Project Plan: The McConnell Company - Case Study Example

Project Plan Name Institution Instructor Course Date of Submission Project Plan 1. What is a project? A project is an integrated activity that is skilfully designed and contacted in order to produce a service, product, and result. The project can be done as an individual or can be done and contacted by a group of individuals who have the same objectives (Haughey 2013). The under consideration is a book selling company that will oversee the distribution of academic books in selected parts of Australia. The area targeted for supply has a population that is reliable and promising for future business endeavours. 2. Where is the project located? The McConnell, Dowell project is located in Western Australia and is currently undertaking a pipeline construction project that will connect Bunbury and Dampier. The project is located in Western Australia (dpd 2013). 3. Who is the owner and sponsor The McConnell Company is owned by engineers from New Zealand and currently, it is managed by many individuals who are experts in their area of specialization. The project is managed by the by the McConnell and Dowell while the project is owned by the stat government of Perth and the federal government of Australia. All operations being done on the Dampier and Banbury pipeline project are directed by the McConnell Company which is serving as the main contactors of the project (dpd 2013). This means that all execution phases of the project are specifically directed at ensuring that everything is streamlined towards the achievement of the pipeline extension and maintenance objectives (Longman and Mollins 2004). The benefits that are generated from the project help the entire Australian community and because of this, the federal government are the chief sponsors of the project even though, the state government has contributed dearly towards the project. There are no direct sponsors of the project but there are associations that exist between the Australian government and the association of industries that operate in West Perth. The involvement of different stakeholders in a project does not necessarily mean they are sponsors because they can exist in a company as decision makers or policy formulators. Having an external evaluation team from stakeholders is health and of great benefit to any company that has a project at any specific time. 4. The name of the project manager. The Dampier and Banbury project is an extensive entity that is expansive, economical, and technical in all sorts of manner. This therefore means that all that is to be done has to invite decisions and skills from different experts and intellectual veterans (dpd 2013). Depending with the nature of a project, the number of consultants at any given time will always depend on the specific objectives of the project and the outlined goals that should be achieved at the end of the first, second, and the final stage. From the outline, the project is managed by the state government of Wa or Perth. The association of industries operating within the state of Wa have an indirect influence on the and their decisional input is of great benefit to the state government. Realization of the objectives and goals of any pipeline project depends upon the input of the contracting firm and that of the main contractor as well as subcontractors. This calls for a chain input of ideologies, and expatriate from both the McConnell company and from the state government. In most cases, the state governments are represented by oil and petroleum engineers and scientists who understand the mechanics and principles as well as standards of construction (Mikoluk 2013). The main contractor McConnell is represented by a chain of experienced personnel. The working team on the contractor’s side have an integrated experience network that performs well in a more cohesive way that promotes self-generation of ideas. There is a board of the management team and directing team that all works within the frameworks of being successful in all projects that they are entitled to either as contractors or sub contractors. 5. Your picture, vision or dream of the project’s outcome functioning. Before any project is manipulated and put into place, the problem statement is clearly explained and put forth for analysis. After an analysis, the feasibility study is carried out to make judgements on whether the project is necessary or not. This stage involves use of individual experts who have experience in accessing the scope of projects (Mikoluk 2013). This involves use of parameters such as population of the residents, number of companies in need of the natural gas, the land terrain, requirements, and the effect that the project may cause to humanity. The picture of the project comes in after a cost benefit analysis has been carried out and determined in comparison to other successful projects that have ever been done. A close scrutiny and analysis of the project assures the intellectual minds that it is something that can be done with a lot of success. Since the first stage was complete and operational, there are chances with high probabilities that the project can be done in a systematic way while meeting all the requirements (Haughey 2013). The Wa state has a good repetition in the implementation of large scale and small scale projects. Among other achievements, the state government has carried out several monitoring and evaluation of projects within the local and international frameworks. With regard to these observations, there is a good probability that the project will be successful. Philosophical, the trend of performance amongst companies is a mark that isolates a specific company from others and is the main reason that directs efforts of the company or government towards achieving goals of higher magnitudes. McConnell is an internationally recognized and ranked as one of the best performing companies in the constructional and developmental sectors (dpd 2013). Among other projects, the company has undertaken multi projects that have involved construction of roads, railway, superhighways, petroleum pipelines, gas and petroleum plants. This has been carried out in different places of the world and in different environments (Pedersen 2013). All projects that have been accomplished by this company have always been commissioned within the stipulated time and dateline with efficiencies of more than ninety percent. The