Project Management Report: Evaluation of Imperial College Lab Project

This project evaluation report assesses the renovation of computer labs and laboratories at Imperial College London, focusing on improving the university's interior. The report details the project's objectives, which included providing better facilities for effective student learning and enhancing the university's brand image through technology-based labs. It outlines the achieved benefits, such as improved learning environments and an enhanced university image, while staying within the original scope and budget. The report further analyzes changes made during the project, utilizing the PRINCE2 methodology for effective project management and communication. It summarizes key lessons learned, including the importance of work breakdown structures, Gantt charts, stakeholder engagement, and effective time management. The report also highlights areas needing improvement and offers recommendations for future projects, along with a discussion of potential risks and their mitigation. Overall, the report provides a comprehensive evaluation of the project's success and areas for refinement.

Project Management – Report
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Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Project Evaluation Report................................................................................................................3
Objectives of the project..............................................................................................................3
Benefits which have been achieved from the project..................................................................4
Original scope..............................................................................................................................4
Changes that were made in run up to the completion of the project...........................................5
Summary of the lessons learnt during the project and recommendations for future projects.....5
Risks that could have identified earlier on in the project............................................................7
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
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INTRODUCTION
Project evaluation report is a significant tool for gathering, organising as well as assessing
particular activities and outcomes of the project. it is very important for understanding the
progress of project, effectiveness of process as well as the areas leading improvements that will
ultimately assist in better planning (Demirkesen, and Ozorhon, 2017). It is the shortened version
of complete report of project management and highlights the evaluation of the overall project
including accomplishment of objectives, findings, recommendations and conclusion. This report
evaluates the project based on renovating the computer labs and laboratories of Imperial College
of London and improving the interior of University.
This project evaluation report includes the information about lessons learnt in entire project.
It contains information regarding the objectives of project and whether they accomplished or not.
It also outlines the benefit which have been accomplished along with the original scope of the
project. Apart from this, it includes changes which were made in run up to completion of project
along with the effects of the changes on project (Fleming, and Koppelman, 2016). In addition to
this, the report summarises the lessons learnt during project and the areas required to be
improved along with recommendations for future projects. At last, it outlines any risk that could
have been identified earlier on in the project and a brief conclusion is provided based on overall
evaluation report.
Project Evaluation Report
Objectives of the project
The main objectives in relation to project of renovating laboratories and computer labs are as
follows:
 To provide better facilities and services to students for effective ways of learning.
 To focus on the brand image of university with the use of new technological based
laboratories and computer labs.
The above provided were the key objectives of this project and these objectives were
accomplished successfully. This project proved to be effective in renovating the laboratories and
computer labs of Imperial college of London and delivering better facilities to student so that
they can learn effectively (Floricel, Bonneau, Aubry, and Sergi, 2014). Apart from this, by the
assistance of this project new technological based laboratories and computer labs were developed
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which are highly effective in improving the image of University in London, United Kingdom.
The objectives framed by the project manager were clear and specific due to which they
accomplished in and effective and efficient way. In the monitoring and controlling phase of
project, various activities are included which helped in observing the procedure after
implementation of project. Timely identification of issues and risks helped in developing
mitigation strategy to eliminate the risk and its impact on the project. During the management of
project, monitoring and control phase assisted in ascertaining potential risks associated with
project of renovating laboratories and computer labs which enabled project manager in taking
corrective actions which highly contributed in attaining the objectives of project (Hornstein,
2015).
Benefits which have been achieved from the project
There are some benefits which have been achieved by the project manager from the project
of refurbishment of computer labs. One of the benefit is that it enables Imperial college of
London to render better facilities and services to students so that they can adopt innovative ways
of learning. Apart from this, refurbishment project also assists in improving the image of
University in the London, United Kingdom. By the assistance of this project, the computer lab of
University refurbished fully and new technology is introduced in the laboratories will assist in
improving the education and learning for students. In addition to this, refurbishment of teaching
rooms will assist in administering the staff members as well as students with excellent working
and learning environment (Kerzner, 2017). It will also enable the university to prepare students
for future and make them able to manage the activities and task in an effective way. Employing
technology will help in improving the learning methods and provide teachers with the
opportunities to use the technologies and emphasize on proper utilisation of available resources.
All these are the expected benefits which have been accomplished from the project of
refurbishment of teaching classes and computer labs.
