Project Management & Marshmallow Challenge

Date:  (Week 6)
Venue: BFEI | Room 108
Class:  WDM
Topic:  Project Management & Marshmallow Challenge

Introduction:

This is another fun Friday, the topic of discussion today was Project Management, I've been looking forward to this, essentially because as a Web Designer I will be managing web design projects which means I am going to be accountable for the success or failure of a project. It is important now that I learn how to define the project, building its comprehensive work plan, and managing to the budget these would be considered some of the important responsibilities of a project manager in design environment.

We had a short session learning theories of Project Management that was because we have team building activity to do. 

Teamwork Exercise of the day (working in a team) and how we worked together on the exercise.

Along with the topic of discussion today which was on Project Management, we undertook an exercise in team building called:

Exercise #4 The Marshmallow Challenge

Introduction 
Since team building is an important step, each team should take a measure to ensure success on any project. The Marshmallow Challenge is designed to assist participants in building a strong, healthy team as they engage and collaborate together on the activity. 

Overview 
The activity on the agenda involves 2 teams competing to assemble the tallest freestanding structure in a given time period with set materials

Objectives
After completing this activity, participants would be able to: 

• Explain the importance of a well-functioning team 
• Apply the lessons they learned to their roles 

Materials 
One Marshmallow Challenge Kit per team, including the following items: 

• 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti 
• One marshmallow 
• One yard of string 
• One yard of tape 
• One measuring tape
• A pair of Scissors

Marshmallow Challenge Materials

Group Size 
Teams of 2 (6 participants altogether)

Team A comprises of Daniel, Ade and Jo'Art

Team B comprises of Ahmad, Tetyana and Jasmine

Setting 
Large room with table big enough for the 2 teams to work on.

Time 
Approximately 10 minutes


Facilitator:

Class Teacher - Kymberly Dunne

Write up a commentary on your team and their solution to the problem on your blog.

• Explain the importance of a well-functioning team 

This activity is designed to teach the participants the attributes of collaboration, innovation and creativity. The Marshmallow Challenge also reminds us that in order for a project to be a success, we need to identify the assumptions we are making in the project and test these early on and often. 

It also demonstrated the importance of a well-functioning team in terms of ability to engage and collaborate with each on issues arising. It also teaches us that prototyping and iterating can help achieve success. In our team case, we should have first came up with a prototype if what we are to build before embarking on the project. It also shows that success in an organisation is dependent upon close collaboration between team members.

Below are more photos of our solution, how we worked together.

Reflection:

• Apply the lessons they learned to their roles 

On reflection, the lesson learned is applicable in any working environment. The application will be a good work practice to bring about innovation and creativity. Lessons learned can also be used to improve future projects and future stages of current projects. 

As an aspiring web designer, the activity demonstrate the importance of following the principles of project management which Design, Develop, Evaluate and Analyse. This will be a good practice in my future project management.