Strategy
Strategy is an integral part of most facets of our lives; whether it deals with family, friends, our occupations, our hobbies, or our walk with Christ. Strategy is our plan to get from a starting point to an end point, where in most cases lies an end goal.
Our use of strategy in the case of this class and in business is the plan that is devised and set in motion to get from the beginning to the end of a project while factoring in methods of managing profit, time, and resources. Our text book indicates that “Strategy is fundamentally deciding how the organization will compete. Organizations use projects to convert strategy into new products, services, and processes needed for success.” (Gray & Larson, 2006) Strategy and project management complement each other but obviously when there is a deficiency in either, both suffer. “Ample evidence still suggests that many organizations have not developed a process that clearly aligns project selection to the strategic plan. The result is poor utilization of the organization’s resources – people, money, equipment, and core competencies.” (Gray & Larson, 2006)
Biblical Comparison
The first example of strategy that comes to my mind when thinking about the Bible is the main and ultimate reason for the Bible. Upon creating man, God already knew that human nature would cause Adam and Eve to sin so he devised a strategy – a plan of redemption and salvation – that would benefit mankind through the ages; his son Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection. God put together the ultimate strategy that would see that our sins were forgiven and that we could be offered eternal life despite our wicked human ways. After the fall of man Genesis 3:15 states “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head” (Holy Bible, NIV, 2005) From the new testament, Hebrews 7:25 also states “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (Holy Bible, NIV, 2005) Though no profit was made through this strategy, the project – humanity, has been made complete.
Discussion Questions
1. Why is it so important for projects and strategy to be clearly aligned?
2. What are some benefits to having a well linked project and strategy?
3. How do “old school” and “new school” thoughts of strategy differ?
Project Management Professional: An individual who has meet specific education and experience requirements set forth by the Project Management Institute, has agreed to adhere to a code of professional conduct, and has passed an examination designed to objectively assess and measure project management knowledge. In addition, a PMP must satisfy continuing certification requirements or lose the certification.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) is “a professional organization for project managers. PMI membership has grown from 93,000 in 2002 to more than 478,000 currently.” (Larson & Grey, 2018). This facility is where one would be certified to become a project management professional or to renew your certification. The need for professional project managers has grown so rapidly over the past decade that some companies are now requiring you to have the certification to be hired.
Biblical Comparison
As a Christian you must adhere to a certain code of conduct just as a project management professional. In the business aspect that could include fair and honest deals with no gray areas of what is required to provide, and do as you commit to. A Christian also has the same responsibilities but it is not answering just to the customer it is answering to God. It is difficult to conduct business as a professional if you cannot balance these two aspects. Matthew 6:24 (ESV) ““No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Discussion Questions
1. Do you think that a Project Manager Professional should have to be certified to obtain a job?
2. Does a Project Manager Professional need to be a Christian to continue to commit to fair business practices?
3. Can a Project Manager Professional really help a company or organization reach the next level or there goals?
