Effective Project Management Techniques

This assignment delves into the crucial aspects of effective project management. It examines key principles like organizational rationality and project management structures. The discussion emphasizes the importance of clear communication with stakeholders, team member selection considering capability and personality balance, and mitigating common project management mistakes. The assignment also highlights the significance of using research to inform design solutions and managing enterprise resource planning projects successfully.

FUNDAMENTALS OF
PROJECT MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
SECTION I: Project Management Consultancy Report..................................................................1
1.Defining project in terms of outcomes and purpose.................................................................1
2.SMART objectives of Project..................................................................................................2
3.Specifying the project SCOPE.................................................................................................2
4.Providing a cost estimation for the project BUDGET.............................................................3
5.Clarifying the project SCHEDULE, assuming the project planning........................................4
6.Gantt Chart for the delivery of the project, showing a detailed breakdown of all project
activities, the network diagram highlighting the critical path, and key milestones.....................6
7.Critically analyse the project’s stakeholders..........................................................................10
8.Assessing the project’s procurement strategies......................................................................10
9.Critically analysing the uncertainties that may affect the project’s objectives by creating a
risk register................................................................................................................................11
SECTION II: Reflective Essay......................................................................................................17
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................18
References......................................................................................................................................19

TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Gantt chart for new product launch project of DropBox.................................................7
Figure 2: Work breakdown structure for new product launch project of DropBox........................8
Figure 3: Network Diagram for new product launch project of DropBox......................................9
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Budget for launching new product of DropBox in UK market.........................................3
Table 2: Project plan for new product launch project of DropBox.................................................4
Table 3: Risk Register for new product launch project of DropBox.............................................11

INTRODUCTION
Project management can be defined as a process of completing number of activities for
attaining a specific and unique objective. It includes number of fundamental principles for
managing projects in effective manner. These principles focus on project planning, risk
management documentation, benefits realisation and customer management, etc (Dey, Clegg and
Bennett, 2010). The current research project is based on fundamentals of project management
and regarding this study has chosen a new product launch project of an organization, DropBox. It
wants to launch a new encryption functionality service to their enterprise plan customers, for
highly sensitive data file storage, transfer and sharing. ProjectPlus is a project management
consultancy which will provide an effective consultancy services to launching new product in
UK market. Report will include description about objectives and scope of the project. Further it
will also describe the estimation about time and cost which will be required for completing
project in effective manner. Along with this, study will use different tools and techniques for
completing different tasks of project in appropriate manner.
SECTION I: PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY REPORT
1. Defining project in terms of outcomes and purpose
DropBox wants to launch its new encryption functionality service to their enterprise plan
customers of UK. It will be effective for highly sensitive data file storage, transfer and sharing.
So, project manager needs to develop an appropriate project management plan for launching new
product in an appropriate Location of London (Hobbs, 2009).
Outcomes:
Development of project plan for new product launch will be the major outcome of this
project. It will attract target customers in effective manner which will increase the profitability
and revenue of DropBox. It will help in making the international presence of the organization.
Successful completion of the project plan is also considered as major outcomes of this project.
Outcome of the project includes the awareness of customers of UK about the new product of
DropBox. Accomplishment of project in estimated time and cost is also considered as outcome
of this project (Walker, 2007).
Purpose:
1 | P a g e

Major purpose of this project is to launch new encryption functionality services of
DropBox in UK. Along with this, attracting significant exposure from recognized media outlets
and providing appropriate entertainment program are also included in major purpose of this
project. DropBox wants to target enterprise customers of UK for its new product, so, this project
will focus on this objective also. Project plan purpose is managing operations and logistics in
effective manner and maintaining health and safety of each and every audience (Zwikael, 2009).
2. SMART objectives of Project
For completing each and every project, manager of Project Plus needs to develop
SMART objectives. These objectives will help in developing appropriate project plan and also
help in making charity about every activity. SMART objectives for new product launch project
of DropBox are described as under:
 To develop appropriate project plan for launching new product of DropBox in UK.
 To complete new product launch project in maximum four months or till 12th October
2016.
 To accomplish new product launch project within a total budget of £150,000.
 To attract significant exposure from recognised media outlets (Martin and Guerin, 2006).
 To increase the profitability of DropBox by successful completion of this project.
3. Specifying the project SCOPE
 Objectives: To launch new encryption functionality service to enterprise plan customers
of DropBox is the major objective of ProjectPlus.
 Time: Estimated time for this project will be approximately 98 days. As per the given
information project must start on 4th July 2016 and end on 12th October 2016. Analysis of
past projects on similar subjects has reflected that it is sufficient time for completing this
project in effective manner.
 Cost: It is one of the important attribute which may affect the overall outcomes of the
project. The current project will be a costly project for DropBox but it will provide huge
profitability in future. As per the estimation it will take £150,000 amount of money in
accomplishment of this project (Levy, 2009).
 Resources: At the time of completion of this project, Project Plus will require different
sources such as human, financial, time and technical sources. So, for completing this
2 | P a g e

