In this seminar paper I reflect the experiences and feelings I had during this project in the way of a “reflective journal”, rather than a “reflective diary”. Unlikely the classical reflective diary definition, which explains a diary as a book in which you write down your personal experiences and thoughts each day, my reflective journal includes an analysis of my personal experiences and thoughts and a recommendation for future learning. For my reflective journal I follow the DIEP strategy, which helps me writing an academic reflection in four steps. The four steps in this approach are to describe an insight, to interpret and evaluate it, and to plan how it might transfer to future practice or learning.
The paper is organized as follows. Section 2 contains a brief reflecting diary to DDescribe and I-Interpret what I experienced, discovered, recognized and felt during our project. Section 3 analyzes my reflecting diary according to my E-Evaluation. The fourth section focuses on P-Plan suggestions for improvement.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Reflective Diary
2.1 Kick Off Meeting
2.2 Working Period I
2.3 The Russians visit the Germans
2.4 Working Period II
2.5 The Germans visit the Russians
3 Analysis of the reflective diary
3.1 Leadership: Lead it or leave it
3.2 International Projects: The challenge of leading at a distance
3.3 Project curve: Be aware of ups and downs
4 Suggestions for improvement
4.1 Create a clear process
4.2 Grade what you want to be great
5 Résumé
6 Bibliography
Objectives & Research Themes
This paper examines the personal experiences and reflections of a student participating in an international academic project involving 3D printing in the automotive industry. The research aims to evaluate team dynamics, leadership challenges, and the impact of virtual collaboration on project success, ultimately proposing improvements for future course structuring.
- Reflective analysis of an international, cross-functional group project.
- Challenges of virtual leadership and communication across geographical distances.
- Application of the DIEP reflection strategy (Describe, Interpret, Evaluate, Plan).
- Evaluation of cultural adjustment and project performance curves (W-Curve).
- Analysis of gender-related leadership barriers and self-limiting behaviors.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Leadership: Lead it or leave it
I mentioned the missing lead in our team several times in my diary. During the whole project it was clear for me from almost the beginning that we are like a ship without a captain in the middle of nowhere. In my former career I have done several projects and some of them I was leading, so I have to ask myself why haven´t I taken the lead? I was qualified to be the team leader, my team would have needed that and it would have given me a great opportunity to create a great project and prove my leadership skills. Instead I was waiting for instructions, blaming other team members and I wasted my and the others time with participating in a project progress which I knew from the beginning it would not be successful.
I think this were my inner motives for holding back myself:
A. Internal barriers prevent me from going ahead
Instead of leading in myself and raising my confident hand, I hold back myself and expect less from myself.
B. I minimized risk as much as possible
I was afraid that my studies and family will not be compatible. The fear of failing as a project leader forced me into a follower position.
I know women tend to be less happy to take risks than men. Nevertheless for the progress in a project or in career in general this is often necessary. Thereby a research bolster up. The results show that when women work and thereby live a variety of roles they are less anxious, they enjoy better health and lead more solid marriages (Sandberg 2016: 12-27).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter outlines the scope of the international 3D printing project and introduces the DIEP methodology used for the reflective journal.
2 Reflective Diary: This section provides a chronological account of the project phases, including meetings, collaborative efforts, and the author's personal challenges.
3 Analysis of the reflective diary: This chapter contextualizes the personal experiences into broader management theories regarding leadership, virtual teamwork, and project lifecycle curves.
4 Suggestions for improvement: This section offers concrete recommendations for course structure and grading policies to enhance student engagement and project outcomes.
5 Résumé: This chapter synthesizes the personal growth and lessons learned from the project despite the initial setbacks.
6 Bibliography: A list of academic and professional sources utilized throughout the analysis.
Keywords
3D Printing, Automotive Industry, Reflective Journal, Virtual Teams, Leadership, Change Management, Cross-functional Groups, DIEP Strategy, Project Management, Cultural Adjustment, W-Curve, Gender Stereotypes, Academic Reflection, Collaboration, Student Experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
The paper is a reflective journal documenting a student's participation in an international course titled "Business Entrepreneurs and Change Management," specifically focusing on a 3D printing project for the automotive industry.
What are the primary themes addressed?
The themes include team dynamics in cross-border groups, the challenges of leading virtual teams, personal leadership development, and managing cultural and project-related stressors.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The objective is to analyze the student's personal experience using the DIEP reflection model to identify performance barriers and suggest improvements for the future of such international collaborative modules.
Which methodology is applied throughout the reflection?
The author utilizes the "DIEP strategy," which consists of four phases: Describe what was learned, Interpret the insight, Evaluate the experience, and Plan how to apply the findings in future practice.
What topics are discussed in the main analysis section?
The main section analyzes leadership deficiencies in the team, the unique challenges of leading at a distance in virtual projects, and the ups and downs of the project lifecycle via the W-Curve model.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The work is characterized by terms such as 3D printing, virtual teams, leadership, project management, reflective journaling, and change management.
How does the author relate her personal situation to the project results?
The author reflects on how balancing her role as a new mother with her studies and the project's unclear structure led her to adopt a follower role, which she later evaluates as a missed opportunity for leadership.
What is the author's conclusion regarding the grading system?
The author suggests that the current grading requirement—prioritizing a reflective paper over the tangible project outcome—incentivizes students to minimize risk and effort, ultimately causing the project work itself to suffer.
What specific role did the "Russians visit the Germans" phase play in the project?
This phase served as a temporary highlight of the project, where face-to-face contact improved team relationships and motivation, although it was ultimately overshadowed by a lack of long-term project planning.
What does the author propose to improve future iterations of this project?
The author recommends the introduction of a clear, standardized project outline at the beginning of the semester to ensure all participants are aligned on requirements and deliverables from the start.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Kristal Robles (Autor:in), 2016, 3D Printing Real Project for the Automotive Industry. Reflective Journal, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/371820
