Business Project and Program Management

This report discusses various concepts of business project and program management in the context of SB, a global technology business organization. It covers topics such as performance criteria, program scope and deliverables, risk and issues management, organization and governance, and contracting and supplier management. The report also includes a case study analysis and recommendations for improving project and program management performance within SB.

Business project and program
management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
PART A...........................................................................................................................................3
OVERVIEW....................................................................................................................................3
BUSINESS CASE / PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT.................................................................3
Performance Criteria..............................................................................................................4
PROGRAMME SCOPE AND DELIVERABLES..........................................................................5
Acquisition of WN.................................................................................................................5
In-House Manufacturing and Outsourcing.............................................................................6
RISK AND ISSUES MANAGEMENT..........................................................................................9
ORGANISATION, GOVERNANCE AND STAKEHOLDERS....................................................1
Determination of Organisational Structure considering existing challenges.........................1
Critical Evaluation of Stakeholder Views on Outsourcing / Location of Manufacturing......1
PROGRAMME CONTROL............................................................................................................2
Key Performance Indicators...................................................................................................2
Benchmarking.........................................................................................................................2
CONTRACTING AND SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT..................................................................2
PART B............................................................................................................................................3
1. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of two Project/programme Management
Frameworks/Techniques of your choice in terms of how they would achieve improved
management performance relating these to the case study....................................................3
2. Critically justify your choice of frameworks and analyse why they are relevant to the Case
Study? Highlighting the challenges faced..............................................................................4
3. Reflect on the choices and provide a clear recommendation for improving
Project/programme Management Performance within SB.....................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Business project and management is defined as the vast area in which study and practices
are taking place and individuals are held in order to plan, manage, execute and control various
projects and programs which are scheduled in a firm (Boshyk, Y. ed., 2016). This activity is
instant in nature and this requires a robust structure which are anticipated targets so as to ensure
that within scope and plan project is executed within company. This report is based on various
concepts of project and management in the background of SB. SB is a global technology
business organisation which is headquartered in Washington, US. The company is willing to plan
a strategic business transformation. In order to support this discussion the report is covering a
business case which is prepared so as to transform strategic programme. On the other hand this
report is undertaking effective estimation and scheduling and issues faced by them which is
associated with risk and issues management. Similarly this report undertakes management of
program, governance and shareholders and supply chain management which is required in order
to complete the given project in significant manner.
PART A
OVERVIEW
SB is known as a well known company which is situated in US and engaged in
manufacturing of good quality hardware which is low in cost. The business is carrying a
manufacturing and outsourcing unit which is located in Far East and their centre for product
development centre is situated in Europe. The company is planning to develop a new vision in
which they are willing to expand and diversify their product portfolio and presence within
marketplace. In order to achieve this the company is inculcated with various projects such as
acquisition of WN, outsourcing facility and in house manufacturing so as to attain excellence.

BUSINESS CASE / PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT
An organisation which is planning to go on a path of full transformation procedure this is
imperative that range of issues are examined by them which are existed in the organisation which
is creating barriers in getting effectiveness in the whole programme. So there are various
dimensions which are required to be understand by board so as to plan transformation process in
sufficient manner (Bourne, L., 2016). So in the reference to strategic objectives some of the
undermining issues are described below which are associated with the project. Location Issues: After acquisition of WN location is the major aspect which is required to
be taken into light by the organisation. As organisation is having major objective of
enhancing their manufacturing operations without increasing cost and diminishing quality as
well. In Europe this challenge is related to the location of the facility and this may lead in
disruption within structure and function of the business as well. Political Factors: Another factor which is required to be considered is highly related with
political aspect within Europe. High level of uncertainty is existed during Europe clearances
associated with regulatory framework as after acquisition of WN this problem is prominent
for the company (Boyle, G., 2017). In the recent time for investors in UK this problem is
proven to be the biggest cause for them. The major reason behind this uncertainty is
implication of Brexit in nation due to which various policies are facing challenges in
expansion. This is the aspect in which both the companies are merging their skills and facing
new issue with New software of excellence for development centre. Employment Jobs: Due to high issues in quality the organisation is considering to shift their
manufacturing and outsourcing unit to USA from Far East. This may lead in losing of jobs
and their new unit in US may cause them to occur high cost due to restructuring. Within
existing employees this factor may lead into high demotivation as in specialised skills
changes in status quo is being observed.
 Brand Reputation: When brand reputation of the business is intact then strategic
transformation is possible. For WN US is their home country and their principles are
planning for closing their new development excellence centre. WN is having high
independent market and this is the fact that within US so this is providing negative impact to
the market image.