projection Project Plus has been hired five consultants and one project manager. So, this
project will be completed by 6 human resources. Along with this, for making
arrangement of financial capital DropBox will sue bank loan and retained earnings
because these are cost effective financial resources for raising financial capital
(Kloppenborg, 2011).
4. Providing a cost estimation for the project BUDGET
As per the above discussion Budget of DropBox is £150,000. So, budgeted cost for this
project will be £150,000. It will play very important role in actual estimation and forecasting of
the cost on the basis of the project plan (Andersen, Dysvik and Vaagaasar, 2009). Development
of project budget is as follows:
Table 1: Budget for launching new product of DropBox in UK market
Data
Year Quarter Week Cost Baseline Cost
2016 Q2 Week 25 0 800
Week 26 0 400
Q2 Total 0 1200
Q3 Week 27 3560 560
Week 28 1920 720
Week 29 3200 520
Week 30 4000 400
Week 31 2800 560
Week 32 2000 400
Week 33 2760 320
Week 34 1800 400
Week 35 1960 400
Week 36 2000 400
Week 37 2000 720
Week 38 4000 800
Week 39 2680 480
Q3 Total 34680 6680
Q4 Week 40 1840 400
Week 41 2000 400
Week 42 2000 400
Week 43 3600 680
Week 44 2800 520
Week 45 2800 560
Q4 Total 15040 2960
3 | P a g e

2016 Total 49720 10840
Grand Total 49720 10840
As per the above calculation new product launch project will be completed in £49720.
So, it has reflected that actual cost of this project will be low as compare to budgeted cost.
5. Clarifying the project SCHEDULE, assuming the project planning
Schedule:
It can be defined as a project management tool which helps in developing a project plan
with number of activities and respective time for completing these activities in effective manner
(Chiu-Chi and et.al, 2013). Schedule for new product launch project of DropBox is as follows:
Table 2: Project plan for new product launch project of DropBox
WBS Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors Resource Names
1
Project for
launching a
new encryption
functionality
95 days Mon 7/4/16 Fri 11/11/16
1.1 Initial stage 22 days Mon 7/4/16 Tue 8/2/16
1.1.1 UK market
research 4 days Mon 7/4/16 Thu 7/7/16 Project manager
1.1.2
Analyzing
needs and
requirements of
DropBox
3 days Fri 7/8/16 Tue 7/12/16 3 Jessica D’Arcy
1.1.3
Determining
scope of the
project
5 days Wed 7/13/16 Tue 7/19/16 4 Phil Jefferson
1.1.4
Formulating
objectives for
launching new
product
5 days Wed 7/20/16 Tue 7/26/16 5 Project manager
1.1.5 Deciding
Milestones 5 days Wed 7/27/16 Tue 8/2/16 6 Susy Kamp
1.2 Planning
stage 38 days Wed 7/27/16 Fri 9/16/16
1.2.1
Developing
plan for
lunching product
10 days Wed 7/27/16 Tue 8/9/16 6 Tom Arnolds
1.2.2
Scheduling
and estimation
for each activity
of project
5 days Wed 8/10/16 Tue 8/16/16 9 Vladimir Kahn
4 | P a g e

