Question

Describes a basic process for managing the “fundamental project constraints of scope, time, cost, and quality”. Comment on the similarities and differences between this basic process and the project change management process used in an organization.

Management

Answer 1

There are two broad types of projects in an organization, business or operational projects and change management projects. Each fundamental project constraint is linked with each other. The scope of the project which primarily determines the objectives of the project affects the quality of the project. For eg, if the scope of the project is to improve quality in a manufacturing firm, then the scope of the project determines the level of quality and quality management within the project. The level of quality and quantity also determines the time constraints within the project or the timeline. The project's scope, quality, and timeline put together to determine the project's cost constraints or the project's budget constraints.

Similarities	Differences
Both, basic project management as well as change management processes in a firm are still governed by the same fundamental project constraints of scope, time, cost and quality.	While both basic and change management projects are governed by the same project constraints, they differ in their core approaches. The objective of change management is often internal change and process-oriented. While basic project process generally has a business objective or an operational directive such as improving efficiency or working on a new product or improving quality.
A good example of a basic process is Six Sigma. Six Sigma involves defining problems and objectives, measuring efficiency, productivity and rate of success or errors and analyzing the status quo of the manufacturing process and how it can be improved upon and finally charting out and implementing a plan to improve and create an excellent system of business and operational control to achieve those objectives.	A good example of a change management project is John Kotter's Model of Change Management. John Kotter's Model of Change Management involves the following steps Creating Urgency Forming a strong coalition Setting the need and the vision for change Getting rid of obstacles Creating short term wins Building on change