SHR043-6 Integrated Management Project: Assignment 2 Answer

Answer :

REFLECTIVE ESSAY

Introduction

The continuous learning is equally important for the achievement of the dreams and progressing into the future. The need for the reflections to process on the experiences for extracting the learning is an important step in it. According to Brockbank, McGill and Beech (2017), reflection can be defined as the processing of the experiences so that the learning and the development points can be assimilated for comprehensive description and association in the practice of the professional. The lessons learnt can then be applied in the further decision-making process of the professional for a more contextual and accurate use. The main aim of this project is to describe and assimilate the reflection from the research project that was done on integrated management project of Ooredoo Oman. A reflective theory would be used for the purpose of the sequential and methodical analysis of the experiences through the application of the theory. 

Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle

Kolb's Learning Cycle provides a detailed structure for the reflection of the various experiences of the professional in the workplace. The need for the processing of the reflection as the basis for the formation of a concise plan for the development of the professional for achieving the aims and aspirations can be properly done. According to McIntyre, Dix and Ward (2018), the learning preferences and instructional methods can be aligned with the help of this theory by linking the activities as well. There are four basic steps of Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle which includes concrete experiences, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization and active experimentation. They are as follows:

Concrete Experience

While I was doing the research for the project, I was faced with the issue for the choice of the methodology for the conduction of the research. As I was inexperienced in the process of the conduction of the research, there was considerable confusion regarding the research direction to be undertaken. I was also very concerned about the structure of the project as it had so many facets to be considered. The issues of Ooredoo Oman for the various types of management lead to a plethora of issues to be identified all of which could not be included in the research. Thus the creative solution and the thinking process for the inclusion of the most relevant issues and their solutions to be included in the project required expertise and research skills to be developed. The idea of the project was to include and analyze the issues of the company that pertains to the topic of the project. I believe that the scarcity of resources, as well as the time allocated for the completion of the project, also leads to the development of research skills. The management of the project was also another dimension of the project that required attention and had to be thorough for its efficient completion. These experiences led to the development of the proper techniques for the solution of the complex issues faced during this research project. I believe that I have made significant progress for finding requisite solutions to the problems that would develop my skills and adaptability as well as add new abilities in my arsenal. 

Reflective Observation

The experiences that I encountered related to the obvious problems I faced while completing the project. I did not have any idea of the problem that may arise in regards to the problems that I faced during this project. I assumed certain obligatory adherence to the framework provided by the teacher would suffice but it did not. It was inconsistent with my thought process. While, the teacher aided in the development of the process for the completion of the research project, the entire process of the correct questions to be asked and responses recorded for the entirety of the project to be completed called for figurative thinking on my part (Provis, 2017). I observed that asking the accurate questions to be asked for eliciting a valid response would enrich the knowledge base and add to the credibility of the conclusions that have been drawn from the analysis of the information collected. I also saw that the management of the timelines and the determined objectives to be completed within the required ambit of the research also helps to complete the project in a healthy manner. While the research questions formation was a detailed task, the question itself to be agreeable with the outcomes of the research also required extensive visualization of the vision statements. The experience did not agree to what I already knew and thus this conflict of the process of the research and learning helped cultivate a series of conjunctive effort on my part to take the planning of the project more attentively and comprehensively in the future (Jenert et al., 2017). This would help in the completion of the project as well as help to better my research topic also.  

The pertinent importance of the reflection also adds value to the research itself and helps for elevating the arguments of the research so as to determine the necessary steps to be followed in the process of the development of the project itself. I also developed in the process as new skills and diversified thinking ability was instilled in me which can become a crucial tool for using in the future endeavours as a professional of the management studies. 

Need for reflection

Peterlin et al. (2018) state that there is an innate need for reflection in the management education as it helps in the assimilation of the information so that the quintessential learning can be segregated for future application. While it can be said that experiences teach us important lessons and we develop for the better, the articulation of these learning in a concise manner is required such that the application can be reinitiated or copied by others. According to Peterlin et al. (2018) also states that the horizons for the application of the inimitable actions of the employees also helps to identify the needs which necessitate reflection.  

