Project Management Report: Auto Carriers Ltd ERP Project Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of a project management scenario centered around Auto Carriers Ltd, an automotive manufacturer, and its implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The report delves into various facets of project management, including the specification of the project with a supporting business case, the different phases of the project life cycle (conceptualization, planning, execution, and termination), and the significance of each stage. It emphasizes the importance of a project charter, providing an example and explaining its role in guiding the project's direction. The report also explores risk management, demonstrating how risk levels vary across different stages of the project. Furthermore, it discusses the scope of the project, the creation of a scope statement, and the project plan. The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), client and team feedback evaluation, and the application of project management concepts like the Critical Path and Gantt charts are examined. The report concludes with a discussion on project closure, the final project report, and potential improvements for future projects.

Project Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART (A) .......................................................................................................................................1
(i) Specify project with case study and business case to support project...............................1
(ii) Different phases of project life cycle and importance of each stage................................3
(iii) Importance of project charter and preparation of project charter....................................4
(iv) Risk levels varies with stages of project life cycle..........................................................7
PART (B) .......................................................................................................................................8
(I) Scope of project, scope statement and steps in scope statement process..........................8
(ii) Project plan for project and document a phase review of project plan ............................9
(iii) Work breakdown structure and it's purpose..................................................................10
(iv) Evaluate feedback from client and team for identified project......................................11
(v) Project management concepts to determine:..................................................................11
(vi) Critical Path and benefits of using Gantt Chart.............................................................12
(vii) Project closure and purpose of final project report.......................................................15
(viii) Potential improvement for future project....................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
Project management is a process in which there are different stages which includes
initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing work to accomplish the objectives and
meet specific criteria at specified time (Badiru and Osisanya, 2016). It is designed to produce
unique product or service from beginning to end. Information is described in project
documentation which is created in starting of development process. Assignment describes about
the Auto Carriers Ltd. auto mobile and car making organisation that delivers cars to consumer as
well. It was established in U.K. In 1901. Report explains about requirements for management
control and application of project control process. It also describes about relationship between
cost and quality accomplishing project objectives. This discusses about critical thinking, analysis
of managing projects by using software tools, ability to apply and evaluate the techniques
associated with management of tasks. It also explains about capability to evaluating projects
from financial, human resource and other related perspective.
PART (A)
(i) Specify project with case study and business case to support project
Scenario: Auto Carriers Ltd manufactures and is also one of the oldest independent
automotive manufactures. As company is dealing with the issue of information mismanagement
and lack of resource as well as data management, management has determined to implement
ERP system in company to strengthen their data management framework and administrative
practices. It helps the firm in leadership, administration and control problems associated with
managing the life cycle and will track various business resources such as raw material,
manufacturing capacity etc.
Business case is created by Auto Carriers Ltd that support project is described as below: Executive summary: Auto Carriers Ltd wants to improve their leadership and
administration process (Bucero and Englund, 2015). Firm also have to control problems
associated with managing the life cycle. It can be possible if company implements ERP
system.
 Finance: Auto Carrier Ltd. can raise the finance from big financial institutions and banks
so that firm can sell good quality of auto mobiles in proper manner. Hence, Auto Carries
Ltd can collects funds and can operate their activities (Conforto and Amaral, 2016). It
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helps the company to create financial statements and can also create cash flow statements
in effective manner.
Source: Cash Flow Statement, 2018
As per the above data, this can be concluded that the company has estimate payment of
£23,650 and the organisation has determined the cost of products nearby £100000 to manage
and carry out the project more appropriately.
 Project: Project comprises of different stages from beginning to end. It helps in
improving the leadership and administration process of Auto Carriers Ltd. Different
objectives are set by company:
◦ Improve leadership and administration process
◦ Control problems related with managing the life cycle
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Illustration 1: cash flow statement

Through ERP system, company can achieve the objectives.
 Project organization: It comprises of project governance in which company evaluate all
role and responsibilities of project. It also monitors the progress and corrective actions
are taken by firm to achieve their objectives.
(ii) Different phases of project life cycle and importance of each stage
Project life cycle consists of four stages through which activities and tasks can be
completed in time (The 4 Phases of the Project Management Life Cycle, 2018). This helps the
manager in managing the resource and it is possible through ERP system. Thus, different stages
in project life cycle used by Auto Carriers Ltd are described below :
(Source: Project life cycle, 2018)
Phase 1: The Conceptualization phase: It is the initiation phase in which manager
creates a strategy which is required for project or service (Fuller and et. al., 2017). This deals
with many issues which are discussed below:Auto Carriers Ltd aims to improve the
administration and leadership process. Thus manager has decided to use ERP system to solve
issues.
