1. Jordan Cambron
370 W. 7th
S. #207
Rexburg, Idaho 83440
Phone (208) 602-8429
jordan.cambron@gmail.com
July 8, 2016
Mr. Kory W. Godfrey
Lamprecht Hall 211A
Dear Mr. Godfrey:
I am submitting this semester living proposal to recap my experience of deepening my learning. The
proposal contains information about aspects of the Alternate Test Option, including the benefits of
customizing a curriculum based on my personal strengths, weaknesses,and interests in developing project
management skills, capabilities, and attitudes.
Project Management is a crucial part of business and is especially important within my desired choice of
study: healthcare administration. We use project management in almost every aspect of daily life as we
seek to ponder, plan, and execute activities to achieve certain results. With my new plans for the
curriculum, you can be confident that these plans have caused minimal effects on the structure of your
course, and have enhanced my personal experiences, developed my project management skills, and
provided positive externalities to those affected by the project.
As you study the living proposal, please feelfree to notify me if you have any questions or need
additional information.
Sincerely,
Jordan S. Cambron
Healthcare Administration Student
Enclosure: Proposal
3. Jordan Cambron
370 W. 7th
S. #207
Rexburg, Idaho 83713
Phone (208) 602-8429
jordan.cambron@gmail.com
Living Proposal to Complete Alternate Test Option
Basic Proposal
I have used this proposal as a “living proposal” to outline my projects and activities that have helped me
develop new abilities. I focused on a few small projects that required me to grow more as a project
manager. I actively attended class and participated when appropriate, and I avoided participating in
assignments that might have detracted from my field of study. I dismissed smaller assignments and
focused my efforts on developing skills. I did not complete a write-up summarizing my experiences for
each topic, but I did create a PowerPoint presentation that explains what I have done this semester. I
completed five small projects throughout the entire semester. I did not complete the large project like I
had planned. The following list is a list of projects and methodologies that I learned better as I
participated in the projects:
1. Formed a choir for Paul Cardall’s new record: I learned and taught about Swallow the Frog
2. Developed an exercise plan: I focused on waterfall
3. Planned a party: I focused on RAM methodology with RACI
4. Coached a volleyball and kickball team: I learned more about leadership principles
5. Edited this living proposal: I worked on the spiral methodology
The current version of the CIT 380 curriculum has many great elements that I believe should remain in
the program. I believe the assignments are useful, but not necessary; hence,I chose to not participate in
them. I will recap the specific project management elements I focused on while working to complete my
projects. I will briefly address:(1) the background for my initial proposal, (2) the projects completed, (3)
the benefits of implementing these projects as alternatives to tests,(4) a timeline to complete these
projects, and (5) a project agenda.
Background
I enrolled in Project Management and attended two class periods last semester and then dropped the class
because I had an excessive amount of credits. The class is required for my major and after gaining some
exposure to what the format of the class is, I had a better understanding of what I might want to do as an
alternative. I recently transferred from BYU to pursue a degree in healthcare administration (a degree not
offered at BYU). With the liberty of the alternate test option, I realized I can customize my syllabus to fit
my needs. I strongly believe this will allow me to improve as a project manager. I want to do things that
4. 2
not only benefit me personally, but also those around me. I plan to be proactive and be someone that acts
and isn’t acted upon.
Projects
I participated in five small projects throughout the semester. Some I had planned and others were
opportunities I saw as a chance to practice applying things I learned from class and study.
Form the Choir
One project I worked on this semester was helping put together a choir for Paul Cardall’s new album: A
New Creation. My brother in law works for The Piano Guys and has recently been helping score and
produce Paul Cardall’s new album. Paul gave him the responsibility to put together a choir that had
enough parts (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) for two songs: (1) Redeemer and (2) One by One. Since my
brother in law was doing so many other things in the studio he gave the responsibility to my sister and
me. We worked all afternoon looking to find people to be in the choir. At the same time, my sister was
packing up because their family was leaving for Italy the next morning. I taught her the “swallow the
frog” technique and she told me her most daunting task was laundry. I told her that if she worked on
finishing laundry that she would be able to get everything ready for Italy and the recording session that
night from 7-10 PM. I taught her that if she focused her energy on the larger task, she would have energy
for smaller tasks later and not get “burned out.” She tried it out and our other sister came to help as well.
