Analyzing Scope Creep
Scope creep is an uncontrollable variable within our personal or professional projects. The standard definition of scope creep is, “the natural tendency of the client, as well as project team members, to try to improve the project’s output as the project progresses” (Portny, Mantel, Meredith, Shafer, Sutton, & Kramer, 2008, p 436).
Analyzing past personal or professional projects with what I know now has allowed me to learn from the past to create effective and efficient projects for the future within my personal or professional settings. In addition, being able to learn from expereince will onl strengthen my characteristics as a team member and/or project manager. I have thought about two opposite situations of projects that I experienced first hand with scope creep.
Scenario 1
Planning my wedding (July 18th, 2008-July 25th, 2009)
Our goal was to have the major aspects of the wedding to be booked as soon as possible considering that I would be teaching and getting ready to transfer to Pittsburgh after the wedding. This part of the planning was simple. On the contrary the smaller activities such as decorations, getting the briadal party together for fittings and duties, party favors, and etc. seemed to be an effect of scope creep for a few reasons now that I look back on the planning. First of all, the planning and timeline was done by memory. This could have been avoided and effectively planned with the model ADDIE, in addition, going by a timeline and budget. Dr. Stolovitch’s video program, “Monitoring Projects” he discusses numerous monitoring techniques for the project manager to follow to produc e a effective and successfully completed project (Now, do not get me wrong, my wedding was a blast and I would do it a 100 times over again, however, the planning process was extremely stressful with some scope creep because of the planning by memory). A timeline and budget would have eliminated many of these stresses. In addition, maybe identifying the risks of dresses not being available, party favors, cake designs and etc. “ Assessed risks can then be responded to effectively, as part of a comprehensive risk management plan” (Portny, Mantel, Meredith, Shafer, Sutton, & Kramer, 2008, p 396).
Scenario 2
SES (Supplemental Educational Services) 2010-2011 vs. 2011-2012
SES is a federal program that is determine by the results of standardized assessments. Each year public schools are starting from 3rd grade to 10th grade are adminstred standardized achievement test to determine mastery of certain skills that have been chosen by subject matter experts (SME) with a variety of multiple choice and constructive response questions. After these assessments are adminstered, they are sent to be graded by a series of graders. The results of proficiency are provided based on various criteria from the state. If you school is below the Adequate yearly Progress report (AYP) , then your school is put on probabition. If this continuous for the next few years, then the school will receive federal money (NCLB Act) for children of free and/or reduced lunch for supplemental educational services.
My center participated in these services last year for the first time. Everything was done without any sort of ADDIE model, preplanning or timeline. Therefore, we did nothing or align any type of process to what has been learned in this course. Now, our center was bought by a very successful company that has went through the design process and constantly designs for effectiveness and growth with the SES services. I will be the project manger for this project for the 2011-2012 school year. My plan is to go through the ADDIE model, prelanning process, establish the timeline and budget, and identify the risks involved with the school districts as well as the students. Also, following the advice of Dr. Stolovitch for monitoring projects and knowing my roles as a project managers with my main focus being the timeline, budget, and clients’.
Resources:
Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., Sutton, M. M., & Kramer, B. E. (2008). Project Management:Planning, scheduling, and controlling projects. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Video Program: “Monitoring Project” with Dr. Harold Stolovitch.
