Project Final
robertdjamerson
ProjectFiles.zipProjectFiles/RJamerson_Mod1Project_110819.docx
Module 1 – Memo to Executive Staff
Rasmussen College
Memorandum
To: |
The CEO American Defense Technologies |
From: |
Supplier of backpacks Manager |
cc: |
The chief operating officer- American Defense Technologies Marketing manager- American Defense Technologies The production manager- American Defense Technologies The supply chain manager- American Defense Technologies |
Date: | January 1, 2015 |
Re: |
Project update |
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Introduction:
This is to inform you that the project assigned to be as a project manager to overview the production and supply of backpacks to various customers within the country and internationally is taking its shape. Therefore I can say it is making progressive steps and we are working towards realization of our goals and objectives. We’ve decided to make backpacks with built in refrigerated pouch and radio module that will be very useful to individuals especially those who may be away from home for long periods of time e.g. days, weeks, months etc.
Customer:
As part of the success of the project we were privileged to receive an invitation to supply the US army with our products i.e. our backpacks. On 4th January 2015 I received a tender invitation to supply the U.S army with our backpacks. The state department requires 200 units which will be used by ground forces and Special Forces in the US army. The two forces will share equally the items we will supply them each having 100 units. The supply of the items is expected to commence from 1st September 2015 till 1st march 2017. The estimated budget of the budget will be $1,500,000 whereby the products will be distributed in bits till the agreed amount and quantity is met.
Initial program action items
Plans to undertake the project starts immediately after the approval of the tender on 1st September 2015. We have put in place various measures to ensure the business and project starts as soon as possible. This includes production of the 200 units, arrangement of various logistics plans to our customers. We have planned that the items will be supplied in bits whereby the first 100 items will be delivered to the customer upon the reception of the order receipt. The first delivery will take place on 1st September 2016; the second disbursement will take place on 1st December 2016 and the last one taking place on 1st march 2017. We also plan an initial plan review which will happen at the customer’s site ie on November 16th 2015.in addition to that we hope to have a subsequent program review which will take place six month after the initial review.
Project Risks / Risk Mitigation strategies:
The following are some of the risks the project is likely to be exposed to:
Performance risks
Operational risks
Market risks
Natural or external risks
Legal risks
Security risks in case of theft of items
Design risks
Risk mitigation strategies
Research-conducting a market research on the types of goods the market requires and producing ones that satisfy their needs.
Adhering to the rules and regulations of the country for example production rules, meeting requirements among many more.
Improving security of workers as well as business tools this will be done through adopting necessary technology and resources that will ensure employees and business resources are safe.
Working hand in hand with stakeholders and widely consulting them to give their views before decision making.
I therefore request your support in whatever way you can so that the project can succeed and we are able to meet the set goals. Above all make our organization grow by serving a large market and working towards building a strong brand that will be recognized not only in the United States of America as well as other parts of the world.
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ProjectFiles/RJamerson_Mod2Project1_111719.docx
Running head: PROJECT SCOPE 1
PROJECT SCOPE 2
Project Scope: Part 1
Robert Jamerson
Rasmussen College
Project Scope: Part 1
Project Description
The backpack project contains the development and design of rucksacks with radio modules and a refrigerated pouch for the military of the United States (US). The US military carries on to facing challenges of taking with them their drinks and meals while undertaking special and ground operations and areas that are remote. The present backpack used by the Military does not have a radio module, and refrigeration pouch, therefore, imperils the capacity of recuperating the troops that may be wounded in the battle. For that reason, the US army executive staff, special and ground operations forces have asked for the development and design of a refrigerated backpack that has radio modules so as to resolve the issue and progress the usefulness of their actions. The project delivers, develop and design refrigerated backpacks which are high quality to the United States within a period of one and half years, that is from 1st of September 2015 to 1st of march 2017. The scheme will be concluded in milestones with the delivery of 100 units in the first phase, and the following 50 units will be delivered after a period of 3 months.
Project Assumptions
The backpack scheme presumes that the company that will supply the raw materials for the project will offer materials that are quality and will meet the standards of the US military on the softness and durability while the product will be exploited in intense weather conditions. For that reason, the project presumes the US forces will be in a position to give enough funding as stated in the proposed award so as to distribute the final product within the time frame that was stated. The manager of the project will make sure that the team have needed skills in design and will finish their task within the stipulated time. Participants will abide by the outlined guidelines.
