Task
Assignment: POM+ Project (Note: The project case is provided in interact resources. It is NOT contained in the prescribed text).
This assignment requires a relevant, informative presentation that includes the following 3 tasks:
Project Plan:
Task 1: Provides a strategic overview of the project that clearly explains project objectives and goals and other factors you consider important to position your project (like an executive summary or simple project charter) in presenting it to the sponsor. You may include items you feel are relevant to forming a clear picture of the project.
Task 2: Provide a project plan (incorporating case study parts 1-3 inclusive) including relevant output/reports and data capture using Microsoft Project, or other project tools, which MUST be incorporated into your presentation. Software files and printouts will not be accepted.
Tasks 1 & 2 may be incorporated into the one "document".
Project Status Report:
Task 3: A project status update (case study part 4A) that includes clear status report at the date required and your specific recommendations, as project manager) for project progress, post-status date based on the case data presented. DO NOT complete part 4B.
Often projects are "formulated" as strategy but inevitably implementation is delayed, as in in this case, (from 2012) to 1 March 2018. Whilst specific reasons are not given, it might be safe to assume that the decision to delay might have related to budget pressures, the requirement to use current equipment until it was obsolete or "written off" either mechanically or financially, for example. Students needn't dwell on this aspect but accept the current project start date and make appropriate date adjustments/assumptions accordingly.
Please consider all dates in the text as 2018/2019 and note the text uses a US date format, holidays, etc. Use the text data as the basis for your project. You may have to research the specific holiday dates online.
You should use Australian date format in presenting your project plan and reports, even though the case uses the U.S. format. The simple assumption is that you are based in Australia (or your domicile).
Project structure and assumptions:
Because of the delay (date change) to the project you may need to make assumptions regarding those changes, especially task dates and baseline task 2, (parts 2 & 3) and in task 3, (part 4A). Those assumptions should be explained in your project overview, plan and status report.
Larson & Gray on page 625, Project Management, the managerial process 2011 (5th Ed.) state "In developing the exercises, trade offs had to be made to enrich the learning experience. One of the major problems students initially encounter is data and detail overload. This reduces their ability to identify project and data problems and to compare alternatives. Although the project found in this exercise is real, it has been reduced and detail has been modified many times to concentrate on applying project management principles and understanding linkages. In addition, other simplifying assumptions have been made so that students can trace problems and discuss outcomes. These assumptions detract from reality, but they keep the focus on the objectives of the exercises and reduce student frustration with software intricacies. Moving from these exercises to real projects is primarily one of increasing detail".
These simplifying assumptions are given below (make sure they are included in "default," "preferences," and/or "options" sections of the software used":
- Each task will represent a work package. Accept the WBS in table given (page 626) as correct.
- Resources will be considered in terms of teams not individuals. Resource information is included in the case study in table A2.1 (page 628).
- The public holidays listed in the case should be used. You will need to research those dates and factor them into your plan.
- There are no overhead costs included in this project. Use only the costs of people resources stated in costs per unit of usage time in table A2.2 (page 628).
This project is designed to take you through the project strategy/executive summary (task 1), design and planning (task 2, case parts 1-3 inclusive) and partly the implementation/execution/control (task 3, case part 4A) phases of the project.
Experience has taught students to frequently make separate, incremental Microsoft Project backup files for each exercise, when using this software. The software is never as friendly as users expect! Whilst it is likely that students will use project software (such as Microsoft Project), the use of other tools, such as Excel, PowerPoint or other software should not be overlooked if access to project software is difficult or you feel you can present a better case alternatively.
Assignment 2 is challenging, be prepared to spend time studying to understand both the project concepts (e.g. duration, critical path, resource levelling, slack, etc. found in the topics/text) AND the software you use. Do not leave this assignment to the last moment - it requires time and planning as well as understanding the concepts used in project planning and implementation.
Computer Project Exercises
Part 1
1. Develop the WBS outline using the software available (save your file).
2. Use this file and the information provided below to create a project schedule.
3. The following holidays are observed: January 1, Martin Luther King Day (third Monday in January), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), July 4th, Labor Day (first Monday in September), Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November), December 25 and 26.
4. If a holiday falls on a Saturday then Friday will be given as an extra day off, and if it falls on a Sunday then Monday will be given off.
5. The project team works eight-hour days, Monday through Friday.
6. The project will begin on January 3, 2012.
7. Based on this schedule, submit a memo that answers the following questions:
a. When is the project estimated to be completed? How many working days will it take?
b. What is the critical path?
c. Which activity has the most total slack?
d. How sensitive is this network?
e. Identify two sensible milestones and explain your choice.
Part 2
Remember the old saying, "A project plan is not a schedule until resources are committed." This exercise illustrates this sometime subtle, but important point. Using your files from Part 1, input resources and their costs if you have not al-ready done so. All information is found in Tables A2.1 and A2.2.
Prepare a memo that addresses the following questions:
1. Which if any of the resources are overallocated?
2. Assume that the project is time constrained and try to resolve any overallocation problems by leveling within slack. What happens?
3. What is the impact of leveling within slack on the sensitivity of the network?
Include a Gantt chart with the schedule table after leveling within slack.
4. Assume the project is resource constrained and resolve any overallocation problems by leveling outside of slack. What happens?
Part 3
Top management has accepted the July 19th completion schedule created at the end of Part 2. Prepare a brief memo that addresses the following questions:
1. How much will the project cost? What is the most expensive activity?
2. What does the cash flow statement tell you about how costs are distributed over the life span of the project?
Include a monthly cash flow for the project.
Once you are confident that you have the final schedule, save the file as a base-
Part 4
Assume that today is March 31, 2012, and Table A2.3 contains the tracking information for the project up till now. Enter this information into your saved baseline file and prepare a status report for the first three months of the POM+ project.
Your status report should also address the following questions:
1. How is the project progressing in terms of cost and schedule?
2. What activities have gone well? What activities have not gone well?
3. What do the PCIB and PCIC indicate in terms of how much of the project has been accomplished to date?
4. What is the forecasted cost at completion (EACd? What is the predicted VACf?
5. Report and interpret the TCPI for the project at this point in time.
6. What is the estimated date of completion?
7. How well is the project doing in terms of its priorities?
Try to present the above information in a form worthy of consideration by top management.
Include an Earned Value table and a Tracking Gantt Chart.
Attachment:- POM -Case.rar