Project Management and Leadership: ERP Implementation Case Study

This project management assignment provides a comprehensive analysis of an ERP implementation project. It begins by outlining the project's objectives, which include the systematic implementation of ERP software to foster growth and development, emphasizing the importance of ERP tools in the business environment. The main body delves into breaking down the project into smaller, manageable tasks, detailing the estimation of time and cost using the Cost Performance Index (CPI). The assignment then focuses on task sequencing, scheduling, and the determination of the critical path using a Gantt chart. Furthermore, it explores optimizing resource allocation and risk management strategies, including the creation of a baseline plan. The project incorporates theoretical principles, concepts, and techniques to manage the process effectively. The findings highlight the skills and qualities necessary for successful project management and leadership within the context of ERP implementation. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and implications of the project.

Project Management and
Leadership

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
a) Objectives of the project.....................................................................................................1
b) Work and how it can be break down into smaller tasks.....................................................2
c) Estimation of time and cost for the tasks...........................................................................3
d) Sequence and scheduling the tasks with determining critical path....................................4
e) Optimise assigning of resources to the tasks......................................................................9
f) Review of risks and set baseline plan...............................................................................10
Approaches taken to manage the process with theoretical principles, concepts and techniques
..............................................................................................................................................16
Findings from the research and justifying qualities and skills.............................................18
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21

INTRODUCTION
Project management and leadership consider different activities and tasks that help to
attain desired results in the business environment. In this regard, several elements included such
as planning, controlling, reviewing, monitoring, etc. (Müller, Sankaran and Packendorff, 2017.)
All these perspectives help to consider an important role in the project management with
stipulated time period. In the current project, ERP tool has been implemented that assists to
increase several scopes and development of activities. Furthermore, objectives determines to
select the project that helps to attain more relevant outcomes in the enterprise. In this way, work
has been carried with break down proper activities in smaller tasks. With the help of estimation
of time and cost, resources will be carried to develop significant results in the business.
MAIN BODY
a) Objectives of the project
In order to determine the project management, following are certain objectives
considered at workplace:
 To implement ERP software for increasing growth and development in a systematic
manner
 To identify importance of implementation ERP tool in the business environment
 To develop system and implement advantages to the organisation
Earlier, advanced accounting system considered an important perspective that helps to
attain significant results in the business environment (Kerzner, 2017). It will help to focus on the
modern era that helps to replace current financial system with ERP tool. In this regard, small
business considers their operations which work for longer duration. In this context, ABC needs
to focus on the accounting process and understand activities that help to focus on eliminating risk
from organisation. With the consideration of ERP tool, main benefit is that production planning
is one of the useful considerations that require material management, business intelligence, sales
and distribution system, etc. Present project considers longer duration in small business to take
