Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling - Assignment Example

Question one

Introduction

Zoo relocation plan is an animal wellness-minded initiative that has been devolved not only by animal lovers but also state governments. World history scoping from the Stone Age era through the medieval age up to the 21st century portrays an evolutionary history based on the animal-human relationship that has developed over centuries. Primarily, all animals reside in the wild, where they face tremendous challenges in coping to the extremities. This, in the long run, has raised an eyebrow that conduits to the soft spot in the human sympathy resulting in human care for the wild. It started by the domestication of the dog and eventually man developed a close association potentiating to petting of almost all animals ranging from the cruelest to the docile ones. The Zoo relocation project will mainly involve the establishment of the structure and the destruction of the already existing structures which will take about 18 months estimated. The Zoo project already exists; therefore, the relocation will not require a lot of resources as it would be in the case where the project starts from the scratch.

Project Title

The relocation of the Zoo project

Project manager

The project sponsor:

The manager of the Zoo structure

Zoo relocation project springs from zoo renewal project, which is a step 3 plan that initially formulated development of the relocation idea. Mawson zoo is the creator of all advent on both the creation of new and moving of assets in an effort to protect and conserve the world’s endangered and non-endangered species. This is the nation’s pride, heritage, and splendor. In addition, Mawson zoo in her endeavors to relocate the diverse species has been hit by financial constraints that stupors the achievement of the laid prospects. This is owed to reduced financial grants and endorsements for the past decade.

Although the zoo project manager position has not been established, Mawson zoo is wafting to rise from the ashes in a plan to raise a new animal sanctuary aimed at promoting stewardship, exhibition, and research by amalgamating social, cultural, economic, and political factors in ensuring sustenance of the wildlife.

Discussion

Projects charter

Benefits of the Mawson zoo relocation project

Irrespective of all the financial incapability that has sparked the stunting growth of the Mawson zoo, this has induced a spirit of hard work and determination as opposed to expected sloppy morale. This stage comes with immense benefits upon execution creating a natural setting that enables animals to breed freely. Nonetheless, it attracts public to view the setting and through a small fee, the zoo is able to gain benefits for the sustenance of the wildlife.

Owed to the resettlement of the zoo’s assets to the new ecosystem ensures that zoo treasure saves on purchases and in the long run financial security and longevity of the zoo. In summation to preexisting assets, new structures provide sponsors, researchers, staff and important of all visitors with a better scope of the zoo elements.

Enhancement of higher education space through the institution of an enabling ecological environment that allows research is significant in this case. This in cooperates animal physiology and medical facilities that allows intensive study of animal behavior and health which is the chief objective in relocation. More so, it also allows diverse species to be maintained in a single space mimicking the natural biosphere. In the long run, reputation of the zoo is elevated attracting more audience through an inspirational care of the wildlife and at the end, this spirit is emulated outside the zoo.

The configuration to corporate potential

Operation output

Health safety

Finance

Consumers

100%

35%

60%

15%

The scope of the projects operation

The move of the zoo induces the tangibility effect by taking audiences from all walkways of life into a sole destination that blends humans, beasts, and nature into the same matrix. Improving public access to information about zoo’s diversity meets all expectations that could be rather be left to public imaginations. In addition, relocation to a new ecosystem will allow elevation of staff's living and working condition. This propels autonomous motivation that potentiates mastery and amicability among the staff in achieving the mission and purpose of the zoo.

Cost

Relocation of the zoo will lead to incurrence of high costs attributed to purchases and building of properties that are immovable from the maternal zoo. The zoo is able to cut on miscellaneous costs due to improved infrastructures. Notably, costs on servicing, repair, and furnishing of both the buildings and the vehicle are saved.

Staff overhead cost is also reduced in terms of hiring, owed to the fact that new setting and infrastructure have all the required access making everything easy, hence cost cutoffs. In addition, this project is cost effective. Expenditure on housing allowances is sliced off owed to new settlements for the zoo staff (Kerzner 2013, p. 34).

In addition, operational costs reduce by default thanks for modern infrastructures.

Background of the study

The Mawson zoo is just a kilometer away from the city, sitting on a 6 ha of land and is proximal to the botanical garden. The stagnant expectation on the perception on the zoo by the public has impacted tremendously on the number of animal viewers. Public claims on the space have branded zoo as a cage rather than a home for the animals. Nonetheless, management has faced criticism for close to pentanuals and the result has been a downward trend in zoo visitations. The depiction of the zoo as a crowded area swarmed with diverse species is a turnoff for the potential sponsors and even volunteer expatriates who are capable of reviving the setup.

