My Weekly Reflection by KV

Week 1 - Introduction

m_valenzuela196493 — 2025-01-15 16:28:34 UTC

Our first week of classes was a bit of a miss due to orientation, but Prof. Anderson had a fun way of easing us into things! She assigned us a task to introduce ourselves on the FanshaweOnline discussion board, which turned out to be way more interactive than I expected. It wasn't just about sharing a bit about me—it was a chance to get to know my classmates and professor in a way that felt personal and engaging. I loved reading about everyone's background, what they’re passionate about, and their top purchases. The best part? I got some solid suggestions for what to buy next based on their recommendations! One of the highlights was sharing my own best purchase: my MacBook Pro, which has been my sidekick for nearly a decade. Ms. Anderson even shared that maybe it's a sign she should invest in one too! It’s fun how something as simple as a discussion board activity can spark connections and give us all a little insight into each other's lives.

Week 2 - Public Agency Presentation

m_valenzuela196493 — 2025-01-15 20:23:30 UTC

Week two is here! And we finally got to meet our professor, Ms. Kim Anderson, in person! She gave us a brief review of the course modules and what to expect, which helped set the goal for the semester. Then, we dove straight into the lesson for the week. After some discussion, we were given our first group task: a presentation on public agencies here in Canada. My group decided to focus on the Art Gallery of Ontario, and it turned out to be a pretty fascinating topic! We learned so much about how public agencies operate, from what they do to where their funding comes from and who (supplier) they buy from. It gave us a wide understanding of the role these agencies play in our society. All in all, it was a fun and informative way to kick off the second week!

Week 3 - SILEX Intro

m_valenzuela196493 — 2025-01-20 21:44:18 UTC

During the our Week 3 online class via zoom meeting, we we're introduced to Nicola Raycraft from HealthPro Canada and gained valuable insight from their public agency, specifically in healthcare. HealthPro Canada plays a crucial role in connecting healthcare teams to the supplies and solutions they need to care for Canadians. Their work provides the importance of ensuring that the necessary tools and resources are available to healthcare professionals, which is critical given the challenges faced by the Canadian healthcare system. Another exciting part of the presentation was the introduction to the Signature Innovative Learning Experience (SILEx) project. This opportunity to work with a real-world agency like HealthPro Canada brings an added dimension to our learning experience as we start our project soon! I can't wait to collaborate with my group and share a meaningful solution to Nicola.

Week 4 - Risk Management

m_valenzuela196493 — 2025-01-30 00:54:43 UTC

For today's lesson, we learned about Risk Management. After reading the case titled "But it was only $1000 job", it highlighted the importance of risk management and adherence to policies, and it plays a vital role to maintain public safety and operational continuity. Bob Smith’s lack of required insurance highlighted a significant neglect, as the school district’s insurance policy was created to prevent damages. Bypassing this procedure led to a pipe failure, flooding, and extensive cost failure. This serves as a reminder that risk management isn’t just about identifying hazards, but ensuring that all safety protocols are followed to avoid long-term consequences.

Week 5 - Public Procurement

m_valenzuela196493 — 2025-02-05 18:57:00 UTC

Last Monday, we learned about the importance of contract law, particularly in the context of Canadian competitive procurement. The introduction of Contract A and Contract B , this dual-contract system is fundamental to public procurement in Canada, fostering integrity and efficiency in the use of public funds.

One case we discussed, Ontario v. Ron Engineering Construction, stands as a foundational principle in Canadian contract law. The case served as a powerful reminder to us, as future procurement professionals, about the significance of diligence in competitive bidding. For bidders, it is vital to be meticulous when preparing submissions before entering into a contract with a client. What happened to Ron Engineering was a significant financial loss and a blow to their credibility as a company. By thoroughly reviewing the bidding offer before submission, bidders can increase their chances of success while minimizing risks and maintaining a positive relationship with the client for future projects.

Overall, this case emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement in the procurement process to ensure accountability, fairness, and efficiency.

Week 6 - Group Case Analysis

m_valenzuela196493 — 2025-02-10 22:46:03 UTC

This week’s module was a productive in-class working period dedicated to finalizing our group’s Executive Summary for the Hamildon's Wiper Blades case analysis. It was valuable to collaborate with my group members, Apple, Van, and Kosy, discussing our individual contributions and integrating them into a cohesive final submission. Prof. Kim's presence during this session was especially helpful, as we received direct guidance on our progress and clarified any remaining questions. I appreciate how this class time allowed us to apply concepts from our individual case analysis, strengthening our understanding of the case. Overall, this module helped me feel more confident in our group’s progress and the direction we’re heading.

Week 7 - Study Break !!! or Is it?

m_valenzuela196493 — 2025-02-19 22:15:04 UTC

Although it's study break this week, I can't fully relax as I have an important English proficiency exam coming up next week. I've been using this time to focus on preparing for the PTE Core exam, ensuring I make the most of every moment. It’s been a lot of hard work, but I’m hopeful that all my efforts will pay off. I'm staying positive and looking forward to doing my best!

