Project Management

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Discussion board 1

Depending on the initial objective of how Jennifer intends to use the money it seems that the three of the selected managers have not yet selected priority projects. This is mainly because the main objective of such project is to increase sales and reduce costs. Therefore, considering Julie, Tyler and Jeff projects it is likely to note that Jennifer will not probably fund any of them. For instance, when you consider Julie’s project it is likely to note that the risk involved in it and the sluggish rate of progress are likely to discourage from allocating any meaningful amount of money to it (Cleland & Ireland, 2006). However, the Tyler’s project will hard to convince Jennifer reason been it will seem as an outright challenge to her since she was the one responsible for the implementation of the current production process and she is not a fan of employees teams in the production any way.

In addition, considering Jeff’s project that is to purchase new computers and hiring a programmer is also unlikely to convincer Jennifer since is not interested in buying new computers for the sake of embracing new technology while the other system is already working well. Therefore, the chances are that Joe may end up getting the money to increase the number of sales representatives who will have a direct impact on the company sales meaning Jennifer’s aim shall have be achieved through this (Moore, 2008). Also since the other managers are unlikely to agree on a specific project then Jennifer may end up using the money to increase the number of sales representatives.

Discussion board 2

From the way in which the project ended it seems that Jacob was totally dissatisfied by the work that was done by the AG Contractors. However, before signing an agreement for the project there several things that Jacob would have differently to ensure that the project was a success. For instance, after he initially met Andy he should not have shown his desperateness which Andy took advantage of. Moreover, he should have taken his time to research on the issues that he had been told by Andy to be determine the truth behind them. This should have given him the real picture on the issues on the ground before hastily getting into an agreement with the AG Contractors.  This research would have also given him the real time that was required to finish the project.  Therefore, he should not have in any way shown Andy how faster he wanted the project done before determining his intentions and credibility. He should have also asked for a reference from previous projects done by the AG Contractors in order to determine their reputation (Cleland & Ireland, 2006).

However, during the project Jacob was supposed to make sure that the terms and conditions of the project were adhered to which would not have to the project costing 50% more than it was initially budgeted. This would have made sure than no numerous changes that would take place during the project duration unless they were warranted. Also Jacob should have ensured he holds numerous meetings with the contractor for constant update on the project which would have reiterated his interest in the project.  Finally, timely payment to the contractor would also have been very crucial (Moore, 2008).

Assignment 1

Q 6.     Scope is the total work that is required  to be covered within the duration of the project whereby it covers the time from when the project began up to when it ends. Schedule is however the plan outlining every activity that will be carried out during the project and the time each will require (Moore, 2008). However, cost is the total amount of money needed to finance every part of the project. Moreover, customer satisfaction is the situation in which the customers are content with the work done. Therefore, they are satisfied by either the time taken to complete the project or quality (Moore, 2008).

These acts as constraints in project management because each of them must be balanced to ensure that the project is effectively implemented (Cleland & Ireland, 2006). For instance, the project is not supposed to go beyond the scope and schedule meaning that it must be implemented within the set time. However, cost is another constrain since if the set money is realized to be inadequate a long process of outsourcing follows. Moreover, the project implementation ensures that the work is perfectly done to satisfy the customer which may end up taking more time or incurring extra costs (Moore, 2008).

Q 8. There are several steps involved in developing baseline plan which takes care of scope, schedule and plan. Such steps include:

1. Identification of tasks  and  activities needed in the production of each of the work packages as well as creation of a work breakdown structure of tasks.
2. Identification of resources for each task in the project, if known.
3. Estimation of how long each task will take to complete.
4. Estimation of each task cost, by the use of an average hourly rate for all the resources.
5. Consideration of the resource constraints as well as the time required for realistically devoting each resource to the project.
6. Determining tasks that are dependent tasks are dependent on others and developing a critical path (Moore, 2008).
7. Developing a schedule, which clearly indicates all the tasks and estimates, showing the project’s time period and the resources required to accomplish each task.
8. Developing the cost baseline, indicating the cost by time period.

Assignment 2

Q 1. The team should have just proceeded with the evaluation of the three proposals that it had received mainly from the time the contract was announced there was a duration of one and half month. This was enough time to ensure that all the interested contractors would apply for the contract. So the team should not have waited any longer but only consider the three proposals that had already been received despite been contrary of their expectation of receiving at least eight proposals.

Q 2. Despite the budget and needed time for Asia General Contractors been reasonable there was no need to consider their proposal. This is mainly because submission of their proposal late is a clear indication of lack of seriousness which may be transferred to the implementation of the real project. This is due to the fact that there more than enough time for the company to submit their proposal in time (Cleland & Ireland, 2006).

Q 3. Due to the expression of differing opinions in the opening remarks of the team members, the best move which could have followed would be evaluating the proposal according to  the evaluation criteria which they had already laid down earlier. Trough the evaluation they would have managed to pick one contractor whom they would forward to Ms. Uno.

Q 4.  The selection process would have been improved by increasing the time required for the submission of the proposals to may be two months which would have allowed more contractors to submit their proposals. Moreover, in the selection criteria the team should have included a reputation part where they would review several references previously served by the companies that had submitted their proposals (Cleland & Ireland, 2006).

References

Cleland, D.I & Ireland, L.R. (2006). Project management: Strategic design and implementation. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Moore, D.R. (2008). Project management: Designing effective organizational structures in construction. Oxford, UK: Wiley-Blackwell Publishers.