Project Management Essentials

This assignment delves into the core principles of effective project management. It emphasizes the significance of a well-defined Scope Management Plan, meticulous scheduling, risk identification and mitigation strategies, and robust quality management practices. The importance of project evaluation, monitoring, and closure is also highlighted as essential components for successful project completion.

ASSESSMENT 3
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
MOV (Measurable Organisational Value).............................................................................3
Desired area of impact............................................................................................................3
Types of Value.......................................................................................................................4
Metric and the time frame......................................................................................................4
Clear statement summarising MOV.......................................................................................4
PART 2............................................................................................................................................4
Scope......................................................................................................................................4
Scope Management Plan........................................................................................................4
Scope of project and management of the scope.....................................................................6
List of Resources....................................................................................................................6
PART 3............................................................................................................................................6
Project Schedule along with milestones.................................................................................6
Activities.................................................................................................................................7
Resource Assignment.............................................................................................................7
Estimate of Time for Each Activity........................................................................................8
Project Budget........................................................................................................................8
PART 4..........................................................................................................................................10
Assumptions about the project.............................................................................................10
Risk Identification Framework.............................................................................................10
Analysis of Risk...................................................................................................................12
PART 5..........................................................................................................................................12
Statement of Philosophy.......................................................................................................12
Validation Activities.............................................................................................................13
Verification Activities..........................................................................................................13
PART 6..........................................................................................................................................13
Annotated Bibliography.......................................................................................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16
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INTRODUCTION
Project Management can be referred to as planning as well as organising the resources of
organisation such that they can be moved into a specified event or task for the execution of a
certain project. In this regard, the present assignment is conducted upon a mobile application
designed and developed by Globex Company. The name of the app is Mobile Based Farmer
Support Application (MBFSA). This mobile application would assist the farmers while planning
about the crops to be grown in every season. With the help of this, farmers would be able to feasibly
gain knowledge of the choice of crop to be grown, its quantum and also the selection of markets as
well as wholesalers who will sell their crop production. This assignment will include Measurable
Organisational Value which will analyse the impact. Also, it will include the scope of project by
producing a scope management plan. Further, it will constitute WBS, Risk Analysis and Quality
Management Plan. Lastly, project evaluation is done.
PART 1
MOV (Measurable Organisational Value)
The primary goal of this project is to increase the knowledge base of farmers through the
use of a mobile application named as MBFSA. With the use of this application, farmers will get
the guidance and support, thereby, gaining knowledge about the ways in which work can be
improved. This will provide assistance to them in conducting the farming activities in an
appropriate manner and taking relevant decisions related to production.
Desired area of impact
The influence of this mobile application would be upon a number of areas but the major
impact has been on operational aspects. This has been so because the overall knowledge of
farmers will increase owing to this app. Hiring of knowledgeable and competent individuals can
not act as the mere solution as the fertility is different from soil to soil. Thus, emphasis is
required to be put more upon the practical rather than the theoretical knowledge. Also, the
influence will be upon financial aspects as funds are required for equipments, office
establishment, salaries, staff, research and many other elements. Further, customers or clients
will also be affected as they will obtain data from the application and wrong information may
lead to negative consequences for the entity. The organisation has to opt for changes in their
current strategies after analysing the existing manner of working as the entity is functioning via
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online channel of operations. The minimal impact will be upon public or the community as this
service is aimed at their betterment as well as welfare.
Types of Value
The two values which MBFSA app is creating are “Better” and “Faster”. This will lead to
increment in efficiency of enterprise and simultaneously the reduction in time consumed by
customers as the need for visiting and making enquiries about crops and production has been
declined due to the mobile application.
Metric and the time frame
The stipulated target to fulfil the expectations of the stakeholder of organisation is £700 I
initial phase owing to the low level of awareness among population of country. The time limit
stipulated for attaining the MOV is determined to be 6-8 months.
Clear statement summarising MOV
This project will strive to enhance the ways in which farming will be executed in present
as well as future prospect by way of MBFSA application. This will give information about
farming together with the guidance as well as support to farmers.
PART 2
Scope
Scope refers to that part of project plan which is concerned with determination as well as
documentation of a list of goals, tasks, cost structure, deliverables and deadlines of the specific
project. The documentation of scope of the project also referred to as terms of reference, scope
statement or the statement of works, tends to provide an explanation of project boundaries, sets
responsibilities for every member of team and also sets out the ways of verification and approval
of completed work.
