Managing Projects - Desklib

This article discusses the key characteristics of a project, activities required for successful management of the project, skills of a project manager, and project management process. It also covers the analysis of the project in project management perspectives and includes analysis of the leadership and control problems that a project manager might face while execution of a project.

Running head: MANAGING PROJECTS
Managing Projects
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Task 1...................................................................................................................................2
Answer 1..........................................................................................................................2
Answer 2..........................................................................................................................2
Answer 3..........................................................................................................................3
Answer 4..........................................................................................................................3
Answer 5..........................................................................................................................4
Answer 6..........................................................................................................................5
Task 2...................................................................................................................................6
Introduction......................................................................................................................6
1. Activities required for successful management of the Project....................................6
1.1. Skills of Project Manager.....................................................................................8
1.2. Project Management Process..............................................................................10
2. Associated Control Problems....................................................................................13
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................14
References..........................................................................................................................15

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Task 1
Answer 1
Every project is unique in their own way however, there are certain key characteristics
that is true to every project. The key characteristics of any project are as follows (Papke-Shields
and Boyer-Wright 2017)-
1. A project should have a defined scope
2. A project should be customer oriented
3. A project should be completed within a scheduled time
4. A project should maintain the set quality
5. The project should be executed with the resources available for the project
6. Change is another key characteristic of a project as project are a way to introduce
change.
7. Projects or parts of projects are unique that brings certain uncertainty as well.
Uncertainty is therefore another key characteristic of a project.
Answer 2
For a project, evaluation of scope statement is an integral tool that outlines the a
particular project deliverables and identifies the associated constraints, assumptions and the key
success factors associated with a project. Work breakdown structure has a major role in the scope
statement of the project as it helps in scheduling the different tasks of the project (Team 2014).

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Work breakdown structure helps in defining the project scope considering the scope statement
and dividing the different project deliverables in smaller and manageable project activities. A
work break down structure is generally built around a hierarchy of deliverables that are
associated with a project.
Answer 3
The project Gantt Chart is represented below. The Critical path of the project is marked
in red (Larson and Gray 2013).
Figure 1: Representing the Gantt chart
(Source: Generated by Author using MS project)
The work activities marked in red in the Gantt chart above depict the critical path of the
project
It is estimated that the project will take 19 days for its completion if we consider 5
working days per week. If all the 7 days of a week are considered as working days, the project
will take 11 days for completion.
Answer 4

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There are different approaches that can be used for calculating the project cost. The
different cost estimation techniques that can be used for preparation of the budget are as follows-
1. Top Down approach- In this budgeting approach the budgeting if the project is done
based on the cost estimate of similar or identical parts of certain previous projects.
2. Bottom up approach, where the estimates are created with the people who are going to
work on the project. It provides more accurate cost estimation by scheduling the estimates by
running a number of test cases on the project.
3. Expert Judgment: It is one common way for people to estimate the budget of a project.
4. Analogous Estimates: Data from previously performed project are used to estimate the
budget of the current project.
5. Parametric model estimating: It is more scientific method of budget estimation as it
auto calculates the estimates by making use of the detailed data from previous activities.
Answer 5
Implementation of a project is subjected to a number of risks that may arise due to the
issues with the project schedule, budget, resources and in process of project implementation.
Accessing the risk of the project is necessary in order to implement the project within the set
schedule. Risk management process ensures successful deliver of a project. After identification
of the risks, it is essential to understand the risk responses that can be taken within the project
management (Cagliano, Grimaldi and Rafele 2015). There are mainly four responses to the risks,
which are avoid, transfer, mitigate or accept. Selection of a suitable risk response for a project
will depend on the type of the risk that is identified for the project. Risk can be avoided by the

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executing the project in a controlled environment. Risk can be mitigated by ensuring proper
actions are taken to reduce the risk. Risk can be transferred by insuring certain processes of a
project and risk can be accepted when it is not possible to mitigate the risk.
Answer 6
Project monitoring and control can be introduced for ensuring the project is completed
successfully. Monitoring and control is an essential quality method as it ensures that the project
is implemented according to the project plan. It further evaluates the project progress on daily
basis which is another important criterion for ensuring project success (Hazır 2015). Project
evaluation is generally done at the beginning of the project and therefore, it may not always
ensure successful completion of the project.

