how does the environment easily prevail in your project?

 how does the environment easily prevail in your project? Introductions

In the contemporary environment of business, which is characterized by a high level of complexity and dynamism, project management is seen as an integral function aimed at realizing set organizational goals as well as fostering creativity. 

Still, the outcome of any given project does not only rely on how skilled or hard working the project team is. The project being executed is dramatically affected by the context in which it exists. All of these environmental factors may be a cause and effect for a project’s development. They may impact all aspect of a project, including operational timings, budgetary constraints, satisfaction of the stakeholders and the general success of the project.

The effect which the environment has on the success of a project is one that is important to both project managers and project stakeholders. By identifying such factors, project managers can prepare for such factors, adjust their approach and increase the chances of success of the project. There are different kinds of environmental factors that affect projects and this article will examine some of them and give recommendations on how they can be controlled when necessary.

Overview of project management and why it is important

Introduce the concept of environmental factors in relation to project management

The environment is important in defining the scope of the projects.

Understanding Environmental Factors in Project Management 

Definition of environmental factors 

classification of environmental factors (internal and external) 

Assessment of the significance of environmental scanning during the project planning stages 

External Environmental Factor

Political Factors

Effect of the peace or conflict on the governance of involved countries

Besides, the way states intervene through policies, regulations and laws in project implementation

Economic factors

In this regard, how do external economic conditions ex. inflation, interest rates affect the project particular’s budgets and time constraints

The impact of growth trends and cycles on the feasibility of carrying out the project

Socio-Cultural Factors

How family values, societal expectations, lifestyle, and cultural diversity affect the working relations within the project team and outside the team with the stakeholders.

Managing projects across cultures: cross-cultural challenges and advantages.

Technological Factors

How Technology Influence or change the Scope and Implementations of the Projects

Threats of dissatisfactory approximation due to forecast changes on advancements in technologies

Nature and Environmental aspects

Project design and implementation strategies considering environmental context and sustainability constraints

How natural disasters and climate change influence the project risk level and the risk contingency management strategies

1. Internal Environmental Conducting Factors

   
   

   Organizational Cultures

   The culture within an organization and its implications on project management practices and team dynamics

   How specific projects can be designed to correspond with the firm’s culture in a bid to meet objectives

   Availability of Resources

   Influence of shortage of resources in the areas of human capital, finances, and materials on the planning and execution of the project

   How crucial the management of resources efficiently is in the minimization of the risks involved

   Stakeholder Monopoly

   Influence that stakeholders have on what the project goals, objectives and deliverables should be

   Ways in which the stakeholders are kept under control and how they are pleased

   Corporate Adjustments and Backing of Management

   What is the weight of leadership and management in the achievement of a goal- project

   The way support of operation management is likely to affect project ranking, resources assignment, and decision making

   
   

   Specific Examples of the Topics

   
   

Understanding Environmental Factors in Project Management

Definition of Environmental Factors

Environmental aspects are the conditions, surroundings, and influences that are not a direct concern of the project team yet may impact how well a project advances. It is helpful to consider such factors as fitting into two broad groups: internal and external. Internal factors are those that reside within the organisation such as corporate culture, resources available and the weight of stakeholders. External factors occupy the space beyond the organisation and emasculates the elements of the political, economic, social, technological and environmental landscape.

Types of Environmental Factors (Internal and External)

• Internal Factors: These consist of organizational culture, available resources, different stakeholders, and corporate governance. They tend to be to some degree controllable by the organization and therefore can be helpful within management, leadership, and strategic governance.

  External Factors: These are the political aspects, economic conditions, social practices, technological advancement, environmental conditions etc., which are in no way controllable by the organization. These variables can greatly influence the success of a project and may either pose potential risks or present opportunities..

Importance of Environmental Scanning in the Project Planning Phase

EEducational scanning is the exercise of the discerning assessment of the surrounding conditions that can either be internal or external, and which can influence the course of the project. This manner of thinking lets the project managers to assess the possible threats and advantages that may face the project at its initiation phase, thus, findingroom to formulate tactics to curb threats and maximize on the advantages. This means by addingenvironmental scanning in the course of the project planning, it becomes easier for a project manager to make decisions and hence increase the chances of effectively carrying out the project.

Political Environment

It is easy to understand that the political environment where the project runs can greatly enhance or deter its success. The presence of political stability or political unrest may dictate the project solidification, starting from the availability of funds to the issuing of necessary permits plus other approvals as well. In politically unstable areas, there might be interruptions in the conductions of the projects, additional expenses incurred and in the worst cases, there might be project abandonment.

Likewise, policies and regulations of the government have to be taken into consideration when evaluating the project environment. This means that the changes in the status of laws, regulations or even government politics will have an impact on varying factors such as project scope, budgets and schedules. For instance, certain new laws regarding the environment may impose additional restrictions thereby increasing complexity and cost of a project.

Economic Environment

The economic environment consists of many factors that affect projects such as inflation, interest rate, and the general economic situation of the region. As a result of economic chaos, the prices of materials and labor may vary thus controlling the expenditure of a project becomes difficult. And also it is possible that due to economic recession, the volume of funding available can decrease hence causing rescheduling or cutting down of the project.

For example market demand and economic cycles assist in determining project success or failure. For example, projects which are majorly reliant on consumer demand may find it difficult to wade through economic recessions while those in tune with the market demands and trends find opportunities. It is therefore pertinent to appreciate the economic context and its implications for the project while undertaking a design so as to ensure proper planning and risk management.

Social and cultural environment

The social and cultural environment encompasses the value systems, beliefs, and levels of cultural integration that exist in the external environment of the project within society. These elements can have a huge impact on elements such as the project team, the stakeholders and the project as a whole.

For example, projects that include members who are from different cultures may face challenges in terms of participation, coordination, and governance. If cultural beliefs and practices are ignored, there may be incompatible geographies and people. However, a culturally diverse team in a project has its advantages – it can provide different ideas which can help solve the problem at hand.

Projects which promote dotted community involvement or public participation will have to consider the social norms and values. If the project does not consider the surrounding cultural factors, there may be resistance or opposition to the project or may even lead to the failure of the project.

Technological Environment

Technology has been and continues to be of great importance in project management ever since its importance.

Deployment of Resources

One of the internal factors within the boundaries of which projects are managed is the resource availability. Resources comprise of workforce (e.g., competent staff), monetary resources (e.g., project budget) and material resources (e.g., tools, equipment, consumables). Due to internal pressures, constraints on resources may result in delayed project completion, escalating of the costs and compromised quality.

Understanding how to manage resources without getting oneself in trouble is very important. Project managers have to make sure that the resources are well utilized, keep track of the use of resources, and revise the use of the resources as appropriate in the course of the project.

Stakeholder Power

Those supporting the project, directly or indirectly, are the stakeholders. Participation of stakeholders encompasses project sponsor, project teams or members, clients or beneficiaries, partners or suppliers, and statutory bodies, among many more. The stakeholders’ attitudes could dictate the goals, scope and even the deliverables of the project.

Just as it is important to manage tensions within the project team, so it is to manage relations between the team and stakeholders. In practice this means that the project manager should pay attention to all stakeholders and involve them to the project at all stages.