Project goal
The aim of the project is to provide the military with refrigerated backpacks important for their operations. The project will give functional, light, durable, and high-quality backpacks. The project will improve their capability to do their work since the radio modules, and adjustable shoulder straps will simplify the military movement and ensure steady communications with other staff in the field. Additionally, the morale of the soldiers will be improved since the backpack will be light and soft hence minimizing unexpected injuries. Also, the project will make sure that the backpacks are eco-friendly and re-usable. Accordingly, the final products will be delivered within the stipulated costs and time; this will be done by developing time schedules for each activity, budgeting, and accurate cost estimation.
Project constraints
There are many constraints that may be faced by the project, which will interfere with the development of cost-effective and quality refrigerated backpacks. The limited budgetary allocation is the first constraint. The challenge of securing bank financing may arise. The second type of constraint relates to the time frame. The project has to be completed within a period of one and a half years, and may not be realistic. Additionally, it is required that about 50 pieces backpacks be delivered every three months. This should be carried out after the first 100 pieces are delivered. This will force the project team to do everything possible and work in line with the time constraints. Finally, technical constraints may be encountered in the course of the project. This problem will affect the choices of design (Besner & Hobbs, 2013). This is because the radio module and refrigerator module are to be contained in the backpack. The temperature has to be controlled in the backpack.
Project limitations
Due to the project complexity, there is a limitation of the lack of enough skilled personnel to create and develop the backpacks. There is a need for a more qualified project team. Due to this limitation, the project costs will increase because of the need for more labor. Another limitation relates to the lengthy process in vendor selection and getting approval from the United States military. This problem may delay the project since it will interfere with the delivery of raw materials, thereby affecting pre-determined project schedule deadlines.
Project milestones
· Oct. 30, 2015 – first payment from the customer
· Sept. 1, 2015 – first delivery
· Nov. 16, 2015 – initial program review
· Dec. 1, 2015 – second delivery
· Jan. 1, 2016 – third delivery
· May 30, 2017 – third milestone payment
· May 16, 2016 – program review
· Nov. 16, 2016 – program review
Project risks
The biggest risk that is faced in the project relates to the underestimation of costs of design and development compared to actual costs. This risk is attributed to an inaccurate estimation of material costs. There are few similar projects to this one, and this makes it difficult to get information on the costs of the same projects. Nevertheless, the manager in charge of the project will address this risk coming up with a good budget estimate and carrying out continuous examination and analysis of raw materials being used, and this will eliminate the risk (Terje Karlsen, 2011). The other risk that may emerge relates issues of meeting the delivery schedule. A good way through which this risk can be avoided is by designing an action plan together with project schedule guidelines. The two will list out all the activities and estimate time requirements.
References
Besner, C., & Hobbs, B. (2013). Contextualized project management practice: A cluster analysis
of practices and best practices. Project Management Journal, 44(1), 17-34.
Terje Karlsen, J. (2011). Supportive culture for efficient project uncertainty
management. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 4(2), 240-256.
ProjectFiles/RJamerson_Mod2Project2_111719.doc
Running head: ANALYSIS OF UNEXPECTED EVENTS 1
ANALYSIS OF UNEXPECTED EVENTS 4
Analysis of Unexpected Events
Robert Jamerson
Rasmussen College
Analysis of Unexpected Events
Unexpected events have the ability to impact a project. For instance, the success of a project relies on timely payment because it ensures there is a continuity of activities. Payment can impact different aspects of the project, such as human capital, budget, and quality of work. Therefore, payment delays will negatively impact the aforementioned aspects. Other unexpected events are discussed in the following paragraphs.
Delay in Payment by Three Months
Money issues can have a significant impact on the project. Delay in payment will have an impact on four components relating to project implantation. Budget is the first component that will be affected, thereby forcing the project to minimize the use of resources.
The second component to be affected is human capital. The project team will be demotivated because of a lack of compensation caused by delayed payment. Lack of motivation will hinder the success of the entire project. The third aspect to be affected is the scheduling of activities. It will be difficult to perform the scheduling of activities due to the issue of allocating funds. It means that delayed payment will impact the project schedule.
The final component to be affected is the project and product quality. It will be difficult to get access to quality raw material and better human capital when payments are delayed. This means that the overall quality of the projects will be affected negatively. If there is a delay in payment, the best course of action is to seek additional financial funds from other institutions, such as the banks.
Lack of Material Patterns for the Backpack
The materials affect the process planning of the project resulting to poor budgeting. Lack of necessary materials to perform diverse activities will lead to a waste of human capital. This will make the contractors as well as the administrators to reschedule the preliminary time for the project.