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Task 2
Introduction
ABC PLC is a retailer of foods and drinks and is based on UK. ABC heads a number of
foods and drinks and is a controller of a number of well known UK brands. ABC is considering
the overtaking of DEF, which is a well known as well as a high street frozen food retailer. The
acquisition is expected to be a friendly deal since the board of ABC has made a good offer to the
boards of DEF. The stakeholders of DEF are expected to agree with the deal as well. The report
outlines the activities that ensure successful management of the project, which will in turn ensure
that the project is delivered within the set time and budget. The analysis of the project is done in
project management perspectives and includes analysis of the skills and competencies that a
project manager requires for successful completion of the project (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017).
The report covers the different project life cycle stages, processes, leadership and control
problems that a project manager might face while execution of a project.
1. Activities required for successful management of the Project
The criteria for successful project completion include completion of the project within the
schedule time and within the budget allocated for the project. The schedule time and budget for
the project is generally prepared at the beginning of the project (Burke 2013). There are different
activities associated with a successful management of the project. The different activities that is
required for successful management of the project are as follows (Bredillet, Tywoniak and
Dwivedula 2015)-
1. Identification and the management of the project scope are essential for successful
execution of the project. It is essential to evaluate the scope of the project since it generally refers

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to the detailed deliverables of a project. The project scope therefore refers to the work that is
needed to be accomplished in order to deliver a specified product within a scheduled time.
Therefore, it is a major activity that is needed to be performed in order to ensure completion of
the project within the scheduled time. Scope management is a related activity with project scope
identification, which ensures that the scope of the project is accurately defined and mapped
(Harrison and Lock 2017). Proper scope identification furthermore enables the project managers
in allocating proper labor and materials needed for a project. In this project, the scope of the
project is acquisition of DEF by ABC PLC. Since the acquisition is not forceful, the scope of the
project is clear. It is now necessary to evaluate the number of days that will be required for
completion of the project acquisition.
2. Assumptions, identification and the management of risk associated with the project are
other major project activities that are essential for the successful completion of a project. Every
project is subjected to certain risks which must be addressed in the project initiation stage or
during the execution of a project (Edwards and Bowen 2013). Although there is no major risk
associated with the acquisition project, the stakeholders’ unrest in DEF can be a major risk
associated with the project. Apart from this there are certain other risks associated with the
acquisition project, which includes insufficient resources, improper scheduling and so on
(McNeil, Frey and Embrechts 2015). Therefore, risk management is a significant activity that is
needed to be completed in order to ensure that the project is delivered within a scheduled time
and the set budget.
3. Proper planning and scheduling of the project is further essential for successful project
implementation and delivery of the project on time (Papke-Shields and Boyer-Wright 2017). The
project planning is done at the initial stages of the project and defines all the stages the project

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will have to undergo in its successful completion (Lock 2017). The acquisition project will be
complex as DEF is a known retailer of street and frozen food and has outlets in most of the cities
and the towns around UK. In the meeting that is due next month, the schedule of the project will
be discussed. Timely delivery of the project indicates the project is needed to be completed
within the schedule discussed and finalized in the board meeting with the team members. The
project manager is responsible for setting the schedule of the project and is responsible to ensure
successful completion of the same.
4. After proper scheduling, it is essential to keep a track of the progress of a project, for
ensuring the project is delivered on time. Regular monitoring of the project progress is important
in order to understand whether a project is executed according to the project plan and therefore,
it is an important activity as well.
Apart from these major activities, there are certain other criteria that ensure timely
delivery of the project. Success of a project largely depends on the management style of project
manager and his leadership capabilities (Alsudiri, Al-Karaghouli and Eldabi 2013). It is the
responsibility of a project manager to make surethat the projects team members are performing
their role accordingly. The skills required by the project manager for successful project
implementation is discussed in the next section.
1.1. Skills of Project Manager
Project manager, is an integral part of any project and has an important role in project
execution. The different roles of project manager includes, collection of information, deciding
the process of project execution, organizing the associated works of a project, organizing the
schedule of the project and assembling the team (Sunindijo 2015). In order to perform these

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tasks, the project manager needs to posses certain project management skills that will help in
managing the team. The essential skills that the project manager should posses are as follows
(Barry 2015)-
1. Since this is an acquisition project, the project manager should possess an excellent
communication skills as majority of the time of the project manager is expected to spend on
communication (Verburg, Bosch-Sijtsema and Vartiainen 2013).
2. Proper leadership skill is essential for project management as well. Leading a project
towards its successful implementation requires the project manager to get the project team
members to work effectively and efficiently (Müller, Geraldi and Turner 2012). The project
manager needs to have a clear vision and clarity in reason in order to schedule the task
accordingly. There are different styles of leadership depending on the way the project manager is
managing the team. In this project, the project manager would show a transformational
leadership style in managing the entire project as the project. In this leadership style the project
manager ensures proper communication flow is maintained within the team member. In this
project as well, communication is an important criteria for making the team members work
effectively (Hartmann 2012). Furthermore, the style of leadership style will be democratic as
well, that ensures that the entire project team participates in the decision making process.
3. The project manager should have negotiation skills. Particularly in this project, since
the stakeholders of DEF is yet to accept the proposal, the negotiation skills of the project
manager will help in making the stakeholders understand the profit in the deal. .
4. Team management is another essential skill, project manager should possess in order
to effectively manage the project works. Since this project is an acquisition project, the project