capacity of McConnell Company to handle projects that are financially involving is promising because of the repetitive success and availability of great skill among the directors and the management team. All departments in the company are interrelated by the organizational structure and the total quality foreseeing models that keeps an eye on the occurrence and flow of events (dpd 2013). During the time that the project will be fully operational, the state government will reap good benefits out of it because the interconnection will link different economic points in Western Australia. Dampier and Banbury are economical points that generate a lot of revenue for the people living in Western Australia (Boehm 2010). When business linking points gets connected, they lay a firm platform on which the extension of business networks can be expanded. The vision of the pipeline project is to see that the Western Australia achieves the required energy to run businesses and industries. The project forms the backbone of the economy of Western Australia. The existing project extends to over 1600 km and it links most existing gas field of the West. The Dampier and Banbury stands higher chances of achieving its objective because it finished to pay the debt facility in the last few months and according to the planning techniques, it is at a far stage of achieving more in the current projects (dpd 2013). When a certain company has a direct or has gone into a credit agreement with the bank, it can end up being demoralized because of the constrains that are associated with it. At least for the first time, the all regions of the Western Australia would be joined and connected to form a continuous network that will oversee an expansion of gas oriented businesses. For comparison, the pipeline exceeds the length of California which is about 1,240 in length. Sustainability of the project and its existence in the future is beyond the forecasts beyond of advanced scientific inputs. Because of the advanced material technology, the project will consist of long lasting materials and metallic supports of greater strength than any other material in history (dpd 2013). Good use of instruments will ensure that the measurements and accuracy standards are adhered to and achieved according to the construction standards. Accurate measurements reduce the flaws that may be caused by deflections of suspended members and metals (Longman and Mollins 2004). The overall target will be to ensure that the gas pipe network passes through many regions of the Australia. 6. The phase of the project. Since the dream was born among the government of Wa, there have been expansions and programs to diversify and ensure that the project serves a greater population and that it connects most parts that either produce, or use natural gases (dpd 2013). Since its establishments, it has gone through five phases and currently, it is scheduled for phase 5B. This phase involves use of pipelines connections to link Dampier and Banbury so that they form a strong network that will serve the Australians with more gases while meeting the rising needs. Since 1984, the project has reported minimal dangers of the pipeline to human life and environment. The first phase joined Dampier and Kwinana junction centre but due to the rising demands, there is need for more extension in order to cover other areas that are in need of more supply (Australian Social Trends). The supply has been reaching designated points but time has been a constrain factor that in one way or another, has reduced efficiencies of operating the project. The other previous phases were done to improve the safety of the project or to expand the networks to some other nearby centres. For along time, trucks and Lorries have been ferrying the natural gases from the Kwinana junction to other places (dpd 2013). However, after holding an inquisitive meeting with other stake holders serving in the industry, there rose the need for extending the pipeline to other places where the transportation cots would be reduced when other factorial inputs are considered. Since the debt facility is no longer considered as an influencing factor, phase 5B of the project should be launched and implemented to meet the targets and goals of the project. Time is a factor to be considered in any project and to achieve this, time allocation to each activity should be carried out while including all other external factors. The planning stage of a project can go up to three or more years depending with the size and functions of the project (Boehm 2010). Small projects are less strenuous compared to large scale projects but they may be critical when two or more activities are to be handled at the same time. The project execution and control processes should be handled in a systematic manner because of the fact that, there are critical activities that do occur everywhere and in every project. In addition, human resource plays a big role in the development sector. This means that the recruitment of skilled and specialists for specific positions is done at every stage of the project. Employing people in their area of specialization helps a company to sustain itself in a competitive world and in an intellectually dynamic world (Rouse 2011). 7. Who is the client’s representative? The client is represented by a petroleum engineer and a technical project manager. A good representation from the client side ensures that the agreed engineering standards and material selection criteria is strictly adhered to. Alterations of original dimensions without consultancy leave flows and gaps during the implementations. The flaws may lead to damages and or reducibility of the desired factors of safety, and shear strength. Construction of a pipeline project requires strict adherence to safety guidelines, design standards, and reliability. The networks should be protected against leakages, unnecessary bends, and breakages that may be caused by other activities happening in the vicinity of the pipeline (dpd 2013). Flow continuities should be maintained at all points on the land terrain and morphology. This can only occur when the construction is closely being monitored by an independent representative. The representative should be an expert of all principles and mechanics of work being applied in the project. The representative will carry the design specifications to ensure that they are implemented according to the outlined