 Firm has enough resources to carry the activities related to project that has planned to
attain through ERP framework initiation.
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Illustration : Project life cycleIllustration 2: Project life cycleIllustration : Project life cycleIllustration : Project life cycleIllustration : Project life cycleIllustration : Project life cycleIllustration : Project life cycleIllustration : Project life cycleIllustration : Project life cycleIllustration : Project life cycleIllustration : Project life cycleIllustration : Project life cycleIllustration : Project life cycleIllustration : Project life cycleIllustration : Project life cycleIllustration : Project life cycle

This stage is important so that company can starts the project and can collect resources to
operate all activities and tasks.
Phase 2: Planning stage: In this, company determine and collects necessary resources to
accomplish the projects. Hence, Auto Carriers Ltd can use different software's such as Net suite
ERP, Sage 100 ERP,Work Wise ERP etc. so that enterprise can use ERP system. This stage also
involves creation of the project budget (Harris, 2017). This stage is important so that tasks can
completed in time. This stage is crucial so that work can be divided among all staff members and
activities can be finished within time (Harrison and Lock, 2017).
Phase 3: Execution phase: This is the stage in which actual work is performed. All
required materials, tools and resources are transformed to achieve the objectives. Performance is
evaluated so that Auto Carriers Ltd can improve the methods and processes. Thus, firm has to
create plans and policies so that company can improve the system related to leadership and
administration through ERP system. This stage is crucial so that firm can improve methods and
system. This results in improving the performance of company.
Phase 4: Termination phase: It means existing project is closed and new project is
started. Resources are given back to parent company and project is given to the intended user. It
involves the staff members are given different roles and responsibilities so that they can finish
every activity on time. This stage is important so that project can be given to existing users and
new project is started. It is possible only when existing project is completed.
(iii) Importance of project charter and preparation of project charter
Project charter is a document that starts a project or phase. It provides reference source
for future. It provides direction and sense of purpose to management from start to end (Eskerod,
Huemann and Savage, 2015). This document is important so that company can solve all issues
and problems and accomplish set business objectives. Importance of project charter in Auto
Carriers Ltd are described below:
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GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION
Project charter is described below:
Project Name: XYZ
Project Sponsor: Mr. Hales Thompson
Project Manager: Mr. Jakhey Stephen
Email Address: [e-mail]
Phone Number: 1252355655
Process Impacted: Manufacturing and production
Expected Start Date: 1st September
Expected Completion Date: 30th October
Expected Savings: £40000
Estimated Costs: £100000
PROBLEM, ISSUE, GOALS, OBJECTIVES, DELIVERABLES
Problem or Issue: It gives solutions related to process and methods. Company tries to collect
accurate data and information.
Purpose of Project: Improve leadership and administration process, Control problems related
with managing the life cycle and Expand the business
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Business Case: It includes project summary, finance, project and project organization.
Goals / Metrics: Its min goal is to use ERP system and to improve the leadership skills
Expected Deliverables: It is a distinct product to perform service that is produced to complete
project.
PROJECT SCOPE & SCHEDULE
It describes about quality, cost, time and communication etc.
PROJECT RESOURCES
Project Team: It comprises of 20 members
Support Resources: Firm can collect accurate data and information from staff members.
PROJECTS BENEFITS & CUSTOMERS
Process Owner: Mr. Sharmina Trackey
Key Stakeholders: Employees, owners, managers , Govt. customers etc.
Final Customers: People who using the cars
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Expected Benefits: Company want to enhance the customer satisfaction and want to earn huge
revenues.
PROJECT RISKS, CONSTRAINTS,
Risks: It faces risk at each stage of project life cycle. It also faces risk related to quality of
products.
Constraints: Company faces problems related to collection of data. Organization collects
relevant and accurate data from all customer's.
Problem statement: This section give the solution related to problems and states the
historic or current conditions of process. This helps in collecting accurate data and information
related to project.
Business need addressed: In this stage, there are various methods which supports the
organization's goals and it describe the methods to solve problems of all customer's. Thus it has
positive impact on employees, shareholder's and user's.
Deliverables: It includes the measurable benefits from deploying project. For example
decreasing overhead by 10% or increasing sales by 15%. It helps the company to determine that
project is successful or not (Hopkinson, 2017).
(iv) Risk levels varies with stages of project life cycle
Project risk involves use of limited resources and cost constraints. Different risks are
associated with the project life cycle in Auto Carriers limited which is described below: Cost and staffing problems: Company face many problems related to cost as firm has to
select trained and competent staff members. Workers are increasing in beginning and
decreasing at finishing of project (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017). Company faces huge
risk in the initial stage of project life-cycle as if firm do not select qualified staff
members. Ability to manage resources: Resources which are collected at planning stage must be
utilized in effective and proper manner so that there care no wastage of resources. This
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helps the company to earn huge revenues and to increase the market share. Company
faces less risk risk as compared to staffing problem's.