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manager will have a responsibility in managing an ever bigger team. Therefore, skill of team
management is essential for a project manager to possess.
5. It is further required for the project manager to understand the risk management
process in order to identify and eliminate the different risks associated with a project. Risk
estimation and risk management will be done at the initiation of the project and therefore, it is
majorly the project manager’s responsibilitys in initiating the risk management process.
1.2. Project Management Process
Choice of a proper project management process is further essential for successful
execution of the project. Although the scope of this project is quite clear, it is essential to align
the different phases with the project management process in order to achieve a successful result.
The basic project management process has five phases, which are project initiation, project
planning, execution, project control and closure of the project.
Figure 1: Representing the different phases of project process
(Source: Create by Author)

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In this project, the project initiation phase will consist of signing the deal between ABC
and DEF has a approval for the acquisition project. Followed by the initiation phase, project
planning phase comes into play. It is one significant stages of project management and the
project manager is responsible for the project plan. The detailed processes of Project planning
phase is discussed below-
Project Planning
Project planning is the second phase of the project life cycle or project management
process. In this phase, the project manager will be seen making use of the scheduling tools such
as Gantt chart in planning and subsequently reporting the project progress within the project
environment. The Gantt chart for this project is represented below-
Figure 2: Representing the project Gantt chart
(Source: Generated by Author using MS project)

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Furthermore, the scope of the project is evaluated in this phase. The scope of this project
is quite clear and the project manager will create a set of plan to guide the team in execution and
the closing phases of the project (Young 2013). The project plan that is prepared will further help
the project team in delivering the project on time. It is mandatory for the project plan to have a
clear focus and well defined objectives. Since it is the responsibility and work of the project
manager to plan the project, proper project management skills are necessary for developing a
successful plan (Heagney 2016). In this project, the project plan will be made on basis of the
strategic growth objectives associated with a project.
After successful planning, the project manager is obliged for executing the project. The
process of project execution is discussed below-
Project Execution/Implementation
Project execution phase is the most significant phase of project life cycle or the project
management process. In this stage the acquisition of the DEF by ABC will be executed. This is a
complex process and therefore, it must be divided into a smaller and deliverables. The main
output of the project execution stage will be the successful delivery of the deliverables that were
identified at the planning stage of the project. The project implementation stage is therefore
critical as success of a project largely depends on the success of this phase. Therefore, the project
manager needs to identify different factors that will help in successful execution of the project.
Since this is an acquisition project, the project manager needs to identify the critical aspects of
the acquisition deal, which in turn will help in managing the employees and the stakeholders of
DEF. Proper management of the human resources associated with DEF is integral since the
project can be successfully implemented only if the stakeholders of DEF cooperates with the

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acquisition (Patanakul and Shenhar 2012). In this scenario the communication skill of the project
manager is expected to work in favor of the project.
One of the main aspects of project implementation phase is proper monitoring of the
project. Monitoring the project progress is equally important since it is essential to evaluate
whether a project is being implemented according to the project plan. Particularly in this
acquisition project, it is necessary to monitor the project as the size of the project is particularly
large and complex as well. A separate team of members are appointed who will keep a track of
project progress and report it to the project manager and the stakeholders of the project. The
project manager will evaluate the daily progress reports in order to track the execution of the
project (McLeod, Doolin and MacDonell 2012). Successful completion of the implementation
phase will result in movement of project to the next step that is project closure or termination of
a project.
The project termination process and the responsibilities of the project manager in project
termination are discussed in the following section.
Project Closure / Termination
The project manager has an integral role is project closure or termination of the project.
In this project, before project termination, it will be checked whether the project is implemented
according to the project plan. The termination of the project will occur only when the goals of
the project are met (Parker,\ et al. 2013). The project termination in this case will occur when the
DEF will be successfully acquired by ABC.
2. Associated Control Problems

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There are certain control issues associated with this project which includes the estimation
problems, cost control problems, unrealistic scheduling, inadequate work break down structure,
poor corporate and project management governance. Since the project manager has little
experience of managing this type of project, the control problem if project management
governance may arise. Apart from this, the project is subjected to contractual discrepancies and
inconsistencies since the stakeholders of DEF have not approved the project till now. Control
problem might arise with the improper risk management process as well.
Conclusion
The report discusses the different aspects of the acquisition project. The acquisition
project involves the different project management activities, successful completion of which
ensures proper project delivery. The report gives a brief overview of the detailed project
management process and activities. The skills that the project manager should posses in
successful implementation of the project are further discussed along with the different activities
that the project needs to undergo. The role of the project manager in project planning,
implementation and termination is discussed as well. The importance of each stage in this
acquisition project is discussed as well. The acquisition project is expected to occur according to
plan since the DEF Ltd. is getting a profitable deal from ABC.

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