Background

  • Development as Part of the Production System Enhancement Project
  • Aimed at establishing a standard manufacturing process.
  • Focused on real-time monitoring and improving production efficiency.

Environment

  • Front-end: Vue.js
  • Back-end: Java Spring Framework
  • Database: PostgreSQL

 

Responsibility: Project Manager

  • Managed project schedules, assigned tasks to team members, and handled source code version control and deployment.
  • Collected system requirements, designed screen and feature specifications.
  • Designed standard APIs, common features, and components for front-end/back-end integration.
  • Created unit test and integration test scenarios.

 

Outcome

  • Implemented core features such as inputting production performance for each process.
  • Conducted manager-centered testing at the Hanoi factory’s production site.
  • Released an open-source version for continuous code improvement.
  • Only the alpha version (Phase 1) of the three development phases was completed.
  • Further development was hindered due to a shortage of personnel after the main developers left the company.
  • I also resigned in preparation for a career move.

Reflections on PM Work

The Web MES project was my first experience as a project manager. In the past, my focus was mainly on development and support tasks, concentrating solely on my responsibilities. However, project management involved much more, such as distributing work among team members, progress tracking, schedule management, process establishment, and requirement handling, which significantly increased the workload.

Despite the additional responsibilities, I was more passionate about project management than I had ever been during my development work. While I took on this role out of a sense of responsibility, I also found that management suited me more than development, which is why I approached it with enthusiasm. Even though there were challenges and difficulties among team members, I truly enjoyed the role of project management, which ultimately helped me succeed in this position.

Conflict and Resolution During the Project

The project team consisted of six members, four of whom were more senior than I was. The company was in a transitional phase, moving from a vertical to a horizontal organizational structure, which made it difficult to navigate team dynamics. Establishing clear relationships and adapting to this shift was challenging at first, particularly in assigning tasks and project scopes, which led to some conflicts early on.

I struggled to manage these issues, so I turned to my direct supervisor, who was the most senior team member. After discussing the difficulties, my supervisor called a meeting, urging the team to support me as the project manager and provide assistance, despite my junior rank. From that point on, even when differences arose, we were able to resolve them through mutual agreement.

While I couldn’t have resolved this situation on my own, given the hierarchical nature of the organization and my inexperience as a project manager, I believe this was the best possible solution. I also learned that open communication and honestly addressing issues are essential when facing problems.