Original scope
The project of refurbishment stays within its original scope. For completing this project,
the provided budget was 50000 pounds within which the project was completed effectively and
successfully. Apart from this, the time scale needed for working on the project was the duration
of 6 months. All the activities associated with the project were completed within the specified
time duration. A definite initiation and completion date of the project was decided according to
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which the project was completed (Lappe, and Spang, 2014). The activities that were involved in
work breakdown structure of the project includes planning, programming, costing, architect and
engineering design etc. All these activities were completed on time and the project stay within its
original scope. Apart from this, the scope of the project is wider in future as it provides the
university with an advantage to attract more number of student towards the college by
refurbishing its teaching classes and computer laboratories. In addition to this, it provides
students with the opportunity to learn in an effective way by using innovative technologies. The
project scope is huge as it will be beneficial for Imperial college of London in many ways
including large number of students, improving profitability, more admissions etc. (Oberlender,
2014).
Changes that were made in run up to the completion of the project
From the initiation to the completion of the project, changes were made in the original
plan. In order to perform the refurbishment project in an effective way, the project manager was
used PRINCE 2 methodology for managing and controlling the activities of project. The
methodology emphasized on justification of the project, defining structure project management
team and using a product based approach. Utilising this approach within the project helped
project manager in segmenting the project into manageable phases with flexibility and render
great control on project resources as well as excels at managing the risks of project in an efficient
way (Portny, 2017). The stages involved in the PRINCE 2 methodology assisted in managing the
project of refurbishing computer labs in teaching classes in Imperial college of London in an
effective way. Apart from this, in order to communicate the success of the project, the university
conduct a launch event which was successful in effectively promoting the benefits of newly
developed computer labs and teaching classes to the students in an appropriate way along with
making the learning style of Imperial college of London more competitive.
Summary of the lessons learnt during the project and recommendations for future projects
While performing this refurbishment project, I learnt many things that will assist in
improving my knowledge base and performing future projects in more appropriate way. By the
help of this project, my knowledge base is increased and it makes me able to understand many
areas related to the project. I learnt regarding how to perform a particular project more effective
way and complete its successfully. In my project, many information is included including budget
information, timescale of the project, objectives related to project, key staff members involved in
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it, stakeholder analysis, Gantt chart, work breakdown structure along with the risk register that
consists of some risks associated with the project. All this information assisted me in completing
the project successfully. The risk register contains some mitigated strategies also which helped in
effectively mitigating the risks related to the project (Seymour, and Hussein, 2014).
By performing it, I learned that it is very much needed for project manager to develop
work breakdown structure so each task can be effectively divided and performed appropriately.
Development of Gantt chart in the project supported in determining the initiation and completion
time of the project and the time duration required for performing each activity. At the time of
performing project, all the regulatory requirements must be fulfilled by the project manager in
order to run the project effectively. The risk register used in the study was a risk management
tool that involves description of risk, its impact, likelihood and mitigation strategy along with the
contingent action and progress on action. I learnt from the project that stakeholders play a very
important role in the success of any project (Svejvig, and Andersen, 2015). The project
associated with refurbishment of teaching classes and computer labs involve some stakeholders
including students, government, community and employees. All the stakeholders highly
contributed in success of the project.
In addition to this, my skills and competencies are also increased by this project. This project
assisted in improving my time management skills YouTube which I was able to perform all the
activities of the project on time. I learnt that time management is a very significant skill while
performing any work or project. The project manager must possess good time management skills
so that time for each activity can be managed effectively and the project can be completed on
time. Apart from this, I also learnt to motivate and influence other people in an effective way
which helped me in ensuring effective team working. By motivating the team members, they
were able to perform their roles and responsibilities in more effective way and leads to the
successful completion of project (Walker, and Lloyd-Walker, 2016).
Other than this, I learnt about importance of effective leadership skills in the project
management. Good leadership skills help in effectively managing the project and ensuring the
progress of project. I possess good leadership skills which helped me in motivating my team
members and provided them with appropriate direction which makes them able to accomplish
the objectives of project. Apart from this, also possess good communication skills which helped
me in communicating all the information related to the project of refurbishment of computer labs
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to the staff members in an effective way. While performing project, i realised that having an
effective communication skill is very much necessary to achieve growth and success in life. It
assisted in interacting with others properly and make other people understand clearly what I want
to said. In order to manage the work in proper manner, I assigned roles to the team members as
per their capabilities and skills. This strategy helped in ensuring that all the members of staff
perform their duties in proper way and more productive way so that the project provide effective
deliverables (Young, 2016).
