Most project managers can learn from past experiences to create alternative options prior to approaching future projects. Through such reflection, a project manager is able to more effectively...

Most project managers can learn from past experiences to create alternative options prior to approaching future projects. Through such reflection, a project manager is able to more effectively identify the critical issues of the project, generate alternative options and customise the practices to suit the specific project in hand, towards a better project success. This assessment aims to help you develop these reflective and critical thinking skills. Brief Write a reflective essay evaluating specific project components in your experience. The essay must relate to one specific project that you were involved in the past, and it must focus on a specific issue (see the example issues listed below) relating to one of the following topic areas that you identify as most important to your own practice. Example topics for reflection: Project communication – e.g. Communication with project stakeholders Managing a project team – e.g. Conflicts between team members Project management structure – e.g. Addressing inappropriate project structure Please note that the reflective essay does not need to be presented in the formal report format and structure stated in AIB style guide. However, there are some key components that need to be present as follows: On the cover page of your document, state the title of the essay, your name, student ID and the word count. In the first part of the essay, explain the organisational context of the project, your role in the project, the specific issue you have experienced and why you think it is important for your project management practice. In the next part of the essay, evaluate how the issue impacted on you, others and the overall performance of the project, and analyse the factors that influenced the issue. You need to support or contradict your opinion with your prior knowledge and your understanding of theories and principles taught in this subject. In the final part of the essay, based on your reflection, explain what changes you would make to your approach to managing similar projects in the future. The essay in total should not exceed 1500 words (plus or minus 10%) and should be submitted as one single document with a reference list (minimum of 6 references in total). Important reflective essay instructions To support this activity, you are required to maintain a reflective journal using Gibb’s six-step model to record your experiences pertaining to one significant project that you were involved in the past or a project in progress. You should start working on the task as early in the subject as possible. An example of reflective journal entries is provided in Appendix 3. You may then collate these thoughts into one coherent essay using the instructions provided in the assessment brief above. You should refer to the AIB ‘Guide to Reflective Practice’, which can be found in the Student Support section of the student learning portal for further details on Gibb’s six-step model and writing your reflective journal. Your reflective essay will be marked according to the criteria outlined in the assessment grading criteria (see supporting files). The quality of the argument and the depth of reflection will be important factors in the evaluation of this reflective practice. To achieve a higher grade, it will be necessary for you to demonstrate higher levels of reflection and the essay needs to bring together: information from relevant readings concepts from relevant topics in the subject personal experience