You work for MIT Consulting, a leading IT project consulting company. Your expertise is in project management, scoping a project in terms of feasibility and providing an overview plan for board approval, negotiating with vendors and managing implementations. You work for a negotiated fixed project fee, or on a time and materials basis for open ended assignments.
You have been hired by the Client to provide a preliminary Project Plan for an important internal project. Client staff support the project and have secured Board approval for MIT Consulting to take the project to the next phase.
Requirements defined:
A major international airline (of your choice) wants to upgrade its rostering tool, which has had many upgrades and still used some manual input.
- More efficient scheduling of crews, such that % utilisation of human capital improves significantly
- Reduced costs as more efficient use of home crews is used (crews go home over their shift, rather than stay in an overseas hotel)
- More dynamic rescheduling based on staff requests (preferences, holidays, sick leave etc.)
- Better staff morale and staff retention rates based on a more dynamic, responsive and fairer rostering system.
- Adherence to all internal and externally imposed staff rostering rules.
- Effective and more efficient seat assignments.
- Efficient air fares.
- Scheduling of time table for flights.
- Efficient routing of the flights.
- Selection of airplanes (this is with regards to the size of the airplanes) and decision should be based on efficient fuel consumption. For example: Only one type of aircraft (Boeing 737) making maintenance/ training cheaper and easier and spare part inventories lower.
- Lowest non fuel CASM (cost per available seat mile) among airline.
- Happy work force -highest paid in industry Happy work force-highest paid in industry.
The report needs to have the following details: The number of pages for the report should not exceed more than 17 pages excluding appendix, references and table of contents.
- MIT Consultants needs to justify its substantial fee in providing this overview project management plan.
- After summarising the business case, the Client wants to hear your recommendations on the benefits realisation strategy. How can benefits be measured? How will the customer know the project has been successful from a business perspective?
- What process model for the project do you recommend? Give a diagram. If necessary, start with an overview and then drill down to more detail. What is your rationale?
- What are the major context specific risks? Can these risks be mitigated? Are the treatment strategies cost effective?
- How do the Consultants feel about this project? In your experience, how would they rate the project in terms of priority for the Client? Do you recommend against the project? Why?
Your brief is to objectively assess the project and address the following issues in your report to the Board:
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Section
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Description
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A. Executive Summary
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Summarise the project background, benefits, additional research required, suggested process model and treatment of major risks.
Conclude with overall recommendation as to the project's priority.
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B. Business Case
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Background for the project
Financial and/or strategic justification
Project success criteria.
How will the client know the project was successful?
How can the client ensure that the expected benefits are realised?
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C. Process Model
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What additional studies are necessary?
e.g. Vendor selection, prototype to elicit detailed requirements with users, proof of concept to confirm technology, tools or platform etc.
What is the suggested project process model?
Clear diagrams are essential.
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D. Risk Management Plan
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Client wants to see ONLY 'project specific' risks. They are aware of the generic risks that affect virtually all IT projects.
Tables should include each major risk identifying the source, event, consequence, probability, existing control(s) and initial risk rating.
Another table should include the risk treatment plan for each risk with an unacceptable rating including the cost justification and effectiveness (e.g. residual risk rating).
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E. Conclusion
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In the Consultant's opinion how does this project rate for the client?
Should the client focus on other opportunities that have a better return on investment or a lower overall risk?
If this project is highly recommended, what are the key factors which have persuaded the Consultant?
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