Chapter 9 – Project Closure and Evaluation
9.14. Learning Activities and Exercises for Students/Teachers
The learning activities can be completed by the Students on their own as a learning opportunity to integrate the materials from the textbook for assignments or tests/exams. Or, they may be used by the Teachers as learning activities in class, or for short answer questions on tests/exams.
Learning Activities for Students/Teachers
- Form a small group. Individually think about a team project that was completed in the past. Write out the issues you encountered. Write out the successes you had. Think about what you would have done differently on the project. Share with your group.
- Form a small group. Research Elon Musk’s SpaceX on the internet. What successes has SpaceX had? What failures has it endured? Offer suggestions on how you might avoid any further complications in the future and make some forecasts that would help SpaceX. List your recommendations.
- Pair up with a partner. Individually think about a small project (school or personal) that you have completed in the past. Write down the Lessons Learned. Did you complete a retrospective (either in writing or in your mind)? What was it? Did you take an action to improve the results for the next time you want to complete a similar project? What were they? Share with your partner.
- Form a small group. Imagine a project has closed. You, as the Human Resources Specialist, have been charged with the role of conducting a close-out workshop/lesson learned workshop. Design a simple outline of a Lesson Plan that you would complete with the project team. Include objectives, description of activities, timing, and materials you would use.
- Form a small group. You, as the Human Resources Specialist, are preparing to conduct a team performance evaluation. What are the steps you would take to prepare?
- Individually, design a list of questions you would prepare in advance for an individual performance review of each team member of a project. Share with the larger group in class.
- Form a small group. There are advantages and disadvantages to the 360-degree performance review. Do you agree it is a good approach? Do you disagree it is a bad approach? List your reasons for your answer.
These exercises can be completed by the Students to integrate learning materials for assignments/tests. Or they can be used by the Teachers in class to integrate learning or used on tests/exams.
Exercises for Students/Teachers
- What information is found in a project closure review/audit?
- What are some of the problems that Human Resources many encounter with a project closure review? How does Human Resources remain objective if involved in the project?
- Why is it important for Human Resources to differentiate between Project Reviews and Performance Reviews that include the team’s salaries? Explain?
- What is the purpose of Lessons Learned at the closure of a project? Why do you think so many companies skip this step in the closure process?
- If a project is terminated, does that mean it was a failure? Why? Why not?
- How do Human Resources’ Specialists support the termination of projects?
- What reports need completed at the end of projects?
- Why do Performance Appraisals fail?
- What are the disadvantages of the 360-degree performance appraisal?
- You have just been promoted to a leader in your organization. You enjoy working with your employees in a hands-on manner. Management By Objectives (MBO) is a course you just completed. Your supervisor uses MBO as a leadership style. They insist you use the same leadership style. You have 50 employees to supervise. Individually, decide: What plan would you put together to lead/manage these employees using MBO? How will you know you have been successful? Share the plans with one other student in a pair.