Also, the premise may come across losses because they will have to retain their employees in the process. That will include imbursement of un-existing service in the company. Preferably, it has an effect on the general quality of the scheme. Proper planning will be the core aspect. It will improve the eventual quality of the scheme (Alotaibi & Mafimisebi, 2016). Also, the cause of action to be taken should include the outsourcing of products from other dealers to facilitate the success of the process.
Increase in initial Delivery from 100 backpacks to 150
The scope of the project will be interfered with by increasing the initial volumes of the product, hence affecting the budget. Therefore, it will affect the arrangement of activities for the next process. As per Besner and Hobbs (2013), that overlap is damaging to the success of the scheme. In due course, it will lead to poor quality of delivery in the entire project. In this case, the course of action involves the gathering of all the important stipulation from the clients. The adjustment should occur only on the arrangement as well as the product functionality, however, because there is still unanticipated event necessitating the manufacturing of 50 more backpacks. Therefore, there is still a need to add to the workforce and also outsource more raw materials from other vendors. For the entire project to be successful, all stakeholders to be involved actively. These stakeholders range from management to customers. The project will encounter some hitches when some stakeholders do not play their active role.
References
Alotaibi, A. B., & Mafimisebi, O. P. (2016). Project Management Practice: Redefining Theoretical Challenges in the 21st Century. Project Management, 7(1).
Besner, C., & Hobbs, B. (2013). Contextualized project management practice: A cluster analysis
of practices and best practices. Project Management Journal, 44(1), 17-34.
ProjectFiles/RJamerson_Mod3Project_112419.docx
Running head: STATEMENT OF WORK AND WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE
Statement of Work and Work Breakdown Structure
Statement of Work and Work Breakdown Structure
Robert Jamerson
Rasmussen College
A project statement refers to a statement of the objective scope and the participants in a project. The project statement is also referred to as project management, or definition, or only a project charter. A project statement is essential as it serves as a reference to the authority for the future of the project. A project statement is crucial as it helps in getting a venture off the ground .it comprises and outlines essential details required throughout the project. They are put into the docket of the project team members and clients and ensures it applies to all on cost, motive, and timeline needed (Sokowski, 2015). According to many researchers, a project statement must include project validity, product, deliverables, and objectives intended to be achieved. For a universally accepted project statement, it has to begin with the validity statement, which outlines its justification .it contains quantitative and qualitative sets of data and what is needed in the project for it to exploit the need in the open market. It must be accurate and clear and be specific on how the project would fulfill the need s of the client. Other considerations that should be looked at include the technicality and possible legal issues (Sokowski, 2015). The project statement of work document refers to a document that is usually put in place in the field of project management. It is responsible for definitions of projects specific activities, timelines for venders to offer services to clients, and lastly, the deliverables.
It is redesigning a project to support our strategic plans and enhancing marketing and service to clients. For the client’s service and satisfaction, via timely response to client's complains and having a positive and desirable client’s interaction. The project being redesigned is to enrich the site with contents and provide a user-friendly approach to both potential and already existing clients. It is not appropriate that the company uses the website as a channel to communicate new developments, upcoming and breaking news, client’s records and testimonials, and different forms of communication on competitors in the industry on specific information. The company must realize the importance of working hand in hand with clients and come up with a consulting solution in which the new website will allow the ability to do so(Kerzner, 2009). To suit the business, need the company will have to outsource the design, implement, and test to achieve the best results. The staff and other employees must be trained on the new project usage and utilization. The company hopes further improvement will boost the company forward due to its ability to multi-task hence winning new clients over and retaining the existing clients hence capturing the added market share.
On the scope of the planned project for the redesigning, it includes execution, precise planning, methods of implementation, and having the employees and staff trained. Chosen dealers will be the ones responsible for the redesigning of the project based on the replies or feedbacks that are provided and at their disposal. Steps taken and achieved should be verified and approved by the management before proceeding (Harrison & Lock, 2004). The dealers chosen should ensure that they have enough resources for the project e.g., redesigning, testing, building, and implementation the project. There should also be enough resources to conduct training for the staff. Deliverables should be listed, and the milestones achieved based on the requirements and the schedule in the section.
The strategic plans towards making sure that the project has been achieved adequate resource allocation. Without enough and sufficient resources for achieving the project, completion would be difficult. The project should go in the same direction to avoid mixing up and coming up with other strategies that might drain the resources. The projects achieve, and completion of phrases should be verified and approved by the management while also the availability of a training facility must be put into consideration. This is because a lack of training would make it difficult for staff to adopt and work comfortably.
References
Harrison, F. L., & Lock, D. (2004). Advanced Project Management: A Structured Approach. Aldershot, England: Gower Publishing.
