This is an individual assignment - complete both tasks 1 and 2
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 cases 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 time, finance and human resource.
Case 1: Watchwell Ltd is an organisation which provides saleable products to the fitness industry. These products include: drinks bottles, stopwatches, and sportswear. As part of your job as the Watchwell Ltd special projects manager, you have produced a list of activities that need to be addressed to supply a new range of sports footwear to the sector. The details are shown in the table provided. Please note: You must use the methodology detailed above table 1 headed “essential methodology”.
Task 1 (40% marks)
1) Draw the network diagram (use activity on the node). (8 marks)
2) Explain how you determined the timing of activities and the total float. (6 marks)
3) Explain how you determined the project duration and the critical path. (6 marks)
4) If the project starts on the Monday 6 September 2010 , what is the earliest date it can be completed using a 5 day working week? Assume no other holidays (explain how you calculated the figure). (4 marks)
5) If the following happened what would be the effect on the duration of the whole project? Explain the reasons. (6 marks)
a) A 1 day delay during activity C.
b) Activity G is delayed 1 day.
c) A 2 day delay during activity R.
6) Explain and discuss the purpose of Network diagrams. (10 marks)
Essential methodology (activity on the node):
· All the timings (i.e. earliest start, earliest finish, latest start, latest finish, total float, duration and activity) must be included within each node of your diagram. This essential methodology is detailed in the text: Project Management, Field and Keller (2007. p. 197,p.198 & p. 391)
· All timings must be in days – not dates
· To complete your network diagram assume that:
o If task A has a duration of 4 days (task A, earliest finish would be day 4), therefore, task B earliest start time will be day 4.
· This essential methodology is detailed in the text: Project Management, Field and Keller (2007. p. 197,p.198 & p. 391),
Table 1
Activity (Tasks) | Duration (Days) | Preceded By |
A | 4 | - |
B | 6 | A |
C | 2 | A |
D | 1 | A |
E | 3 | B,C,D |
F | 6 | E |
G | 2 | E |
H | 1 | E |
I | 2 | F,G,H |
J | 4 | I |
K | 6 | J |
L | 4 | J |
M | 1 | J |
N | 3 | K,L,M |
O | 10 | N |
P | 8 | O |
Q | 1 | O |
R | 4 | P,Q |
Case 2: Jones Ltd is an SME company specialising in the supply of office equipment. The items they supply includes: desks, chairs, filing cabinets, and dividing partitions. The company has been particularly successful since it started trading in 2001. They trade from a single main factory outlet (15,000 square metres). At present the company employs 1 General Manager, 1 Assistant Manager, 2 Administration staff, 4 sales staff, and 3 warehouse staff. They contract out transport functions.
As part of a strategy of expansion, Jones Ltd have employed you as a project manager for a one off special project. This project is to concerned with the opening of a building which they recently acquired. This new building will allow the company to source and supply computers to the same sector in which they currently trade. The staffing structure at the new building will mirror the existing structure at the existing site.
Task 2 (60% marks)
As Project Manager responsible for the opening – for trade - of the new building, you are contracted at the feasibility stage. You are required to prepare a report (2,000 words). From a project management perspective Outline the activities required to successfully manage this new initiative, ensuring that it is on time, and within budget.
The analysis should include the skills and competencies required by the Project Manager, along with the project management process. Use examples of the concerns, stages, processes, leadership, 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 (i.e. the network diagram information – (600 words) – completed as an individual task
Task 2 a report that is produced for task two (2000 words) – completed as an individual task
For your convenience both tasks should be submitted as one document, which contains both individual tasks.
The criteria for assessing the first task - the network diagram tasks – are detailed on page 6.
The criteria for assessing the task two report will be:
Report presentation (20%)
The extent to which the assignment represents an effective report. This will be judged on:
Appearance: Is a word count included at the end of the report? Is it within the specified amount? Is the text double spaced?
Structure: Does the report follow the conventions of the format? Does it have a clear introduction, explaining how it answers the questions? Do the sections of the report develop ideas in a logical sequence? Are diagrams or other subsidiary information shown in appendices?
Spelling and grammar: Are all words spelled correctly and is the meaning of sentences clear?
Referencing: Have appropriate references been included in the report. Has a recognised referencing system been used for notation? (see relevant section in the Guide to Basic Study Skills)
Use of relevant theory (40%)
Has the right theoretical content been chosen as the basis for answering the questions? Is there evidence of the use of course notes and books? Is the theory that is selected significant to the questions?
Analysis (40%)
This measures the extent to which students develop a structured argument for the points they make, by combining relevant theory with the information provided in the questions.
Any work submitted is subject to the University's rules and procedures governing infringement of assessment regulations.