Performance Criteria
For the above mentioned issues some of the required measures are to be taken so that
success over transformation programme can be enhanced by the company. Some of the major
key essential performance criteria are elaborated as under:
 One of the most essential key performance criteria is cost of production. This is the way in
which business is willing to upkeep their profitability by reducing cost.
 Yet another performance criteria is new product performance in which integration is made in
reference to new mobile software so as to upkeep needs of various clients.
 Flexibility is the other operation which is treated as essential aspect of the business in which
consideration is given to transformation process. External agencies like DDC their
experiences can be shared.
PROGRAMME SCOPE AND DELIVERABLES
Another vital aspect of organisation is scheduling this is helpful in determining
completion time of program and this enable the overall program to get completed within
specified time frame (DeFillippi, R. and Sydow, J., 2016). In the context of transformation
program of SB these aspects are interrelated with each other and these projects are required to be
evaluated in order to find out scope.
Acquisition of WN
One of the separate project is considered as acquisition of WN and this is taking whole the
business into transformation due to which company is planning to go into linkage system. The
major reason behind this is allowing the business to move towards expansion and enhance its
manufacturing capabilities so that to bring changes and build up more capacities in existing
processes. The company is developing software and accumulating their resources so as to up
bring changes in prominent manner. On the other hand this is allowing the business to keep their
cost low so that production processes can be made efficient and WN can use their resources to
optimal manner. Some of the tasks are enumerated as under which are in relation to deliverables
and scope:
 Setting up the Location:
For WN there are number of locations which could be determined by the company in order
to set up their manufacturing unit. The most prominent location is USA and Europe. The

business is planning to establish a unit within Western Europe so as to meet their major agenda
of making in-house sourcing and encouraging manufacturing as well. On the other hand in order
to critically assess the project core operations are shifted to Western Europe due to which unit set
up in USA may lead to shutting down. This may proven as a prominent reversal for the company
as this will lead in diminishing overall capabilities of the organisation (Demirkesen, S. and
Ozorhon, B., 2017). So SB Is required to opt for an approach which is balanced and enable the
business to work in independent manner and set up on international aspect along with running
unit over Western Europe.
 Identification of Possible Synergies:
In order to synergise with SB, WN is having various ways which could be used by them. For
example WN is highly efficient in software skills and this could lead in integrating and merging
their production capabilities within SB and by this surety of development is given within
hardware and software. This is working as key deliverable for the project which helps in
enhancing overall efficacy as well.
 Determining the Strategic Approaches:
From the above discussion SB is allowed to use major approaches in which with the help of
strategic alliances most of the valuable skills, market image, capacities of the business. Business
capacities are taking new heights for the firm and this is meeting their major objectives in
significant manner (Farooq and et. al., International Business Machines Corp, 2018). On the
other hand after acquisition strategic approach is to be integrated so that requirement of
amalgamation can be fulfilled. In the context of new software development in order to enhance
their market success portion, company is taking care of new market.
In-House Manufacturing and Outsourcing
Two prominent objectives are held by SB due to which their project for transformation is
inclined towards achieving the same in prominent manner. In the current time firm is planning to
re shore some of their production dimensions in the regions of UK and this is helping the
company in enhancing overall quality of their product. On the other hand various issues are faced
such as losing market share, decreasing reputation in the host country. So this prevailing project
is laced with various negative dimensions and this is impacting positive aspects of the project.
One of the major positive aspect for the project is high quality and enhanced skill which is going

to pay in tremendous way to the company. On the other hand for the major purpose of managing
deliverables in prominent manner alternative option is to be selected by the company so that high
efficacy can be attained in production process and this is deciding per unit price by which
assembling can be executed in proper manner.
New product Development: Such project has been associated with the major scope of
deliverables that are included in the quality with an intergeneration of software and hardware
both. The product is there with the bespoke software but only for selected clients (Fleming, Q.W.
and Koppelman, J.M., 2016). Also the scope is wider which makes it take place within the near
future unit of an organization within the time limit. It is necessary to do plaining in proper
manner for the product that is necessary in order to perform all the activities that are related to
product and its development. For achieving this process of NPD is being followed. Further this
has been explained as follows:
Idea generation: This is the starting process that has been dealing with generation of idea
out of both internal and external sources. It is required to indulge within the marketing research
in order to mark out the technological and bespoke software with there requirements.
Screening: In this stage an organization is required for screening ideas which are
required to be mentioned as per the information provided above. In relation to requirement with
feasibility, SB should be developing efficiency with the software that is related to mobile user
interface also along with the product that is required to be taken into consideration with current
project related software and DDC for table of computer.
Development of Concept and Testing: Needs of an organization has to be developed with
the concept and knowledge that has been specialized over gaining knowledge from WN for new
mobile interface and specialist programs of software. This step is going to make the organization
leading towards testing of all the requirements for the computer software also. Testing part is
also linked with providing training to existing or new employees that is there for working with
another. Also along with development and technologies that is required for development.
Marketing Strategy: In this offerings has an important role in an organization in order to
create an appeal in the market. For this purpose only methods are required like digital and social
media marketing.
Business Analysis: Another major step that has been taken has bee associated with the
development of forecast towards the offerings that has been made newly under the SB plaining

