France Vacancies - FV Travel Agency - Case Study Example

In Assignment Specification Module and 6CC049 – Project Management and Implementation Assignment No. and Title: Main Assignment Assessment Tutor: Weighting Towards Module Grade: 100% Date Set: 28 Oct 2010 Hand-In Deadline Date: 1 Dec 2010 Project Planning and Management for France Vacancies (FV) Travel Agency Name Date Institute Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Current System 4 Issues 4 Proposed system 5 System User: 5 Data: 5 Platform: 5 Development Approach 5 System Functionalities 6 Scope 7 Assumptions 8 Project Tasks 9 Critical Path Analysis 11 Network Diagrams 12 Gantt chart 15 Updating Project Plan 17 Updated Critical Path Analysis 18 Updated Gantt Chart 20 Updated Gantt chart 21 22 REVIEW OF COST ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES 22 Resource Cost Rates Estimating 22 Analogous Estimation 23 Bottom-up Estimating 23 Risk Analysis 24 Scope and Change Management Control Form 26 Bibliography 27 Introduction In this age of technology, new and innovative use of information technology has established a huge influence on the business and private life of human beings. The new technology based systems are presently offering great support in case of easy and effective handling and management of the business in addition to corporate operations as well as performance. The new web based business support has also added a huge efficiency. The France Vacancies (FV) is a travel agency and its business is about travelling. This business has made huge progress in this business area and accommodation with superior performance competency in the France travelling marketplace. They include an extensive range of apartments, holiday bungalows as well as lodges at a diversity of holiday resorts as well as fascinating places. They encompass offices on high streets in a lot of cities plus include a premium and across the world popularity. The business is as well running an efficient computerized system for management and handling of the business operations and various tasks. The management of the France Vacancies (FV) has decided to enhance the services and handling of business in a much improved means. In this scenario the business of France Vacancies (FV) is going to establish a web based system for the enhanced and efficient management of the customer requisites for the booking. This research report is about the comprehensive analysis for the establishment of the France Vacancies (FV) online booking or reserving system. This online booking system will offer effective means and facilities for the booking of online seats and quick handling of the customer’s complaints. Task 1 Business Case Current System France Vacancies has attained enormous business progress. These encompass improved market arrangement to the business as well as its general operating framework. As business has achieved a number of improvements, a lot of business problems and a number of business complexities have been emerged. The current arrangement of the France Vacancies business is based on the manual system for the request processing as well as a little bit implementing database system facility. However in case of present age of the Internet the business requires huge support for the availability of an online business platform that can effectively support the business operations through the available internet connection that is available 24 hours and 7 days a week. However the present system is creating considerable problems for the handling of customer requests and various needs of clients. Issues Several of the main issues are emerging regarding conventional functioning as well as operational system of France Vacancies business. One of the main issues is about the establishment of the traditional complex paper based or manual working framework. Here another main problem is rather hard to mange huge records of customers for booking of travelling facilities. This present system is also difficult to edit entries, long search time, less secure date, harder to update records, more duplication of rental entries and manual tracking of rental dates. Proposed system France Vacancies business is going to establish a web based system for proficient handling and management of the clients for booking of the travelling services. In case of the establishment of this web based system we are considering the following key aspects planned for the system: System User: Online Booking system for the France Vacancies will be holding lot of diverse categories of clients as well as users. These users can be any common person who are wishing to book for any of the traveling facility. The business is also having some others users that