Week 8 - Competitive Bidding

m_valenzuela196493 — 2025-02-28 17:43:29 UTC

Learning about competitive bidding in procurement has given me insights about transparency, fairness, cost efficiency in the acquisition of orders (goods or services), and demonstration of integrity specifically in public procurement. I've learned how competitive bidding encourages healthy competition among suppliers, ensuring that companies get the best value for their money. Professor Kim also talked about the different types of Competitive Bidding Documents, I got to re-familiarize myself again with various documents, such as RFI, RFP, RFQ, RFT, etc. Procurement professionals can select the most suitable method for their specific needs. To conclude, I look forward to learning more about how it can be optimized in real-world business.

Week 9 - Specifications, SOW, & so on

m_valenzuela196493 — 2025-03-04 03:12:27 UTC

In today’s class, we delved into Specifications, Scopes of Work, and Evaluation. I learned how precise and clear specifications are crucial when requesting products or services, especially in Public Procurement. Midway through the lesson, Professor Kim introduced a group activity and tasked to create a list of specifications for a particular product, and the other groups had to guess which product we were referring to. This exercise really helped reinforce the importance of detail in writing specifications. The more accurate and detailed our list was, the quicker the other groups could guess the product. It was interesting to see how products like paint, laptops, tables, buses, and even bolts were identified based on the clarity of the specifications provided. This activity showed me just how vital it is to communicate effectively in document building and procurement processes. I can't wait for the continuation of Evaluation discussion next week!

Week 10 - Ethics, etc.

m_valenzuela196493 — 2025-03-12 00:14:50 UTC

Ethical practices ensure transparency and fairness, preventing corruption. Social responsibility means prioritizing fair labor, diversity, and community support. Sustainability involves choosing eco-friendly suppliers and reducing waste. Additionally, I learned how public procurement in Canada upholds integrity and avoids corruption, unlike in the Philippines, where issues of unethical practices are more common. Prof. Kim also showed a short, funny clip from The Office titled You Are a Thief of Joy, which humorously highlighted ethical dilemmas in corporate settings—issues that should never happen in any business setting. Responsible procurement benefits society, the economy, and the environment, shaping a better future.

Week 11 - SILEX Working Period 👩🏻‍💻

m_valenzuela196493 — 2025-03-17 22:58:29 UTC

I'm pretty glad we're getting an in-class workday for the SILEX project this week. Having dedicated time to collaborate and work through our ideas together made a big difference. It was also valuable to have Prof. Kim available for questions and quick draft feedback — it gave us a better sense of direction.

I made sure to attend because I knew my participation mattered to the group and to my individual grade. Overall, I think we made solid progress, and I'm glad we had that time to focus and organize our presentation for HealthPRO Canada next week!

Week 12 - SILEX Presentation

m_valenzuela196493 — 2025-03-25 19:27:07 UTC

On Monday, March 24, 2025, my group—Apple, Van, Kosy, and I—was the first to present our procurement strategy recommendation for HealthPro Canada in the SILEX session. With each group allotted eight minutes, we successfully completed our presentation within the allowable time.

Presenting first was both a challenge and an advantage. While we had to set the tone for the session, it also allowed us to present with fresh energy and without the pressure of comparison. Our team worked collaboratively to ensure clarity and coherence in our delivery, and I believe we effectively communicated our presentation. The experience reinforced the importance of preparation, time management, and confidence in professional presentations.

After all groups had finished, we took a group picture with our professor, Prof. Kim, marking the completion of a valuable learning experience. This presentation not only deepened my understanding of procurement strategies but also strengthened my ability to work effectively in a team under time constraints. Overall, it was a rewarding experience that will be beneficial in future professional settings.

Week 13 - Contract & Supplier Management

m_valenzuela196493 — 2025-04-02 17:12:26 UTC

This week’s lesson on Contract and Supplier Management reviewed the importance of well-defined contracts and proactive supplier relationships. We revisited the key elements of a contract—such as offer, acceptance, consideration, etc. and how they serve as safeguards against misunderstandings. Prof. Kim’s discussion on Supplier Development highlighted the need to ensure suppliers meet quality and delivery expectations. I also found the importance of debriefing insightful. Reviewing supplier performance helps both sides improve and build trust. Overall, this lesson highlighted that strong supplier management leads to better long-term success.

Week 14 Finale - BPS & Beyond! 🎉

m_valenzuela196493 — 2025-04-07 22:44:26 UTC

Our final PRCH3020 class with Prof. Kim was a bittersweet moment that marked the end of journey. The session began with a deeper discussion on Broader Public Sector (BPS) agencies. Prof. Kim explained how these organizations, although not technically part of the government, still receive government funding to provide public services. This clarified the distinction between direct government bodies and BPS organizations, giving us a broader understanding of how public resources are managed and delivered to society.

Beyond the lecture, Prof. Kim took a moment to share a message with us—wishing each of us success in our future endeavors, especially in finding fulfilling job opportunities. As an International student, her encouragement made an impact to me because she knew how it felt to be in the same situation. Moreover, it reminded me of how much we’ve grown throughout this course and how valuable the guidance has been.

To cap off the day, we gathered for a group snapshot with our classmates. It was a small but meaningful moment. I left the classroom feeling both grateful and inspired, ready to take the next steps with confidence and hope.