My sister was able to get everything done that she needed to and our choir had just the right amount of 20
participants.
Develop an Exercise Plan
The next project that I worked on was creating an exercise plan. I met with my roommate Emmett (His
sister is a personal trainer) at the beginning of the semester and we made a workout plan. I made
specifications on what parts of my body I wanted to work on and we designed it specific to those parts (I
mainly wanted to focus on upper body). After the construction and implementation of the plan, I tested it
out with my schedule. I quickly noticed that I had conflicting workouts on days when I played sports, so
as a result I made some changes to the days that I worked on arms and shoulders. For installation and
maintenance, I have still been working out weekly and have seen personal growth and strength. I was
proud of myself for actually sticking to a plan longer than two weeks on my own.
Plan a Party
The next project that I worked on was Responsibility Assignment Matrix. This concept allows you to
make a Responsible Accountable Consulted Informed (RACI) chart. I planned a half-Christmas
celebration for June 25. We had many different activities, brought food, and listened to Christmas music.
I created a RACI chart before in order to determine which role was in charge of certain tasks. This was a
neat project because as I referenced the chart I was able to see who needed to be held accountable if most
things didn’t get done. We had a successfulparty.
Coach a Volleyball and Kickball Team
Another project I worked on this semester was coaching my volleyball and kickball team. I focused on
certain concepts from freshbooks.com. We clarified at the beginning that our goal was to win the
championship to get a t-shirt. We established project milestones—the main ones were to win certain
5. 3
games in order to reach the milestone of being ranked first or second going into the tournament. We
reached this goal in volleyball, but not kickball. Next we focused on keeping communication flowing. We
did this by communicating on the court and by me sending out a reminder text message every morning of
the game day. I also avoided scope creeping and helped my teammates focus on what our job is: winning.
I would have to remind them to stick to the techniques they know and don’t try to venture off of the goal
by doing other things (e.g.,certain hits, serves,shots, etc.). Lastly, I did an exit interview protocol in
order to get feedback on my job as a coach. I sent out a Qualtrics survey to my team and they evaluated
me on administrative responsibilities, relationships, and coaching performance. We ended up reaching our
goal in volleyball and winning the intramural championship!
Edit the Living Proposal
This project has been an interesting one. I have tried to stick to my original plans—but just like everyone
knows—that is something hard to do. So I submitted this proposal at the beginning of the semester to let
Brother Godfrey know what I had planned to do. I identified what I wanted to do based on the “intended
outcomes of CIT 380” from the online syllabus. After I designed projects tailored to my goal, I designed a
living proposal and then started to construct or build (start completing) the projects. The main thing I
lacked here was adequate feedback from customers (teacher and me). I mostly measured that by
determining how well the projects were working for me individually without involving my professor
Brother Godfrey. The last part of the spiral called risk and evaluation was important this semester. As I
was going through changing things here and there,I realized one of the projects (Veteran’s History
Project) was a little more than I had anticipated. The risk was not being able to complete the project or not
benefitting in the way I had planned. I eliminated that project and then I added a few others (Swallow the
Frog, RACI). Being able to edit this proposal and customize my projects was very helpful in the end. I
was able to come back in a spiral manner and constantly improve my projects and evaluate myself.
Benefits
Guaranteed exposure to new areas of project management that helped me grow as a project
manager
Developed new skills of leadership that have prepared me for future occupations
Benefited and served other individuals in their personal endeavors
Motivated me to be proactive about project management
Allowed me to be in a richer learning environment with customized projects
Allowed me to surpass my presumed capabilities and make weaknesses become strengths
Time Line
To disrupt the normal work procedures as little as possible, I implemented the new plans on April 25.
This allowed for a few days of preparation to begin working on planning for activities and assignments
listed in the “Alternate Test Option” agenda.
