How was the project initiated?

The project was initiated by identifying the targeted and proposed problems or weak areas within the organization. For example, it was the employees' health that was identified as a problematic business function. By identifying this as the culprit of the higher costs of healthcare for all employees, the business can begin to strategize ways to improve their health and thereby lower their costs.

What do you think and provide comments

What project management techniques and best practices did your group adopt and why?

Some project management techniques adopted are clear and concise communication strategies when there is confusion about what the tasks entail. Being open, honest, and providing feedback whether, it is good, or interpreted as criticism. Ensuring that members always feel welcomed and that they are valued when they speak their thoughts. Projects are team efforts and understanding that there often is no one solution fits all scenario is key. Being able to research and distinguish facts from opinions is another particularly useful strategy. Asking for help when confused or expectations are not as clearly communicated. All are strategies or techniques for managing a project or collection of projects. As Schwalbe (2016) suggests, taking responsibility for the coordination of the people, plans, and work that is required for the project takes organization (p.139).

Project management no matter how big or small can benefit from the structure that introducing a clear and concise outline will offer. Adopting project management techniques and best practices enable the management of projects more organized. Strategic planning is determined by long-term objectives being analyzed and the strong as well as weaknesses identified and studied to improve the overall journey to the opportunities ahead (Schwalbe, 2016). When there is a blueprint or guideline available to follow, then there are fewer chances of deviating and adding complicating factors.

What defined the project scope for you? Did the scope change? If yes, how did you manage the scope change?

According to the case study from week 1 by Schwalbe (2013), "key goals include reducing internal costs, increasing cross-selling of products, and exploiting new Web-based technologies to help employees, customers, and suppliers work together to improve the development and delivery of healthcare products and services" (para. 3). I determined that there was more to just encouraging exercise activities when it came to the health of employees for the Manage Your Health proposals for the Project Integration Management. The scope changed a little primarily because employee health fitness was not the only factor affecting the costs of health insurance. It is my belief that exercise alone will not solve the problem of the declining health problems that account for the higher health insurance costs. An encouragement strategy for an overall healthier lifestyle is needed to be adopted as well.

By addressing more healthy opportunities and not just exercise, the employees will become healthier. I believe this to be true because my significant other's work already addresses the well-being of their employees through reimbursements when choosing to opt-in for specific activities. One example is reimbursement for healthy eating habits such as choosing to eat at a restaurant that provides healthier options such as soups and salads. Another example is the reimbursement for gym memberships. When there are many options for employees to choose from and there is an incentive to join or engage in the activities (rewards and reimbursements) then there is more participation.

Who did the feasibility study? What would you have done differently?

The feasibility study was done by me, as I am the only one in the course. After reviewing all the details of the company and what its goals are, it was decided that there should be more options. For the feasibility study, I would have done a little more research and talked with more members to get their feedback as perhaps they would have different insights. Bridges (2019) offers that feasibility studies are the foundation upon which the rest of a project resides, and if it does not support the project then there is no project. I agree with this statement as there can not be a project without a goal or foundation first. How can one build a house without materials? Similar concept and easily applied to virtually any type of project big or small. Have goals and make a plan or pathway that leads to the goals.