Schedule inputs
Bernard has been appointed manager of his company’s new project, ‘Designing a social media marketing campaign’.
Six people have been assigned to the team. Two of the team work flexibly—two days in the company office and three days
of e-work from their home office.
Bernard has completed the project definition phase and is now scheduling the project’s inputs. As he plans the project
schedule he realises he must:
■■ access personal and project calendars to understand working days, shifts and resource availability
■■ refer to the project scope to determine key start and end dates, stakeholder expectations and any constraints
and restrictions
■■ understand the WBS and work packages before he can determine major milestones
■■ identify risks to allocate contingency time to deal with uncertainties
■■ understand resource requirements, available capabilities, experience and constraints, such as public holidays
and vacations, when developing the schedule.
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Bernard is aware he must discuss and consult the scheduling with the team members. He knows the team is busy and
does not want to overwhelm them with emails. Instead he decides to complement regular meetings with face-to-face
discussions on Skype and use instant messaging to deal with quick questions and answers. He also sets up an internal
project blog for sharing ideas, information and feedback.
He has also established a web-based project management system for ongoing project administration and monitoring. The
project team and stakeholders can check the project progress online. Team members can update their tasks online, so the
project plan is always up to date. Everyone is aware of deadlines and resource availability issues can be addressed before
they become major problems.
Questions
1 Critique Bernard’s approach to planning the project schedule. What, if anything, should he have done differently?
2 Evaluate the effectiveness of Bernard’s approach to project communication. What are the likely benefits or costs
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of the approach?
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Case study 2: The importance of the project
review and report
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Gemma, a project manager, will deliver a 10-minute presentation at the monthly meeting. The title is ‘The importance of
reviewing a project and reporting lessons learnt’. The department head has requested she explain the reasons for reviewing
against criteria and detailing lessons learnt.
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The week before the meeting Gemma has Monday and Tuesday off work sick. On her return she is busy ‘catching up’
but realises she has to deliver her presentation the next day. As Gemma has little time to prepare her presentation, she
decides to speak using the outline from a previous presentation on project planning. This outline provides a summary
about what a project is trying to achieve, a detailed project description of the what, who, why, when and how of the project,
task summaries, and detailed task outlines of task, dates, responsibilities, milestones, checkpoints and the priority (high,
medium or low) of each action.
Questions
Sa
After the meeting Gemma’s department head suggests her presentation ‘missed the point’ because it did not cover the
importance of reviewing the project and reporting lessons learnt.
rawing upon the theory you have read about and considered in this chapter, develop an outline Gemma could have
D
used for her presentation.
Bibliography
Carnegie Mellon. Lessons Learned Purpose and Agenda, www.cmu.edu/computing/ppmo/project-management/life-cycle/
closing/lessons/index.html, Planning and Project Management Office, PA, n.d., accessed 1 September 2012.
Hartley, Stephen. Project Management: Principles, Processes and Practice, 2nd edn, Pearson Australia, 2008.
Kerzner, Harold. Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling, 10th edn,
John Wiley & Sons, USA, 2009.
Larson, Erik W. & Gray, Clifford F. Project Management: The Managerial Process, 5th edn, McGraw-Hill Irwin, USA, 2011.
Mind Tools. Critical Path Analysis and PERT Charts, www.mindtools.com/critpath.html, Mind Tools Ltd, 2012, accessed
1 September 2012.
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