Scenario for the Discussion

Read the Quantum Bank case study on pages 70-71 of "Project Management in Practice". Think about the array of skills and knowledge a project manager needs to successfully manage business projects.

After considering the scenario, post your response to the following questions:

• Who would you recommend that Stacey Thomas select to serve as project manager? Why?
• What skills would a professionally certified project manager have that would meet Stacey's requirements?
• What are the characteristics of each candidate that you would attribute to a competent project manager?
• What important skills do you think each of the candidates are lacking? Why are they important?

CASE The Quantum Bank Quantum Bank Inc. is a regional bank with branches through- or so possible candidates to serve as project manager, she was out the southeast. In early 20X6 the bank launched an app for finally able to pare the list down to the two finalists described mobile devices that provided its customers with the ability to below. check account balances, obtain information about the bank's Bill Fence various services, obtain contact information and email ques- tions, and link to a variety of other useful sources of information. Bill joined Quantum in 20X0 after graduating from a well- Given the app's tremendous success, competition from both respected small private school with a degree in computer traditional and nontraditional organizations, and the desire to science. His first assignment as a member of the bank's help expand its presence beyond its current geographical area, desk provided him with exposure to a variety of areas in the Quantum decided to significantly enhance its app. More specif- bank. He quickly gained a reputation for being able to solve ically, Quantum would like to enhance its app to include a mo- difficult technical problems. In addition, users of the bank's bile bill payment service, allow customers to apply for credit various computer systems were often heard commenting on cards and loans, open accounts, and manage their investment how service-oriented Bill was and on his ability to describe portfolios. concepts in nontechnical terms. Vice-President of Information Systems, Stacey Thomas, Because of both his technical knowledge related to was charged with overseeing the project. One of her first tasks hardware and his ability to program, Bill was selected to was to select the project manager. Because of the strategic develop the bank's first mobile app in 20X5. Bill worked alone importance of the project, she had a strong preference for on this project and had frequent meetings with one of the staffing the project internally as opposed to employing the ser- bank's directors of Information Systems, who supervised the vices of one of the many consulting firms available that spe- project. Initially, the director did most of the design work and cialize in these types of projects. After developing a list of ten Bill did the programming. Bill often proposed alternative waysfor incorporating key features into the app, and the director Performance evaluations of Andy suggested that one of would choose among the options Bill identified. Toward the his greatest strengths was his ability to step back from a prob- end of the development project, Bill began to take a more active role in proposing features to include in the app. lem and understand how the various issues were interrelated. The development project was largely completed on time His evaluations further recognized him as "a highly motivated and on budget considering the changes in the scope of the proj- self-starter with very good organizational skills." His organiza- ect that were made as the project progressed. Several sugges tional skills also helped him effectively present information, tions that would have extended the app's functionality were and he was often requested to make short presentations related tabled to be considered as updates after the app was offi- to a particular project's status to senior management. cially launched. By almost all accounts, Andy was considered highly In his current position as Webmaster, Bill is in charge competent, completing assigned tasks in a timely fashion with of maintaining the bank's website. Although Bill's staff now little or no direct supervision. At the same time, Andy always includes a programmer and a hardware specialist, his made it a point to communicate regularly with other project approach is very much hands on, staying involved with all team members to keep them abreast of his progress. He was technical aspects of the site. Bill has developed an excellent often passionate about his ideas and was typically able to get rapport with his two direct reports, and they have emulated buy-in from other team members for his ideas. much of Bill's style, including working long hours and even Andy is almost always seen carrying his planner. As an avid stock investor, he makes it a point to stay abreast of trends competing to see who can accumulate the largest number of in technology. He has a basic understanding of how mobile soft drink cans, empty candy wrappers, and computer print- computing works and knows all the important buzzwords. outs on one desk. While he has fooled around and created a couple of apps, he knows very little about more sophisticated programming lan- Andy Dover guages such as Java, and knows even less about computer Andy Dover also joined the bank in 20X0 after completing his hardware beyond its basic purpose. MBA at a large public university. Andy entered graduate school Questions immediately after graduating with a civil engineering under- 1. Who would you recommend Stacey Thomas select to serve graduate degree at the same university. as project manager? Why? Andy spent his first year rotating between various departments in the bank's Leadership Development Program. 2. How would you recommend this project be organized? After completing this training, Andy requested permanent Functional project? Pure project? Matrix? Why? assignment to the operations group. His initial assignment was 3. Do you agree with Ms. Thomas's decision that the project to oversee the check encoding operation. After implementing should be staffed internally? What are the major advantages several process improvements, Andy was eventually promoted of staffing the project with Quantum employees? Are there to senior operations analyst and worked on several large pro- any advantages to utilizing the services of an outside con- sulting firm? cess improvement projects