of launching product in market. As per this purpose only the organization is required for utilizing
of tools such as cash flow analysis with profit and loss. Also projections, calculations of ROI
and so forth (Gayialis and et. al., 2016).
Product Development: In this an actual product that has to be developed within the
organization has its capacities with resources and techniques that are subject to formation with
the testing software according to the requirement of market.
Test Marketing and Commercialisation: This is the last step that is there within the
model. This is going to be required for SB in order to test effectiveness of software in the market
and commercializing the offerings.
ESTIMATING AND SCHEDULING
This is another essential aspect that has been resulted into transformation of strategy
which has been identifying and evaluation has to be done with scheduling and completion of an
program as a whole. Also in each project association should be same. Also the distribution of the
program should be with relevant approaches and issues. For pursuing of every project in
different manner.
OVERALL
PROGRAMME TIMESCALES DIFFERENCES
Acquisition of WN 2.5 Months -
In-House Manufacturing 2 Months 2 Month
New Product Development 3.5 Months 3 Months
New Product Development
Centre for Excellence 8 Months 5 Months
TOTAL 2 Years
Critical Evaluation:
As this is seen above that in the period of 2 years change program is being decided in
order to decide various aspects associated with project completion. This is denoting difference of
schedules in which projects are underlined (Heagney, J., 2016). On the other hand in the term of
critical evaluation 2 years is a very limited period which is embed with several changes such as
occurrence of changes in production processes. Furthermore in order to set up new units within
US the company is required to adopt those changes so that these units can be established in

prominent manner. This timeline of 2 years is not enough in order to create prominent position
within marketplace so for this just after acquisition performance testing is required to be
executed by the company. Some of the essential aspect within scheduling is elaborated as under:
 Employee Resistivity:
 lesser productiveness:
 Time lag in infrastructural developments of fresh units
 Product non accomplishment
So, the major approach which is inclined towards to set up timeline within project is highly
necessary and this is making the project arranged in sequential manner so that project can be
completed on timely basis along with completing the previous one so as to get started. On the
other side in order to set up centre for excellency this is highly imperative that time gap is given
to each activity (Hopkin, P., 2018). 5 months is being allocated for operating all the activities in
order to align all the resources in prominent manner so that new unit can be established on the
basis of contracts. As the new units are initiated on the basis of contracts then SB will allot one
month for the same so as to develop their infrastructure as per development plan.
RISK AND ISSUES MANAGEMENT
As it is mentioned above contingencies and risk are significant in any project and in order
to deal with this effective strategies are to be prepared. In the context of the overall programme
risk and associated mitigation options are elaborated as under:
RISKS SEVERITY MITIGATION
STRATEGIES
Limited User Interface in
Software
HIGH
In order to tackle risks SB is
required to provide assurance
of consistent product testing
so that with the help of online
auditing and adapting
methods like six sigma for
development of software.
Ineffective Infrastructure MEDIUM In the context of mitigating
the risk company is required
to indulge market research so

as to use various
methodologies such as TQM
in order to ensure that as per
needs of various stakeholders
infrastructure is prepared.
Employee Resistance
MEDIUM
Effective communication is
highly required so as to take
corrective action which may
benefit the employees in long
run.
Development of Contractual
Terms
LOW
The company is ensuring that
on the basis on contract
professional legal consultants
are certified in order to
safeguard market interest.
Ineffective Team
Relationships
LOW
Appropriate training is
required to be rendered to
employees so that
communication can be
anticipated between
employees. With the help of
Tuckman's team theory
effective teams and to make
effective development as well
(Klun, M. and Trkman, P.,
2018).

