Deva Patel, project manager at Startrek Enter- prises, Inc., is planning and coordinating the com- pany’s move to a new building currently under construction. Deva wants the move to commence as soon as the building is ready for the estimated June 1 occupancy—still 2 months away. The entire move, which will affect 4 departments and 600 people, is to be completed within 1 week. Because timing is critical, Deva starts her planning by preparing a Gantt chart. At the project level, she draws a bar 1 week (7 days) long and then subdi- vides it into three major categories: (1) pack office supplies, equipment, and furniture (3 days allot- ted); (2) move everything (2 days allotted); and (3) unpack and arrange it at new location (2 days). She then estimates the total number of boxes, equip- ment, and furniture that will have to be moved in 2 days, gives the estimate to a moving contractor, and receives a price quote. To assist in packing and unpacking boxes and equipment, Deva intends to hire temporary workers. She estimates the number of workers needed, gives it to a temp agency, and receives a price quote. Deva shows the completed plan to her man- ager and asks him to review it. The plan consists of the Gantt chart and a budget that is largely based on the price quotes from the moving company and the temp agency.
QUESTIONS
1. What do you think about Deva’s approach to scheduling work and estimating the costs?
2. If you were Deva’s manager, would you con- sider her plan comprehensive?
3. How would you prepare a plan for the move, and what would your plan include?