Project Management Coursework: Resource Allocation, Fixed Cost, Tracking and Importance

This coursework focuses on resource allocation, fixed cost, tracking, and importance in project management. It includes a case study of installing new database query software, identifying clashes, minimum resources required, fixed cost, standard calendar, and tracking. The report concludes with assumptions related to completing the project within a limited time.

Project management Coursework

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART A...........................................................................................................................................4
i. Allocating the resources...........................................................................................................4
Clashes.........................................................................................................................................8
A. ii. Minimum level of resources required for the project.........................................................8
Describing minimum number of NE to allocated without any delay..........................................9
Importance of having effective management..............................................................................9
PART B...........................................................................................................................................9
Presenting the fixed cost..............................................................................................................9
PART C.........................................................................................................................................12
Standard calender.......................................................................................................................12
PART D.........................................................................................................................................14
Tracking and importance of track a project...............................................................................14
Presenting the assumption related to the task in order to complete the project within a limited
time............................................................................................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
The present study is based upon the case study of where computer consultancy want to
install some of the new database query software across a company and for that the report will
identified the ways to complete the same. The report will be provide allocation of the resources
in which maximum unit is already mentioned. Further, the report will determine the fixed cost of
the task which is mentioned upon the phase 2 and then identify the changes if any while adding
non-working days within a project. Lastly, it will describe the term tracking and its importance
for the project by making changes in at least 3 task.

PART A
i. Allocating the resources

Clashes
In accordance with the resource allocation, it has been identified that there are clashes
between some project activities which need to be resolved. The clashes is due to over-utilization
of the resources such that Manager can be used up to 100% of its allocation whereas the project
manager allocate the same by 200% which reflect that it is raised by 100%. On the other side,
Network Engineer need to be allocated by 700% but according to allocation it will be 30% over
utilized which need to be resolved (San Cristóbal and et.al., 2018). The same has been identified
in the case of System Analyst in which project manager used by 100% more whereas it
maximum utilization is only 300%. Thus to resolve such clashes project manager can use two
ways either interchange the resources or else increase the maximum unit of resource used.
A. ii. Minimum level of resources required for the project
Resources Minimum level
Applicant manager 50%
Integration manager 30%
Manager 50%
Network Engineer 350%
Programmer 250%
Software installer 100%
Support Manager 50%
System analyst 100%
System Tester 100%
Technical Author 30%

As per the table, it has been identified that project manager need to allocate the minimum
level of resources for each phase that assist to reduce the chances of clashes. Like, there are some
resources which are over utilized and that is why, at earliest there is a need to provide low
number of resources to each of the project activity. With the help of this, project manager can
eliminate the over-allocation of resources in order to balancing the demand of project task.
Describing minimum number of NE to allocated without any delay
In the present project NE carry out maximum number of capacity i.e. 700% and thus the
minimum 350% of the NE for a project is required in order to complete the project. However,
minimum of the unit is utilized by the project manager at phase 1 only and that is why, project
manager should increase the maximum unit so that it will provide a better outcome and generate
a better outcome in order to improve the results (Stanitsas and et.al., 2021). Thus, it can be stated
that to meet the target aim of the project, there is a need to change the allocation so that the
performance level can be improved.
Importance of having effective management
With the help of effective knowledge of management, decision can be taken in effective
manner so that project can be meet within a defined aim. Through the knowledge of project
management, communication error can be minimized and manager can put efforts into project
performance (Chawla and et.al., 2018). This in turn help to meet the defined aim within a set
target dates. That is why, it can be stated that project manager should have knowledge that help
to critically analyse the scope and make changes accordingly to meet the defined aim.
PART B
Presenting the fixed cost

Particular Days Total cost
Install ethernet and fast ethernet &
Obtain console hardware
3 540 (3 * 180)
Install multi mode fibre
connection & Obtain console
hardware
6 1080 (6 * 180)
Install operating system 2 360 (2 * 180)
Test & Obtain and install
software
3 540 (3 * 180)
Obtain and install software 6 1080 (6 * 180)
Deploy at site 4 720 (4 * 180)
Create database platform 2 360 (2 * 180)
Install software on nodes 2 360 (2 * 180)
Set up virtual basic query system 6 1080 (6 * 180)
Install network node 3 540 (3 * 180)
Test and validate 2 360 (2 * 180)
Create disc layout 5 900 (5 * 180)
Install basic software, security
protection and third party software
2 360 (2 * 180)
Install security protection 3 540 (3 * 180)
Third party software install 12 2160 (12 * 180)
Update web pages and design user
training
5 900 (5 * 180)
Design user training 8 1440 (8 * 180)

Total cost of overhead 13320
Total Fixed cost:
Overhead cost + cost of component + Hire test site cost
13320 + 8500 + 350
= 22170
The fixed cost of the project is all about that it do not change when the sales or
production volumes increases or decreases. This is mainly due to associated with manufacturing
a product and deliver the same into the market. Further, the fixed cost is also consider as an
indirect cost. In the present research, fixed cost plays a significant role in the success of a project
such that install internet, fast internet and obtain console hardware contain fixed cost for a
consecutive days and these is fall in the category of functional area (Picciotto, 2020). Thus, the
above table clearly reflected all the activities enlist above are fall under the fixed cost and that is
why, it can be stated that these all are consider as a fixed cost that cannot be change and provide
valid outcome.