Scope Management Plan
Stakeholders: Stakeholders are the personnel who affect the operations as well as overall
execution of a project. In this regard, for the present project, the stakeholders are found to be the
investors, clients and farmers, employees, management
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Scope Statement: The scope of this project based on MBFSA application is vast owing to
the fact that it is aimed at the betterment of knowledge of farmers so that crop production can be
improved.
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): This can be said to be the division of tasks of a
project into smaller part. In this regard, the WBS for current project is given below:-
Roles and Responsibilities: With respect to every project, it is essential that the roles and
responsibilities of each member of the team are clearly stipulated along with their reporting
authority so that there is no complexity or confusion. The roles and responsibilities of different
persons associated with the current project of MBFSA application are defined below:-
Roles Responsibilities
Project Manager Providing guidance and support to subordinates. Also, supervision
of the activities and performance of project team.
Project Sponsor Ensuring that the project is rendering the desired positive benefits.
Project Team Lead Adhering to the instructions laid down by Project Manager.
Project Team
Members
Complying with the instructions and guidance given by Team Lead
and executing the activities of project within the stipulated time
ensuring high efficiency.
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Deliverables: This will include documentation, interface, hardware and software of
mobile application MBFSA.
Sponsor Acceptance: It is necessary to take acceptance from the sponsors before
proceeding with a specific project. In this regard, the mobile application has gained enough
support from government, farmers, wholesalers and also representatives of Globex Company.
Scope Control: The scope of project should be examined at regular intervals so as to
ensure that it is under control and the deviations between desired and actual results are not much.
Scope of project and management of the scope
The scope of current mobile application project is the provision of guidance as well as
support to farmers. MBFSA Application is designed to solve the problems or queries being faced
by farmers by rendering online resolutions over the application with a view to save their time and
efforts.
List of Resources
The resources that are required to execute the current project are described as follows:-
 People: It is the human resource that is required to execute the activities associated with
the project successful. Such activities comprise of daily operations, maintenance,
security, upkeep and many more such aspects.
 Technology: This will be another crucial requirement for executing the project
associated with MBFSA owing to the fact that this application provides ways of
rendering improved services to customers. The application will run with the help of
software as well as other technological equipments so that it can function properly.
 Facilities: The teamwork will take place at the headquarters of the organisation.
 Other: The other kind of essential and crucial resources comprise of training equipments,
travelling vehicles, temporary staff, experts etc.
PART 3
Project Schedule along with milestones
Project Management will take place within five stages that are briefly described below:-
Project Initiation:
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This is the first stage where measurement of feasibility as well as value of project is
carried out. Here, the milestone will be to ensure provision of significant value for organisation
and its stakeholders.
Planning:
Here, a plan is devised for providing guidance and support to team members so that
project can function smoothly. The milestone will be to ensure effective execution of planning.
Execution:
Here, planning is finally formulated as the team members get clear instructions regarding
what to be done along with the goals and objectives. The milestone will be effective
implementation which does not lead to creation of issues or problems for company or
application.
Monitoring and Control:
Here, activities carried out within the current project are monitored and controlled. The
milestone here is to ensure that the activities are being executed in a relevant manner.
Closure:
Post the execution of current project, the specific project is finally brought to closure
stage. The milestone here is to ensure completion of tasks as per the requirements and the
achievement of set targets.
Activities
Activities are referred to as the tasks that act as key to the achievement of set project
goals and objectives.
For Project Initiation: Collection of information and Analysis of such data
For Project Planning: Research to gain knowledge about needs and preferences of customers.
For Project Execution: Clearly stating the roles and responsibilities of each team member and
provision of support and guidance to them.
For Planning & Control: Supervision as well as monitoring of progress and performance given
by team members.
For Project Closure: Devising final project scope analysis and indexing of project files.
Resource Assignment
Activities and Roles:
Project Manager: Provision of responsibilities and support to subordinates.
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Project Sponsor: Ensuring the delivery of project in a manner that it delivers desirable
benefits.
Project Team Lead: Following the instructions of Project Manager.
Project Team Members: Operating under the supervision and guidance of Team Lead
and execution of work with highest possible efficiency.
Estimate of Time for Each Activity
 For first activity: 3 weeks.
 For second activity: 1 week.
