Background: The assignment is intended to bring out the benefits and limitations of different approaches to project planning and control by relating these to the circumstances in the cases outlined.
It is also intended to allow students to demonstrate their learning and competence in respect of the management of resources generally, but in particular elements of scope, schedule, quality, and cost.
Task 1 - 700 words
Projects are normally catergorised into three different types. Define each type and give examples of each type of project (8 marks).
1) What is Scope Management of a Project? What does it consist of? (6 marks).
2) Using the information below, plot out a full project Gantt chart and identify the critical path? How many days does it take to complete the project? What are the benefits of using a Gantt chart? (6 marks).
4) You have been asked to assist with Preparing a budget for a Project, What approach would you take, list some of the steps used? (4 marks).
5) How would you assess and manage the risks on a project? What model would you use to assist with identifying the Risk (6 marks).
6) What is Project Quality Management? What does it consist of? (10 marks).
Task 2
Task 2 a report that is produced for task two (2300 words) - completed as an individual task
Case Study: Case 2: Joshua Ltd is a SME company specialising in the design and supply of baby/children's clothing from 0-6 years old. They supply small and large retail outlets with quality competitively priced products.
The company has been particularly successful since it started trading in 2008. They currently operate from a single main warehouse (24,000 square metres). At present the company employs 1 General Manager, 2 Assistant Managers, 6 Administration staff, 8 sales staff, and 4 warehouse staff. They outsource their distribution functions.
As part of a strategy of expansion, Joshua Ltd has employed you as a consultant to manage a one off special project. This project is concerned with the opening of a building which they recently acquired (40,000 square metres). This new building will allow the company to respond to increasing customer demands for their products. Initially, the staffing structure at the new building will mirror the existing structure at the existing site.
As Project Manager responsible for the opening - for trade - in the new building, you are required to prepare a report (2,300 words). From a project management perspective outline the activities required to successfully manage this new initiative, ensuring that it is on time, and within budget.
The new building transfer must be completed within 6 months with a budget of £250,000 to invest within the new facility. The analysis should include the skills and competencies required by the Project Manager, along with the project management process. Use examples of the concerns, project life cycle stages, processes, and leadership, administration and control problems associated with managing the lifecycle of this project.
For your convenience both tasks should be submitted as one document, which contains both individual tasks.
The criteria for assessing the task two report will be:
Report presentation (12 marks)
The extent to which the assignment represents an effective report. This will be judged on:
Appearance: Is a word count included at the end of the report? Is it within the specified amount? Is the text double spaced?
Structure: Does the report follow the conventions of the format? Does it have a clear introduction, explaining how it answers the questions? Do the sections of the report develop ideas in a logical sequence? Are diagrams or other subsidiary information shown in appendices?
Spelling and grammar: Are all words spelled correctly and is the meaning of sentences clear?
Referencing: Have appropriate references been included in the report. Has a recognised referencing system been used for notation? (see relevant section in the Guide to Basic Study Skills)
Use of relevant theory (24 marks)
Has the right theoretical content been chosen as the basis for answering the questions? Is there evidence of the use of course notes and books? Is the theory that is selected significant to the questions?
Analysis (24 marks)
This measures the extent to which students develop a structured argument for the points they make, by combining relevant theory with the information provided in the questions.