The transportation, shipping, and distribution functions of the Starrett Company are essential and integral in the overall operations of the company. The project requires the adoption of the driverless or autonomous vehicles and an integrated system to integrate all functions. The project of this nature requires various technologies as they are fundamental, however, the key technologies needed include using the ERP software system, the use of BI and Analytics Tools. The ERP systems will ensure the integrated system is well built, all duplicated functions are eliminated, and adequate information shared effectively across the departments  (Coccia, 2017). The Analytic Tools and Business Intelligence will track the performance of the systems, autonomous trucks, and any strategy implemented. The tracking will evaluate and monitor their performance. Managing these technologies will require an equipped, educated, and experienced operational team. The team will not only manage these technologies but also guide the innovation’s development. In addition, the change management of the technology will ensure the technologies are well implemented, and their performance tracked.

The design and early stages of the project are essential as they ensure the planning of the entire project is well conducted. At this stage, what would be done differently is on the preparation and planning of the whole project. When integrating autonomous vehicles, many issues are at stake, especially due to the implementation of the project internationally. Thus, the planning and R&D functions would take up much time, as the desired product should have quality control and assurance (Adhikary, 2018). Moreover, I would develop an effective contingency plan in case there are complications in the project implementation.

The Starrett Company project management plan has enabled me to acquire the essential knowledge and skills required in project management. The eight-week course has been crucial, as the skills and knowledge will allow me to prepare coherent and well-structured business proposals and implement new business ideas and product development effectively. These skills will enhance my professional life in the future. Moreover, I can easily undertake other projects as I have learned potential mistakes and strengths. Besides, I can easily and efficiently organize, plan, and manage any project, as the course has enabled me to learn how to manage all involved stakeholders from the customers to the donors. 

References

Adhikary, S. (2018). Techniques and Methods of Business Forecasting. Retrieved from http://www.economicsdiscussion.net/business-forecasting/techniques-and-methods-of-business-forecasting/31478

Coccia, M. (2017). Disruptive Technologies and Competitive Advantage of Firms in Dynamic Markets. SSRN Electronic Journal, 3-15.