6. 4
Conclusion
I know that these projects helped me learn a great deal more about what I am capable of doing as a project
manager. Since I was not restricted to a syllabus, I was able to better work on things that I presumed
useful to me. Most of the projects I had planned, but I had to learn to alter some of them as time passed. I
purchased a Healthcare Project Management book and I was able to use it to study certain methodologies
such as Responsibility Assignment Matrices,project constraints, and scope. Although I relied on various
internet articles to study about the other methodologies, I was still enriched with more information about
tactics that work in certain scenarios for managing projects.
I feel like I benefitted greatly from my projects and the principles I learned. I also feel like I defied the
concept of the natural man syndrome and I will conclude why. The concept has two options: (1)
Frontloading at the beginning of the semester and then adding final touches as your work consistently
coasting down throughout the semester and (2) back loading when the deadlines are arriving which often
results in lost quality. I started off strong at the beginning of the semester and I was very proactive
working on projects. Throughout the middle of the semester I still worked on my projects but I missed
class a few more times and I struggled to keep consistency. Then towards the end of the semester I started
to pick things back up again. This caused a valley on my “time-activity” CCPM timeline. I learned a few
lessons from this as I worked on my projects. I know frontloading was smart,but taking the mid-semester
break was not that effective; however, this break was a wakeup call and reminder that we cannot slack
when times are challenging.
The most important concept I think I gained from this semester is communication. I realized that I met
with Brother Godfrey one time at the beginning of the semester and then I talked with him about my
projects during class off and on, but I was not giving him constant updates. This accountability I lacked
made me realize that it must be frustrating for professors (or project managers) if we as students,
employees, or participants are not constantly communicating with them about our progress, work, or
accomplishments even though we are doing work. Some might believe this is a form of “quiet dignity”—
doing your job well without much communication or accountability—I believe communication is one of
the most important concepts we can learn and we can still have both quiet dignity and active
communication at the same time. I apologize for my lack of communication on my projects Brother
Godfrey! This semester has definitely been enjoyable as I have gained many skills from directing
projects.
7. Alternate Test Option Agenda
Week Project Plan Tasks Report
Week 1
April 25-May 1
Develop an Exercise
Plan
-Write out a detailed plan
of upper body, core, and
lower body workouts
-Write down the workout
-Post the workout in a visible
area
-Write a small report on skills
learned from waterfall
principles
Week 2
May 2-8
Coach Volleyball and
Kickball Team
-Win game
-Leadership focus
-Sign up for intramurals
-Attend info session
-Lost vball game
-Won kball game
Week 3
May 9-15
Volleyball Game
Kickball Game
-Win both games -Send game reminders -Won vball game
-Won kball game
Week 4
May 16-22
Kickball Game
Living Proposal Eval.
-Win game
-Spiral Methodology
-Send game reminders
-Update proposal info.
-Lost kball game
Week 5
May 23-29
Kickball Game
Volleyball Game
-Win both games -Send game reminders -Won vball game
-Lost kball game
Week 6
May 30-June 5
Kickball Game
Volleyball Game
-Win both games
-Review leadership principles -Evaluate my coaching
-Won vball game
-Won kball game
Week 7
June 6-12
Kickball Game -Win game -Lost kball game
Week 8
June 13-19
Paul Cardall Album
Volleyball Game
-Win game
-Teach swallow the frog -Help with laundry
-Send game reminders
-See final result Sept 16 when
album is released
-Won vball game
Week 9
June 20-26
Half-Christmas Prep
Kickball Game
Volleyball Game
-Win both games
-Use RAM to host party -Send game reminders
-Lost kball game
-Won vball game
-Present current projects to class
Week 10
June 27-July 3
No Games
Continue exercise plan
Week 11
July 4-10
Living Proposal Recap
Kickball Tournament
Volleyball Tournament
-Win tournaments
-Meet with Bro. Godfrey -Finish PowerPoint
-Won vball tournament
-Lost kball tournament.
-Teammate-Qualtrics
8. Week 12
July 11-17
Final Presentation -Share projects with class -Determine when to present -Give evaluation feedback forms
to class