 For third activity: 3 weeks.
 For forth activity: 5 weeks.
 For last activity: 1 week.
Project Budget
For First Activity:
Particulars Amount
Materials 500
Stationary Items 700
Travelling Expenses 2000
Miscellaneous Expenses 1000
Total 3200
For Second Activity:
Particulars Amount
Advertising Expenses 500
Materials 700
Initial Expenses 1200
Total 2400
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For Third Activity:
Particulars Amount
Salaries 1200
Raw Materials 2500
Miscellaneous Expenses 2000
Travelling Expenses 1000
Total 6700
For Fourth Activity:
Particulars Amount
Salaries 2500
Wages 600
Equipments 1500
Miscellaneous Expenses 1000
Total 5600
For Fifth Activity:
Particulars Amount
Expenses 2000
Salaries 2000
Other Expenses 500
Total 4500
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PART 4
Assumptions about the project
For Globex, the firm is involved in the development of a mobile app which would
provide guidance to farmers. For the MBFSA application project, a number of assumptions are
stipulated as follows:-
 The very first assumption is that farmers have effective access to smart devices which
would help them in accessing the information. Also, it assumes that they possess a
significant computer literacy.
 Another assumption is that appropriate training would be successfully performed for
shareholders by Globex Representatives. This will increase the awareness and familiarity
of this app among all the shareholders.
Risk Identification Framework
There are five stages of Project Management for ensuring success of MBFSA application
project. Following is a risk identification framework for MBFSA project carried out by Globex
Company:-
RISK
IDENTIFIER RISK DESCRIPTION SEVERITY INTENSITY
1
Inappropriate
Measurable
Organisational
Value (MOV)
The beginning stage of project
requires measurement of
organisational value. However,
one of the biggest risks is the
inappropriate measuring of
MOV. For instance, if the firm
can not determine effective
areas of impact, this would lead
whole project into vain.
5 Critical SEVERE
2 Ineffective
Budget
The next stage is planning. The
biggest risk here could be
miscalculation of budget. At
4 High MAJOR
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times, a number of elements are
not included within budget
owing to being external or
intangible. This impacts upon
the project as with ineffective
budget calculation, the firm
might lose excessive money.
3
Inadequate
Quality
Management
The third stage is associated
with launch of product that
requires setting up of Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Owing to usage of inadequate
quality management techniques,
organisation might fail to
maintain quality of project.
4 High MODERATE
4 Ineffective
Technology
At forth stage, company
manages and monitors
performance of the mobile
application, MBFSA. But
ineffective performance
measurement techniques act as
risk for entity while carrying
out measurement of overall
performance.
3 Medium MEDIUM
5 Poor Execution
and Control
This is concerned with effectual
controlling and reporting of
project. However, usage of
ineffective communication
methods may act as a minimal
risk.
2 Low LOW
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Analysis of Risk
There are a number of strategies through which management and reduction of risks can
be carried out. The below mentioned is the detailed analysis of all the risks:-
 Inappropriate Measurable Organisational Value (MOV):
The most effective strategy to ensure this risk not happening is that each constraint of the
project be defined and measured appropriately using effective tools. The member which would
be addressing this area of risk would be the Project Manager.
 Ineffective Budget:
Business Analyst would be addressing this risk and strategy would be considering every
external as well as internal factor while stipulating budget and setting coordination with other
departments.
 Inadequate Quality Management:
Quality Assurance Engineer will take up this risk and the best strategy for this would be
to use TQM, i.e., Total Quality Management that will result in management of quality.
 Ineffective Technology
The best strategy for this would be carrying out market research to find out the most
appropriate and feasible technique or technology for developing the mobile app MBFSA.
Artificial Intelligence and automation can act as some of the effective technologies. This risk
will be taken up by System Administrator.
 Poor Execution and Control:
The reporting is towards Project Manager and this will act as the best strategy for
minimising this risk.
PART 5
Statement of Philosophy
“To operate and build the most efficient support system for farming industry to enable
growth and success for a long duration of time in future prospect.”
Validation Activities
Globex will make use of White Box testing that consists of a number of activities as
mentioned below:-
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 Source Code Understanding
 Development of Test Cases and Effective Execution
Verification Activities
Globex would use Six Sigma for this process. Activities that are included in this are given
below:-
 Defining the problem
 Measuring the problem
 Appropriate analysis of procedures as well as information
 Improvisation within the set procedures
 Controlling the overall activity.
