The MASC Training Consultants Project - Case Study Example

Name: University: Course: Tutor: Date: Project Charter Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary 2 1.0Background to the project 3 2.0The project’s Measureable Organization Value 3 2.1Provision of value to the organization 3 2.2Measurability 4 2.3MOV must be agreed upon 4 2.4MOV Verifiability 4 3.0The project stakeholders 5 4.0A definition of the project’s scope 5 4.1Deliverables 5 4.2Technical Structure, Functionality and Data definition 6 5.0A three level Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) 6 6.0A high-level risk analysis 7 7.0The project’s success criteria 8 8.0Recommendations 9 Bibliography 10 Executive Summary The MASC Training Consultants abbreviated as (MTC) company embarked on the creation of a new training centre bent on the fact that it has managed to successfully obtain a good number of major clients within the previous two years. The project’s Measureable Organization Value (MOV) must implicitly include be verifiable, agreed upon, provide value to the organization and be measurable. It is worth mentioning that the project has various stake holders whose interests may be affected upon the execution of the project. With respect to the impact, the project Scope entails the task that needs to be accomplished in order to deliver a fulfilling out come with respect to the specified functions and features. Within the project charter, high-level scope is actually defined which comprises deliverables, technical structure and boundaries. A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a tool that is employed in the definition of the discrete tasks elements of a project in an effort to organize the total work scope. It may avail the framework for cost estimation as well as control. Of importance to this project is a high-level risk analysis which can be done via several methods such as influence diagrams, decision trees, probabilistic and sensitivity analysis. However, in carrying out an analysis of the risks that may face this particular project, there are some general steps that have to be considered. The project’s success criteria highly depends on upon the whole organization of the project from the initial stage to the final realization of the goals thus all requirements with respect to project fulfillment have to be attended to keenly. 1.0 Background to the project MASC Training Consultants abbreviated as (MTC) is well known and set up firm within the profitable commercial training market. This organization is bestowed with the mandate of running several training itineraries that range from management, executive and technical skills acquaintance. The company embarked on the creation of a new training centre bent on the fact that it has managed to successfully obtain a good number of major clients within the previous two years. There are several assumptions which have been put in place with the commencement of the project. Moreover, there are several software, business and technical requirements which have been documented and agreed upon. This being a “green field” opportunity there are also important guidelines in place, to see the project to completion. Just like any other project, a time frame and budget are of the essence and these have equally been put in place. 2.0 The project’s Measureable Organization Value Measurable Organizational Value (MOV) refers to a substitute tool to Return on Investment (ROI) which is more popular. It is a measure of success and the overall goal of the project. MOV must implicitly include be verifiable, agreed upon, provide value to the organization and be measurable. 2.1 Provision of value to the organization This basically underpins the MOV concept which is analogous with respect to the concept of ROI (Marchewka, 2003). The striking fact however is that ROI is a measure of the expect value and expenditure to the organization. On the other hand, MOV mainly focuses on the measurable business value especially when the project has been completed. As forecasted, the major clients secured as well as the increasing demand for corporate training, it goes without saying that the completion of the MTC project would see the profits of this organization continuously reaching an all time high. 2.2 Measurability Much as this is obvious it is extremely difficult (Marchewka, 2003). The main idea here is to ensure that the project decisions are made with a consideration of their impact on the MOV of the project. For instance this being a new innovation, each of its new features or the overall features is to be compared against the MOV and basing on prior documentation, the MTC project has new features that will increase the MOV. 2.3 MOV must be agreed upon It is important that all project stakeholders come to an agreement with respect to the MOV prior to the project starting (Marchewka, 2003). As depicted in the case study, the MOV of the MTC project has been well and beforehand agreed upon case in point is the budget and guidelines put across. There are several stake holders vested with several other interests. Moreover, the board members as well as other senior executives have envisioned the project as the flagship project and as such they have given it their total commitment as well as support. 2.4 MOV Verifiability Bent on the fact that the project’s MOV is measurable, verifiability is inevitable (Marchewka, 2003). It is almost definite, due to the budget in place and the requirements of the various stakeholders once this project is complete, the MOV will be verified to determine project successful. On the same note, almost all stake holders are positive that success will be realized. 