Do you agree or disagree that a better adherence to the standards, an analysis of the
impacts to the stakeholders and a stronger communication to the parties involved would
have avoided the issue described? Briefly, explain your view.
Standards ensure the safety, functionality, and reliability of any project. The project management
institute (PMI) has developed standards that will enhance the safety and effectiveness of projects.
The owner disregarded these standards and carried on as he wanted. Based on the story, it
resulted in the loss of life and property.
The standards developed by PMI are based on historical data and analysis and are aimed to help
project stakeholders achieve project goals while minimizing cost and time (Project Management
Institute, 2022). When owners or project managers detach from the standards or cut corners it
will negatively affect the quality, functionality, and safety of the project. Any monetary gains
attained by not following the standard will be small compared to the risk on human life and
property.
In the story, the stakeholders include the owner, the government, and the public at the very least.
If the owner has assessed the long-term impact of the project on the stakeholders he would have
chosen a better alternative. Furthermore, proper communication with the stakeholders would
have yielded a more efficient alternative. Therefore, applying the standards, analyzing the impact
of the project on the stakeholders, and having good communication would have avoided the
issues described in the story.
Do you agree that innovative people cannot be also people that understand, apply and
adhere to standards? Why or why not?
Innovation can be defined as the process of generating and implementing new ideas that add
value to the organization or project (Gallagher, 2015). Innovation requires people to think
outside the box, question the current system, and try to find new ways of doing things. However,
this doesn't mean that understanding and applying standards will be an obstacle to innovation.
Standardization is linked with actions that create order by minimizing the variety of processes
(Wright et al. 2012, p. 652). This provides more focus for innovators and increases their
efficiency. However, it is necessary to understand what kinds of controls promote innovation and
impacts to the stakeholders and a stronger communication to the parties involved would
have avoided the issue described? Briefly, explain your view.
Standards ensure the safety, functionality, and reliability of any project. The project management
institute (PMI) has developed standards that will enhance the safety and effectiveness of projects.
The owner disregarded these standards and carried on as he wanted. Based on the story, it
resulted in the loss of life and property.
The standards developed by PMI are based on historical data and analysis and are aimed to help
project stakeholders achieve project goals while minimizing cost and time (Project Management
Institute, 2022). When owners or project managers detach from the standards or cut corners it
will negatively affect the quality, functionality, and safety of the project. Any monetary gains
attained by not following the standard will be small compared to the risk on human life and
property.
In the story, the stakeholders include the owner, the government, and the public at the very least.
If the owner has assessed the long-term impact of the project on the stakeholders he would have
chosen a better alternative. Furthermore, proper communication with the stakeholders would
have yielded a more efficient alternative. Therefore, applying the standards, analyzing the impact
of the project on the stakeholders, and having good communication would have avoided the
issues described in the story.
Do you agree that innovative people cannot be also people that understand, apply and
adhere to standards? Why or why not?
Innovation can be defined as the process of generating and implementing new ideas that add
value to the organization or project (Gallagher, 2015). Innovation requires people to think
outside the box, question the current system, and try to find new ways of doing things. However,
this doesn't mean that understanding and applying standards will be an obstacle to innovation.
Standardization is linked with actions that create order by minimizing the variety of processes
(Wright et al. 2012, p. 652). This provides more focus for innovators and increases their
efficiency. However, it is necessary to understand what kinds of controls promote innovation and