can be among the business staff. Data: This Online Booking system planned for the rental facility for the France Vacancies will hold and maintain customer and business resource data. Platform: The new business will execute on Pentium IV computers through Microsoft Windows Vista operating systems. Development Approach In case deciding the development approach for the France Vacancies business we will employ Spiral Development approach1. Here the main aim and intention behind use of this development strategy is to build a system with dynamic and superior capabilities. This enormous system and management has offered a limited access to the system analysis and investigation. In this scenario we are competent enough to take system development necessities in the form of little modules at a time. In this scenario we will develop the system with small augmentations. Figure: 1- Spiral Model Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Spiral_model_(Boehm,_1988).svg System Functionalities Here the new online booking system for the France Vacancies will perform the main Functionalities given as below; Online Booking of travelling facilities Online Searching for a particular vacant post Online Imbursement details Online France Vacancies corporate information Online France Vacancies business marketing support Online accounts handling and management Rapid and well-timed Customer response Booking or else cancelation facility Online customer and business records management Different accounts handling and administration Scope Quality Business handling along with management is one of the core business uniqueness of the 20th century. New business technology supported frameworks have added an improved standard to the business through means of focused concentration on clients, plus paying more attention to business management. There are major transforms in internal as well as external environments that are driven mostly through growing business dependence on reliable and perfect business information. In case of new technology based system implementation at the France Vacancies the management of the business needs to enhance productivity of the business. Here one of the main business aims is to offer the customer effective facility of online booking for accommodation services in France. Here we comprise the following scope elements of this new web based booking system technology platform implementation: Automating process of booking Offering effective facility for the handling of records Easy Management of business operations and practices Facilitating customers Rapid request processing Fast handling of vacancy searches Easy booking and releasing procedures Assumptions In case of the France Vacancies business we have established a key assumption which states that the business management is more cooperative and facilitating in budgetary and financial aspects. Here we have also assumed that the business management is also offering help in case of business system requirements and system analysis phase. Task 2 2. Project Planning Project Tasks No. Activity Name Activity Time Cost 1 DAY*£80 1 Activity 1 1 80 2 Activity 2 2 160 3 Activity 3 0 0 4 Activity 4 6 480 5 Activity 5 10 800 6 Activity 6 15 1200 7 Activity 7 5 400 8 Activity 8 39 3120 9 Activity 9 10 800 10 Activity 10 10 800 11 Activity 11 24 1920 12 Activity 12 12 960 13 Activity 13 6 480 14 Activity 14 6 480 15 Activity 15 4 320 16 Activity 16 3 240 17 Activity 17 2 160 18 Activity 18 0 0 19 Activity 19 0 0 20 Activity 20 4 320 21 Activity 21 3 240 21 Activity 21 3 240 Total Cost 12960 Critical Path Analysis Here activities 3, 18 and 19 are ignored and will run all through the project like management tasks No. Activity Name On Critical Path Activity Time Earliest Start Earliest Finish Latest Start Latest Finish Slack (LS-ES) 1 Activity 1 No 1 0 1 72 73 72 2 Activity 2 No 2 1 3 73 75 72 3 Activity 4 No 6 24 30 71 77 47 4 Activity 5 No 10 0 10 67 77 67 5 Activity 6 Yes 15 0 15 0 15 0 6 Activity 7 Yes 5 15 20 15 20 0 7 Activity 8 Yes 39 20 59 20 59 0 8 Activity 9 No 10 20 30 51 61 31 9 Activity 10 No 10 20 30 51 61 31 10 Activity 11 No 24 20 44 47 71 27 11 Activity 12 Yes 12 59 71 59 71 0 12 Activity 13 Yes 6 71 77 71 77 0 13 Activity 14 No 6 30 36 61 67 31 14 Activity 15 No 4 36 40 67 71 31 15 Activity 16 No 3 40 43 71 74 31 16 Activity 17 No 2 3 5 75 77 72 17 Activity 20 No 4 20 24 67 71 47 18 Activity 21 No 3 43 46 74 77 31 Project Completion Time = 77Days Number of Critical Path(s) = 1 Network Diagrams Critical Path No. Critical Path 1 E 2 F 3 G 4 K 5 L Completion Time 77 Here activities 3, 18 and 19 are ignored and will run all through the project like management tasks Task 3 Gantt chart I have prepared this Gantt