1.2.3
Marketing
and broadcasting
plan
2 days Wed 8/17/16 Thu 8/18/16 10,7 Project manager
1.2.4
Financial
management
plan
7 days Fri 8/19/16 Mon 8/29/16 11 Jessica D’Arcy
1.2.5 Communication
plan
2 days Tue 8/30/16 Wed 8/31/16 12 Susy Kamp
1.2.6 Entertainment
plan
2 days Thu 9/1/16 Fri 9/2/16 13 Phil Jefferson
1.2.7
Operational
and logistic
planning
2 days Mon 9/5/16 Tue 9/6/16 14 Vladimir Kahn
1.2.8
Risk
management
plan
8 days Wed 9/7/16 Fri 9/16/16 15 Vladimir Kahn
1.3 Implementation 25 days Mon 9/19/16 Fri 10/21/16
1.3.1 Implementation
of project plan
7 days Mon 9/19/16 Tue 9/27/16 16 Project manager
1.3.2
Making
necessary
arrangement of
required
resources
7 days Wed 9/28/16 Thu 10/6/16 18 Jessica D’Arcy
1.3.3
Use of latest
technologies for
different
activities
7 days Fri 10/7/16 Mon 10/17/16 19 Vladimir Kahn
1.3.4
Application
of tools and
techniques for
managing
project
4 days Tue 10/18/16 Fri 10/21/16 20 Phil Jefferson
1.4 Monitoring
and review 11 days Mon
10/24/16 Mon 11/7/16
1.4.1 Monitoring
project progress 2 days Mon 10/24/16 Tue 10/25/16 21 Project manager
1.4.2 Controlling 2 days Wed 10/26/16 Thu 10/27/16 23 Phil Jefferson
1.4.3 change
management
2 days Fri 10/28/16 Mon 10/31/16 24 Project
manager ,Susy
5 | P a g e

Kamp
1.4.4 Measuring
performance 5 days Tue 11/1/16 Mon 11/7/16 23,24,25 Vladimir Kahn
1.5 Project closer 4 days Tue 11/8/16 Fri 11/11/16
1.5.1 Documentation 2 days Tue 11/8/16 Wed 11/9/16 26 Phil Jefferson
1.5.2 Project
closing 2 days Thu 11/10/16 Fri 11/11/16 28 Phil Jefferson,
Vladimir Kahn
Project planning:
As per the above discussed project plan Project Plus will complete this project in 95 days.
It will start on 4th July 2016 and end on 11th October 2016. For completing this project, manager
needs to focus on different activities such as initial phase, planning, implementation, monitoring
and review and project closer. Overall, project manager will complete this project as per the
needs and requirements of DropBox (Darren, 2012).
6. Gantt Chart for the delivery of the project, showing a detailed breakdown of all project
activities, the network diagram highlighting the critical path, and key milestones
There are number of project management tools and techniques which help in managing new
product launch project of DropBox in effective manner. These include Gantt chart, Network
Diagram, Critical Path analysis and Work Breakdown structure, etc (Schiff, 2012). Application
of all these methods for the current project is described as under:
Gantt chart
6 | P a g e

Figure 1: Gantt chart for new product launch project of DropBox
Breakdown of all project activities
7 | P a g e

Figure 2: Work breakdown structure for new product launch project of DropBox
Network diagram
8 | P a g e

Figure 3: Network Diagram for new product launch project of DropBox
Critical path
Critical path Calculation Critical duration
3-4-5-6-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-
15-16-18-19-20-21-23-24-25-
26-28-29
4 + 3 + 5 + 5 + 38 + 10 + 5 +
2 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 8 + 7 + 7
+ 7 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 5 + 2 +
2
95 days
Critical path analysis is one of the important tools for estimating future time and cost for
new product launch project. It helps in minimum time and longest path which will be required
for completing project in effective manner. As per the above calculation new product launch
project of DropBox will be completed in 95 days (Stibel, 2011).
Key milestones
Key Milestones of this project will help in completing whole project in effective manner.
Major Key Milestone for new product launch project of DropBox is described as under:
 Initial stage: this Stage has helped project manager in determining needs and
requirements of DropBox and future scope of the project. It has played important role in
formulating project objectives in effective manner.
 Planning: As per the needs and requirements of client project manager can easily develop
appropriate plans for launching new product, marketing, communication, entertainment,
operation and logistic planning and risk management, etc.
9 | P a g e

