Role of the project and program manager

A project and program manager is necessary for any program to be successful. A program manager's responsibility is to see that the established goals and objectives are met. They also list the tasks that must be completed within a certain time frame, making sure that each one is completed (Turner, 2008). A program manager, on the other hand, is responsible for making sure that each project is run separately. The program manager receives updates on all plans from the project manager.

What qualities, knowledge, and skills are necessary to be a project manager?

The individual must have excellent communication skills. As well, they must have excellent leadership skills. Also, he/she should have the skills to negotiate issues and be an outstanding team manager (Pant & Baroudi, 2008). The individual needs to be well organized as well. Lastly, risk management is crucial

Name five critical success factors and why they are essential to the success of a project.

Excellent planning: Helps to show the direction of the project and keeps the project team determined

Smart team: The project involves people like expert resources, project staff, stakeholders and suppliers and all of them should be smart for the project to succeed.

Open communication: The team should closely monitor the details and even the outside sources.

Careful Risk Management: It assists the project managers to know the alternatives that can be taken in case of risk occurrences.

Strong Project Closure: Ensures that resources are not misused.

What role can the company executives play in an implementation? What is “scope creep” and why is it important to manage during an ERP

Implementation?

ERP success requires good governance and leadership at the executive level. The managers are supposed to do several things to facilitate the success of the company. First, they are expected to define projects that can lead to success. Second, they need to provide oversight of the important issues. Third, they need to know and understand how to perform their roles. Lastly, they are supposed to develop an ERP team and make sure that it is well performing. The “scope creep” is that the project should have a detailed explanation at the beginning which should be well defined and documented.

What are the steps in business process re-engineering?

Defining objectives and the framework

Identifying the needs of the customer

Studying the existing process

Formulating a redesign plan

Implementing the redesign plan

Why is BPR necessary in an ERP implementation?

First, it maintains the competitive advantage of the company. As well, it enables the company to realize the improvements in business process and even the available benefits. It also assists in avoiding the “paving the cowpaths.”

What does the organizational project management maturity model do for a company’s ERP implementation, and what are the steps involved in OPM3?

Organizational Project Management Maturity Model is a standard that is globally accepted for developing competencies. It accomplishes strategies through the program and portfolio management.

The steps involved in OPM3 are: Preparing for assessment, performing the evaluation, planning for improvement, implementing the development.

Part Two: Review 5-10 job advertisements for a project manager role/position

The first project was advertised by Trusted Health Plan, a Washington DC based company. The company required a manager who could provide exceptional skills and show excellent managerial care. http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs-project-manager#

The second job was posted by Pkaza.com, a Houston TX-based company. The firm operation includes offering solutions related to a modular data center. http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs-project-manager#

The third Job was posted by Strategic Staffing Solutions, a Richmond VA-based company. The manager is supposed to manage different aspects of the enterprise, and the candidate required should have excellent managerial skills. http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs-project-manager#

Johnson Electric is another company that is looking for a project manager. The Vandalia OH-based company needs an individual who is talented to assist in developing the activities of the enterprise. http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs-project-manager#

The last company is MRI- Boston Group which needs a manager who can help them in taking their construction company to another level. The manager should have excellent skills related to design and residential projects. http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs-project-manager#

In the above companies, I have realized that the candidates required should display some good levels of competency. They are also obliged to have exceptional skills which should assist the companies to work towards their set goals.

References

Pant, I., & Baroudi, B. (2008). Project management education: The human skills imperative. International journal of project management, 26(2), 124-128.

Turner, J. R. (2008). Handbook of project-based management. McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing.