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Showing posts with the label project management

Managing Project Conflicts

Conflict is inevitable in public projects and activities. This the case when money, influence, and limited opportunity abound. By changing the fundamental nature of stakeholders from power over to power with a higher level of collaboration can occur that leads to better results. A paper by Eivind Brendehaug shows how the planning process can be improved when local stakeholder interests and conflicts can be compromised and integrated into the development process (2013). Co-management is a concept that helps to explain strategic development with three aims that include 1.) fulfill management aims, 2.) distribute cost and benefits among local stakeholders and authorities, and 3.) supplement representative democracy to reduce conflicts (Brechin et. al. 2003). It is a process of reviewing the varying issues inherent within projects and then finding a way to co-develop that concept. When projects are developed they rest in the authority of the planners. The planners have instru

Communication Creates Higher Cognitive Models for Team Building

Workplace communication and cross-culture interaction can help foster greater levels of collaborative effort. A paper by Huber & Lews (2011) highlights how heuristics and bias are a platform for first understanding others but additional information creates stronger cognitive models. It is these models within groups or across groups that adjust overtime to create mutual development.  When individuals understand each other’s cognitive models they create cross-understanding (Huber & Lewis, 2010). Cross-understanding can also occur on a group level whereby a cognitive model for a group and their vantage point has been developed. Knowing how your communication partners think and understand can be beneficial for relating information in a way in which it is palatable and creating shared understandings. Shared understandings range from low to high in terms of their accuracy and quantity of information. Some may know very little about other groups while some may have a gre

Presentation: Tracking the Flow of Knowledge in IT Organizations

Dr. McKay and Dr. Ellis have collaborated on a research study that helps managers understand how information flows within IT organizations. The goal is to help IT teams improve and develop their skills. Failure can be a result of many factors ranging from loosing intellectual capital to blaming others. When knowledge within one project team was found it wasn't effectively shared with others indicating that organizations should do a better job of cataloging and sharing knowledge. Through building on learning, knowledge teams can become more effective.  You may see the results below: Click for Presentation