Project Management

Learning objectives:

• Critically assess and appraise the project management practices associated with a range of mega projects.
• Critically appraise the scale, nature and paradox of mega projects
• Effectively plan time-efficient and cost-effective strategies to evaluate, select, prioritize and manage multiple projects and programs.
• Critically review and reflect on the outcomes of a range of mega projects
• Consider sustainability, corporate social responsibility and ethics across the mega projects lifecycle.
• Critically appraise the complexities of management of risk in mega projects.

Assignment Coursework – Case study

Case
Online Pizza Ordering System in morocco
You must have ordered your pizzas on phone for home delivery. The process seems easy to use but at times there is miscommunication. As there is no visual menu shown during a phone call, the employees have to repeat a lot of things again and again to the customers. It’s a time consuming process which at times irritates customers. Also it takes a lot of time of the pizzeria staff.
It would be much more comfortable for the customers to have an online pizza ordering system. It would be hassle free for users as they can select the pizzas they want and make payment for it. Also it will reduce the purchasing time for customers. Let us look at another benefit of using this system.
Suppose I go to a pizzeria and place an order. Even after ordering pizzas from their outlet, I have to wait at least 15 minutes for my order to be ready. Wouldn’t it be much more convenient if I ordered my pizzas before using a mobile app or an online system and then it will tell me the time by which I have to pick my order from their counter. It would be great for me as I don’t need to wait for my pizza. I need to reach there only when my pizza is ready. In a nutshell, we can say that improved and efficient services are provided to the customers by the inclusion of internet in your business. As a business point of view it gives you an edge over your competitors.
Advantages
• It overcomes all the problems of existing system.
• Pizza can be order in more convenient way.
• Payment can be easily done using various online mode or cash on delivery (COD).
• It makes system very effective for ordering a pizza.
• Admin can view sales report which can be helpful for decision making.
• Easy add/update/delete process of pizza.
Disadvantages
• It requires a reliable internet connection.
• System may provide inaccurate results if data not entered correctly.

Written report Instructions

After a long selection process, you are hired as a Project Manager for this exciting Journey with a a good compensation and you are to produce a client based report of 4000 words (10% +/-). You decide to hire a team and plan carefully to expose all uncertain aspects of your project and avoid expensive surprises later on.

I need you to answer all queries below in details. Everything you write should be linked to the case and how you are planning to accomplish your objectives. Each question below is worth a mark.

SIST is strict when it comes to Plagiarism which is the wrongful stealing and publication of another author’s language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions and the representation of them as your own original work.

All questions should be linked to the Pizza project. Please note that Cardiff Met’s programs/modules are peer reviewed evidenced based with in-depth academic content and rigour.

Questions and Marking Scheme:

1 5% of Total mark Reasons for the project.
Explain as expressively as possible the ultimate, “big picture” vision and purpose of your completed endeavor.
How will it look, feel, perform, increase productivity, help the end users, or otherwise benefit human kind? This initial summary of your report is generally considered the most important. Typically 1-2 pages long, It is is often written last, after the entire plan has been finalized, these are the topics that should be addressed in this section:

1. Project Description
2. Project Planning
3. What are you trying to achieve?
4. Product or service?
5. Highlights of every section
6. Financial Highlights
7. Your recommendations
2 5% of Total mark Objectives and constraints of the project

What are you trying to accomplish?
List the project goals and objectives in terms that are clear, concise, achievable, and measurable. List and discuss in details project objectives.

Please note that they must be measurable and realistic.

You should talk briefly about budget, quality, and time to completion.
3 5% of Total mark Who are the main stakeholders and
beneficiaries? Examples of audiences or beneficiaries include: Clients, customers, employees, Top and Mid managaement, local communities, Government agencies, Food suppliers, Fresh produce farmers, and specific segments. The groups that have a
role and interest in the objectives and implementation of a project; they include target groups, direct beneficiaries, those responsible for ensuring that the results are produced as planned, and those that are accountable for the resources that they provide to the above project
4 5% of Total mark Will you be creating a product, strategy, or providing a service? Results of a project relative to its immediate objectives that are generated by the project outputs.
5 5% of Total mark What Methodology will You Use?

Will you start by researching your audiences’ needs? Will you use phases for design, development, implementation, pilot testing, and rollout? Methodology is expressed as a combination of related practices, methods and processes that determine how best
• to plan – very critical
• develop,
• control
• and deliver a project throughout the continuous implementation process until successful completion and termination. How will you handover? When and what training program will you suggest?
6 10% of Total mark Will your project involve an implementation
process that might occur over many man days or months? If so, what long-term phases are you anticipating? Are there critical milestones within these phases?

