project management project- part 6- Finalize Project Schedule and Mitigate Any Delays

Project Description

Back pan project concerns the design and also development of backpack together with a package of a refrigerated pouch and a radio module for a military of US as the project client. The military constantly faces the challenge of always carrying both their drinks and meals while engaging in serious ground operations in areas which are very remote. Currently, the backpacks that the US military does use lacks a refrigeration pouch and also a radio module, therefore, making it hard and even endangering the ability to recover troops who may face difficulties in the battle. In this case, the ground and special operation, executive staff at US Army have asked for a design and also the development of a refrigerated backpack which has a place for a radio module so as to solve once and for all the existing challenge and improve operations effectiveness. The project will come up with, design and also deliver refrigerated backpacks which are of high quality to the US at a time from of one and half years starting 1st of September up to March 2017. The project is likely to be accomplished in milestone with the initial phase involving delivery of around 100 units and late on in three months 50 units (Institute., 2008).

Project assumption

This backpack project assumes that quality materials will be availed by the suppliers who will be able to meet the US military standards regarding softness and durability because the product will be used in extreme weather conditions. Also, the project assumes that the US military will be very willing to progressively offer sufficient resources as outlined in their proposed award so as to be able to deliver the final product in the cause of the determined time frame. The managers of the project will ensure that all the participant in the project are in possession of the required skills in design and will be able to accomplish project delivery within the set time frame. All the team participating in the project will adhere to the set guidelines as noted by US military contracting policies like the need to have and maintain confidentiality on the detail of the backpack design features.

Project goals

The main goal of Backpack project is to provide the United state military with backpacks which are refrigerated and that are important for their special operations and ground forces. The project will come up with high quality, light, long lasting and operational backpacks which will make sure that the military forces can carry their particulars in refrigerated packs hence overcoming the weather difficulties in their course of their operations. The project will see military perform their duties because the adjustable shoulder straps and also the radio module will facilitate their movement and ensure a constant communication among the team on the battlefield. Again, the project will also increase the morale of soldiers because the backpacks are soft and light therefore reducing possible injury to the users of the backpacks. The project also aims at ensuring the reusability of backpacks and that they are eco-friendly so as to reduce their effects on the environment. Also, the backpack project will be able to avail the final in the cause of the agreed time frame and cost. The latter will be met by an accurate estimation of costs, developing time schedules and budgeting for every activity that is involved in the achievement of the final product (Milošević, 2016).

Project constraints

The project is faced with some challenges that may impend the development and design of a cost effective, and a high quality refrigerated backpacks. The first challenge is the limited budgetary allocation which is in the proposed awards and inability to get a bank financing. Secondly, is constraining in regard to time frame because the project has to be accomplished within the stipulated time of one and half a year. The main reason is that the project requires a delivery of 50 units of backpacks in a span of every three months which precedes the initial delivery of 100 units and therefore the project personnel will have to work within the time constraints. Finally, the backpack project is faced with a technical challenge that will limit the choice of design. The reason is that both the radio module and refrigerator module have to be contained in the same backpack. Therefore the design will consider controlling temperatures in the pack keenly without interfering with the radio module present, and therefore this will limit the project team on choosing the best technology of temperature regulation in the backpack.

Project limitations

The project is faced with the inadequate expert challenge to handle the design and development of those backpacks because of project complexity and the need to get a high qualified project team. This challenge will cause an increase in overall project cost because of a high cost of labor. The other limitation entails lengthy selection process of vendor and also the requirement that seeks approval of US military. The chances are that the constraint may delay the project because of poor working relationships with the suppliers of parts and main raw materials compromising on the attainment of the set project schedule deadlines (Kendrick, 2009).

Project risks

The project seriously faces the risk because of underestimation of design and even development expenditure than the set award because of inadequate material estimation costs and lack of similar project data on cost. However, the manager of the project will be able to handle the risk via good budget estimation and constant monitoring of usage of raw materials to do away with the risk. Another risk involves not meeting timeline, and the manager will have to develop an action plan that shows the list of projects activities and expected time estimates.

References Institute., P. M. (2008). A guide to the project management body of knowledge: (PMBOK guide. Newtown Square, Pa: Project Management Institute. Kendrick, T. (2009). Identifying and managing project risk: Essential tools for failure-proofing your project. New York: AMACON. Milošević, D. (2016). Project management toolbox.