Genesis Corporation: The Polaris

Project Assignment

You have been provided with a case study outlining the Polaris Project including background, issues that occurred and corrective actions that were put in place. Based on your learning of the PMBok (Project Management Body of Knowledge) the following questions are to be completed applying this knowledge.

Question 1

Writing Guide - 1000 words

As the Project Manager you are provided with a series of project management tools to assist your overall management and documentation of a project.

Part A - Are project management ‘tools' a hindrance or a help? Explain your answer.

Part B - What project management tools, if any, are/would be useful to you in your current position or in your current organisation? Give reasons to support your decision/selection.

Part C - How would you, as the Polaris Project Manager, address the software issues that occurred in this the Polaris case?

Question 2

Writing Guide 1000 words

Part A - How would you judge a ‘successful' project?

Part B - What specific performance measures would you use to judge success and why? Explain and justify your selection.

Part C - What is the most important aspect of a successful project; the outcome, the processes or the people? Explain and justify.

Part D - Genesis Corporation knew of the Earned Value Performance Measurement approach but it seems somewhat neglected.

a) Could they (Genesis) have used the EVPM as a ‘management tool'?

b) With reference to the graphics provided on page 45 of the case, how would you have applied this technique to this project as the project manager?

Question 3

Writing Guide 1000 words

The case study outlines the management approaches applied by the different parties. In terms of general and project management answer the following questions.

Part A - How do you see this approach (in the genesis project) applying to projects in your organisation now or in the future?

Part B - What other approaches could have been used to manage staff? Justify your answer by outlining possible outcomes that may have resulted from a different approach.

Part C - If you held the project manager position in the Polaris case what approach would you take and why?

Question 4

Writing Guide 1500 words

Assume you are John Butler going into the meeting to report on the Polaris Project.

Part A - Prepare a comprehensive Project Review Report for Management. You may use the review template provided or write a review report ensuring all principles of project management are addressed.

Part B - You are required to complete a "Close-out Report" which includes an overall Performance Review from the perspective of:

- The Project itself

- Meeting Client Needs

- Meeting Stakeholder Needs

- The needs of the Organisation (Genesis)

- The Project Team staff from all levels.

- Recommendation for future projects