What type of decision maker are you? How have your decisions guided you through life? Given what you have read about project management in the text and the PMBOK, what are some changes or improvements in your decision making, do you think you will have to make in order to be successful in project management? Please explain in detail.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
My Decision-Making Style: Reflections and Future Improvements for Project Management
Decision-making is a critical component of both personal and professional life, influencing the trajectory of our paths and the success of our endeavors. As I reflect on my own decision-making style, I recognize that I tend to adopt a blend of analytical and intuitive approaches, heavily influenced by my experiences and the context in which decisions are made. However, as I delve into the principles of project management outlined in the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge), I identify areas where I can refine my decision-making processes to enhance my effectiveness in future projects.
Thesis Statement
While my current decision-making style combines analytical reasoning with intuition, embracing a more structured and systematic approach, as advocated by project management principles, will be essential for achieving success in managing complex projects.
My Current Decision-Making Style
Analytical Decision-Making
I often rely on analytical decision-making, which involves gathering data, evaluating options, and considering the potential outcomes before arriving at a conclusion. This method has helped me through various academic and personal challenges. For instance, when faced with choosing a major in college, I conducted thorough research on potential career paths, job market trends, and my own interests. This analytical approach allowed me to make an informed choice that aligned with my long-term goals.
Intuitive Decision-Making
In addition to analytical reasoning, I also incorporate intuition into my decision-making process. This instinctive approach arises from my experiences and gut feelings about certain situations. For example, during a group project where team dynamics were tense, I sensed that open communication could bridge the gap. Trusting my instincts led to a candid discussion that resolved misunderstandings and improved collaboration.
While both styles have served me well, there are limitations to relying solely on intuition, especially in high-stakes environments where data-driven decisions are paramount.
Lessons from Project Management and the PMBOK
The PMBOK emphasizes structured methodologies and standardized processes in project management, which can significantly enhance decision-making capabilities. Here are several key lessons I have gleaned from the text, along with corresponding improvements I intend to implement:
1. Emphasis on Data-Driven Decisions
Current Approach: While I do incorporate data into my decision-making, it is often secondary to my intuition.
Improvement: Moving forward, I plan to prioritize data-driven decision-making by systematically collecting and analyzing relevant information before making judgments. By utilizing tools such as SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) or decision matrices, I can better evaluate options based on quantifiable criteria.
2. Stakeholder Engagement
Current Approach: I occasionally overlook the importance of consulting stakeholders when making decisions, relying primarily on my judgment.
Improvement: The PMBOK highlights the significance of engaging stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. In future projects, I will actively seek input from team members and other relevant parties. This collaborative approach will not only provide diverse perspectives but also foster buy-in and commitment to the decisions made.
3. Risk Assessment
Current Approach: I tend to underestimate potential risks associated with decisions, focusing more on immediate outcomes.
Improvement: A thorough risk assessment is crucial in project management. To enhance this aspect of my decision-making, I will adopt a proactive mindset by identifying potential risks early in the planning process. Utilizing risk management tools such as risk registers will allow me to develop mitigation strategies and ensure more informed decisions.
4. Structured Evaluation Criteria
Current Approach: My decision-making can be somewhat ad hoc, lacking clear criteria for evaluating options.
Improvement: Adopting a structured framework for evaluation will be beneficial. This includes defining criteria for success at the outset of a project and consistently measuring decisions against these benchmarks throughout the process. This systematic approach will help ensure alignment with project objectives.
Conclusion
In summary, while my current decision-making style incorporates both analytical reasoning and intuition, there is significant room for improvement as I pursue a career in project management. Embracing data-driven methods, stakeholder engagement, risk assessment, and structured evaluation criteria principles highlighted in the PMBOK will enhance my ability to make informed and effective decisions. By refining these skills, I aim to navigate the complexities of project management successfully and steer my projects toward positive outcomes.