In addition, Mawson zoo not only faces challenges on the expansion space but also financial constraints which can be traced back to the drastic fall in the visitors, ceiled sponsors, and even limited research grants from the animal philanthropists. The plan for enclosure led to mixed friction between the challenges faced and the purpose and mission of the zoo. Therefore, the zoo management resolved to hold talks with the potential sponsors and stakeholders and came up with a project name Zoo Renewal Project. This plan is substantive of the four stages that were initiated to bar the closure of the legendary Mawson zoo.

Stage 3 of the Zoo Renewal Project is the relocation of the assets and the wildlife to a new serene ecosphere that is aimed at supporting the diverse species and also attracting many visitors locally and from abroad. Nevertheless, after relocation the zoo is ought to be self-supporting within a year and a half. During this period, the zoo is expected to have obtained a positive perception from visitors and all the stakeholders and a 7.5% increase in visitations. In addition, the zoo is ought to have formulated diverse income sourcing strategies that enable animal and employee general wellness. Expansion at a 5% annual rate will result in increased employment and per capita income and hence eventual economic development.

Gantt chart

Gantt chart is another detrimental representative of the time span for task completion. This chart shows the start and end dates of the captured activities in the relocation plan. Synergistically, Gantt chart and the critical path analysis can be used to illustrate how quick the challenge of stalling can be overhauled.

Task

Start

Duration

End

Negotiation and support of the government

12-Jan

11

23/1/2016

Planning and construction of the open plans Zoo

24/1/2016

60

24/4/2016

Relocation of the infratructure

25/4/2016

180

25/10/2016

Business development and promotion of New Zoo

27/10/2016

180

27/4/2017

Question Two

The life cycle of a project is mainly divided into five stages, which include the initiation, planning, executing, control and planning, and closing the project. The cycle ensures that the project is conducted strategically and every step accounted for (Kerzner 2013, p. 34). The monitoring and control is significant in ensuring that the set financial plans and time frame is achieved in the project scope. The project in this case is estimated to take about 18 months and this is achievable through proper planning as evident in this case. The planning stage involves collection of all the resources including labor and financial required implementing the relocation project. In addition, it is evident that leadership is important in the resource management as will be analyzed in this case analysis in various categories below. Intrinsically, proper management of human resource will be very critical in the project implementation. The human labor will be involved in the construction of the structure as well as the day to day operation of the new structure. Failure to manage human resource may result to the delay in the project implementation; this is one of the key areas that will be the point of focus in the project management.

Financial

Mawson zoo relocation project has hand budget of $30m, a grant from the government of the day. This is thought to be enough to complete the relocation project. On a plus, the state authority is up to speed in exchanging the 6 ha parental zoo space located 1km from the CBD with a 14KM, 100ha land outskirts of the city. In the case of insufficient funds to see the relocation of the project through, bank loans will be a healthy alternative to provide the completion of the plan.

Technical

During asset and animal relocation to new sites, a lot of transportation mechanism is in cooperated to avoid injury or escape of even a single species. This is aimed at conservation and sustenance of the wildlife from possible threats that are spearheaded to endanger species existence. Transportation of species differs significantly depending on their size and nature of the threat they impose to humans. Therefore, great care is taken when transporting the animals, not just to avoid injury but also to take care of the threat they impose to humans and other animals. Most of the transportation models are equipped with shock absorbers and suspensions to avoid the injuries and in addition, strong metal cages that cannot easily break. Of importance, the vehicles should be tagged with communication devices for ease of trace and also it is advisable to voluntarily anesthetize the animals.

Human labor

Zoo relocation project primarily retains manpower from the parental zoo. The department of transport, infrastructure, and planning conjointly share the responsibility to see that the relocation process is a success. Notably, mutual respect is called for to ensure that the process is harmonious.

Economic

The land is a scarce resource around the world and is a serene environment that can support diverse species. Economists project that at the current appreciation rate, it is expensive to buy land but Mawson zoo enjoys a free 100ha piece of land. Since they were trading a 6ha for this massive area then 13km outward expansion is nothing compared to the amount they could have incurred in purchases. Money that could have been used in buying this piece can now be put into other developments that lacked in the parental zoo and in the end transform the new zoo into a world-class animal sanctuary. In addition, economically, having such a large piece of land provides space for the discovery of new species in nature and a result of cross-breeding enacted by the researchers.

Legal

Relocation of the animal species is a detrimental process that is keenly supervised by a legislative authority representative to oversee that no injuries of negligent episodes occur. Also, the land aimed for relocation should be free from any contaminant that can impose a risk on the animals and zoo workers.

