Human Resource Management

Human Resource Management 1

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Human Resource Management 2

Human Resource Management

Project planning is among the most crucial undertaking that efficient project managers

must perform to safeguard the overall success of their undertakings. An efficient project plan

enables a project manager to identify the various risk factors that could hamper the successful

completion of an ongoing project. The following research will illustrate the importance of project

planning in an organization, through a discussion of the importance of using critical path analysis

technique in project management. The research will also discuss the possible risks that could be

encountered when implementing a project. Lastly, a summary of the various strategies that can

be employed to promote the motivation of workers in executing various activities of the project

will be discussed, since personnel motivation development is a key aspect of project planning.

Part 1

Advantages of Using Critical Path Analysis in Project Management

Critical path analysis (CPA) is a methodology employed in project planning that aids in

identifying different activities that are imperative for the successful completion of a task

(Thornley, 2013). The CPA also features the time that is required for the successful completion

of various project activities (Daley, 2013). There are a number of advantages that a developer

can obtain by choosing to use the CPA in planning the house renovation project. First, the CPA

will encourage the project managers to adopt the most economical strategies for executing all the

activities in the renovation project. Also, the CPA will offer a standardized the developer a

chance to use a standardized method of documenting as well as communicating the project’s

plans, costs, time and schedules (Masango, 2013).

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Subsequently, this will be important in promoting the timely completion of the house

renovation project. Furthermore, the CPA will enable the project manager to focus his attention

in completing 10-20% most crucial project activities that if not computed on time, can affect the

overall success in the completion of the project (Mishra, 2018). Lastly, the CPA will offer the

house developer a chance to have a complete overview of the overall house completion project.

Subsequently, any problems with the activities’ completion process can be noted on time and

appropriate intervention strategies adopted.

Assessment of the Workers Capability of Performing the Project’s Activities within the

Allocated Time

The project is planned to be completed in a period of six weeks. Additionally, it is not

unrealistic for the project manager to use two workers for the completion of the project. That is

because a total of 52 work-days for a single worker are required for the entire project to be

completed. However, in this case, if two workers are assigned to perform all the activities of the

project by themselves, they can complete all the work in 26 days. Considering that the allocated

timeline for completing the entire project is six weeks or 36 days (Monday to Saturday), it is

possible that the two workers can complete all the work within the allocated time. Moreover, the

two workers will have 10 surplus days that they could use to refine their executed work.

Part 2

In a business context, risk management is the process of forecasting as well as evaluating

risks that are likely to affect the successful completion of a project (Wanner, 2013). The process

also entails the identification of the procedures that can be employed in minimizing the impact of

risks on a project (Hopkin, 2013). Risk management is an import aspect of project management

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as it ensures that an organization is able to achieve its projects’ objectives. Moreover, risk

management aids an entity to avoid unwanted losses and enhances an organization’s

performance through timely completion of goals.

Identification of Risks in the Project

Risk of Diminished Productivity Due To Labor Shortages

In the featured context, the contractor has several other ongoing projects and he can only

spare two workers to participate in the house renovation project. Subsequently, such an

occurrence creates a risk of low workers’ productivity due to large scale of work being executed

by few numbers of workers. Also, it is plausible to state that the two workers who will be

working in the house renovation project will be mandated to work for long hours to meet the

predetermined timeline for the completion of the project. Subsequently, this will make the

workers remarkably tired and as a result affect their productivity in the project.

Risk of Failure in Quality Maintenance

Quality is an imperative factor that is emphasized in project management functions. Good

quality promotes customers’ satisfaction with a product or service (Evans & Lindsay, 2013). The

house renovation project has 11 activities that will require to be performed by highly qualified

personnel. The two workers that will be assigned to complete the house renovation project might

not be remarkably competent in executing each of the functions listed in the project management

plan. As a result, some activities of house renovation might be performed well whereas a few

sections might be poorly completed. Such disparities in the quality of work done by workers in

different activities might affect the overall quality standards of the entire project.

