8th Blog: Visiting Holy Cross of Mintal's HR Department

 

    Today marked another insightful day in my journey toward earning a master’s degree. Each day brings new lessons and challenges, and today was no different. Our main focus was conducting an industry analysis—a crucial part of our studies that allows us to apply theoretical concepts in real-world settings. This experience was both educational and eye-opening, giving me a deeper understanding of project management in a functioning HR department.

    As our professor emphasized, having a solid grasp of the nine knowledge areas outlined in project management is essential. These include integration, scope, time, cost, quality, human resources, communications, risk, and procurement management. Understanding these areas equips us to offer valuable insights and practical solutions, whether for a small HR department or a large-scale organization. We are learning the fundamentals of project management and preparing ourselves to contribute meaningfully to any industry we choose to work in.

    For our project, we selected the HR department of Holy Cross of Mintal as the focus of our analysis. Our objective was to understand how their HR team manages projects and the types of tools they utilize in the process. This involved conducting an interview with the person in charge, who turned out to be the sole member of the HR department. This situation presented unique challenges for both her and us, highlighting the limitations faced by a small team—or, in this case, a one-person team—when managing multiple responsibilities.

    During our conversation, she shared some difficulties she encountered managing the department’s projects. Due to limited resources, the HR department relies on a few basic tools for organizing tasks and keeping track of progress. She explained that tracking project timelines, allocating resources, and ensuring consistent updates for employee development initiatives is incredibly challenging without a comprehensive project management tool.

    A key issue that emerged from our interview was the impact of unforeseen circumstances on project timelines. Since the HR department is responsible for employees' professional development, unexpected delays can cause significant setbacks in crucial areas like employee training and skill-building programs. Due to the constraints of managing these projects alone, some initiatives remain pending for months, making it difficult to meet the organization’s evolving needs.

    Seeing her dedication despite these obstacles was inspiring, and her response to our questions showed genuine enthusiasm. She expressed gratitude for our interest in her work and for the possibility that our findings could help improve her processes. We discussed potential tools and strategies to ease her workload, and providing actionable advice that might streamline her tasks felt rewarding.

    Reflecting on today’s experience, I feel that our small contribution could positively impact her department. Our conversation gave us practical experience in industry analysis and reaffirmed the importance of project management in all business sectors, even in smaller departments with limited resources. Our professor’s teachings about the nine knowledge areas took on new meaning as we saw firsthand how each area plays a role in overcoming real-world challenges.

    As I continue my master’s journey, I look forward to more opportunities like this one, where we can bridge theory with practice, solve real issues, and support professionals who are making a difference within their organizations. Today was another small yet meaningful step, and I’m excited to see where this journey will lead next.