 Implementation: This milestone has provided strong contribution in implementing project
plan in effective manner. Project manager has used appropriate methods tools and
techniques for successful implementation (Dey, Clegg and Bennett, 2010).
 Monitoring and control: project manager has used Gantt chart for monitoring project
progress. It has helped in determining necessary changes and improving project success.
 Project closing: Project manager has documented project progress in most appropriate
manner which will help in future projects.
7. Critically analyse the project’s stakeholders
There are number of stakeholders which may have direct influence on this project. Along
with this, new product launch project will also affect these stakeholders. Analysis of the
stakeholder focuses on needs and requirements of internal and externals stakeholder which are
described as under:
 Employees: These are important stakeholders who require appropriate motivation,
communication with project manager, suitable salary, etc. So, for satisfying these needs
project manager has focused on optimum allocation of roles and responsibilities and
favourable organizational policies for employees (Martin and Guerin, 2006).
 Customers: Customers of DropBox has required high quality product and appropriate
communication about the features, price and other characteristics of new products.
Therefore, awareness about the product is the major requirements of customers. For
satisfying this need of customers project manager has been developed suitable marketing
plan. It has increased awareness of customers about the new product of DropBox.
 Suppliers: Timely payment and communication for supply of raw material and other
resources are major expectation of suppliers (7 Ways to Communicate with Your
Stakeholders, 2015).
 Shareholders or investors: Appropriate return for investment amount is the major
requirements of these stakeholders. So, project manager provide appropriate information
to these stakeholder about the project progress and performance of DropBox
(Kloppenborg, 2011).
8. Assessing the project’s procurement strategies
10 | P a g e

Project Procurement strategies are based on some specific criteria such as client’s need,
project type, and size, time available and cost. Sometimes these criteria can create conflicts
between one another so; project manager needs to select suitable procurement strategies for
making balance between these criteria. It helps in fundamental implementation of project and
defines appropriate relationship between participants and successful completion of project. For
project management process and Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) are two
different procurement strategies. For launching new product in UK market Project Plus will use
PMBOK because it focuses on fundamental principles of project management such as managing
integration, scope, time/schedule, cost, quality, human resource, risk, communication,
procurement and stakeholder, etc (Hobbs, 2009). As per these principles project manager has
used critical path analysis for managing time of this project. Along with this, for managing cost
manager has use budgeting which has helped in managing actual and budgeted cost of this
project. Overall, project manager has used most appropriate procurements strategies for
launching new product of DropBox in UK market.
9. Critically analysing the uncertainties that may affect the project’s objectives by creating a
risk register
Risk register:
Table 3: Risk Register for new product launch project of DropBox
Sample Risk Management Register for new product launch project of DropBox
Risk Identification Qualitative Risk
Assessment
Risk
Respon
se Plan
Monitoring
and Control
#
Ri
sk
Ca
teg
or
y
Ris
k
Ev
ent
Ca
use
Eff
ect
Th
re
at
or
Op
po
rtu
nit
y
P
ri
m
ar
y
O
bj
ec
tiv
e
Pr
ob
ab
ilit
y
I
m
p
a
ct
Risk Matrix
R
es
po
ns
e
St
ra
te
gy
Re
sp
on
se
Act
ion
s
Co
nti
ng
enc
y
Act
ion
Re
sp
on
sib
le
En
tity
In
te
rv
al
or
Mi
le
st
o
ne
C
he
ck
St
at
us
:
Da
te
an
d
Re
vi
ew
Co
m
m
en
ts
1 Ext Fin For Ne Th Sc Hi V Pr V
H Mi For dev Pr M 7/
11 | P a g e