PART 6
Annotated Bibliography
REFERENCE TYPE ANNOTATION
Hadaya, P., Cassivi, L. and Chalabi,
C., 2012. IT project management
resources and capabilities: a Delphi
study. International Journal of
Managing Projects in Business. 5(2).
pp.216-229.
JOURNAL The selected course of study has been
conducted with the aim of determining
the most crucial and relevant resources
as well as capabilities for IT Project
Management. Besides this, the study
also strives to rank them as per their set
of value, rarity as well as inimitability.
The presented study makes use of the
Delphi Methodology that is ascertained
to be successful procedure of data
collection. Here, data was collected by
way of expert team members of IT
Project Management. The findings that
are gained from the analysis of this
journal paper are that there are a number
of sources that serve as important
elements of IT project management.
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This is a useful and significant study
which is aimed at ensuring guidance for
project managers about the intangible
capabilities as well as resources.
Furthermore, this study also plays a
crucial role for the managers to
determine which resources and
capabilities are essential for the firm.
Bellini, C.G.P., Pereira, R.D.C.D.F.
and Becker, J.L., 2016. Organizational
structure and enterprise systems
implementation: Theoretical measures
and a benchmark for customer teams.
Information Technology & People.
29(3). pp.527-555.
JOURNAL
This study put stress upon undertaking
effective discussions in relation to
structural design of customer teams, so
that they can operate with a number of
teams to make sure the execution of
customised information systems.
Tadeu de Oliveira Lacerda, R.,
Ensslin, L. and Rolim Ensslin, S.,
2011. A performance measurement
view of IT project management.
International Journal of Productivity
and Performance Management. 60(2).
pp.132-151.
The primary motive of carrying out this
aim of this study was to conduct the
determination along with development
of a relevant and significant
methodology as well as an essential
framework the utilisation of which can
be done with a view to examine
performance with the sole motive of
increasing the knowledge base
associated with the overall project. In
accordance with the methods utilised in
this study, an integration of qualitative
and quantitative data has been done. In
addition to this, primary as well as
secondary data have been used. In
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regards to the former several
unstructured interviews, there were
carried out with a number of decision
makers. Within the secondary research,
bibliographic research has been
formulated with a view to make sure
that effective development of a
theoretical framework.
CONCLUSION
From above mentioned discussion, it can be stated that project management serves as an
essential and crucial aspect that provides assistance to a firm in execution and formulation of a
specific project in a desirable manner. Also, it has been analysed that the project should maintain
adequate and proper MOV (Measurable Organisational Value). Further, it can be observed that it
is crucial to utilise as well as apply a Scope Management Plan for the successful execution of
project. In addition to this, development of an effective schedule is essential for any project.
Apart from this, identification as well as mitigation of risks along together with the stipulated
strategies and quality management is important for a company. Lastly, has been comprehended
that evaluation, monitoring and closure of project is necessary.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Harrison, F. and Lock, D., 2017. Advanced project management: a structured approach.
Routledge.
Hornstein, H.A., 2015. The integration of project management and organizational change
management is now a necessity. International Journal of Project Management. 33(2).
pp.291-298.
Larson, E.W. and Gray, C.F., 2017. Project management: The managerial process. McGraw-Hill
Education.
Muller, R., 2017. Project governance. Routledge.
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review with a critical look at the brave new world. International Journal of Project
Management. 33(2). pp.278-290.
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commerce case. Journal of Business Research. 69(11). pp.4980-4985.
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empirical analysis. Information Systems and e-Business Management. 14(2). pp.367-
387.
Gorla, N., Chiravuri, A. and Chinta, R., 2017. Business-to-business e-commerce adoption: An
empirical investigation of business factors. Information Systems Frontiers. 19(3).
pp.645-667.
Frishammar, J. and et. al., 2018. Digital strategies for two-sided markets: A case study of
shopping malls. Decision Support Systems. 108. pp.34-44.
Hakansson, H., 2014. Corporate Technological Behaviour (Routledge Revivals): Co-opertation
and Networks. Routledge.
Jones, G. R., 2013. Organizational theory, design, and change. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson.
Kim, Y. and Peterson, R. A., 2017. A Meta-analysis of Online Trust Relationships in E-
commerce. Journal of Interactive Marketing. 38. pp.44-54.
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