HQS 620 Topic 4 DQ 2 How does a “shared mental model” or visual tool assist in the completion of a project?

HQS 620 Topic 4 DQ 2 How does a “shared mental model” or visual tool assist in the completion of a project? – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the HQS 620 Topic 4 DQ 2 How does a “shared mental model” or visual tool assist in the completion of a project? It is essential to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. 

It is also important to identify the audience of the paper and its purpose so that it can help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, you should review its use, such as writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review how to format the title page and the headings in the paper.

How to Research and Prepare for HQS 620 Topic 4 DQ 2 How does a “shared mental model” or visual tool assist in the completion of a project?

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify the list of keywords from your topic using different combinations. The first step is to visit the university library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last words and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, for example, in APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. 

You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching about. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next you should create a detailed outline of the paper so that it can help you to create headings and subheadings to be used in the paper. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for HQS 620 Topic 4 DQ 2 How does a “shared mental model” or visual tool assist in the completion of a project?

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part as it helps to provide the context of your work, and will determine if the reader will be interested to read through to the end. You should start with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for HQS 620 Topic 4 DQ 2 How does a “shared mental model” or visual tool assist in the completion of a project?

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence conducted from the research, ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance and how it connects to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between each paragraph by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for HQS 620 Topic 4 DQ 2 How does a “shared mental model” or visual tool assist in the completion of a project?

In-text citations help the reader to give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their works. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Smith (2021), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Johnson and Brown (2020) highlight that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.

How to Write the Conclusion for HQS 620 Topic 4 DQ 2 How does a “shared mental model” or visual tool assist in the completion of a project?

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restarting your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper, by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. End with a call to action that leaves a lasting impact on the reader or recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for HQS 620 Topic 4 DQ 2 How does a “shared mental model” or visual tool assist in the completion of a project?

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded, in sentence sentence care. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Johnson, L. M., & Brown, R. T. (2020). The role of telehealth in improving patient outcomes. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 35(2), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000456

Smith, J. A. (2021). The impact of technology on nursing practice. Health Press.

Instructions for HQS 620 Topic 4 DQ 2 How does a “shared mental model” or visual tool assist in the completion of a project?

How does a “shared mental model” or visual tool assist in the completion of a project? What elements are important to include in such a visual and why? Have a look at HQS 620 Topic 4 Assignment: Building a Project Schedule.

Example 1 Approach to HQS 620 Topic 4 DQ 2 How does a “shared mental model” or visual tool assist in the completion of a project?

Numerous tools can be used in project management, ranging from work organization to role allocation. These tools are vital in improving the efficacy and efficiency of project management. A shared mental model of the visual assist tool is one of the tools used in project management and the focus of this discussion.

A shared mental model describes the common understanding of the team members regarding the project. The shared mental model entails beliefs and assumptions about the project and how it should be executed, expected outcomes, task dependency, overall project goals, and team member roles and responsibilities. Holtrop et al. (2021) state that a shared mental model helps team members align their perspectives, facilitates communication, eliminates confusion, and enhances collaboration.

It thus helps improve efficiency and reduce misunderstandings and conflicts. A visual tool assists in creating a uniform shared mental model of a project among all team members. A visual assist tool provides a common language and a visual presentation of the project, making it easy to communicate complex ideas and concepts (Glegg et al., 2019). In addition, visual assist tools reinforce audio, which further improves the understanding of a project. Sipes (2019) explores two significant visual assist tools: A Gantt chart and a Work Breakdown Structure, which help organize project tasks and activities.

Visual tools improve clarity, eliminate role confusion, enhance memory retention, and promote collaboration. Elements to include in a visual include visual presentation such as diagrams, charts, graphs and icons that present information in a visual format. Another element is a clear organization and structure to help navigate and comprehend information. Visuals should be simple and easy to comprehend because they are meant to enhance project understanding (Glegg et al., 2019). Headings, sections, and subheadings can provide a clear structure.

Color and formatting are significant in enhancing the visual appeal and readability necessary for their utilization. Visuals should also have labels, annotations, and key indicators to enhance users’ understanding (Glegg et al., 2019). Digital visual tools should have interactivity and navigation features such as zooming and scrolling to reveal details. For example, a project on building a new unit can include a visual tool of the entire unit, including all its features, which can be zoomed in for minor details. A shared mental model is significant to project understanding and execution, and visual assistance helps create an accurate shared mental model of the project, which is vital for collaboration and project success.

