Wednesday, 9 April 2014

Blog #3 Reflection on Project Proposal-challenges, triumphs, learning points, possible improvements for the next group project

Triumphs:
I shall start by thanking my group members, most of whom are really initiative and motivated individuals and I am really glad I got to work with this energetic bunch in my last semester of school. Thank you all for standing behind my ideas, and all of your further contributions to them, improving my initial suggested solution to such a wholesome one at the end of each project meeting we had. Overall, I would say that we never fail to have an efficient project discussion every single time we met. Time and again, our impeccable teamwork, mutual understanding and chemistry unquestionably steered us to one of the most productive, rewarding and enjoyable project I have ever had.

Project Proposal Challenges and Learning points:

1    At the start of our first project discussion, being creative individuals, we were all just swamped with numerous possible project topics to take on, though not all were feasible. As it was our first time working together, everyone was being nice to not reject or put down the ideas of others’. Thus, we had a little difficulty settling down with a final project topic.

Learning point and improvement: To facilitate a productive discussion in future, we need to learn to tactfully reject impractical or unsuitable ideas by either further clarifying the project requirement or explaining its unsuitability to attain mutual understanding. This will not only allow us to be sensitive to each other feelings but also enable an efficient discussion.  

Challenges 2 and 3 arrive at the same learning point and improvement.

2    One challenge we faced was the communication of assigned work. Though there was a slight misunderstanding, it was quickly resolved through open clarification whenever there were doubts. Effective teamwork is also key in resolving misunderstanding and my group certainly displayed such a quality whenever a problem arises, with initiative and helpful group members standing up to take control of the situation.

3   One possible challenge we would have met with if a clear timeline was not set will definitely be project time management. Minutes made during the discussion did a fantastic job of assisting all of us with our responsibilities, reminding us of various deadlines to be met and the necessary preparations for the next discussion.

Learning point and improvement: This has affirmed the importance of minutes during and after project discussion. I strongly recommend that in future discussions, all clarification should during the discussion so that an effective minute can be formed to better assist the project group members in the process of the task and thus effectively preventing any misunderstanding of the content of the minutes.

4    Things never go according to plan during presentation. It could be due to our lack of opportunity to rehearse together, the lack of communication and understanding of each other’s presentation or nervousness.

Learning point and improvement: Through the presentation, I learnt the importance of informing other group members of changes made to one’s part prior to the presentation so that every member have a clear knowledge of the flow of the presentation, especially time management. As students in NUS, we all have tight schedules with many other assignments and projects taking place concurrently. However, members need to make personal effort to ensure that due diligence is done on their parts. Communication is definitely essential so that every member understands the importance of the presentation to other members.



All in all, communication, mutual understanding and time management are keys to the success of any projects and I will definitely ensure that these are adopted in future projects. This is also applicable to future project discussion in the workplace, though more emphasis has to be place on the above qualities discussed, as we will be working with people from a diverse background and age group. Thus, I am grateful for this experience for it has prepared me in many little ways towards the art of effective communication. 

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