good knowledge in the market. However, the business is unable to get proper resources so that
their profits less. Besides this, accounting process considers systematic work system for activities
in financial system (Müller, Sankaran and Packendorff, 2017.).
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b) Work and how it can be break down into smaller tasks
In order to work in a systematic manner, there are different aspects implemented that
helps to consider important role in the project. This is because; ERP tool helps to make advanced
software of accounting system. It is used by all the big enterprises. Therefore, they can easily
concentrate on the accounting department. Implementation of this tool is beneficial to gain more
competition advantages and success in the market as well. In this way, errors could be minimise
to improve the performance of business. In this context, project considers a wide scope to
implement system in an effective manner that helps to solve mistakes as well. There are several
activities and tasks that have been involved with implementation of software purchase,
installation, testing, changes, business processes, etc.
Implementation of ERP includes finance and controlling, human capital management,
sales and distribution, profitability analysis, etc. In addition to this, there are different business
operations that have been taken to organise effective results and outcomes in a systematic
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manner. Risk element also minimises to a high extent so that financial system assists to analyse
and manage operations accordingly (Eskerod, Huemann and Savage, 2015). The plan is also
carried out to develop continuous development so that it could be supervise timely and attain
more desired results at workplace. Testing is an important way that assists to take returns and
manage functions in desired results. It is considers according to the expectation which would be
implement in the company and make necessary changes in ERP model.
c) Estimation of time and cost for the tasks
In order to implement the project, there are several tasks that have been carried out to
focus on the desired results and performance as well. Cost performance index is an important
aspect that helps to concentrate on the manager outcomes and performance. Therefore, level of
project will be increasing with effective cost elements:
CPI = Earned value/actual cost
In order to implement the ERP tool, total budget has been considered around 25000.
In intial time of six months of the present project has been passed in which 12500 spend but
there is 40% work still remaining.
Actual cost = 10000
Planned value (PV) = 50% of 25000
Planned value = 12500
Earned value = 50% of 100000
Earned value (EV) = 12500
CPI = EV/AC
CPI = 1
Contingency activities consider minimise risk that is most important for the whole
project. In this regard, plan helps to attain more significant and desired results to complete
project on time. Every individual pays their full attention on budget which helps to reduce
technical skills and make immediate changes (Müller, Sankaran and Packendorff, 2017.).
d) Sequence and scheduling the tasks with determining critical path
Task
Mode Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
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Auto
Scheduled Project preparation 7 days Tue 5/22/18 Wed 5/30/18
Auto
Scheduled
Define project scope and
objectives 1 day Tue 5/22/18 Tue 5/22/18
Auto
Scheduled Identify project team 1 day Wed 5/23/18 Wed 5/23/18 2
Auto
Scheduled Assessment stakeholder 1 day Thu 5/24/18 Thu 5/24/18 2,3
Auto
Scheduled Identify project organization 1 day Fri 5/25/18 Fri 5/25/18 3,4
Auto
Scheduled Identify project procedures 1 day Mon 5/28/18 Mon 5/28/18 5
Auto
Scheduled System installation 1 day Tue 5/29/18 Tue 5/29/18 6
Auto
Scheduled Kick off 1 day Wed 5/30/18 Wed 5/30/18 6,7
Auto
Scheduled System architecture design 6 days Tue 5/22/18 Tue 5/29/18
Auto
Scheduled
Technical infrastructure
preparation 1 day Thu 5/31/18 Thu 5/31/18 8
Auto
Scheduled
Assessment development
environment 1 day Fri 6/1/18 Fri 6/1/18 10
Auto
Scheduled
Identify quality assurance
environment 1 day Fri 6/1/18 Fri 6/1/18 10
Auto
Scheduled
Evaluation training
environment 1 day Mon 6/4/18 Mon 6/4/18 11
Auto
Scheduled
Identify production
environment 1 day Mon 6/4/18 Mon 6/4/18 10,11
4