3.0 The project stakeholders The key stake holders are those organizations as well as individuals that are actively involved in the entire project. With respect to the project in question, this list is entirely exhaustive. Chief financial officer ,Cindy Crinkle: 61 Wellfield Road, Roath Cardiff, CF24 3DG The Training Manager , John Andrews: Carrew Towers, M em phis TN 38166-1121 Trainer, Anne Davis: Bakersfield CA 93312-9521 Customer Service agent, Robert Donovan: 3 Edgar Buildings, George Street, Bath England BA1 2FJ Sales & Marketing manager, Gene Vanessa: 44-46, Morningside Road,Edinburgh,Scotland,EH10 4BF Chief information officer, Edwards Peng : 27 Colmore Row, Birmingham, England, B3 2EW 4.0 A definition of the project’s scope Project scope entails the task that needs to be accomplished in order to deliver a fulfilling out come with respect to the specified functions and features. Within the MTC project charter, high-level scope is actually defined which comprises deliverables, technical structure and boundaries (Project Management Institute, 2008). 4.1 Deliverables The external deliverables of the MTC project include the hardware and software required such as in the training bookings, course development, teaching theatre remote management, and content management. In addition, there is the wireless internet access which is required in all the training rooms as well as common areas like the lunch room and coffee lounge. The purchase of security solutions, new hardware and network infrastructure are important deliverables in this project. On the other hand the internal deliverables include the Project Charter such as what is documented. 4.2 Technical Structure, Functionality and Data definition The technical structure technique is very useful considering the fact that this project is an expansion of an already existing business. A diagrammatic illustration of the expected outcome is of the essence. This will identify the entire system and even give specific modifications. In terms of functionality, the MTC being a massive project, the whole project has been projected to be complete by the end of May 2011. It is also at this point that any situations which may require clarification can be efficiently addressed. In data definition, it has been propose that the business users will have to verbalize their specific requirements and focus on data flow. 5.0 A three level Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a tool that is employed in the definition of the discrete tasks elements of a project in an effort to organize the total work scope. It may avail the framework for cost estimation as well as control (Haugan, 2002). Fig. 1 6.0 A high-level risk analysis High-level Project risk analysis can be done via several methods such as influence diagrams, decision trees, probabilistic and sensitivity analysis. However, in carrying out an analysis of the risks that may face the MTC project, there are some general steps that have to be considered. Threat identification is the first major step in this project. The types of threats that may affect this particular risk, include the project risks like cost over-runs, human risk like individuals managing the project falling ill, technical , procedural as well as financial. The next step is to make an estimate of the risk, where the likelihood of the identified risks occurring being actually realized in order to assess its impact. After which ways of managing the risks are identified. However, the MTC project has a proposed budget so the means identified has to be within the budget. As per this project the best solution with respect to sticking to the budget, is the employment of existing assets or contingency planning. In addition, reviews out to be made and this make yet another important step and in this particular project, testing of all the guides and systems as well as plans appropriately is of importance (Norris, Perry, & Simon, 2000). 7.0 The project’s success criteria For any project to be successful it is vital at the initial stages to ensure that stakeholders have a common understanding of determining the success of the project. Bearing in mind the fact that the various stake holders of the MTC project have a common understanding, they have embarked on meeting an encoded schedule which is an apparent success factor. In addition, measurable business goals which are quite vivid equally determine success. With this particular case study, increasing market share is a definite goal and a main reason as to the initiation of the project. The business goals definitely imply a specific project success criterion. Moreover, in the MTC project, the achievement of budget targets as depicted by the proposed budget highlights the success of the project. The management of the MTC project also identified constrains and these were cost and time, thus giving a vivid picture of the success due to the ability to identify constrains in good time and also considering the Service Oriented Project Management model which gives a similar view (Tavares, 1998). 8.0 Recommendations The case study conducted on MASC Training Consultants abbreviated as (MTC) project that is aimed at creating a new training centre is a very profitable innovation. It is important for the MOV to meet the entire set criterion so that success can be realized. The project scope has to equally be well and properly defined. In addition the work breakdown structure (WBS) has to be followed to the later so that important details are not left out. Bent in the fact that all project have some form of risk bestowed upon them, risk analysis is a must and this particular project is no exception. The project’s success criterion is entirely dependent upon the whole organization of the project from the initial stage to the final realization of the goals thus all requirements with respect to project fulfillment have to be attended to keenly. Bibliography Haugan, G. T. (2002). Effective work breakdown structures. USA : Management Concepts. Marchewka, J. T. (2003). Information Technology Project Management: Providing Measurable Organizational Value – Second Edition. Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA: John Wiley & Sons. Norris, C., Perry, J., & Simon, P. (2000). Project Risk Analysis & Management. High Wycombe,Buckinghamshire: The Association for Project Management. Project-Management-Institute. (2008). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) - Fourth Edition . New York: Project Management Institute. Tavares, V. L. (1998). Advanced models for project management. New Mexico: Springer. Read More