Background: The assignment is intended to bring out the benefits and limitations of different approaches to project planning and control by relating these to the circumstances in the case outlined. It is also intended to allow students to demonstrate their learning and competence in respect of the management of resources generally, but in particular elements of scope, schedule, quality, and cost.
Task 1: 700 words (+/- 10%) each short answer question requires a response in a few sentences for the questions awarded 6 marks and a paragraph for questions awarded up to 8-10 marks.
1) What are the key defining characteristics of a project?
2) Using an example briefly explain the meaning of a Work Breakdown Structure. Why is it important to have such a structure?
3) Using the information below, plot out a full project Gantt chart and identify the critical path. How many days does it take to complete the project?
4) What alternative techniques of investment appraisal are available for project selection?
5) Explain what is meant by a Risk Management Plan.
6) Outline the main aspects of monitoring project quality
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Tasks
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Precedence
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Time
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a
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-
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3days
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b
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a
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2 days
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c
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b
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3 days
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d
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b
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1 days
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e
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c
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5 days
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f
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c
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8 days
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g
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d
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2 days
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h
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f
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6 days
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Task 2: Case Study:
A new individual has recently been appointed Senior Project Manager for PM Solutions Ltd, a market leader in Project Management consultancy. One of their main responsibilities is to appoint a project leader for each contract that has been entered into.
A new client is a global leader in the provision of terrorism threat detection for both private and public sector organisations.
The company needed to consolidate operations and relocate their U.K. headquarters. This involved closing the existing headquarters, retaining or relocating key employees through the move, relocation of numerous operations including customer services, accounting and finance, and research and development laboratories. The objective was to save operating costs and create improved opportunities for customer service and scientific collaboration.
PM Solutions has been brought in to manage the project. The new Senior Project Manager is unsure as to which of your team should be appointed Project Manager for this client. In order to inform her choice she has asked all interested candidates to write a report from a project management perspective outlining the activities required to successfully manage this new initiative, ensuring that it is on time, and within budget.
You are keen to be given the opportunity to be Project Manager so you need to submit a report. Your analysis should include the skills and competencies required by the Project Manager, along with the project management process. Use examples of the concerns, Project Life Cycle stages, processes, leadership, and administration and control problems associated with managing the lifecycle of this major project.
Assignment presentation and assessment
The answers to both tasks are independent and should be addressed separately.
Task 1 answers to six questions - (700 words +/- 10%) - completed as an individual task
Task 2 a report that is produced for task two (2300 words +/- 10%) - completed as an individual task
For your convenience both tasks should be submitted as one document, which contains both individual tasks.