standards (Mikoluk 2013). While this happens, a financial expert will assess to see if the materials being purchased are of the same value that was specified on the bill of quantities and quantity surveying. The slopes of the pipeline should also be followed strictly because a good gradient will ensure that there is a continuous flow of gas particles from one point to the other. Flow of the gas should follow the pipeline laying and excavation standards in order to minimize chances and cases whereby, the backflow can encourage backflow of gas molecules. A representative determines the extend to which the procurement plan has been followed and whether the right amount of monetary use reflects or tallies with what was agreed between the client and the contractor (Pedersen 2013). Every project has a scope to which the activities can be carried out or how they cab managed within the frameworks of implementation without affecting the pre-existing project limitations. There are boundaries that guide the contacted company on what should be done within what sectors and limits (Haughey 2013). 8. Who are the stakeholders? For a project to be successful and of benefit to the community, there must be stakeholders who may be independent or fully bonded to the management of a company (Longman and Mollins 2004). For a gas project to operate within Australia and specifically in West Australia, there are benchmarks that have a say on what should be done and in what proportions or quantities. Stakeholders do help in maintaining strategic objectives of various organizations and the degree to which they should get involved varies from one company to the other. Stakeholder involvement in management should be evaluated at every point for consistency. It has been shown in many companies that, stakeholders do play a role that helps one company to have greater spectra of information regarding the benefits of a company or to have participatory approaches that seeks to generate good information. The stakeholders have a role of acknowledging concerns, needs, common relationships, and authority of the company. They can question and seek to redirect options that might have been chosen by the management team in their absence. They are considered as the most reliable individuals that can provide information out of their comparisons, and expertise. (Haughey 2013) Most of the stakeholders who are chosen in many situations happen to have heard a broader knowledge in different sectors. However, while listening to stakeholders, care must be taken so that the outlined objective do not get destroyed or altered without proper consent and analysis of the matter. Knowing the operations of each other at the highly ranked level or executive level is health because it helps the managers to go on with their specific objectives without undue alterations. What is of good is that, the stakeholders will generate reliable information that can be analyzed further for relevance and for cost benefit analysis before it is incorporated within the range of being important (Boehm 2010). The main stakeholders in this project are government environmental scientists, civil construction department of the state, Ministry of mining, chief executive personnel from the ministry of transports, and the ministry of natural resources. These stakeholders will help in ensuring that the design standards and dimensions of the project are strictly adhered to. For efficiency, the company outlines the protocol on how their ideas are handled and interrelated into the planning stage. Their ideas are separately kept for future references and manipulation. In some cases, the employees are called into discussion rooms so that they can vote to determine whether the ideas from the others should b incorporated into the management strategies or not. 9. Purpose of the project: The project was formulated and outlined because there was a problem statement that was agreed to for the sake of development. Due to the rising energy demands in most parts of Western Australia, there are needs to have a diversified and integrated approach that will ensure that the industrial developments that are occurring in most parts of west are served with reliable quantities of the gas. Most of the people living in Western Australia are associated with high standards of living and therefore, it will be of great importance if they get the right amounts of gas in good time (Australian Labour Market Statistics 2011). Time of supply can get reduced considerably if the pipeline network will be installed between the identified points that links Dampier and Banbury. Enough supply of the gas will relieve the consumers from having to spend more coins on gas purchasing. It will be realized that the population that will benefit from the project has been constantly increasing from time to time and it will b of relevance if the influencing factors are managed within the scope of benefitting individuals and companies. The energy needs of the Western Australia are constantly plummeting and there will be advances in usage in the coming decades (Australian Social Trends). Since it was launched, the people of Wa State have benefitted from the project not only because of the direct usage but because of the employment opportunities that have existed since its implementation. From the valuations that were carried out, it was realized that the shipping costs and tanking costs are very high or may be time demanding in comparison to the pipeline. Out of the assessments, it was reached that the best way to resolve these issues was to use the pipeline as the most reliable and less tedious means of transporting the gas from Dampier to Banbury. Environmental analysis also indicated that pipeline was the most admired and cost effective method of transporting the gas. There are different routes through which the pollutants and aerosols find their way into the atmosphere. The pollutants come from the combustion of gases by the automobile engines. Partial combustion results into emissions of carbon dioxide that meets with water droplets in the atmosphere to form weak carbonic acids that destroys plants and or may cause skin infections. Existence of the project in any locations should be assessed for pollution before it is implemented. This is done after an environmental audit of the project together with its extensions has been done. The report is then assessed for feasibility. An audit of the pipeline