Operational Risks

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Operational risks are those unforeseen occurrences that may take place due to inadequate

as well as failed internal processes, systems as well as people (Girling, 2013). In a different

explanation, operational risks are those that occur during the actual construction of the building.

Moreover, operational risks may occur due to a number of reasons such as the mechanical failure

in the equipment or machinery used for the construction renovation project. Subsequently, such

risks may cause an extension in the projected number of days required to complete the

construction project. Subsequently, such an extension could translate into additional costs or

expenses for both the contractor and client.

Risk of Natural Catastrophes

These are forms of risks that take place due to unforeseen or unanticipated occurrence of

a destructive natural phenomenon. Examples of such natural occurrences could be earthquake,

floods, and storms among other occurrences. The incidence of such catastrophes could

significantly hamper the overall progress in the execution of the project. In some cases, it could

stop all the activities that are required to be undertaken so as to completely repair the

construction project. Subsequently, this could result into the prolonged delay in the house repair

project and elevate the costs of repair for the client.

Cost risks

These are forms of risk that can occur due to an unplanned elevation in the purchase

value of some of the items that will be used in the execution of a project (Hulett, 2016). For

instance, the cost of timber, pipes or nails for repairing some parts of the house may increase

after the renovation budget has been develop. In a different example, the cost of purchasing

fertilizers to improve the garden of the house been renovated could go also up that the value

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initially budgeted. Such incremental expenditure could surpass the cost agreed upon between the

client and contractor. Also, it could temporary halt the execution of the project if funds to cater

for such additional costs are not available.

Risk Management and Control Table

Type of Risk

Risk Management and Control Strategy

Risk of diminished productivity

due to labor shortages

Hire external professionals to assist worker 1 and worker 2 in

undertaking certain activities of the project

Risk of failure in quality

maintenance

Replace worker 1 and 2 with professionals who can competently

execute all the project’s functions in a professional manner.

Operational risks

Retain some funds for any emergency repairs that may be required in

the event the equipment that is required for renovation breaks down.

Risks of natural catastrophes

Reserve an emergency fund to cater for any additional expenditure that

could be caused by unplanned damages as a result of unforeseen natural

catastrophic events

Incorporate a budget for unplanned costs that could occur due to a hike

in the prices for renovation materials before requesting funding from the

client.

Table 1: Table summarizing the different types of risks likely to impact the house

renovation project and the appropriate risk management and control strategies that can be

employed to mitigate risks

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Derivation of a Risk Score

A risk score for the five defined project risks can be derived based on the likelihood of

the occurrence of each of the risks. Additionally, a risk score of 1-5 can be created with one

being the least score and five being the highest score. The risk with a score of five is very likely

to occur during the execution of the project. As such, it should be allocated the highest risk

management priority and sufficient resources like funds to manage such risks should also be

reserved. In the computation of the impact and probability of each of the five risks, past research

on the occurrence of similar risk in the past could be performed. Research can be performed

from reliable government websites and scientific journals with information on different projects

impacted by any of the five outlined project risks. The template below is a chart summarizing the

different forms of risks that can occur during the house renovation project and their respective

risk score projections.

Form of Risk

Projected Risk Score (1-5)

(Lowest-Highest)

Risk of diminished productivity due to

labor shortages

Operational risks

Costs risks

Risk of failure in quality maintenance

Risks of natural catastrophes

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Table 2: Table illustrating the different risk scores that can be assigned to the different

risks outlined in the house renovation project

Part 3

Motivation characterizes an individual’s direction to a behavior or the driving force that

renders a person to desire repeating an action over and over again (Ryan & Deci, 2018). Such

driving forces to motivation could either be intrinsic or extrinsic in reference to an individual’s

environment. In organizations, motivation is an important phenomenon and it directly impacts on

the success of an establishment. Contrary, lack of motivation could be detrimental to an

organization. That is because it is linked to low workers’ productivity and an overall decline in

the overall level of an organization’s performance (Ones et al., 2017).