Theories of Reflection

There are several theories of reflections such as Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle, Gibbs Reflective Cycle and others. However, Kolb’s Experiential Learning was chosen for this reflection as it allows for the choice of a single type of learning style. However, the culmination of the learning style and the experiences of the professionals in the workplace are due to the different choices that were made by the professional himself (Smith, 2016). This theory also allows for the iteration of the experiences as well as conceptualization of the learning for a progressive understanding of the learned experiences. In a nutshell, these theories provide a framework for the professionals and the learners to use them for reflective practices.

Abstract Conceptualization

The modification of the idea for the conduction of the research has led to the development of a refined approach. The approach has a modified approach for the development of the skills. The first skill that was developed was the research skills. Since the web can be a rich source for any secondary data, it is essential to understand that not all resources are credible. The selection of the right source of information determines the quality of the research itself. The validity of the arguments supported by relevant sources of information can lead to concluding and acceptable arguments to be made (McCarthy, 2016). The next is communication skills. I had to write extensively for this research as I had to write and express myself as a dependable professional of management studies. I have developed a comprehensive technique to successfully argue and prove my point. The abstract concepts that were developed during the discourse of the research also enrich the knowledge as a research student. While the idea of communication was developed, the management of the project was vastly inclusive of newly formed ideas. I learned that the planning of the project entirely through a succinct overview of the steps to be followed could help in achieving the aims of the project and complete it.

The complexity of the issues of Ooredoo Oman also leads to some critical thinking on my part. The reasonable justification of the analysis of the collected information about the problems of the company such as changing service provider by the company requires extensive CSR initiatives to be deployed by the management of the company can only be constructed through critical thinking ability of the researcher. The translation of the business problems to be associated with the intention of the customers also helped me to understand that the customer-centric methodologies are as important as the innovativeness of the solutions of the problems. The choice of the methodology for the conduction of the research was also an issue that was met in the conjunctive approach determined with the help of the teacher. It helped me to understand the discourse as the point of consideration for determining the methodologies to be used. 

Active Experimentation

I believe that the skills of communication and research that was developed during the research could become a crucial part of my professional character. I could use the learned skills for enriching and dispensing the duties of the office properly. As a management student who intends to foray into the corporate world, the communication skills developed during the research would help me to instil a comprehensive focus to further and use strategic interventions to successfully get the message across. My research skills can also be utilized for preparing projects and presentations that is expected of management professional. As a management professional, I would be in charge of many projects that would be required to be delivered in time. This research conduction would help me to practice the nuances of management strengths. Although I believed it to be one of my strengths, yet I faced difficulty for its completion. This research taught me the idea for contingency ideas as well as risk factors to be considered for the planning of the projects. In a nutshell, these skills would help me to dispense my duties as a management professional in the future so that I possess the requisite skills of a management professional in the future (Arora, 2018). These skills would help me to achieve my dreams whilst also ensuring competence.  

Improvement Strategy

Though a lot of new skills and things were learned during the research and yet there are always provisions for improvements to be made. The first skill which I would like to develop is my communication skill. For this, I would take online classes and practice regularly for personal development, I would also make it a habit for using my communication skills at work by writing regularly and consulting with my trainer for guidance to achieve them and complete them. I would also like to enhance my management skills. I would liaise with my management professor to identify the strengths and weaknesses so that I can work on my weaknesses so that it can be improved and fortify my chances as a management professional. I aspire to become a competent management professional and I would also prepare a personal development plan for the fortification of all the skills (Grit, 2019). I would identify the skills required for my dream job and list them against a mapped out timeline and gain them to become successful. 

Conclusion

It can be concluded from the above research that there is an important requirement for reflective practices to enhance the applicative purposes of the learned experiences. The assimilation of the reflection in the practices helps cultivate a process that is focused on the development of the professional and clear articulation of the learned idea. While the experiences do not provide a detailed extraction of learning, the use of Kolb's Experiential Learning helps to positively look back and understand what kind of development was made by the experience. The conduction of research is not an easy task and required multifaceted skills and talents that can be gained as well as developed for future development into the professional I aspire to be. The addition of several skills would also help me to better suit the requirements of the job specification and I can easily function in the job role.