showed that it was nice to link the two points with a pipe network because it had less dangers compared to other methodological applications (Longman and Mollins 2004). It had fewer sources of pollutants, it was reliable, and efficient than road transportation by use of tankers, and ships. It was deemed that shipping incurred a lot of costs and it took a lot of time to ferry the gas between the two points. This project has along history of operations both at the state level and at the national level. At the start, the project was owned by the state oriented energy commission. The commission spearheaded the first engineering design that took place in 1979. At that time, the pipeline project was admired because it was among the biggest projects that the Wa state had ever seen. It was also one of the length projects that the state had ever constructed (dpd 2013). This meant that the feasibility study process was also length in matters of time, and resources. The most devastating factor at the time was that, the state government had to write a requisition to the ministry of lands so that they could be given mandate and permission to lay the pipeline to the design selected land. The land on which the pipeline is laid currently is called DBNGP corridor. The construction started immediately after the design was over and after a period of three years that involved intensive constructions, and planning, the pipeline was officially launched in 1982. The pipeline was first in use in 1984 but it extended only to Kwinana junction. The commission has been operating the project since it was launched and it was till 1998 that it was privatised. In 2004, the ownership of the project was transferred to DBP during which the commission was in debt of $1.7 billion Australian dollars. Since the project was launched, it has recorded minimal cases of danger or accidents. There have been no accidents that have destroyed human lives or pollutions that have resulted from the project because of the usage of high quality materials (dpd 2013). The project was implemented out of scientific methodological applications methods. The implementation of any project is carried out after a feasibility study has been conducted and evaluated for safety, reliability, and benefit. The technology to be used in the project will highly involve use of hydraulic applications that will work hand in hand with the dynamic flow equations. The flow of fluid in pipelines should be continuous and should be directed at having a constant flow. The slope and gradient that is associated with continuity should be maintained according to the designs and outlines (Rouse 2011). The major input into the project planning will be to ensure that there are minimal head loses which can contribute to unnecessary delays and energy losses within the pipeline. The gas products that will be produced from the project will be sold to the nearby community residents and to the major industries that operate within the framework of energy production. 10. The objectives: For a project to work well in a competitive and development arena, there must guiding objectives that should be outlined in the context of development. There are general objectives that oversee the overall work of development and industrialization as well as diversification of services to other places. The general objective is to extend the gas supplies to other destinations where the demand and need is constantly rocketing. The objective seeks to come up with methodologies that can be used meet the rising energy demands. The specific objectives seek to identify potential marketing centres on which the goods and gas products will be sold to the targeted customers. Use of more integrated networks to transport the gas formed the second specific objective of the project (Boehm 2010). The third objective was to provide a quick and most reliable means of transporting oil in a cost benefit approach way. The cost of the project should be determined at every stage of the project so that the benefits are reaped off much early. This can be achieved by outlining a schedule that identifies the flow of activities and actions (Mikoluk 2013). Critical paths are drawn and revaluated to see if they will be profitable during the final stage of the project. Some activities are best run if they are done in parallel with other activities. In some cases, the critical path allows a timely allocation of time to activities and can also be carried out while considering the effects of other. 11. The benefits The project will generate a lot of revenue for the Western Australians and to the entire economy of Australia. The expansion of the project will create jobs for many westerners and it is the reasons why the project is being assessed with closely monitored scrutiny. The expansion of the project will also generate revenue for the state while improving livelihoods of the people in societies and communities (Pedersen 2013). 12. The value proposition for sponsor. Sponsorship in most of the projects would always involve award of financial support to wards the implementation of the project (Haughey 2013). The sponsors of the project have made donations towards the design of the project and some have contributed materials for expanding the project. The sponsors are aware of the project and every step that will be made during the implementations should be communicated back to them so that they get updated on how their donations are being utilized at different phases of the project. This is done to encourage more sponsors from different areas (Pedersen 2013). 13. Constraints and assumptions. Because the project is bigger, there are constrains that cut across each other. First, the financial constrains have over time been outlined to be the major cause of delays and incompleteness in most projects. However for this project, the constrains have been minimized through use of management strategies and implementation techniques (Longman and Mollins 2004). It has been assumed that the project will be completed in time and that there are no technological or expertriate drawbacks because the contracted firm has veterans and experts in pipeline and gas technology. 