Reasons for Lacking Motivation

In the featured excerpt, it is evident that Kevin has lost motivation. His lack of motivation

can be represented by his occasional lack of satisfaction with the work his co-workers perform

resulting to negative feedbacks and his constant temper when interacting with other personnel.

Such negative behavior by Kevin at the place of work can be detrimental to the overall progress

and positive performance of the project where he functions. As such, it is a negative

phenomenon that should be addressed. There are a number of reasons that could have rendered

Kevin to lose motivation when performing his assigned functions at the project.

Poor compensation in terms of the remuneration offered to Kevin could have made him

feel demotivated in executing his project management functions. When salaries issued to

workers in a project are low, such personnel strive to balance between looking for better jobs and

completing their assigned project management responsibilities. Subsequently, such an

Human Resource Management 9

occurrence compromises the overall completion of a project (Virine & Trumper, 2013). Poor

leadership could also have contributed to Kevin’s demotivation in the project. If the project

managers use autocratic leadership style where all key project decisions are created and

implemented by such officials it could make Kevin demotivated.

Lack of proper communication could also have made Kevin to lose motivation in

executing his assigned roles at the project. In this case, communication could be between Kevin

and his fellow workers or between Kevin and the project’s management team. Lack of proper

communication could make Kevin fail to understand the actions of his co-workers in the project.

As a result, this could instigate conflict between the project personnel, a key facet of Kevin’s

demotivation in a project. Long working hours could also a contributing factor to Kevin’s lack of

motivation in the project.

Working for long periods could cultivate boredom or monotony in executing various

project functions, a factor that could have caused Kevin’s lack of motivation in executing his

project roles. The feeling of being undervalued can also be a contributing factor to Kevin’s lack

of motivation. In this case, Kevin may feel that although he is a qualified professional project

manager, his proficiencies are not fully recognized and valued by other stakeholders when

executing the project. Lastly, lack of clear short-term and long-term project objectives could also

make Kevin fail in being motivated to execute his responsibilities at the project. That is because

Kevin may not feel the pressure to meet or achieve various project milestones at a predefined

timeline.

Theories of Motivation

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Motivation theories can be classified as content or process theories. Content theories, also

referenced as the need theories, strive to identify and understand people’s needs and the

importance of fulfilling such needs to attain motivation. On the other hand, process theories are

focused on explaining how motivation takes place and the types of processes that influence

motivation. In the featured excerpt, the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Herzberg two-factor

content theories can be employed to explain Kevin’s demotivation. Contrary, the Skinner’s

reinforcement theory and Locke’s goal setting theory are process motivation theories that can be

employed to explain Kevin’s lack of motivation.

The Maslow’s hierarchy of needs was developed by Abraham Maslow and classifies a

person’s needs from the lowest to highest (Russell & Cohn, 2012). The classification from the

lowest need starts from physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem and self-actualization

(McGuire, 2012). The failure by Kevin to meet any of the five needs during the execution of

various project functions could have contributed to his demotivation. On the other hand,

Herzberg two-factor theory considers motivating and hygiene factors that influences people’s

motivation (Richard, 2013). The motivating factors are those motivators that make people to

function harder in their roles and they are found in the work itself

On the other hand, hygiene factors are the influences that make individuals to work less

in their designated roles in a project. Additionally, hygiene roles are not present in the work itself

but instead, they occur around the work’s environment. In this case, the examples of motivators

include recognition, growth, achievement, advancement and the work itself. Contrary, the

hygiene factors include supervision, security, salary, project policies and relationships among

others. In the featured case, if Kevin lacked to attain any of the stated motivating or hygiene

factors when performing his project roles, it could have made him to feel demotivated. Contrary,

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the satisfaction or attainment of the stated theories could heighten Kevin’s motivated with his

work at the project.

