Business 517 Assignment 1

Rubric

Template Sections

Explanation

Propose a project idea, and explain a selection method for selecting the project (i.e., financial or non-financial method). Provide a rationale for your proposal.

1             Project Proposal

Before you describe the proposal in depth, you need to provide the reader with a brief historical view of the company, so that it sets the context upon which the project will be initiated. As this is the basis upon which the project is created, you need to describe all of the relevant history that has taken place up until now.

For instance, if this was a proposal to create a project to implement a new software package for the business, then this section would describe historically which software packages had been used until now, which had succeeded and which had failed, as well as when the software is due for replacement and who the relevant software vendors are.

Remember, the project has one purpose and one purpose only, which is “to deliver the solution to that problem or opportunity within the timeframes required”. So the more that you can describe the solution in depth, the easier it will be for the project team to know what has to be delivered and by when.

1.1         Project Idea

1.2         Selection Method

1.3         Rational

Construct the objectives of the project in terms of a problem, which it solves, or an opportunity, which it capitalizes on.

2              Project Objective

If you have a business problem that needs to be solved by this project, then describe the problem in depth here. Describe the type of problem and symptoms that the business is experiencing as a direct result of the problem. For example, a business problem might be that it is struggling financially, has poor communication or low customer satisfaction.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                If you have a business opportunity that needs to be full-filled by the project, then describe it in depth here. Describe the environment within which the opportunity exists, the timeframe in which the opportunity must be taken up on and the way in which the opportunity must be realized. An example of an opportunity is that there is a gap in the market segment for a particular product or service, there is a new technology which can improve the business, or a regulatory change has meant that the business can provide a new product or service that it could not before.

Create a scope statement (using the template on page 105 of the textbook) for your project. Make sure to include all necessary components of the scope statement.

2.1         Project Scope Statement

State the vision and goals of the project. They need to be “Smart” which means Specific, Measurable, Action orientated, Realistic, and Time based. Where possible, try to link in the business problem or opportunity into the Vision so that the project team knows exactly what is being solved by the vision. Here is an example of a project vision:

“Our vision is to improve customer satisfaction by 25% by 1st Jan 2013 by offering new services to our high-value clients”.

2.2         Objectives

List three goals, which relate to our vision above. Again, make them SMART. Here are some examples

1. “To release a customer satisfaction survey by 1st January 2012”
2. “To upgrade our Customer Relationship Management system by a 1st June 2012”
3. “To have a personal relationship with all our high-value customers by 1st January 2013”
 

2.3         Deliverables

Every project produces deliverables, which form part of the solution that solves the business problem or opportunity. These deliverables with are key to the success of the project and they define the scope of what must be produced. Therefore, it is critical that you list all of the key deliverables that are to be produced in as much depth as possible.

2.4         Milestones

All projects must be delivered within a specific timeframe. Every business problem or opportunity must be solved by the project within a specific timeframe to maximize the value to the business.

This timeframe is critical to success, because if the project delivers the solution after the timeframe specified, then the business may not benefit to the level that was intended.

Therefore, you need to specify the timeframe for delivering the project. Describe what the timeframe is and why it is so important that the project deliver the solution within this period.

2.5         Technical Requirements

Provide any specialized equipment, testing, parameters that you will need for the project.

2.3         Limits (Constraints) & Exclusions (Out of Scope Items)

Identify anything that places limits on the project. This can include work time, location, and resources. Identify items that the project will not address but may have some connection to the project.