According to Kerzner and Saladis (2013), effective project management seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations carried out by business organizations. The strategy achieves this through the ‘arrangement’ of tasks. Activities are arranged such that processes flow in all directions throughout the enterprise.
Executives play a very critical role in project management in a given organization. In most cases, the leading team cannot be alienated from project administration. One of the major reasons behind this realization is the fact that these stakeholders act as the sponsors of the venture (Kerzner, 2013). However, this is not always the case. In the current paper, the author will analyze instances where executives impede the implementation of a given project. The author will assess some of the reasons why Levon managers ignored the suggestions made by their employees. The leaders opted for the opinion of consultants.
Project Management at Levon
There are situations where executives fail to listen to employees with regards to project management. Such a scenario is evident in the case of Levon Corporation, which is illustrated in the book by Kerzner and Saladis (2013). According to Kerzner and Saladis (2013), the senior managers may be opposed to any form of change in the organization. Consequently, they prefer to retain the status quo. They work on the assumption that the corporation will eventually overcome the poor performance recorded in the returns.
The activities of the executives may be limited by trade-offs that they are not willing to be associated with. Such eventualities include, among others, risks, time constraints, poor performance, and increased operational costs (Kerzner, 2013). However, the management team can access expert opinion and facts by using the services of a consultant. As a result, they will be able to determine the level of trade-offs they are willing and able to get involved with.
According to Lock (2007), executives are required to delegate sufficient authority to project managers. Such powers include those to do with decision making. Due to fear of losing or diminishing their authority, the senior managers may resist project management, even after accessing the findings and recommendations made by the consultant.
There are several strategies that can be used by a consultant to earn the support of the executive team at Levon Corporation. Adoption of the proposed project management practices will provide the company with a number of opportunities. Such opportunities include improved efficiencies and increased returns on investment. The executives should be made aware of these possibilities (Kerzner, 2013).
The consultant can also develop an organizational structure that reflects the proposed project management practices and methodologies (Lock, 2007). However, the new arrangement should protect the authority of executives without compromising the outcomes of given projects.
Conclusion
Embracing the strategies highlighted above will ensure that the managers do not feel threatened by the proposed changes. In addition, the interests of other stakeholders will be addressed. As a result, the consultant will be in a position to sell the management practices to the executives.
References
Kerzner, H. (2013). Project management: A systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling (11th ed.). Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Web.
Kerzner, H., & Saladis, F. (2013). Project management workbook and PMP/CAPM exam study guide (11th ed.). Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons. Web.
Lock, Dennis. (2007). Project Management (9th ed.). London, UK: Gower Publishing Ltd. Web.