Achieving Project Goals Simulation

Achieving Project Goals Simulation / Week II

Michael C. Hunte

MGT437

January 30, 2012

Professor Peggy Ryan

In this simulation the problem posed is about an organization named the Huduma Foundation. This organization is partly funded by wealthy individuals. Their primary objective is the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals from densely populated areas. The given simulation is based on a project “Operation Elephant Ark” whose mission is to relocate eight elephants from the Zakinaka National Park to Ungabo National Park (University of Phoenix, 2012), Perspective of Project Management. The reason being that high levels of uncontrolled poaching have depleted the elephant herds there. On the other hand, due to a large elephant population in Zakinaka, the food supply there is threatened. If the first batch of eight elephants is successful, then plans are already being considered to transport more elephants to Ungabo in the future.

This simulation changed my perspective of Project Management by clarifying that with any project, there are always risks. In this simulation there were several risks, which entailed the breakdown of one of the transport trucks, whether or not to take a shortcut, which was prone to mudslides, there was the unforeseen storm; the aircraft fuel issue and the overall timing with sedation for the elephants. Bearing all this in mind, the critical item here was the safety and comfort of the animals. My initial view prior to the simulation was that planning projects were a very simple job; however, after completing the simulation I realized that things do not always go as planned. When the unexpected happened with one of the transport trucks breaking down, this could have caused “Operation Elephants Ark” to fail. When planning, plan for the unpredictable, be versatile and prepare for the unknown; contingency planning. Now I understand that Project Managers have to be quick and careful thinkers, taking every option into consideration...