Please create a detailed schedule for near- term tasks you will be performing? The schedule must be clear and real. 1. Project identified
2. Include in master plan process (key)
3. Determine sponsorship – who from the Pizza entity is supporting you?
4. Develop the concept (key)
5. Determine who will do the work – scheduling resources
6. Get money
7. Find your team
8. Construct…
9. Control
7 5% of Total mark Are there any benefits in teaming up with 3rd party partners/ consultants who can offer complementary strengths or a long-term track record in an important area? If yes, state what part of your project will require assistance? Do you anticipate joining
forces with other organizations, consultants, or agencies to complete the project? If so, what experience, expertise, credibility,
funding, or other benefits will each party bring to the table?
8 5% of Total mark Special Equipment/ software – You may require setting up a technology infrastructure to create or deliver the products or services. Examples of items in your infrastructure might include: Servers, networks, software, Development language, computers and peripheral devices, and multimedia, sound, or video systems.
You may require using a certain set of software tools or a specific set of templates or techniques. It’s important to specify these at the beginning so that everyone will be clear about what’s required.

9 5% of Total mark Who will review and approve
your Decisions? Is there a management committee appointed? Who? Will there be a clear process for submitting items for review and approval, and a set timeframe for receiving comments back? What protocol will you be using?

Type of communication with project sponsor/ owner and team?
10 10% of Total mark Tasks – Who Will Be Responsible for What? This aspect is especially important when multiple parties will contribute to the outcome, and even more so when they are dependent on one another. The tasks that you will allocate, are activities that need to be accomplished within a defined period of time or by a deadline to work towards work-related goals.

A task can be broken down into assignments which should also have a defined start, end date, resource assigned and/or a deadline for completion.

List your team and provide a Resource scheduling matrix
11 15% of Total mark Risks identified and to be managed

Nothing is more difficult that anticipating, flagging, and managing potential risks to a project as a whole, or to the successful completion of your part of it. There are many types of risks that you should reflect on. Cost risk is a major one which can lead to an escalation
of project costs due to poor cost estimating accuracy and scope creep.

Schedule risk, is when activities will take longer than expected.

You should list all risks based on pressures and discuss how to mitigate each. Risk matrix and management are needed here.
12 10% of Total mark General overview of the budget – Financial analysis – This is very critical in a project management.
An evaluation of
your project’s profitability or cost-effectiveness relative to some alternative project or investment.

I would like to understand how you obtained your project funds. Who did you have to convince? What did you sell them on the idea? A Project Budget when approved by management is the total amount of authorized financial resources allocated for purpose of the sponsored project for a specific period of time. It is the primary financial document that constitutes the necessary funds for implementing the project and producing the deliverables. I like to an ROI and pay back period in your financial analysis.

13 5% of Total mark What open issues remain open? What issues and concerns remain after all topics above have been considered? You may be keeping a running list of unanswered questions and unknowns.

What are these items, and how and when do you think they will be resolved? Do they present risks until they are answered?
14 10% of Total mark Your recommendation and conclusion You are consultant and your recommendations are highly considered. This is where you differentiate yourself from others. Proposal for action to be taken in your specific circumstance, including the parties responsible for that action.

You need to pronounce your strategy and opinion on how this project would progress and conclude. Please note that THE PIZZA COMPANY has invested thousands of Dollars for you to conduct this project and get some tangible and intangible returns. This is your chance to express your validated opinion. Don’t write generic and vague statements.

Total = 100%

General Feedback:
Mark/Grade Scheme:

90 – 100 In the work presented for assessment, students awarded marks within this band will in addition have demonstrated a full and detailed understanding of the set task and an ability to have met the learning outcomes and address the assessment criteria at an outstanding and exceptional level.
80 – 89 . In the work presented for assessment, students awarded marks within this band will in addition have demonstrated a full and detailed understanding of the set task and an ability to have met the learning outcomes and address the assessment criteria at an excellent level.
70 – 79 In the work presented for assessment, students awarded marks within this band will have demonstrated a full and detailed understanding of the set task and an ability to have met the learning outcomes and address the assessment criteria at a very good level.
60 – 69 In the work presented for assessment, students awarded marks within this band will have demonstrated a full understanding of the set task and an ability to have met the learning outcomes and address the assessment criteria at a good level.
50 – 59 In the work presented for assessment, students awarded marks within this band will have demonstrated a basic but secure understanding of the set task and an ability to have met the associated learning outcomes and address the threshold assessment criteria.
40 – 49 The work presented for assessment is unsatisfactory overall. At the top end of the band, the standard of work might best be described as a ‘narrow fail’. Students awarded marks within this band will have demonstrated partial understanding of the set task and an ability to have met some of the associated learning outcomes at a basic level. However, attainment is uneven with some learning outcomes not met and some assessment criteria unaddressed.
20 – 39 The work presented for assessment is poor overall and the standard of work across the band might best be described as a ‘clear fail’. Students awarded marks within this band will have demonstrated minimal understanding of the set task and will partially have met one or two learning outcomes. Many assessment criteria are unaddressed.
1 – 19 The work presented for assessment may be very poor, incomplete and/or irrelevant and will demonstrates a serious lack of comprehension and/or engagement with the set task. Students awarded marks within this band may have misunderstood or misinterpreted the set task. No learning outcomes are met in full although there maybe minimal attainment in relation to one or two.
0% Zero will be awarded in cases where:
i) no answer has been attempted;
ii) an allegation of unfair practice has been substantiated by a Committee of Enquiry or Examination Board (including Fixed Penalty) and the original mark awarded has been cancelled.
The award of zero in either case is considered to be a fail.