References

Glegg, S. M., Ryce, A., & Brownlee, K. (2019). A visual management tool for program planning, project management and evaluation in paediatric health care. Evaluation and program planning, 72, 16-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2018.09.005

Holtrop, J. S., Scherer, L. D., Matlock, D. D., Glasgow, R. E., & Green, L. A. (2021). The importance of mental models in implementation science. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 680316. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.680316

Sipes, C. (2019). Project Management for the Advanced Practice Nurse. (2^nd Ed.). Springer Publishing Company.

Example 2 Approach to HQS 620 Topic 4 DQ 2 How does a “shared mental model” or visual tool assist in the completion of a project?

According to Holtrop et al., “A mental model is an interrelated set of beliefs that shape how a person forms expectations for the future and understands the way the world works,” (2021). With this in mind, a shared mental model then ensures that all members of the team have the same set of beliefs surrounding a project and expectations for how the project will work moving forward. Using a visual tool will make that shared expectation visible at a glance.

One of the most popular types of visual models in project management is Gannt charts. Gantt charts are a “graphical representation of activity against time,” so it lets the team know what parts of the project are being worked on when, (Association for Project Management, n.d.). For a visual tool to be effective it is important that it includes a timeline and all necessary tasks related to a project. In the context of Gantt charts these tasks are represented by horizontal bars along a timeline including start and end dates.

Dependencies and deadlines as well as who is the task owner should also be included in any visual model. On a Gantt Chart the order of tasks matters as it represents the order that tasks should be completed, (Association for Project Management, n.d.). For me personally I also place a high value in the use of color and color coordination as it makes charts more readable and easier to understand. Color coordination could be used in Gantt charts for a number of different things such as each task owner having an assigned color or each category of task having an assigned color.

References

Association for Project Management. (n.d.). What is a gantt chart? https://www.apm.org.uk/resources/find-a-resource/gantt-chart

Holtrop, J. S., Scherer, L. D., Matlock, D. D., Glasgow, R. E., & Green, L. A. (2021). The importance of mental models in implementation science. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 680316. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.680316

Example 3 Approach to HQS 620 Topic 4 DQ 2 How does a “shared mental model” or visual tool assist in the completion of a project?

Effective teamwork is the most important part of a project, without this, the probability of success is unlikely. For this reason, all members of a team must be always on the same page, and here is where a “shared mental model” (SMM) and visual tools come in. To effectively face any challenge and perform their tasks, team members must develop SMMs – a shared understanding of knowledge among team members relating to important aspects in a team environment (van Rensburg, et al., 2022).

This can be achieved through communication and visual tools. Visual tools can improve transparency and help teams identify more closely with their work, as well as increase motivation to improve performance (Glegg, Ryce, & Brownlee, 2019). Without a SMM and visual tools individual members of the team may be working hard and committed to the work but operating in different ways that lead to uncoordinated and discrepant efforts (van Rensburg, et al., 2022), that can ultimately lead to project failure and non-completion. Taking that in consideration a shared understanding within a team will guide members to know when and what to communicate, ensuring the project stays on track and establishing expectations and goals for team members to keep in mind when working toward project completion.

Some of the best visual elements to have are charts, timelines, graphs, and images to enhance understanding of where the project is and where it needs to be. A performance wall or dashboard works to summarize strategic, tactical, and operational processes and data (Glegg, Ryce, & Brownlee, 2019), which can help with clarity and tracking. When all team members understand what needs to be done, the group can function more efficiently and cohesively. SMMs and visual tools are a great way to ensure project completion by helping team members organize information and establish response patterns that help them adapt their behaviors to changes in their environment (van Rensburg, et al., 2022), as well ass effectively coordinate and perform their work.

References

Glegg, S., Ryce, A., & Brownlee, K. (2019). A visual management tool for program planning, project management and evaluation in paediatric health care. Evaluation and Program Planning, 72; 16-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2018.09.005.

van Rensburg, J. J., Santos, C. M., de Jong, S. B., & Uitdewilligen, S. (2022). The Five-Factor Perceived Shared Mental Model Scale: A Consolidation of Items Across the Contemporary Literature. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 784200. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.784200.