14. The implementation strategy. During the implementation state, the management team will be clear and will follow every guideline to ensure that the outcome of the project is achieved the way it was planned for. The construction will be based on the scientific experiences but there will be no replication of other projects. It is better if the management team will agree to complement other practices that are relevant to the project (Boehm 2010). The project will also see that the project kicks off very first so that the perceptions and emotions of people are won much earlier. To achieve the targeted goals, there will be need to use time as a key factor that will allow changes to be made whenever the implementation changes are needed. 15. Risks and treatment. There are a lot of risks that are associated with most of projects but they vary from one project to the other. Risks are outlined as challenges that reverse the operations of companies and firms during the time when the project is being implemented. Risks can be classified as, time, finance, breakages, land degradations, skills, and techniques. For the case of time, highly developed schedules will be closely adhered to without any further alterations. Land excavations will be done within the surveyed and demarcated regions and areas (Haughey 2013). Control of finances will be done according to the budgeted values and in case there are undue changes, the budget committee should be re-evaluated and forwarded to the responsible committee for assessments and adjustments. 16. How phases can facilitate delivery of future phases (particularly design or constructability). The first stage in development involves use of techniques and methodologies that looks into the importance of a project in three dimensional outlooks. Without identifying problems that affect economic welfares, it becomes hard for any management team or planning team to draft an outline of the project. The field study should be carried out with an aim of ensuring that what will be documented is right and accurate. The field study that is normally carried out to determine the feasibility of a project helps in identifying the limitations of the projects or in the selection of necessary equipments and techniques. It also helps in ensuring that the project is cost effective and more reliable than any pre-existing project (Boehm 2010). Finances can b distributed equally throughout the project if it is dispersed in separated phases. 17. Work Breakdown Structure. Work breakdown systematic structures outlines the sequence in which the project if going to be carried or disseminated. They provide a guideline that should be followed strictly by both the contracting form and the sponsoring team. An integrated network will be used to achieve the targets and goal within the specified times (Pedersen 2013). 18. The impact of the project on stakeholders. The project will help the stakeholders to expand their gas businesses and economy because of the rising energy demands. They will receive the gas in reduced time intervals and in fixed proportions (Longman and Mollins 2004). 19. Milestones and an activity schedule. The schedule will be used to distribute the number of hours to different activities and occurrences that co-ordinates different aspects of the project into closed loops that require a scientific input. Analysis of the schedule enables the stakeholders to be aware of what might happen in the next future or later and which activity follows what (Mikoluk 2013). 20. Budget. Expenditures Amount in dollars Salary and wages of workers $ 13000 Administrational costs $ 1200 Equipment operations $11000 Operation and maintenance of machines $ 790 Material and technologies $ 16000 Hiring conference and meeting rooms $ 6900 Dressing $ 1000 Permits $ 530 Transportation $ 1400 Medical cover ups $ 12000 TOTAL $63820 21. Are there Enterprise Environmental Factors or Organisational Process Assets which can be used? There are no identified environmental factors that should be used or utilized during the implementation of the project because the environmental impact audit or assessments will be carried out by the environmental lead experts and it is hoped that through this, all factors will be taken care of. However, the construction will follow the standardized dimensions and protection guidelines that are directed at safeguarding the environment from damages (Boehm 2010). 22. Integrated plans for managing It involves the collection of processes that are required in project management in order to form one strong network on which the project propels forward. The activities in a project should be interrelated in away that pave way for effective performances. This leads to the development of a coherent network that integrates time models, speed models, experiences models, and expectations. It may also involve incorporations of experiences and techniques that either directly or indirectly helps in the development of projects (Mikoluk 2013). Conclusion Project management involves use of techniques that should be directed towards ensuring that the project will be successful, relevant and of great beneficial to the society and community being served. Every project should be managed in an effective manner so that the limiting factors are eliminated or minimized with regard to their effects (Pedersen 2013). This may be done by generating an integrative network that involves use of time management techniques, scheduling, financial determinations, and budgeting that ensures that the project is accomplished without unnecessary delays. Before any project is thought of, the first step is to identify the problem at hand and the need to solve the underlying issue. Then, a reconnaissance study is carried out to assess the feasibility of the project before the subsequent steps are adjourned for. Bibliography Australian Social Trends. Retrieved from www.abs.gov.au Australian Labour Market statistics. (2011). Fifty years of labour force: Now and then. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/6105.0Feature+Article1Oct%202011 Boehm, B. (2010). Project Termination Doesn’t Equal Project Failure. Retrieved from https://www.cs.unc.edu/~welch/class/comp145/media/docs/Boehm_Term_NE_Fail.pdf dpd. (2013). Dampier to Bunbury: Natural Gas Pipeline. Retrieved from http://www.dbp.net.au/the-pipeline/about.aspx Haughey, D. (2013). Project Planning a Step by Step Guide. Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/project-planning-step-by-step.html Longman, A. and Mullins, J. (2004). Project Management: Key tool for Implementing Strategy. Journal of Business Strategy, 25 (5): 50-56. 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