chart in MS Excel: Project Tasks Duration Start Date End Date Precedence France Vacancies Online Booking System 77 days 1-Nov-10 16-Feb-11 Activity 1 1 day 1-Nov-10 1-Nov-10 Activity 2 2 days 17-Feb-11 18-Feb-11 1 Activity 4 6 days 20-Jan-11 27-Jan-11 16 Activity 5 10 days 1-Nov-10 12-Nov-10 Activity 6 15 days 28-Jan-11 17-Feb-11 4 Activity 7 5 days 28-Jan-11 3-Feb-11 4 Activity 8 39 days 15-Nov-10 6-Jan-11 5 Activity 9 10 days 15-Nov-10 26-Nov-10 5 Activity 10 10 days 15-Nov-10 26-Nov-10 5 Activity 11 24 days 15-Nov-10 16-Dec-10 5 Activity 12 12 days 18-Feb-11 7-Mar-11 6 Activity 13 6 days 7-Jan-11 14-Jan-11 8,9,10,11 Activity 14 6 days 4-Feb-11 11-Feb-11 7,8 Activity 15 4 days 8-Mar-11 11-Mar-11 12 Activity 16 3 days 17-Jan-11 19-Jan-11 13,18 Activity 17 2 days 2-Nov-10 3-Nov-10 2 Activity 20 4 days 15-Nov-10 18-Nov-10 5 Activity 21 3 days 14-Feb-11 16-Feb-11 14 I have also prepared this Gannet Chart in MS Project: File is also attached: Task 4, 5 and 6 Project Planning – Scheduling and Costing Updating Project Plan In this section I have to reduce the project time below 70 days. Here I have reduced the project time by 2/3. In this scenario I have reduced the project time of the critical path Activity 8 that was previously taking 39 days so the new time that is 2/3 of the original time is 26 days. The complete overview of the project time reduction is stated below: No. Activity Name Activity Time Cost 1 DAY*£80 Updated Time Updated Cost 1 DAY*£80 1 Activity 1 1 80 1 80 2 Activity 2 2 160 2 160 3 Activity 3 0 0 0 0 4 Activity 4 6 480 6 480 5 Activity 5 10 800 10 800 6 Activity 6 15 1200 15 1200 7 Activity 7 5 400 5 400 8 Activity 8 39 3120 26 80*52=4160 9 Activity 9 10 800 10 800 10 Activity 10 10 800 10 800 11 Activity 11 24 1920 24 1920 12 Activity 12 12 960 12 960 13 Activity 13 6 480 6 480 14 Activity 14 6 480 6 480 15 Activity 15 4 320 4 320 16 Activity 16 3 240 3 240 17 Activity 17 2 160 2 160 18 Activity 18 0 0 0 0 19 Activity 19 0 0 0 0 20 Activity 20 4 320 4 320 21 Activity 21 3 240 3 240 21 Activity 21 3 240 3 240 Old Cost 12960 New Updated Cost 14000 Updated Critical Path Analysis Here after reduction of the project activity time we have been able to attain the project total time that is 64 Days. No. Activity Name On Critical Path Activity Time Earliest Start Earliest Finish Latest Start Latest Finish Slack (LS-ES) 1 Activity 1 No 1 0 1 59 60 59 2 Activity 2 No 2 1 3 60 62 59 3 Activity 4 No 6 24 30 58 64 34 4 Activity 5 No 10 0 10 54 64 54 5 Activity 6 Yes 15 0 15 0 15 0 6 Activity 7 Yes 5 15 20 15 20 0 7 Activity 8 Yes 26 20 46 20 46 0 8 Activity 9 No 10 20 30 38 48 18 9 Activity 10 No 10 20 30 38 48 18 10 Activity 11 No 24 20 44 34 58 14 11 Activity 12 Yes 12 46 58 46 58 0 12 Activity 13 Yes 6 58 64 58 64 0 13 Activity 14 No 6 30 36 48 54 18 14 Activity 15 No 4 36 40 54 58 18 15 Activity 16 No 3 40 43 58 61 18 16 Activity 17 No 2 3 5 62 64 59 17 Activity 20 No 4 20 24 54 58 34 18 Activity 21 No 3 43 46 61 64 18 Project Completion Time = 64 Days Number of Critical Path(s) = 1 No Critical Path 1 1 E 2 F 3 G 4 K 5 L Completion Time 64 Updated Gantt Chart Updated Gantt chart Project task Duration Start Date End Date Precedence France Vacancies Online Booking System 64 days? 1-Nov-10 28-Jan-11 Activity 1 1 day 1-Nov-10 1-Nov-10 Activity 2 2 days 17-Feb-11 18-Feb-11 1 Activity 4 6 days 3-Jan-11 10-Jan-11 16 Activity 5 10 days 1-Nov-10 12-Nov-10 Activity 6 15 days 11-Jan-11 31-Jan-11 4 Activity 7 5 days 11-Jan-11 17-Jan-11 4 Activity 8 26 days 15-Nov-10 20-Dec-10 5 Activity 9 10 days 15-Nov-10 26-Nov-10 5 Activity 10 10 days 15-Nov-10 26-Nov-10 5 Activity 11 24 days 15-Nov-10 16-Dec-10 5 Activity 12 12 days 1-Feb-11 16-Feb-11 6 Activity 13 6 days 21-Dec-10 28-Dec-10 8,9,10,11 Activity 14 6 days 18-Jan-11 25-Jan-11 7,8 Activity 15 4 days 17-Feb-11 22-Feb-11 12 Activity 16 3 days 29-Dec-10 31-Dec-10 13,18 Activity 17 2 days 2-Nov-10 3-Nov-10 2 Activity 20 4 days 15-Nov-10 18-Nov-10 5 Activity 21 3 days 26-Jan-11 28-Jan-11 14 Task 7 REVIEW OF COST ESTIMATION TECHNIQUES Perfect cost estimates as well assessment facilitates us in the whole project regarding the budget. Prior to carry out cost estimation, we should have to fulfill some of the main aspects of the project like that definition of project, scope study, produce WBS, characterize major proceedings, chain of key activities, reviewing the core resources, as well as assessing activity duration. A number of categories of the project cost estimation methods that are normally employed are: (Kerzner, 2006; Gray & Larson, 2006; Elyse, 2006; Sharma, 2009) Resource Cost Rates Estimation Analogous Estimation Bottom-up Estimation Resource Cost Rates Estimating Resources are recognized quite necessary in