Kerzner, H. (2009). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Sokowski, D. (2015). Mastering Project Management Integration and Scope: A Framework for Strategizing and Defining Project Objectives and Deliverables. Upper Saddle River, NJ: FT Press.
ProjectFiles/RJamerson_Mod4Activity_120119.xlsx
Sheet1
| L | M | H | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 90 | H | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 80 | M | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 70 | L | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Number | Risk Name | Full Risk Cost | Risk Probability | Factored Risk cost | Risk Impact to Project | Risk Mitigation Plan | Point of Contact | Expected Risk Retire date | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Cost risk | $20,000 | 20% | $4,000 | L | Enhancing acuracy in cost estimate as well as a perfect management of scope creep planning | Project cost | 1-Sep-16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Operational risk | $10,000 | 30% | $3,000 | L | Perfect implimentation of such factors related to production, procurement, and distribution. | Procurement | 09/01/16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Performance risk | $30,000 | 50% | $15,000 | M | Perfect planning of the project deliverable and estimation of project timeline and costs. | Timeline, cost | 1-Sep-16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Schedule risk | $40,000 | 80% | $32,000 | H | A perfect planning of the project timeline. | Timeline | 1-Sep-16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | $0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ProjectFiles/RJamerson_Mod5Project_120419.docx
Running head: ANALYSIS OF UNEXPECTED EVENTS 1
ANALYSIS OF UNEXPECTED EVENTS 3
Analysis of Unexpected Events
Robert Jamerson
Rasmussen College
Analysis of Unexpected Events
Case one: It is discovered the refrigerated module is too large for the designed refrigerated backpack pouch. What is your course of action?
In project planning and implementation several factors including budgeting, human capital and scheduling play a crucial factor on the end product. In the event that there is a mismatch, ultimately the whole process gets compromised. In the case presented the aforementioned facets of project planning and implementation are significantly affected. In any project resource allocation is crucial for the process to run smoothly.
The discovery that the refrigerated module is too large means that a lot of resources that were allocated for the design process will go to waste. It forces the project manager to develop a new design and this requires additional costs that were not previously budgeted for, resulting in financial strain to the whole project (Turner, 2016).
On the other hand, the discovery will result in human capital wastage in developing new components after redesigning. Morale and overall performance of people is based on success of a project. Therefore, in the event of failure people motivation towards an action diminishes. Additionally, workers will be forced to work on the same project twice while that time could have been utilized for other projects. Human capital wastage also affects the overall financial performance of the organization.
Projects are conducted based on a laid out schedule. Therefore, the unexpected event affects the project schedule as it pushes it back to initial development phases. In most projects, schedule of the process is also communicated to the client. In an event of unexpected event that affects its schedule, the client might lose confidence with the company to deliver as per specification. Time is the other aspect of project planning and implementation that is significantly affected. The client has a specific date on when to launch the product, but if there is a mismatch this will not be possible as the whole process will start afresh.
In this case, the best course of action will involve increasing labor force or outsourcing a credible design team in the development phase. However, the actions will require additional resources and time. The design should meet the specifications of the client.
Case 2: The subcontractor assigned to build the radio module for the backpack has shut down. What is your course of action?
A core aspect in project development involves using reliable workforce and contractors. Therefore, if subcontractors are involved proper vetting should be conducted to authenticate their reliability. Proper background check to ascertain whether the subcontractor upholds highest degree of ethical issues including trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity should be conducted (Alotaibi & Mafimisebi, 2016). Failure to verify competence of the subcontractor to deliver has devastating effects on the success of the project.
Considering the case stated, the unexpected event has devastating effect on the four aspects of project planning and implementation including, budgeting, scheduling, human capital, and time. For instance, before commencing of a project the subcontractor is allocated funds. Therefore, shutting down of the subcontractor means that the project’s budget will be negatively affected.
Secondly, it affects human capital in the sense that employees are paid by the contractor and thus in event of a shutdown they might miss their salaries or it might be delayed. Remunerations are a crucial motivator, and if missed or delayed the workers will feel discouraged. As stated, scheduling will be affected by the shutdown due to the fact that the work was not complete by the time the subcontractor was shutting down. Ultimately, the timing and quality of the whole process will be adversely affected.
In this scenario, the best course of action is to get another contractor to facilitate the work. However, proper vetting and background checks should be conducted. Although, the process affects the company financially, it is paramount that the success of the project is guaranteed.
References
Alotaibi, A. B., & Mafimisebi, O. P. (2016). Project Management Practice: Redefining Theoretical Challenges in the 21st Century. Project Management, 7(1).
Turner, R. (2016). Gower handbook of project management. Routledge.
