Project Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Project Management - Essay Example Kerzner (2009) points out four different phases of the a project life cycle and these are the Conception Phase, Definition Phase, Execution Phase, and Operation Phase. On the other hand, Hira and Parfitt (2004) provide five phases in the project cycle which are Identification, Preparation, Appraisal, Implementation, and Evaluation. Perhaps the most popular view divides the project cycle into five stages, or process groups as some references have called them, which are initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing (Rubin, 1995; Owen & Rogers, 1999; Elia, 2004; Elearn Limited, 2005; Heldman, Baca, & Jansen, 2007; Sanghera, 2008; Mihelcic, 2009). Within these stages, there are also a set of processes involved that are part of the knowledge required to manage a particular project. These knowledge areas are Communication Management, Cost Management, Human Resource Management, Integration Management, Procurement Management, Risk Management, Scope Management, and Time Management (Sanghera, 2008). While a large portion of this paper will focus mainly on the different stages of the project cycle and the processes within each of these stages, the discussion will also incorporate these knowledge areas. ... s important that a particular emphasis is placed on this stage because if this stage is merely skimmed over because the group is rushing to get started on what most would perceive as the actual work, the group will have a hard time implementing the project, not to mention needing more time to achieve it and thus, the project will most likely fail. This is the phase which examines and decides whether the project is worth doing or not. This process group provides approval to commit the organization’s resources to working on the project or phase (Heldman, Baca, & Jansen, 2007). The most important objectives of the project are identified and defined and financial commitments are undertaken to determine exactly what resources will be needed to complete the project (Elia, 2004). The project manager is assigned and authorized to begin working on the project. This is also the stage where the expectations for the project are formalized and communicated to all of the stakeholders. More specifically, the processes involved in this stage include the development of the project charter and the preliminary project scope statement, which are covered by the knowledge area of integration management (Sanghera, 2008). These outputs become inputs into the Planning process group. The Initiation phase for a contractor most likely starts once the firm is awarded a contract and has received a notice to proceed. Sometimes, there are also companies who move forward with less certain conditions. The estimate now becomes a project and a job or work order number is given to it. The project manager is assigned who then prepares to receive the handoff, or the transitional stage between project phases, from the estimating department (Elia, 2004). Planning The planning phase is which involves the

Pop Cultures Significance In Modern Society Essay

Pop Cultures Significance In Modern Society - Essay Example Pop culture is significant in the lives of human beings as it is a reflection of what matters to people, letting them express and validate the spirit of their epoch. Popular culture enhances young people’s understanding of helping them participate in the representations that aid in constructing their identities. This is a popular food chain in America that has a distinct icon that represents all the foods available in all their joints across America. American pop culture icons such as that one of burger king have been well received across different nations around the world even in the predominantly Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia (Kamalipour, 21). Burger king produces different kinds of foods with meat as Americans prefer it, it is a first food joint and the food is produced quickly and mostly to go. This can be interpreted to mean that Americans prefer food that is quickly prepared to save time. One can assert that it is due to their hard working nature and effort to save time. These joints are quite popular in America and the icon can be seen on many other products such as t-shirts, caps or bags. This icon is quite popular such that it has been adopted in Islamic countries but with a slight twist to the name and a bit of change in the appearance. This shows that even in conservative Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia, people are in tandem with the rest of the world due to globalization brought about by technology (Kamalipour, 25). The Icon, therefore, has led to the popularity of such food a joint which has been cited as a lucrative business venture. It is slightly different however since unlike in America, all the meat is Halal and is handled and prepared as per the Islamic dietary rules. This shows the value of Islamic culture. In addition, most of the women working behind the counter wear headscarves or hijabs.