Scope of management

The management team through the planning committee should provide an elaborate plan that envisions a permanent zoo structure with a serene environment that portrays nature in a range view. Establishment of critical buildings provides the aesthetic value of the zoo, that is, safety, the well-being of animals and also visitor relaxation amenities and viewing platforms. In addition, employment committee should consider retaining of staff from the parental zoo as an appreciation token owed to their long time service. In the employment of new staff, several factors should be put to play as a competitive advantage. For example, a course related to animal care, hospitality or background of animal interaction and care is a supplemented advantage in running a position as a zoo worker. More so, it should be clear that upholding the mission and purpose of the zoo is very pivotal by juggling respect regardless of race, culture, economic, and political diversity.

Question three

Integration of the various activities will be achieved through the proper coordination with the leaders organizing various independent activities. The project involves the dismantling of the old structure and establishing and marketing the new structure. Marketing activities and the construction can be undertaken concurrently to minimize on the time taken to fully establish the new site as well as manage resources properly. In the events of the relocation of the animals, several activities were carried out in a module that deems the relocation a success. Specifically, critical path analysis as a model that represents a breakdown of the activities had a very critical role. Different departments are entitled to produce an outcome that specifically relates to the objective. The aim of this analysis is to simplify the order of events and help in the allocation of finances and staff to complete a task at the speculated time and budget. In addition, this method puts forward the criticality of activities with regulated time margin hence an eventual goal achievement without dilly-dallying.

Just like any other project, the initial step will involve the planning and then communication of the significance of the project to all stakeholders as indicated in the chart. It will be important also to raise the resources needed to facilitate the project to prevent the work stoppage and ensure that the project lasts for the estimated time period.

Human resource management

Organizational structure

The governance structure is in a vertical hierarchy

The project sponsor who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer is in charge of overseeing the running of the organization and also accorded with responsibilities of funding and executing the project and overall governance. Second in the hierarchy is the executive manager of the zoo renewal project. The project manager is in charge of daily events and directly reports to the CEO. The human resource manager is in charge of employments and also reviews their performance. In addition to this, departmental planners are in the lead of the site activities and individually report to the project manager. Engineering manager ensures that equipment is well assembled and maintained.

Cost management

The total budget allocated for relocation project completion was $10m and subsequently spent according to the budget plan to see the project a success.

Paretto analysis

This is a model developed for the purpose of shuffling activities in their priority strata to enabled save on time and money that could have otherwise been invested in the less demanding project. It employs diverse audits and checklists structured on things to do with manuscript that aids in analyzing quality and requirements of the relocation project.

Communication management

The category observes rank, communication method, and frequency of communication. Frequency is affected by the urgency of the given message or information and its criticality in feedback. For instance, communication between the project manager and the CEO is through reports and meetings happening monthly. Meeting between the board members to discuss the progress of the project happens soon after the completion of a laced activity. Finally, communication between the human resource manager and different departments happens weekly to review new signings and progress through emails and memos.

Risk management

The risk register should be availed at the commencement of the project. In a construction site, risk occurrence is a normal and expected incident which is analyzed based on the probability of occurrence in a scale of 1 to 5. It exposes the impact that is imposed on the staff or animal before, during, and after relocation.

Stakeholder management

For the success of any given organization, all the stakeholders must be littered with duties. Their individual yield is crucial for the organization. Under this clause, position, responsibility, and benefits upon accomplishment of a task are briefly discussed. The sponsor (CEO) funds the relocation project and is expected to improve profitability and uphold the image of the zoo. Managers, that is general and project managers, are responsible for the achievement of set goals and in the end, enhancing the services provided at the zoo. Employees, on the other hand, are expected to work effortlessly in achieving the projected endeavors. Finally, the government litigates operations in the zoo and in the long run this will boom the state revenue.

The zoo renewal project is outlines four stages that effectively and efficiently were to be executed for promulgation of the animal relocation. The project is estimated to last for 18 months and it will observe the calendar with organized happenings in clear outlines. For instance, a survey on the engineering manager’s requirements on the site design is provided to act as a blueprint. The board agrees on the plan.

Execution

At this point, the panel decided on the relocation of parental zoo assets to the new site and subsequent building and installation of new items.

Controlling and monitoring

This stage surveys and determines the progress and expenditures to determine obstacles and squeeze in extra muscle to pull through. This demands transformative leadership.

Closing

Project aberrations are reported back to the person responsible. Then the manager prepares an elaborate report which then is tabled in front of the management and the details are available in the Gantt chart.

Time and cost

The progress of the project is accounted for via the time and expenditure on the whole relocation endeavor. In case the project faces delay, it is given that more manpower is needed for completion for the specified duration. Otherwise, the remainder of the funds should be deposited in the zoo bank account for the future prospects.

Risks

As stated earlier, risk incidences are inevitable in the project recourse. It is important to adopt and spend more on acquiring equipment and setups that steer at minimizing risks. This calls standby of medical and veterinary officers at the site.

Reference

Kerzner, H.R., 2013. Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.