Suggestions of Specific Ways That Could Be Used to Maintain Kevin’s Motivation

It is important for Kevin to attain fulfillment and motivation in executing his designated

project functions. Some of the specific methods that can be used to improve Kevin’s motivation

in the project could include providing project’s incentives like salary bonuses. Also, the other

project managers could offer management support to Kevin by solving any conflict at the

workplace on time and amicably. Subsequently, this would also aid in developing a good

organizational culture where Kevin and other project stakeholders may feel motivated to

function. Other strategies that can be used to boost Kevin’s motivation include developing ideal

project objectives, setting achievable rewards, and offering Kevin public praises for any good

work that he may accomplish in the project.

Conclusion

In conclusion, project planning is among the most crucial undertaking that efficient

project managers must perform to safeguard the overall success of their undertakings.

Additionally, the CPA is a methodology employed in project planning that aids in identifying

different activities that are imperative for the successful completion of a task. In addition, risk

management is the process of forecasting as well as evaluating risks that are likely to affect the

successful completion of a project. Some of the risk factors likely to affect the execution of a

project include productivity issues due to labor shortages and failure in quality management.

Also, lack of satisfaction with the work, poor compensation, poor leadership, and lack of proper

communication are some of the primary factors that can contribute to the decline in individuals’

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motivation in a project. Moreover, the content and process theories can be employed to explain

why people lack motivation while functioning in a project. Content theories or need theories

strive to identify and understand people’s needs and the importance of fulfilling such needs to

attain motivation. Contrary, the process theories are focused on explaining how motivation takes

place and the types of processes that influence motivation. Ultimately, some of the specific ways

that can be employed to promote workers’ motivation in a project may include offering

workplace incentives like salary bonuses and solving inter-personnel conflicts to foster a healthy

organizational culture.

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References

Daley, S. (2013) Project 2013 In Depth. London: Que Publishing.

Evans, J. R., & Lindsay, W. M. (2013) Managing for Quality and Performance Excellence.

Boston: Cengage Learning.

Girling, P. X. (2013) Operational Risk Management: A Complete Guide to a Successful

Operational Risk Framework. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Hopkin, P. (2013) Risk Management. London: Kogan Page Publishers.

Hulett, D. (2016) Integrated Cost-Schedule Risk Analysis. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

Masango, J. F. (2013) Critical Path Method as a Project Modelling Technique in Coal

Refurbishment Projects. Johannesburg: University of Johannesburg.

McGuire, K. J. (2012) Maslow's hierarchy of needs. An introduction. Munich: GRIN Verlag.

Mishra, G. (2018) Advantages of Critical Path Method (CPM) in Construction Project.

Retrieved from The Constructor: https://theconstructor.org/construction/critical-path-

method-cpm-advantages/6873/

Ones, D. S., Anderson, N., Viswesvaran, C., & Sinangil, H. K. (2017) The SAGE Handbook of

Industrial, Work & Organizational Psychology, 3v: Personnel Psychology and Employee

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Performance; Organizational Psychology; Managerial Psychology and Organizational

Approaches. Thousand Oaks: SAGE.

Richard, A. (2013) Job Satisfaction from Herzberg's Two Factor Theory Perspective. Munich:

GRIN Verlag.

Russell, J., & Cohn, R. (2012) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. New York: Book on Demand.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2018) Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological Needs in

Motivation, Development, and Wellness. New York: Guilford Publications.

Thornley, G. (2013)Critical Path Analysis in Practice: Collected papers on project control. New

York: Routledge.

Virine, L., & Trumper, M. (2013) ProjectThink: Why Good Managers Make Poor Project

Choices. Aldershot: Gower Publishing, Ltd.

Wanner, R. (2013) Project Risk Management: The Most Important Methods and Tools for

Successful Projects. Scotts Valley: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

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