Project Management Course - Case Study Example

A Not-for-Profit Medical Research Center Annual Report: A Detailed Project Plan Student Name: Institution: Chapter 4 Project Objectives The main objective of the project is to develop an annual report for a not-for-profit research center that is shorter, simpler and easy-to-read and one that seeks to enumerate the importance of the center’s research to the lives of those who are associated with it. Project Assumptions This project will consider the following assumptions: 1. All the three staff (Grace, Levi and Lakysha) and I are going to be available full time when required for the project. 2. The materials and equipment required for the project are going to be delivered as scheduled and on time. 3. There is enough information available for estimating the total cost of the entire project. 4. The significant risks related to each aspect of the project have been put into consideration or have been allowed room for. 5. The budget approved herein is a realistic one. 6. The purchases as well as the prospective contracts will be will be dealt with in a timely manner and that they will meet the project plan. 7. There is adequate and appropriate infrastructure in place that can support the project at hand. 8. There exist proper steps in place that can ensure a quality process. 9. The stakeholders, the past donors as well as the targeted high potential future donors are available for interaction in order to meet the project requirements. 10. Areas of concern will be noted and dealt with as risks. Work Breakdown Structure A List of Specific Activities to be performed 1. Analyzing the required parameters in detail for purposes of putting the plan into action. 2. To travel to several locations around the country to write about the various testimonials regarding the benefits of the research center and its activities. 3. Preparing (writing and editing) the final project plan document. 4. Travel to several locations around the country to take photos regarding the evident transformations caused by the research center. 5. Overseeing the entire project planning process 6. To ensure the accuracy of the project content so as to manage deadlines and project budgets. 7. Routing and reviewing the creativity of the marketing programs. 8. Coordinate and ascertain photo shoots as per the agreed requirements. 9. Supervise and hand in marketing reports as allotted. 10. Prepare tender documents for those tasks that will be outsourced from contractors. Assign Each Individual a Task Staff Task Alexis Overseeing the entire Project Planning process Performing the original assigning of annual report requirements to iterations Setting dates for the releases. Grace To ensure the accuracy of the project content so as to manage deadlines and project budgets. Routing and reviewing the creativity of the marketing programs. Coordinate and ascertain photo shoots as per the agreed requirements. Supervise and hand in marketing reports as allotted. Levi To travel to several locations around the country to write about the various testimonials regarding the benefits of the research center and its activities. Preparing (writing and editing) the final project plan document. Prepare tender documents for those tasks that will be outsourced from contractors. Lakysha Travel to several locations around the country to take photos regarding the evident transformations caused by the research center. Network Diagram Chapter 5 Projected Timelines 1. Analyzing the required parameters in detail for purposes of putting the plan into action. (4 days). 2. To travel to several locations around the country to write about the various testimonials regarding the benefits of the research center and its activities. (4 days) 3. Preparing (writing and editing) the final project plan document. (4 days). 4. Travel to several locations around the country to take photos regarding the evident transformations caused by the research center. (4 days). 5. Overseeing the entire project planning process. (Continuous). 6. To ensure the accuracy of the project content so as to manage deadlines and project budgets. (1 day) 7. Routing and reviewing the creativity of the marketing programs. (3 days) 8. Coordinate and ascertain photo shoots as per the agreed requirements. (3 days) 9. Supervise and hand in marketing reports as allotted. (4 days) 10. Prepare tender documents for those tasks that will be outsourced from contractors. (4 days) 11. Preparing the final project plan document. (6 days) 12. Project Implementation (180 days) ES, EF, LS, LF and Total Slack for each Activity Earliest Start (ES) Time =May 15 Earliest Finish (EF) Time EF=ES+Estimated Duration =May 15 + 180 days = November 15 Latest Start (LS) Time =May 16 = 116 Latest Finish (LF) Time LF=LS - Estimated Duration =116 – 4 = 112 Total Slack =Last EF – Completion Time =180 – 6 = 174. Critical Path and Activities that make it up Gantt Chart (Based on ES and EF) Task/ Duration April 1- April 5 April 6- April 10 April 11 – April 14 April 15 – April 18 April 19 – April 20 April 21 – April 24 April 25- April 28 April 29 – May 2 May 3 – May 7 May 8 – May 14 May 15 – November 15 Analyzing the required parameters Travelling and Writing Testimonials Preparing the Final Project Plan Document Travelling to Take Photos Overseeing the Entire Project Establishing Accuracy of Project Content Reviewing Creativity of the Marketing Plan Handing in Marketing Reports Preparing Tender Documents Project Implementation Chapter 6 Resource Requirements Table (based on ASAP Schedule) Resource Quantity Functionality Camera 2 Capturing Photos Video Recorder 2 Recording testimonials on the benefits of the center A4 Counter Books 10 Noting down any item with regard to the project Stationery (pens, pencils, rubber, files and folders, ) For writing rough drafts of any findings Computers (Desk tops and Laptops) 4 For entering, storing and analyzing data and information about the project Calculators 4 Performing some petty calculations on any data collected during the project Printers 4 Printing samples of what is to be expected in the original document as project progresses Chapter 7 Cost for Each Activity (using Gantt Chart) Task/ Duration April 1- April 5 April 6- April 10 April 11 – April 14 April 15 – April 18 April 19 – April 20 April 21 – April 24 April 25- April 28 April 29 – May 2 May 3 – May 7 May 8 – May 14 May 15 – November 15 Activity Cost (USD) Analyzing the required parameters 5,800 Travelling and Writing Testimonials 5,000 Preparing the Final Project Plan Document 6,700 Travelling to Take Photos 6,200 Overseeing the Entire Project 3,400 Establishing Accuracy of Project Content 2,500 Reviewing Creativity of the Marketing Plan 2,500 Handing in Marketing Reports _____ Preparing Tender Documents 2,500 Project Implementation 15,000 Total Budgeted Cost 49,600 Total Budgeted Cost = $49,600 Budgeted Cost by Period Table and Cumulative Budgeted Cost (CBC) Cumulative Budget Cost (CBC) (USD) Labor 49,000 Materials 36,000 Subcontractors 62,000 Equipment & Facilities 33,350 Travel 23,250 Budgeted Cost 203,600 Chapter 8 Potential Risks that Could Accrue 1. Lakysha is a part-time student and the fact that at times she may be required to sit her examinations may pose as a potential risk. 2. The staffs supposed to work on this project have not been specifically trained on how to handle it. 3. Though the project intends to have 2 cameras and 2 video recorders, there is a possibility of both of them experiencing some technical hitches. 4. There is no human resource backup just in case something happens to any of the staffs to work on the project. Risk Assessment Matrix + Response Plan for each Risk Very High High Low Very Low Lakysha’s Absence Training of Staff Technical Hitches Lack of Human Resource Backup References Albert, H., (2004). Handbook of Project Management Procedures. TTL Publishing Ltd.  Booz Allen Hamilton – History of Booz Allen 1950s Bjarne, K., (2007). Project Management –Theory and practice (pp.63). Nyt Teknisk Forlag.  David, C., & Roland, G., (2006). Global Project Management Handbook (pp.1-4). McGraw-Hill Professional Harold, K., (2003). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling (8th Ed. ed.). Wiley.  James, P. L., (2000). The project manager's desk reference: a comprehensive guide to project planning, scheduling, evaluation, and systems (pp.185). Jörg, B., & Martin, K., & Michael, R., (2003). Process management: a guide for the design of business processes.  Janssen, C., (2013). “Project Management Software". Techopedia. Retrieved 22 May 2013. Khazanchi, D., (2005). Patterns of Effective Project Management in Virtual Projects: An Exploratory Study. Project Management Institute.  Ktenas, S., (2013). "Cost of Software". Retrieved 17 Oct 2013. Ktenas, S., (2013). "Effort Estimation for Software Development". Retrieved 17 Oct 2013. Lewis, R. I., (2006). Project Management (pp.110). McGraw-Hill Professional. Morgen, W., (2003). Fifty key figures in management (pp.96-101). Routledge. Nokes, S., (2007). The Definitive Guide to Project Management. London: Prentice Hall. Pandey, P., (2013). "Sick of Microsoft Project? Manage Your Project in Excel". Flevy. Retrieved 22 May 2013. Paul, C. D., (2005). The right projects done right! John Wiley and Sons. Peter, N., & Gerald, E. J., (2003). PMP certification for dummies (pp.63). (2006). Body of Knowledge Association for Project Management (5th ed.). Velagapudi, M., (2012). "Why You Cannot Avoid Virtual Project Management 2012 Onwards". Read More