ern
al
anc
ial
risk
s
lau
nch
ing
ne
w
pro
duc
t in
Uk
Dro
pB
ox
will
req
uire
hug
e
am
oun
t of
inv
est
me
nt
and
ina
ppr
opri
ate
fina
nci
al
res
our
ces
ma
y
cre
ate
situ
atio
n of
lac
k of
fun
ds
w
pro
du
ct
lau
nc
h
pro
jec
t
will
suf
fer.
rea
t
op
e gh
er
y
H
ig
h
ob
ab
ilit
y
tig
at
e
man
agin
g
fina
ncia
l
risk
proj
ect
man
age
r
nee
ds
to
mak
e
app
ropr
iate
arra
nge
men
t of
fund
s bu
diffe
rent
sour
ces
suc
h as
ban
k
loan
and
retai
ned
ear
ning
s
elo
pm
ent
of
pr-
pla
n
for
ma
kin
g
arr
ang
em
ent
of
add
itio
nal
fina
nci
al
res
our
ces
oje
ct
ma
na
ger
on
thl
y
10
/2
01
6
H X
M
L
V
L
V
L L M H V
H
Impact
2 De
sig
n
No
n
clar
ity
abo
ut
obj
ecti
Ina
ppr
opri
ate
pla
nni
ng
It
ma
y
aff
ect
the
fin
al
Th
rea
t
Sc
op
e
M
edi
u
m
M
e
di
u
m
Pr
ob
ab
ilit
y
V
H Mi
tig
at
e
An
aly
sin
g
nee
ds
and
req
Bac
kup
pla
n
for
pro
duc
t
Pr
oje
ct
ma
na
ger
W
ee
kl
y
7/
10
/2
01
6
H
M X
L
V
L
V
L
L M H V
H
12 | P a g e

ves
and
ass
um
ptio
ns
del
ive
rab
les
,
out
co
me
s
an
d
uire
me
nts
of c
Dro
pB
ox
and
cus
tom
ers
lau
nch
Impact
3
Ext
ern
al
infl
atio
n
and
eco
no
mic
risk
s
Ch
ang
es
in
mar
keti
ng
and
co
mm
uni
cati
on
tec
hni
que
s
ma
y
incr
eas
e
the
fina
nci
al
req
uire
me
nts
inc
re
me
nt
in
pro
jec
t
co
st
Th
rea
t
C
os
t
Lo
w
H
ig
h
Pr
ob
ab
ilit
y
V
H
Tr
an
sf
er
An
aly
sin
g
eco
no
mic
risk
s
and
mar
ket
forc
es
for
ma
nag
ing
eco
no
mic
risk
s
che
cki
ng
via
bilit
y of
inv
est
me
nt
pro
pos
al
for
ma
kin
g
futu
re
inv
est
me
nt
Pr
oje
ct
ma
na
ger
M
on
thl
y
7/
10
/2
01
6
H X
M
L
V
L
V
L L M H V
H
Impact
4 De
sig
fore
cas
Lac
k of
Ne
gat
Th
rea
Sc
op
M
edi
M
e
Pr
ob
V
H Mi
tig
Ap
plic
Alte
rnat
Pr
oje
W
ee
7/
10H
13 | P a g e

n ting
iss
ues
for
cos
t
and
tim
e
skill
s
and
exp
erie
nce
of
proj
ect
tea
m
ive
aff
ect
the
pro
jec
t
out
co
me
s
an
d
pro
jec
t
t e u
m
di
u
m
ab
ilit
y
at
e
atio
n of
app
rop
riat
e
tool
s
and
tec
hni
que
s
for
fore
cas
ive
esti
mat
es
for
the
proj
ect
ct
ma
na
ger
kl
y
/2
01
6
M X
L
V
L
V
L L M H V
H
Impact
5
Pr
oje
ct
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
cha
nge
ma
nag
em
ent
iss
ues
cha
nge
s
afte
r
mo
nito
ring
and
con
trol
can
cre
ate
iss
ues
pro
du
ct
lau
nc
h
ma
y
del
ay
Th
rea
t
C
os
t
Hi
gh
H
ig
h
Pr
ob
ab
ilit
y
V
H
Mi
tig
at
e
Ap
pro
pria
te
mo
nito
ring
of
the
enti
re
proj
ect
pro
gre
ss
usi
ng
gan
nt
cha
rt
Ch
ang
e
ma
nag
em
ent
pla
n
Pr
oje
ct
ma
na
ger
la
st
st
ag
e
of
th
e
pr
oj
ec
t
7/
10
/2
01
6
H X
M
L
V
L
V
L L M H V
H
Impact
6 Or Del Ina De Th Sc Hi V Pr V
H Mi recr Sel Pr Wi 1/
14 | P a g e

