Post Module Assignment 
Ph.D (MOTI)
Eskom Project Management Program (2008)
MODULE 1: SELF, OTHER AND SOCIAL CONTEXTS
Compiled by 
Kavitha Prag
11 March 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1    Introduction    1
2    SELF, LEARNING STYLES AND REFRAMING    1
2.1    Kolb Learning Styles    2
3    Context of Learning in The Cost Engineering Department    7
4    Learning Styles within the Cost Engineering Department    8
5    The Development Plan    10
5.1    The Expert    10
5.2    The Novice    10
6    conclusion    11
7    References    11
 
1    INTRODUCTION 
Eskom last built power stations more than twenty years ago and much of the estimating experience and data was lost in the decades where the company had an operational focus. This coupled with the shortage in the construction industry of suitably experienced cost engineers and estimators has made it difficult for the author to build up the organisational capacity within this functional area. In addition expert resources that have chosen to remain in the field and in the organisation are an ageing workforce approaching retirement. 
The general skills shortage both locally and abroad, has led to a strategic choice to bring in newly graduated novice cost engineers and develop the capacity for future projects. The caveat here though being the shortage of skilled mentors whose time is already being fully utilised to run the cu ...