Project Management: Corrective Action and Problem Handling

Project Review and Corrective Action

• Review of progress against plan involves examining deviations from the original plan
• Review of problems encountered and how they were handled involves analyzing mistakes and finding solutions
• Review of anticipated problems with proposed plans for handling them involves predicting potential issues and preparing for them

Taking Corrective Action

• Corrective action is taken when actual progress does not measure up to the plan
• When quality is not according to specification, options include redoing the work or finding alternative solutions
• When the project begins to fall behind schedule, options include recovered lost time in the next steps, offering an incentive for on-time completion, and deploying more resources
• When the project begins to exceed the budget, options include recouping costs on work yet to be completed, narrowing the project scope, and obtaining more funding from the client

Project Completion

• Project Completion involves numerous tasks, including:
  • Obtaining client acceptance of the project
  • Listing changes in specifications to amend the contract
  • Writing operation manuals and complete drawings
  • Writing a final report and training people
  • Reassigning project team members and disposing of surplus equipment, materials, and supplies
• A checklist is essential to ensure all tasks are completed

Conflict Management

Definition of Conflict

• Conflict is defined as a struggle between opposing forces, opposition between ideas, interests, etc., leading to emotional tension or controversy

Levels of Conflict

• Level 1: Facts or Data - conflicts arising from different information, easily resolvable by ensuring both parties have the same information
• Level 2: Processes or Methods - conflicts arising from differences in opinion over how things should be done, resolvable by compromise
• Level 3: Goals or Purpose - conflicts arising from disagreements over goals, requiring patience, skill, and open dialogue to resolve

Problem and Conflict Handling

• Problems and conflicts are inevitable and can affect contract running
• Knowledge of methods for defusing problems is essential to reduce their impact
• Problem handling involves defining problems, analyzing causes, identifying alternatives, assessing each alternative, choosing one, implementing it, and evaluating whether the problem was solved or not

Problem Handling Definitions

• A problem is an obstacle that makes it difficult to achieve a desired goal, objective, or purpose
• A problem exists when an individual becomes aware of a significant difference between what actually is and what is desired
• Problem solving is a higher-order cognitive process that requires modulation and control of more routine or fundamental skills, involving critical thinking, creativity, and decision-making to overcome obstacles and find effective solutions in complex, real-world situations.