MBA project – PM Immersion!

This week our learned Bath University School of Management students were able to shadow Jon for the day on the new BBC Wales HQ project in Cardiff. They joined in site meetings at Central Square with Overbury, Capita, IDSR, Aecom and Currie & Brown. They then visited BBC Wales’ current HQ in Llandaff for meetings with BBC Wales’ Chief Operating Officer, Programme Director and the PMO. The day showcased the diverse, people-focussed nature of Jon’s work with BBC Workplace…including fun photo opportunities with the Daleks.

So why was this day and others programmed for shadowing just so important?

This visit – named an immersion episode – forms a key element of the research and context setting for our investigation in to how new and emerging technology could transform the delivery of project management services. Other planned research activities include interviewing our staff and clients with carefully prepared questions.

Our MBA student team gave some glowing feedback from the day, saying it gave them valuable insights into how the J4 team works. By spending time in a typical work placement listening to clients too, gave them a deeper understanding of the role of a project manager and the tasks required.

In many respects this visit very much mirrors how J4 likes to work – embedding into the client’s culture and working environment. It is only in this way that a true appreciation of a company can be gained. The fact-finding part of this project is underway, research in motion and we couldn’t be happier with how this professional team of MBA students is approaching its brief.