 Risk: In some cases, chances of risk and uncertainty are higher from the beginning stage.
This creates lot of issues and problems for the company. The third stage of project life-
cycle is called as risk management stages in which the most hazards of project emerge
and are managed by the organisation to meet determined outcome.
PART (B)
(I) Scope of project, scope statement and steps in scope statement process
Project is an activity which is completed by company in specified period of time. Auto
Carriers Ltd is an automotive manufacturing company which is chosen for this project. Company
is dealing with various issues like information mismanagement, lack of resources etc. This
project is selected for determining and strengthening data management framework and
administrative practices with the use of ERP system. Thus, scope of project is described below:
Cost: It is the important factor in company as firm has to take decision to minimize the
cost. Expenses are involved in all process and methods. Auto Carrier Ltd. has to create effective
strategies and polices so that company can reduce the expenses and can earn huge revenues.
Time: It is important that company can complete all activities and operations in proper
time. Auto Carrier Ltd have to finish tasks in time so that they can accomplish all objectives.
Enterprise can achieve their objectives and can earn huge revenues. Time is a crucial component
in the firm.
Quality: Auto Carrier Ltd has to improve the methods and procedure so that firm can
create good quality of cars. It is also needed to improve the administration and leadership
procedures. Thus, company can improve their systems and procedure. Firm can also create
effective strategies related to control problems in life cycle (Lientz and Rea, 2016).
Communication: Proper and effective communication is there between all levels and
between all workers (Martinelli and Milosevic, 2016). It is important so that employees can
communicate with each other and with manager. If proper communication takes place then Auto
Carrier Ltd can properly perform all activities and operations in effective manner.
Deliverable: It is a distinct or unique product to perform service that can be produced to
complete project, process or phase. The project is employing ERP framework within Auto
Carrier Ltd in regard of accomplishing the better management system. Enterprise resource
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planning is required by company so that they can manage their data in proper manner. In regard
of this, business plan, business case, Gantt Chart and Work breakdown structure is being
executed to assist in administering numerous practices.
Scope statement: It can take any form depending on the project and nature of Auto
Carrier Ltd It contain details of project deliverables and it explains all major objectives. It can
be written before statement of work and it includes the list of customer's using the product.
Scope statement used by Auto Carriers Ltd are described below:
Information gathering: It was important to gather data and information so that firm can
company can move to next level. This helps the Auto Carriers Ltd. to collect data relating to
customers and products.
Soliciting input: Project team may update the preliminary statement and present it to
project sponsor or client. Goal is that team can understand the requirement of all user's. Auto
Carriers Ltd can understand requirement of all customer's and can create cars according to needs
of people.
Formal scope statement: Statement can be proper listed and updated. Statement must
titled and specific. It takes more time to create formal scope statement. Auto Carrier Ltd can
create this statement sop that they create record of various users.
Client acceptance: Statement must be disturbed to all people who are involved.
Agreement help the temptation to increase the scope which can complete time, costs and
outcome. Auto Carrier Ltd distributes statement to all people so that company can make changes
as per people needs.
Statement updates: Statement will need updates according to project progress. New data
and information requires new version of statement. Auto Carrier Ltd collects new information
that they can modify the plans and policies according to customer's wants.
(ii) Project plan for project and document a phase review of project plan
Phrase review states that project is under control and within budget, risk have been
controlled, issues have been solved and project is on track. Action plan is detailed plan which
describes activities and actions that are needed to reach the objectives. It consists of different
steps that are taken by firm to accomplish goals. Project management plans consists of scope of
project which means the activities which are completed in project (Nicholas and Steyn, 2017).
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(iii) Work breakdown structure and it's purpose
Work Breakdown structure is project management and system engineering which is
deliverable oriented breakdown of project into small components. Project breakdown structure
can be product, data, service or any other combination. It has a unique and distinct purpose
which is described below:
(Source: Work breakdown structure, 2018)
There are basically three purposes of using work break down structure:
Accurate data: Work Breakdown structure helps in providing accurate data and organize
the scope of total project. Hierarchical structure is created and thus Auto Carrirs Ltd. can create
plans and policies to collect accurate data (Padalkar and Gopinath, 2016). It helps in breaking
project deliverables or objectives down to more specific chunks.
Assigning responsibilities: Second reason is to provide responsibilities to many people
and resource allocation in company. It helps in monitoring the project and WBS makes
deliverables more accurate so that project also team knows what has to be accomplished in each
deliverable. Auo Carriers Ltd can give different duties and responsibilities to staff members so
that they can sell many cars.