The entire experience of performing the project was very good for me as it enabled me to
learn various things and improve my knowledge base and competencies. Everything was went
well while performing the study. However, one thing which didn't went well includes
management and organisation of tasks. My organisational and management skills are not good
due to which at a point of time, I was not able to organise things properly. Due to this, I faced
difficulties sometimes. But, now my management skills get improved and I am able to to
organise and manage things properly. On the other hand, timely performance of activities is one
of the things which went during the time of performing project (Zulch, 2014). With proper
planning as well scheduling of tasks, the activities associated with project were performed timely
and resulted to this, the refurbishment project provides effective and best deliverables.
In addition to this, my strategy of allocating roles two team members based on their skills
and competencies also worked well. Assigning responsibilities to the members of team according
to their interest encouraged them to perform their responsibilities effectively. This also supported
me in keep the employees motivated and make sure attainment of predetermined objectives and
goals of the project. At next time, the things that would do differently involves work breakdown.
In order to complete the project, work could be divided more appropriately. In addition to this,
rather than assigning team members with the task and responsibilities directly, I could administer
them with the general knowledge about task so that they can we prepare themselves for
performing the assigned task appropriately. Development of proper work schedules is also the
another thing which would be done differently next time for performing the project more
effectively. The above provided are all the areas which needs to be improved (Lappe, and Spang,
2014).
Through performing this project, I identified that there were some areas which requires
improvement. So, in order to improving the areas, it is recommended that prioritising and
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scheduling activities is very important for ensuring successful completion of project. So, in order
to ensure the success of my future projects, I should learn prioritising and scheduling activities.
Apart from this, I should improve my management skills so that I will be able to manage the
project more effectively in future. In addition to this, proper planning and breakdown of
activities must be done effectively so that the project can be completed successfully (Seymour,
and Hussein, 2014).
Risks that could have identified earlier on in the project
In the project of renovating teaching classes and computer laboratories, there were some
risks which I felt that I could have identified earlier in the project is the risk associated with cost
of the project and technological risk. I feel that timely completion of each activity prevented me
from identifying these risks as I ignored this aspect of project while performing it. The risks
which were identified in this particular project includes financial risk, consultant, no control over
priorities of staff etc. In order to mitigate these risks, appropriate actions were taken which
support in completing the project successfully (Svejvig, and Andersen, 2015).
CONCLUSION
According to the above mentioned report, it has been inferred that successful administration
of project is important to guarantee its success. It is fundamental for project administrator to keep
track all the tasks and activities associated with project so that these can be conducted
successfully. Observing and controlling stage help in deciding the deviations in the task by
contrasting the actual performance and the standard one. In case, if any deviations found by the
project administrator, at that point restorative moves are made to achieve the targets of projects.
By embraced the project, the administrator gets different learnings which will aid in future to
conduct the following project in much better way.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Demirkesen, S. and Ozorhon, B., 2017. Impact of integration management on construction
project management performance. International Journal of Project Management, 35(8),
pp.1639-1654.
Fleming, Q.W. and Koppelman, J.M., 2016, December. Earned value project management.
Project Management Institute.
Floricel, S., Bonneau, C., Aubry, M. and Sergi, V., 2014. Extending project management
research: Insights from social theories. International Journal of Project
Management, 32(7), pp.1091-1107.
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.
Kerzner, H., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Lappe, M. and Spang, K., 2014. Investments in project management are profitable: A case study-
based analysis of the relationship between the costs and benefits of project
management. International Journal of Project Management, 32(4), pp.603-612.
Oberlender, G.D., 2014. Project management for engineering and construction. McGraw-Hill
Education.
Portny, S.E., 2017. Project management for dummies. John Wiley & Sons.
Seymour, T. and Hussein, S., 2014. The history of project management. International Journal of
Management & Information Systems (IJMIS), 18(4), pp.233-240.
Svejvig, P. and Andersen, P., 2015. Rethinking project management: A structured literature
review with a critical look at the brave new world. International Journal of Project
Management, 33(2), pp.278-290.
Walker, D. and Lloyd-Walker, B., 2016. Rethinking project management. International Journal
of Managing Projects in Business.
Young, T.L., 2016. Successful project management. Kogan Page Publishers.
Zulch, B., 2014. Leadership communication in project management. Procedia-Social and
Behavioral Sciences, 119, pp.172-181.
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