all the business or corporate projects. Through implementing the assisting and resource cost charges to the Estimate Activity Resources (a plan Time organization) procedure, we are able to verify the entire cost planned for the project resources. This category of project cost estimation is frequently employed in projects (Sharma, 2009; Elyse, 2006). Analogous Estimation This category of project cost estimation is generally assessed as of a closed project are employed to find out the approximations planned for the new project. For instance, if our business has intended as well as urbanized an Intranet proposed for a business, we would utilize the similar approximations planned for the planning as well as development of an Intranet proposed for some other forms of business. The correctness and precision of analogous estimates is reliant on the resemblance among the two projects. Parametric Estimation assesses the software that obtains historical data and details like the participation, formulates statements as well as then extrapolates the corporate data along with information to calculate the wide-ranging cost approximations. The correctness of Parametric Estimation is reliant on the suppositions that are established (Sharma, 2009; Elyse, 2006).. Bottom-up Estimating In this category of the project cost estimation that is known as the Bottom-up Cot Estimation method, we combine every estimate projected for every job in the WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) up till the abstract node on the Work Breakdown Structure. We would then apply this computation to the entire actions. Bottom-up assessment is somewhat acceptable as well as is possibly the mainstream frequently employed assessment method planned for gaining the better cost approximations. As the Bottom-up cost assessment method, employs estimates as of a job level, it is very important for us to build precise task estimates. A number of most excellent practices we typically utilize are: (Sharma, 2009; Elyse, 2006). Comprise SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) in the estimation procedure Control the people that will really execute the work (normally employed in Agile projects) Utilize other business practices, like that the Delphi technique intended for better correctness Risk Analysis and Management Task 8 Risk Analysis In this section of report I will assess and analyze some of the crucial risks regarding the project cost estimations. This overall risk analysis will present a risk framework that will be used by the France Vacancies (FV) system for the online bookings of traveling services. No. Risk Factor Description Impact Mitigation Strategy 1 Cost In case of online booking system implementation for the France Vacancies (FV) business we can face a main risk that is about the cost overrun. In this scenario this risk can damage the overall project progress and management. High To mitigate this risk we need to establish an effective procedure for the cost handling and management through applying most efficient cost estimation method as mentioned above. 2 Time In case of online booking system implementation for the France Vacancies (FV) business we are also having some of the main risks regarding the project allocated time run out. In this scenario if the project time exceeds the established deadline then we can also face some of the financial problems as well. High To effectively manage this aspect of the project we need to plan an effective way that offers us enhanced handling and management of the time related aspects and areas. Here we need to effectively follow the project WBS or time plan. 3 Technology In case of new online booking system implementation one of biggest factors that can create problems for the France Vacancies (FV) business is the decision of implementing the most effective technology platform. In this scenario one of the biggest problems that arise is the effective handling of the project technology that can be managed in way that is easy to adopt for the users. Medium In case of effective handling of the project technology related aspects we need to manage the technology for the enhanced project performance. For this we need to conduct a better research on market technology for the effective project performance. 4 Management In case of failure regarding effective management of the new booking system accomplishment for the France Vacancies (FV) business we can face overall collapse of the project. Low In this case we need to keep informed the project management regarding the current development in the overall project and its handling. 