ORGANISATION, GOVERNANCE AND STAKEHOLDERS
Any of the entity have some of the responsibility towards their work as well as for their
stakeholders who plays the crucial role in accomplishing the goals of an entity. In context of SB,
their must be able to follow all of the rules and regulation by focusing on governance as well as
legal practices (Kuehn, S., 2016). It is crucial for the organisation to analyse about the
accountability for their stakeholders so that they can provide them the responsibility according to
their value. For the purpose of performing given task in systematic manner, some of the crucial
factors has been mentioned below which can allow SB to deliver effective result in future time
period.
Determination of Organisational Structure considering existing challenges
As it is mentioned above SB is adopting functional structure in order to manage their
operations and to offer high efficacy in manufacturing. Various challenges are exhibited by
integrating offerings and this is impacting efficacy in negative manner.
In order to tackle these changes divisional structure is adopted by the company and
recommendation is provided within divisional heads.
Critical Evaluation of Stakeholder Views on Outsourcing / Location of Manufacturing
Each of the stakeholder holds strong position within the organisation and it is necessary for
entity to consider their points as well for attaining the targets. Looking at outsourcing/Location
of Manufacturing, it is that there are different viewpoints which has been considered. Those
points have been further discussed below: Chief Financial Officer: In any of the entity CFO holds the strong position where their vie
points must be considered. According to CFO, has a positive view upon outsourcing and
location of manufacturing. It is because quality of the product can be improved and even
unnecessary expenses can be reduced through this particular process (Layton, M.C. and
Ostermiller, S.J., 2017). Overall, CFO of SB thinks that conducting work in home country
might become one of the expensive process.
 Employees: These are the person who holds effective position within the organisation
because they are the one of who allows entity to accomplish goals on given time period. But,
employee holds different prospection on outsourcing because their job security comes under
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danger. So, they strongly disagree with any of the organisational decision where they might
have to scarify their job.
As, both of the stakeholder holds strong position within the entity so it is necessary for them
to ensure that they take effective decision so that both of them will not be affected. Looking at
this particular aspects, it is essential for the organisation to understand that they should be able to
give only limited percentage of outsourcing so that quality can be maintained. Also, it will help
to ensure job security of existing employees of the company (Nicholas, J.M. and Steyn, H.,
2017).
PROGRAMME CONTROL
Key Performance Indicators
It is the approach which is important in current scenario for any of the entity it allows the
organisation to work in effective manner so that goals and target can accomplished easily. In
context of SB, transformation is in process which means that KPI will certainly allow them to
reduce unnecessary expenses. The quality of product can be improved including deliver system
on time. Also, company can work in the favourable manner by obtaining feedbacks from
customers.
Benchmarking
It is the controlling tool for the entity which simply explains that any of the organisation
can attain success in their work, if they are able to work as per the requirement. Here,
organisation like SP can compare themselves with other entity which have strong positive in the
market. This can allow them to improve their overall performance which will certainly help to
enhance overall sales of the organisation through which goals can be accomplished easily.
After analysing both of the section, it will be important for entity like SP to work
according to KPI because it will allow the organisation to improve performance with level of
quality. It is quite important for attaining the goals and target on specific time period.
CONTRACTING AND SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT
Contracting and supplier management concept can be entertained in that particular
aspects where there is a requirement of commitment for any of the stakeholder by the
organisation. As per the case of DDC, it can be said that their contracting terms are not much and
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more favourable due to which dispute can be raised at anytime period. Some of the important
points upon due to which dispute can raise are listed below:
 If there is unnecessary number of supplied material is available.
 If quality of the product is not as per the requirement (O'brien, J., 2019).
 Situation where scheduling of acquisition is on suitable.
It will be necessary for the organisation to work on this particular aspects because it is the
only way through which any of the entity can perform effectively. If company fails to meet out
this particular segments then organisation may have to suffer from huge losses as penalty can be
imposed. So, if company can allow themselves to improve their this particular aspects then there
is huge possibility that they can accomplish their goals on given time period.
PART B
1. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of two Project/programme Management
Frameworks/Techniques of your choice in terms of how they would achieve improved
management performance relating these to the case study
There are different typed of Project management frameworks or techniques which are
available and all of this framework may have certain benefits and disbenefits. The main thing
which needs to make clear is that how company uses those framework because that certainly
plays the vital role in accomplishing the goals. Some of those framework are PRINCE 2, Critical
Path Method and many more.
PRINCE 2: It is defined as project management methods which can allow the