PART C
Standard calender

From the above, it has been identified that the number of days will be increases when the
non working days will included in the Gantt chart and this in turn shows that the project will be
extended. That is why, it is to be suggested to not include the working days in order to meet the
requirement. Such that the project supposed to complete on 22nd July, 2022 but when non-
working days included then it will completed on 29th July 2021.
PART D
Tracking and importance of track a project
Tracking is the term used by project manager in order to track the progress of task within
a project and in this, manager can compare the actual to planned progress by identify the issue
that assist to prevent the project to go out of track. With the help of tracking, team members
improve the productivity and complete the task within a defined date. The main objective of this
is to meet the defined aim (Teresoand et.al., 2019). Also, tracking assist project manager to stay
on a top of a working process and also offer insights into a jobs being completed within a
duration. Therefore, it can be stated that with the help of effective tracking, project manager can
determine the location and direction of a target so that effective outcome can be determined.
Apart from this, it can be stated that through tracking, project manager can meet the defined aim

and also involved within a project so that effective outcome can be determined. In the context of
chosen project, scholar is also used it in order to keep identify which task is out of the way so
that effective outcome can be generated.
With the help of tracking, it has been analysed that in order to complete task 9 to 13,
there is a need to make some changes with regard to cost as well as actual duration (Svejvig,
2021). Like, for the task 9, it was estimated that the it will be completed in 7 days. Thus, it
actually utilized 4 days in order to complete the project so that effective outcome can be
generated. Also, for task 10, 5 days was estimated in order to complete the project but actually it
require 6 days. In the task 12, 6 days was estimated in order to complete the project so that
effective outcome can be generated. However, only 5 days required in order to completed the
project that helps to meet the defined aim and improve the results as well. However, there has
been no other changes required for any task especially regarding task 11.
Furthermore, in order to install operating system on Hub, it was estimated that around
£500 will be utilized, however in the actual cost it might be increases up £700. This in turn
reflected that there is a direct impact over the project when the number of duration and cost will
be changes while performing he project and meet the requirement. This in turn shows that there
is a need to project has been completed in a particular cost and time frame only when project
manager adopted effective changes.

Presenting the assumption related to the task in order to complete the project within a limited
time
 Price: The price used for the project should be remain constant in order to complete the
project on the specific deadline. That is why, it can be stated that overall cost of the
project will remain constant that assist to meet the defined aim.
 Compensation of duration: Another assumption regarding the project which include
that manager should ensure that they should not delay the project task otherwise it will
not possible to complete the project into an effective manner (Ika and et.al., 2020). In the
context of current project, task 9 only 5 days will be used that assist to improve the
results and it will be helpful to complete the task in the specific time.
CONCLUSION
By summing up above report, it has been concluded that there are some of the resources
that are utilized from their maximum unit and that is why, it can be stated that there is a need to
resolve the same in order to prevent from clashes. Further, the report determine the fixed cost of
the project and then identified the overall cost incurred during the project. Also, report concluded
that when non-working days added within a project then it will change the completion of a
project. Moreover, through tracking the project manager can ensure that the task is on a proper
track or not.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Chawla, V. and et.al., 2018. The sustainable project management: A review and future
possibilities. Journal of Project Management. 3(3). pp.157-170.
Ika, L.A. and et.al., 2020. Cross-learning between project management and international
development: Analysis and research agenda. International Journal of Project
Management. 38(8). pp.548-558.
Picciotto, R., 2020. Towards a ‘New Project Management’movement? An international
development perspective. International Journal of Project Management. 38(8). pp.474-
485.
San Cristóbal, J.R. and et.al., 2018. Complexity and project management: A general
overview. Complexity, 2018.
Stanitsas, M. and et.al., 2021. Integrating sustainability indicators into project management: The
case of construction industry. Journal of Cleaner Production. 279. p.123774.
Svejvig, P., 2021. A Meta-theoretical framework for theory building in project
management. International Journal of Project Management. 39(8). pp.849-872.
Tereso, A and et.al., 2019. Project management practices in private organizations. Project
Management Journal. 50(1). pp.6-22.