Auto
Scheduled Business blueprint 1 day Tue 5/22/18 Tue 5/22/18
Auto
Scheduled
Enterprise structure, master
data, business process and
RICEF preparation
1 day Tue 6/5/18 Tue 6/5/18 13
Auto
Scheduled Business process analysis 11 days Fri 5/25/18 Fri 6/8/18 4
Auto
Scheduled
Identification of end to end
current business process 1 day Mon 6/4/18 Mon 6/4/18 12
Auto
Scheduled
Map ERP process in the
business process 1 day Tue 6/5/18 Tue 6/5/18 12,13
Auto
Scheduled Define process 1 day Tue 6/5/18 Tue 6/5/18 14
Auto
Scheduled
Define end to end future
business 1 day Mon 5/28/18 Mon 5/28/18 5
Auto
Scheduled Propose gap solution 9 days Wed 6/6/18 Mon 6/18/18 16
In order to consider the above activities, Gantt chart has been considered to focus on the
desired results and outcomes in ERP implementation. It is the best way to focus on relevant
consideration and development of business. As results, targets and goals will be undertaken from
22nd May 2018 and it will be completed on 18th June 2018.
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In order to undertake the systematic work performance, it is important to develop
significant advantages in the project (Kerzner, 2017). In this way, there are several activities has
been ascertain that critical path will be developed as follows:
2+3+4+5++6+7++8+10+11+13+16+23=108 days
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With the above analysis, it can be stated that there are total 108 days taken in the whole
research completion. It will help to attain significant results and develop profitability as well. It
helps to ascertain and undertake more significant results with ERP model implementation.
In order to consider systematic results, sequence and schedule of the tasks are considered
which determines critical path as well. It assists to perform activities in a creative manner in
order to implement ERP model. Following tasks must be involved in the project implementation:
Project charter
Implementation of ERP considers different aspects such as finance and controlling,
variant configuration, plant maintenance, service management, etc. In this regard, business
operations fund managementof project in the business effectively run. Risk of the business in
future also minimised in great consent so that it implemented in creative manner at financial
system corporation. As results, effectiveness in return manage with successful operations
(Müller, Sankaran and Packendorff, 2017).
Scope management plan
Implementation of ERP creates several benefits because it considers minimisation of
errors in accounting. Plan also developed by project manager that continuously monitor by
supervisor. In order to control the plan, it is important to conduct meetings on time so that
effectiveness will be increasing and mistakes will be reduced.
Requirement management plan
Requirement also analysis on the basis of budget set by owner. Therefore, ERP considers
successful operations and functions to maintain systematic results in the environment. With the
help of the software applications, efficient work develop to attain desired results. ERP system
connects important software that allow manage inventory which is profitable for the enterprise. It
assists to build standards in the business process so that the best practices could be adopted
which develop efficiency of the organisation.
Collect requirement
In respect to collect the requirement, there are different activities has been implemented
that assists to analysis risk which is moderate and clarify benefits to employees as well. ERP
system implementation helps to reduce the risk through scheduling activities and individuals
become able to ascertain systematic results at workplace.
End users group
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To focus on the implementation of new software, end users include stakeholders to
perform functions and operations effectually. In this regard, several activities have been
considered which create impact on customers and their participation as well. Decision affected
by the corporation in which change management plan need to include for time testing. In this
way, it is important to attain more critical advantages to accomplish their aim and objectives. In
order to monitor the activities of project manager, feedback also needs to understand that helps to
take review of the examination and support to the whole process as well.
e) Optimise assigning of resources to the tasks
To focus on the project management resources, there are different kinds of tools that have
been implemented that assists to attain desired results (Kerzner, 2017). With the help of these
tools and techniques, effective results will be attained to focus on the project outcomes.
Following activities are considered to ascertain systematic results: People: Human resource consider important role in the business to get successful results.
In this regard, it is essential to focus on the group of people that are working alone. Team
management considers their important part to get successful results at workplace. It is the
best way to time and workload in systematic manner. Therefore, individual is getting
their part in systematic manner to ascertain the advantages. When individuals know about
their project, they need to concentrate on the resource planning which creates balance
between availability in team. Spend time with thinking process consider several skills to
perform functions towards the tasks that is needed for whole project. Capital: Project is needed money because in this aspect different things determines to put
project management skills as the charities. Management of budget on project is
developed core skills for the project manager. Confidently, it would be handle to
maintain activities in systematic manner. In this way, realistic ideas will be implement
successfully with adequate fund. All people need to know about the spending which helps
to track on the relevant results. Tasks also performed in systematic manner so that
progressing develop as successful manner. In this way, establishment of the goals and
objectives will be develop to focus on the project management software that help to take
spending and work in systematic manner.
 Goods: Project management also used different types of assets and goods that help to
focus on developing significant advantages at workplace. In this regard, several aim and
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objectives will be carried out to attain desired results in the business. With this
consideration, different activities have been promoted such as software licenses,
hardware license such as technical infrastructure, IT equipment, etc. These tools help to
focus on the machinery and consider several operations in a systematic manner. Property
also helps to maintain a systematic property to gain effective results and build new goals
as well (Kerzner, 2017).
With the help of these tools, it can be seen that effectiveness develop successfully to
attain several advantages and goals as well. It will help to focus on the particular software
element with enough and advance activities as per setting budget. It will make easier outcomes
and results to maintained specifications results in the program. In order to attain a systematic
work performance, it can be stated that activities and resources have been carried out to perform
functions and operations effectually. These tools help to arrange finance and implement
consideration on time. Therefore, desired results will be gained to undertake different activities
in the environment. In order to replace the accounting software, web based activities help to
improve communication among several staff members to take innovative results at workplace.
f) Review of risks and set baseline plan
In respect to ascertained risk and set baseline, following elements are considered in the
business environment:
Risk
descriptio
n in
implemen
tation of
ERP
system
Responsib
le person
Likelihoo
d of risk
occurring
Impact of
risk on
project
Risk
factor
Risk
Categories
List of
Potential
Risk
Owners
Mitigatio
n strategy
Technical
risk
Project
manager
2 3 15 Medium Staff
members
It is
important
to consider
operations
for
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