Proposed Project Module: Final Project - Space X Launch

Running Head: Space-X Falcon Heavy Rocket Project Case 1

Project proposal: Space-X Falcon heavy rocket

Liberty University BUSI 681

Joseph Redfearn

9 April, 2023

Running Head: Space-X Falcon Heavy Rocket Project Case 2

Overview of the project

Space has always been viewed as the final frontier. This is more than just for manned

travel, but for the civilian use of space. GPS, google maps, satellite tv, and now projects like

satellite WIFI for all are just some examples how we use space on a daily basis. Until Recently

space expansion was limited by the crippling expenses associated with the travel it would take to

get to outer space, space launch. This was until Elon musk created a company called Space-X

which gave the government contracted United Launch Alliance, Northup Grumman, and other

contractors a near heart attack as Space-X was able to offer the same effect for just fractions of a

cost. This is vital for stakeholders when the predecessor to the Falcon Heavy launch vehicle

came in around four billion dollars where today’s Falcon Heavy Geosynchronous orbit launch

vehicle comes in just around 100 million dollars.

This project covers the process followed in launching the Space-X Falcon Heavy Rocket

launch from the stage at which the need to send a satellite raised to when the satellite was

launched into space. This project will illustrate the key planning items that helped drive down the

price of this project while still reducing the over project risk to the project and to their

stakeholders. The main reason that contributed to the launch of Space-X Falcon Heavy was the

need to determine a cost-effective way of transporting items to Mars. Rockets such as the Space-

X falcon transports or delivers satellite to space after which the satellites are launched to start

their crucial surveillance and data collection tasks (Seedhouse, 2022). Space-X, with the

leadership of Elon Musk had been positioned as an inventive company that seeks at establishing

the prevalent challenges in space exploration and devise effective strategies to solve the problem.

The launching process engaged a variety of activities, all of which targeted at ensuring there is

successful sending of the space ship into Mars (Jozič et al, 2020). In enhancing successful

Running Head: Space-X Falcon Heavy Rocket Project Case 3

completion of the project, identification of stakeholders was necessary. Each stakeholder was

assigned a responsibility in which they had to participate in with each of the stakeholder

providing a report on the progress made in fulfilling the responsibility. Another crucial element

in the project implementation for this project is identification of risks. The main two risks that

were exposed in the Space-X Falcon Heavy Rocket included scope creep and technology risks.

Identifying the risks at the preliminary stages of project completion was necessary in

determining the most effective risk management strategies to use in reducing the risk of project

failure before completion. In addition to the areas explored in this report is a clear description

and analysis of communication plan. The plan determines the path followed in communicating

with stakeholders across the organization throughout the space launch process.

Running Head: Space-X Falcon Heavy Rocket Project Case 4

Proposal Form

Name: Joseph Redfearn Instructor: Mr. John Johnson Unit: BUSI 681 Proposed project Title: The Space-X falcon heavy rocket launch Section One: Title, objective and responsibilities The project is titled, the Space-X Falcon heavy rocket launch. The main objective of the rocket heavy launch project is to determine the stages of launch and the activities engaged in the space exploration process. Also, the project seeks to determine the role played by effective planning of project activities towards attaining the desired success. Section Two: Reasons for choosing this project The project was selected due to the unique nature of space projects. In most projects, the main goal is more of adventurous with no specific business value that the company aims at attaining towards the end of the project period. Section Three: Activities and Timescales In completion of the project, the following activities are involved and which are carried out within the specified timeline. The activities outlined are derived from the official launch process followed in the Space-X falcon heavy rocket launch with few modifications to enhance efficiency in completion of the outlined project tasks. Activity Timeline Establish the need for space exploration 2 months Create a space exploration workforce 1 month Develop a space exploration plan 3 months Conduct Research 3 months Vetting of the plan and authorization from Space-X senior management.

1 month

Implementation of the plan, starting from preparation of the launch

6 months

Assessment of launch standards by authorities

1 month

Sending of satellite to space 15th month of the project implementation period

The project has an implementation period of 18 months. Each of the months has distinct role in which the stakeholders engage in towards successful attainment of the set goals.

Running Head: Space-X Falcon Heavy Rocket Project Case 5

Responsibility matrix

The following responsibility matrix outlines the responsibility assignment as distributed across the different stakeholders involved in the project. There are four designations in the matrix: responsible, accountable, consulted and informed. ‘Responsible shows the task assigned directly to the specific person. ‘Accountable’ refers to the person who delegates and reviews work involved in the project. ‘Consulted’ include stakeholders that provide feedback and input on the work being done on the project. ‘Informed’ refer t stakeholders that need periodic updates on the progress of the team.

Project tasks Project Manager

Project team members

Finance manager

R & D manager

Senior management

Establish the need for space exploration

R R C R C

Create a space exploration workforce

R R I I C

Develop a space exploration plan

R R I A C

Conduct Research R R A R C Vetting of the plan and authorization from Space-X senior management.

R R I I C

Implementation of the plan, starting from preparation of the launch

R R C A C

Assessment of launch standards by authorities

R R I A C

Sending of satellite to space R R I I A

Running Head: Space-X Falcon Heavy Rocket Project Case 6

Project Response Matrix

Risk Event Response Trigger Who is Responsible

Failure to follow plan/scope

Avoidance: Ensure plan is well- communicated to parties.

Poor communication among stakeholders.

Project Manager

Mechanical breakdown

Mitigate: Prototyping the space ship.

Poorly- developed work plan and materials.

Project team members

Termination of project process.

Mitigation: engage all stakeholders in project implementation process

Lapse of funds or poor attainment of set quality standards.

Project manager and Finance manager.

Launch failure Transfer: to a third party responsible of losses as a result of space launch failure.

Omission of a crucial project activity or misuse of funds.

Senior management

Running Head: Space-X Falcon Heavy Rocket Project Case 7

Stakeholder Communication plan

Role Title Frequency Format/channels

Project Manager Daily In-person meetings, emails and internal memos.

Project team members Daily In-person meetings and emails

Finance Manager Weekly Internal memo, email and in-person meeting with project manager.

R & D Manager Weekly Internal memo, email and in-person meeting with project manager.

Senior management Once in two weeks In-person meeting and board meeting with the project team and stakeholders.

Running Head: Space-X Falcon Heavy Rocket Project Case 8

Reference

Gray, C. F., & Larson, E. W. (2020). Project Management: The Managerial Process. McGraw-

Hill Education.

Jozič, P., Zidanšek, A., & Repnik, R. (2020). Fuel Conservation for Launch Vehicles: Falcon

Heavy Case Study. Energies, 13(3), 660.

Seedhouse, E. (2022). Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy. In SpaceX: Starship to Mars–The First 20

Years (pp. 71-93). Cham: Springer International Publishing.