ga
niz
ati
on
ay
in
proj
ect
ppr
opri
ate
pla
nni
ng
and
any
oth
er
iss
ues
suc
h
as
abs
enc
e of
tea
m
me
mb
ers
lay
in
pro
jec
t
out
co
me
s
rea
t
op
e gh
er
y
H
ig
h
ob
ab
ilit
y
tig
at
e
uiti
ng
skill
ed
and
exp
erie
nce
d
peo
ple
and
allo
cati
on
of
role
s
and
res
pon
sibil
itie
s
as
per
the
skill
s
and
kno
wle
dge
of
eve
ry
tea
m
me
mb
er
ecti
on
of
skill
ed
and
exp
erie
nce
d
tea
m
me
mb
er
oje
ct
ma
na
ger
thi
n
1
da
y
8/
20
16
H X
M
L
V
L
V
L L M H V
H
Impact
7 Pr
oje
ct
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
sta
keh
old
er’s
iss
ues
Dis
agr
ee
me
nt
bet
we
en
sta
keh
old
ers
abo
ut
diff
pit
ca
n
har
m
the
pro
jec
t
pla
nni
ng
Th
rea
t
Sc
op
e
M
edi
u
m
M
e
di
u
m
Pr
ob
ab
ilit
y
V
H Mi
tig
at
e
Pro
ject
ma
nag
er
sho
uld
det
erm
ine
nee
ds
and
req
uire
sta
keh
old
er
ana
lysi
s
usi
ng
po
wer
/
inte
rest
mat
Pr
oje
ct
ma
na
ger
Ev
er
y
w
ee
k
1/
8/
20
16
H
M X
L
V
L
V
L
L M H V
H
15 | P a g e

ere
nt
acti
viti
es
me
nts
of
all
sta
keh
old
ers
rix
8
Or
ga
niz
ati
on
Qu
alit
y
risk
Ina
ppr
opri
ate
ass
ess
me
nt
req
uire
me
nts
of
Dro
pB
ox
Ne
gat
ive
im
pa
cts
on
pro
jec
t
out
co
me
s
an
d
cu
sto
me
r's
sat
isf
act
ion
Th
rea
t
Q
ua
lit
y
Lo
w
H
ig
h
Pr
ob
ab
ilit
y
V
H
Mi
tig
at
e
Ap
plyi
ng
app
rop
riat
e
app
roa
ch
for
ma
nag
ing
qua
lity
and
out
co
me
s
Re
ass
ess
me
nt
of
the
bus
ine
ss
req
uire
me
nts
Pr
oje
ct
ma
na
ger
M
on
thl
y
1/
8/
20
16
H X
M
L
V
L
V
L L M H V
H
Impact
9 Pr
oje
ct
Ma
na
ge
me
nt
lac
k of
tim
e
req
uire
hug
e
tim
e in
proj
ect
pla
nni
ng
and
pro
duc
t
lau
nch
De
lay
in
ent
ire
pro
jec
t
Th
rea
t
Ti
m
e
M
edi
u
m
L
o
w Pr
ob
ab
ilit
y
V
H Ac
ce
pt
Pro
ject
ma
nag
er
nee
ds
to
use
proj
ect
pla
nni
ng
tool
s,
suc
alte
rnat
ive
opti
on
for
ma
nag
ing
tim
e
Pr
oje
ct
ma
na
ger
W
ee
kl
y
1/
8/
20
16
H
M X
L
V
L
V
L L M H V
H
Impact
16 | P a g e

h
as
net
wor
k
dia
gra
m
and
bar
1
0
De
sig
n
co
mm
uni
cati
on
iss
ues
Ina
ppr
opri
ate
allo
cati
on
of
role
s
and
res
pon
sibil
itie
s to
all
tea
m
me
mb
ers
Co
mp
ari
so
n
wit
h
pro
jec
t
qu
alit
y
an
d
del
ay
in
pro
jec
t
Th
rea
t
Ti
m
e
M
edi
u
m
M
e
di
u
m
Pr
ob
ab
ilit
y
V
H
Ac
ce
pt
Ap
pro
pria
te
co
mm
uni
cati
on
cha
nne
ls
suc
h
as
inte
rnet
,
mo
bile
,
tele
pho
nes
,
vid
eo
con
fere
nci
ng,
me
etin
gs,
etc
Adv
anc
e
pla
nni
ng
for
red
uci
ng
the
last
min
ute
cha
nge
s
Pr
oje
ct
ma
na
ger
M
on
thl
y
1/
8/
20
16
H
M X
L
V
L
V
L L M H V
H
Impact
17 | P a g e

