Project Selection Methods and Initial Document: UberNewDriver App

This essay discusses the project selection methods and initial document for the redevelopment of the UberNewDriver mobile app. It explores the PMBOK knowledge areas, project management processes, and risk management tools and techniques. The most suitable project selection method for the Uber app is identified as the cost benefit ratio.

Running head: PROJECT SELECTION METHODS AND INITIAL DOCUMENT
Project Selection Methods and Initial Document: UberNewDriver App
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1PROJECT SELECTION METHODS AND INITIAL DOCUMENT
Introduction
In this era of growing technology, application of mobile app (M-commerce) has become
one of the smoothest ways for business success and commercial benefits. The project chosen for
presenting this essay is redevelopment of the UberNewDriver mobile app for the Uber drivers.
The increasing login frequency, growing numbers of users and numbers of keywords are
interrupting the operational and functional efficiency of the Uber Owners. According to PMBOK
project development life cycle different knowledge areas are there that to be improved by the
project manager with respective support from other assigned project team members.
The PMBK knowledge areas and their impact on project success are elaborated in this
essay. Apart from that, wide comparisons between the project management approaches are also
illustrated in this essay to choose the best suitable approach for developing the Uber app. Besides
project management process project selection methods are also needed to be evolved by the
project managers. The current Uber app is facing certain operational risks those are needed to be
resolved. In order to manage these risks some tools and techniques are available and these are
also illustrated in this essay.
PMBOK knowledge area and process details
Relevance impact of best practice in project management practices and PMI’s code
of ethics
The project manager requires designing the project scope statement based on the goals
and objectives. The project scope requires to be shared among the project team members and
their respective roles and responsibilities are also needed to be assigned considering their skills

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and knowledge. The PMI code of ethics considers honesty and professionalism as the best suited
behaviors for successful project implementation (Kerzner and Kerzner 2017). Professional
communication management, procurement management, risk management, scope management,
time, quality, cost and schedule are the knowledge management areas to be analyzed while
redeveloping the app for UberNewDrivers.
The project manager must make sure the project team members are completely honest
and professional to their job roles and responsibilities. It will reduce the chances of intra team
conflict and communication barriers as well. The project team members much use open
communication while interacting to each other. It will give a independent platform to the project
team members where they can share their ideas and expectation to the other team members.
Comparison and contrast of Project selection methods
It is the role of the project manager and project team members to select the best suited
project section method and a wider contrast between the selection methods are elaborated in the
below section:
Cost benefit ratio: The cost benefit ratio is referred to as one of the simplest way of
measuring commercial benefits. The potential values of a project can be measured and calculated
with this method. This ratio measures the investment cost against the return value expected for
the project completion.
Economic model: The economic value added that is also known as economic model is
also similar to the cost benefit ratio. This technique demonstrates the difference between the
generated revenue and the net capital amount invested (Joslin and Müller 2015). It clearly

3PROJECT SELECTION METHODS AND INITIAL DOCUMENT
represents the quantifiable benefit amount for any project. Similarly for the Uber driver’s app
also consideration of this calculation matrix is very beneficial.
Payback period: The payback period is referred to as the total time required getting the
invested value back in terms of Return on Investment (ROI). If is found that, time is running but
the company is failing to achieve the invested expense then possible actions can be taken by the
project managers to avoid such sort of risks.
Discounted cash flow: The discounted cash flow is referred to as the process used to
calculate the yearly earning from the project. The NPV can be calculated using initial
investment, cash flow, discount rate and time.
Scoring model: Scoring model is referred to as one of the most flexible ways used to
company between the different projects. This model is always supported by the stakeholders and
beneficial as well.
Constrained optimization method: The constrained optimization method is mostly used
for large and complex projects. This mathematical model uses some formulae to calculate the
project effectiveness (Todorović et al. 2015). The testing measurements used for this process
include linear programming, non linear programming, dynamic programming, multiple objective
programming and integer programming.
From the above mentioned project selection methods the most suitable method that
should be used while developing the Uber app is cost benefit ratio. It will help the project
manager to identify whether the invested value is enough to meet the expected outcomes or not.
Project management processes

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In order to accomplish the UberNewDriver app the project manager and the project team
members are required to follow certain project management processes. Sequential maintenance
of theses phases will direct the project team members towards the project objectives, goals and
aims (Binder 2016). These processes are interconnected to each other which mean that each and
every associate phase is equally important. If any one of these phase is avoided then the project
will fail to meet the expected outcome. The project management processes for this specific
project are as follows:
Project documentation: Project documentation is referred to as the initial phase used to
document the project considering communication, quality, procurement and contingency etc.
Project charter: The project charter prepared for the project is comprises of project
objectives, goals, aims, constraints, assumptions and project deliverables (Papke-Shields and
Boyer-Wright 2017). This charter will help the project team members to visualize the project
requirements.
Project work responsibilities: In order to accomplish the project the project manager
should assign individual’s roles and responsibilities based on their skills and complexity of the
activities. It will help them to realize what exact contribution is expected from each of the project
team members for successful accomplishment of the project.
Feasibility study: The project manager should conduct a feasibility analysis at the
project initial phase considering the business requirements, technical and legal requirements. The
measures value from the feasibility study will identify that whether the project will be beneficial
for the Uber developer or not.

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Project review: After completion of each project development phases that should be
reviewed based on the collected feedback given by both the internal and external developers.
Project management tools and techniques for managing risks
The risk management tools and techniques those are required to be implemented by the
project managers are as follows:
Risk audit: Risk audit is referred to as one of the most crucial tools used to manage
possible project risks (Kaiser, El Arbi and Ahlemann 2015). At the project initiation phase, each
possible risk is needed to be identified and audit accordingly. The potential risks should be
identified and audited by the project managers and project team members.
Variance and trends analysis: The variance between schedule and cost baseline will
identify the actual result. The chances of risks and uncertainty increase as the value of the
variance increases. Therefore, this tool also stands very essential for the project success.
Root cause analysis: Root-cause analysis is the other technique used to identify the
cause for which a risk may occur (Niazi et al. 2016) These analysis processes identify the reason
of risk occurrences. If at the initiation phase, the cause is identified then chances for risk
occurrences get minimize.
Risk register: Risk register tool is used to identify the possible risks that may generate
during the project development period. The possibilities and impact of these risks are also
identified in the risk register.
Among these above mentioned tools and techniques the most suitable one for the
UberNewDriver project is preparation of a risk register. The risk register will identify the scope

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based on the ranging scale. The scale ranges from 1 to 25 and based on the score the risks are
segmented as extreme, high, moderate and low.
Conclusion
From the entire discussion it can be concluded that, with development of this app 3
million of Uber drivers would be able to get new boss. It is determined that this app will give
high level experiences to the Uber Drivers. The project selection method, along with project
management processes, tools and technologies used for managing the possible risks are
identified in this essay. Among the different project selection method the most suitable method
for the Uber app is payback period. It is found that payback period will help to calculate the time
within which the total investment done for the development of the project will be regained. It
will give the project developers, commercial revenue and competitive advantages as well. The
risk management tool and technique used for this project is risk register. Apart from that, the
processes those are followed accordingly for the successful delivery of the project are also
followed.

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