5 Acceptance In case of France Vacancies (FV) business Acceptance risk is also one of the main risks for the enhanced project performance. This risk is due to the project implementation and its acceptance in support of the project staff Medium Build new booking system according to the necessities of the business staff and management. Scope Change Management Task 9 Scope and Change Management Control Form This section engages the evaluation of the major change control measures as well as performance management events to guarantee the excellent quality for the France Vacancies (FV) business project. Change management is a primary ability in that common business managerial as well as administrators necessitates being practiced proficiently. There are a very small number of equipped as well as functioning backgrounds where change organization is not significant. The management of change regarding the business project such as France Vacancies (FV) business project is really vital for getting favorable as well as effectual results. The change typically takes place for the improvement of the possible working as well as framework enhancement. Additionally, the characteristics of these potential enhancements can be physical or else logical. We can consider that change management is the performance in the course of which we are competent to administer and control the alternation and changes of a project all through its development or completion. The core purpose of change management is to notify the current changes throughout the project implementation. Keeping in view the following consideration we can commence a pre-defined paradigm or structure for the integration of a number of practical alteration or modifications in the project (Nickols, 2008; Top Bits, 2010; TechTarget, 2010; Change-Management, 2010; Burke, 1999). In case of France Vacancies (FV) business project for the online booking system development we require to effectively administer some doubtful changes in the general circumstances of the project. Here we should have to manage the broad happening of change in the course of a number of change control tactics. In this regard we will apply a suitable change document control system that will be responsible for supporting and handling the general project tasks as well as related activities. In this situation we will obtain the approval from the entire France Vacancies (FV) business executive including management. In such situation we need complete organization of change in the business general segment planned for the application of the new plus innovative business handling as well as management system. Here we will set up a proper method as well as need assessment to automate the method for the decimation as well as confirmation of the general phases of the business arrangement. This procedure will engage the improvement as well as allow recognizing the requirements at each stage of the general processes of the system development. This will provide greater help concerning the administration of some change that is able to occur at some stage of the business technology based system establishment. Bibliography Burke, R. (1999). Project Management: Planning and Control Techniques. Chichester: Wiley. Change-Management. (2010). Change Management Primer. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from http://www.change-management.com/tutorial-primer.htm Elyse. (2006, December 11). Cost Estimating. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from AntiClue.com: http://www.anticlue.net/archives/000777.htm Gray, C., & Larson, E. (2006). Project Management, The Managerial Process. . New York: McGraw-Hill. Kerzner, H. (2006). Project management: A systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. Lock, D. (1996). Project Management, 6th edition . New York: Wiley. Nickols, F. (2008). Change Management: A Primer. Retrieved 11 11, 2010, from http://home.att.net/%7Enickols/dc_home.htm Sharma, R. (2009, November 04). Tools Used to Estimate Costs in Project Management. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from BrightHub.com: http://www.brighthub.com/office/project-management/articles/54986.aspx TechTarget. (2010, November 03). Change Management. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from TechTarget.com: http://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid183_gci799426,00.html Top Bits. (2010). Change Management. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from http://www.tech-faq.com/change-management.html Warrilow, S. (2009). How to Manage Change - The "Dos" and "Donts" of Turbulence - Leading at the Edge of Chaos. Retrieved 11 12, 2010, from Change-Management: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Manage-Change---The-Dos-and-Donts-of-Turbulence---Leading-at-the-Edge-of-Chaos&id=2762092 Read More