SECTION II: REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Project management consultancy report has reflected that ProjectPlus has successfully
completed the new product launch project of DropBox. At the time of completing this project I
have learned lots of new knowledge and skills which have enhanced my learning at high level.
Along with this, as a project manager I have faced some issues also which has been resolved by
me using appropriate strategies in effectual way.
At the time of starting a project, I have learned how to select and project. I have been
chosen new product launch project of DropBox because I have appropriate knowledge about the
product of this organization as compare to other two projects. So, it has helped in developing
project plan in effective manner. Along with this, now I am capable enough to determine the
importance of smart objectives for completing a project plan. At the time of developing project
report I have understood that project scope play very significant role in making project plan and
forecasting cost and time for completing project in effective manner. At the time of completing
this project I have used MS project which is one of the most appropriate software of project
manager. I did not have any knowledge of MS project but using the online video I have applied
project management plan in this software. After completing this project now I can use MS
project for any other projects also. Therefore, this report has increased my knowledge and skills
in terms of operating Ms Project, Excel and Word.
After completing this project I have got knowledge about the use of Gantt chart, network
diagram, critical path analysis and Work Breakdown Structure for managing a new product
launch project. These tools and techniques’ will help me in future for managing other projects
also. I have gained knowledge about the stakeholder’s analysis and its use in project
management. Further, my learning and knowledge have increased in terms of procurement
strategies also. Overall, accomplishment of this project has increased my learning and skills in
various aspects which will provide contribution in future growth and development of my own
career.
CONCLUSION
The current research project is based on new product launch project. It has described each
and every activity which is required for launching a new product in a new market. Project report
18 | P a g e

has described that ProjectPlus has completed new product launch event of DropBox in 95 days.
Estimated cost of this project was £49,720. It has reflected that project manager has successfully
completed this project in budgeted time and cost. Along with this, it has used the different
project management techniques for managing this project such as Gantt chart, Network Diagram,
Critical path analysis and work breakdown structure, etc. All these tools have helped in
managing project in more effective manner. Study has described that stakeholder analysis has
helped in developing project plan. Along with this, this project has increased skills and
knowledge of project manager which can help in managing future project in effective manner.
19 | P a g e

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Andersen, S. E., Dysvik, A. and Vaagaasar, L. A., 2009. Organizational rationality and project
management. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business. 2(4). pp.479 –
498.
Chiu-Chi, W. and et.al, 2013. Assignment of project members considering capability and
personality balance. Kybernetes. 42(7).Pp.1016 - 1028.
Darren, D., 2012. The nature of project management: A reflection on The Anatomy of Major
Projects by Morris and Hough. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business.
5(4). Pp. 643 - 660.
Dey, K. P., Clegg, T., and Bennett, J. D., 2010. Managing enterprise resource planning projects.
Business Process Management Journal. 16(2). pp.282 – 296.
Hobbs, P., 2009. Project Management. Dorling Kindersley Limited.
Kloppenborg, T., 2011. Contemporary Project Management. 2nd ed. Cengage Learning
Levy, B., 2009. Legal Project Management: Control Costs, Meet Schedules. Manage Risks, and
Maintain Sanity.
Martin, S. C., and Guerin, A. D., 2006. Using research to inform design solutions. Jou rnal of
Facilities Management. 4(3). pp.167 – 180.
Walker, A., 2007. Project Management in Construction. Wiley.
Zwikael, O., 2009. Critical planning processes in construction projects. Construction Innovation:
Information. Process, Management. 9(4). pp.372 – 387.
Online
7 Ways to Communicate with Your Stakeholders. 2015. [Online]. Available through: <
https://thesavvypm.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/7-ways-to-communicate-with-your-
stakeholders/>. [Accessed on 31st July 2016].
Schiff, L. J., 2012. 12 Common Project Management Mistakes--and How to Avoid Them.
[Online]. Available through: < http://www.cio.com/article/2391872/project-
management/12-common-project-management-mistakes--and-how-to-avoid-them.html>.
[Accessed on 31st July 2016].
Stibel, J., 2011. 5 Small Business Tips for an Uncertain Economic Climate. [Online]. Available
through: < http://mashable.com/2011/09/08/economic-instability-small-business/>.
[Accessed on 1st August 2016].
20 | P a g e

21 | P a g e