organisation to split the accountability of any particular project among the member of board and
project manager. This model certainly provides roles and responsibility which must be
performed by business entity and their manager and board (Svensson, N. and Funck, E.K., 2019).
Advantages
 It is one of the framework which can be used in any sort of work adopted by company.
 Principles can be applied universally which is the best side of the organisation.
Disadvantages
 This particular framework doesn't cover any of the soft skills.
 Here, company requires senior management so that work can be completed successfully.
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Critical Chain Project Management: The framework which emphasis on project
timing, estimates, calculating buffers, completion of project on time is known as CCPM. In this,
any of the project start after analysing the available resources and according to that work is
needed to be performed without making any of the delay.
Advantages
 It allows to complete the work on given time period (Rowe, S.F., 2020).
 All of the work is conducted on the basis of available resources.
Disadvantages
 It follows lengthy process to conduct the task.
 Once plan is developed, it can be altered afterwords.
Looking at the case study, this framework will be effective because it will give idea to the
organisation that how they are needed to perform any of the task in a systematic manner. The
guidance of this framework reduces the mistake and opportunity increases for accomplishing the
goals.
2. Critically justify your choice of frameworks and analyse why they are relevant to the Case
Study? Highlighting the challenges faced.
After analysing the case study, it is important for the entity to take the help of PRINCE 2
model because it is one of less complex model. Also, it provides the opportunity that how
company it is among those model which can be adjusted in any of the situation. Also, it is seen
within the case study that organisation is planning for transform changes where their particular
model can be effective with less time consuming and effective result. Some of the challenges
faced are listed below:
 As new frameworks was required to be applied which means that company provide
different types of training which can be one of the costly process.
 It is not possible for each of the person working in the entity can work according to new
process which is among the major challenges (Strojny, J., 2016).
3. Reflect on the choices and provide a clear recommendation for improving Project/programme
Management Performance within SB.
In SB, project management performance can be improved through number of ways which
can be effective for them in accomplish the goals and target. Those ways are:
 Company can work in providing proper training so that effective result can be obtained.
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 Secondly, organisation can work with expertise who can guide them about the project so
that performance can be improved.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that any of the entity can attain their
goals and target only in that particular situation where they are able to understand about any of
the new project in detail. During the transformation process, it will be necessary for entity to
ensure that they are able to determine about all of the challenges and problem which may come
across during the course of performing any of the business activity. Entity focusing upon risk
factor gives themselves additional benefit to attain their perspective goals and target. In addition,
it is said that company can focus towards supply management because it can becomes one of the
source through which process and quality of product can be improved.
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REFERENCES
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implementation. CRC Press.
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tensions. Project Management Journal. 47(5). pp.6-17.
Demirkesen, S. and Ozorhon, B., 2017. Impact of integration management on construction
project management performance. International Journal of Project Management. 35(8).
pp.1639-1654.
Farooq and et. al., International Business Machines Corp, 2018. Developing, implementing,
transforming and governing a business model of an enterprise. U.S. Patent 10,095,990.
Fleming, Q.W. and Koppelman, J.M., 2016, December. Earned value project management.
Project Management Institute.
Gayialis and et. al., 2016. Integrating process modeling and simulation with benchmarking using
a business process management system for local government. International Journal of
Computer Theory and Engineering. 8(6). p.482.
Heagney, J., 2016. Fundamentals of project management. Amacom.
Hopkin, P., 2018. Fundamentals of risk management: understanding, evaluating and
implementing effective risk management. Kogan Page Publishers.
Klun, M. and Trkman, P., 2018. Business process management–at the crossroads. Business
Process Management Journal.
Kuehn, S., 2016. Exploring US business leaders' strategies for enhancing team communication.
Layton, M.C. and Ostermiller, S.J., 2017. Agile project management for dummies. John Wiley &
Sons.
Nicholas, J.M. and Steyn, H., 2017.Project management for engineering, business and
technology. Taylor & Francis.
O'brien, J., 2019. Category management in purchasing: a strategic approach to maximize
business profitability. Kogan Page Publishers.
Rowe, S.F., 2020. Project management for small projects. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
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Strojny, J., 2016. Project Orientation in Institutions of the Public Sector: Key Methodological
Assumptions. In Entrepreneurship, Business and Economics-Vol. 2 (pp. 385-398).
Springer, Cham.
Svensson, N. and Funck, E.K., 2019. Management control in circular economy. Exploring and
theorizing the adaptation of management control to circular business models. Journal of
cleaner production, 233, pp.390-398.
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