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Illustration 3: Work breakdown structure

Evaluate activities: In this stage, company can evaluate the double check the deliverables
specifics with stake holder's and there is no overlapping. Auto Carriers Ltd can monitor activities
and tasks so that there is no duplication of work.
(iv) Evaluate feedback from client and team for identified project
Customer feedback is important for company as then only company can change the
process and methods. There are different methods through which Auto Carriers Ltd can receive
the feedback. It is explained below:
Feedback surveys: Company can receive the feedback from all customer's. Thus firm can
improve then process and techniques (Schwindt and Zimmermann, 2015). This help the company
to earn huge revenues and can enhance the market share.
Email and customer contact forms: Emails are sent to all customers so that user's can
send their feedback related to company's products and services. Auto Carries Ltd send positive
mails and they like the cars which are produced by Auto Carries Ltd.
Customer interviews: It is crucial that company can take interview and thus firm can
receive suggestions and advice from all customer's. Auto carrier Ltd can take interview from
various people and they give positive views related to project.
(v) Project management concepts to determine:
a. Project definition: Project management consists of all activities and tasks which
company has to accomplish in minimum time. It requires time and cost and thus firm has to
create effective strategies to accomplish the objectives.
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b. Project scope: It is a part of project planning which involves determining and documenting a
list of specific project objectives, costs, tasks and deadlines etc. It is crucial that company write
the project first as they can impact the schedule or cost of project.
d. Company can use Critical Path Method through which it can determine that activities can
be completed in time. If activities are not completed in time then project is not successful.
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(vi) Critical Path and benefits of using Gantt Chart
Critical Path method is step by step method of project management for process planning
which describes about critical and non- critical tasks with objective of preventing time frame
issues and process bottlenecks.
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Benefits of Gantt Chart: There are different benefits of Gantt chart which is described below: Clarity: All stakeholders throughout organization can perform all activities and tasks in
an effective manner through creation of Gantt chart. Communication: It helps the workers to properly communicate their views and opinions.
Thus firm can operate all activities and tasks in an effective and efficient manner. Motivation: Company motivates all employees so that workers can complete all activities
in proper time. This helps in increasing zeal and enthusiasm level of staff members.
 Time management: Company can manage the time in an effective and efficient manner
through Gantt chart. Thus all activities and operations are completed in time.
(vii) Project closure and purpose of final project report
Project closure means the activities and tasks included in closing the project. When
project is implemented, then company can evaluate the progress and can close the activities
related to project. It includes the pre formatted sections and tables which is included in closing
the project (Sears and et. al., 2015).
Based on execution phase, manager has to evaluate that all activities are completed in
time or not.
Purpose of project final report: Main objective of Project final report is to close the
project and evaluate that all activities are completed in time. Auto Carries Ltd evaluates all
activities and ensure that they are completed in time. After evaluation firm closes the project.
Elements of final project report and the information:
There are different steps which is required in project closure report which is described below:
 Company can conform the activities and work as per requirements. Thus company can
monitor and evaluate all activities.
 Organization can give the remaining payment to all customer's or suppliers. Hence
project can be completed in time.
 Formal acceptance can be given to customer so that they can understand that project can
be completed. This helps company to perform activities in effective manner.
(viii) Potential improvement for future project
Auto Carrier Ltd can improve the system of ERP in which company can improve
different process and methods through adopting modified technologies. Organization can also
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improve the methods of storing the data. It can store confidential information in computer
database. This helps the enterprise to operate their activities and functions in proper manner.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that project management is important in every
project. Project charter is created so that it can provide correct direction to the company.
Different level of risk arises at each level of project life cycle. Work breakdown structure helps
the company in assigning role and responsibilities to staff members. Feedback is necessary so
that company can make changes in process and methods. Concepts like project definition, scope
were described and critical path is created so that firm can determine the time in which activities
were completed. Different benefits of Gantt chart were explained such as clarity,
communication, motivation etc. Project closure and final report was created for finishing
activities on time.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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world system approach. CRC Press.
Bucero, A. and Englund, R. L., 2015, October. Project sponsorship: Achieving management
commitment for project success. Project Management Institute.
Conforto, E. C. and Amaral, D. C., 2016. Agile project management and stage-gate model—A
hybrid framework for technology-based companies.Journal of Engineering and
Technology Management.40. pp.1-14.
Eskerod, P., Huemann, M. and Savage, G., 2015. Project stakeholder management—Past and
present. Project Management Journal.46(6). pp.6-14.
Fuller, M. A. and et. al., 2017.Information Systems Project Management: A Process and Team
Approach, Edition 1.1. Prospect Press.
Harris, E., 2017.Strategic project risk appraisal and management. Routledge.
Harrison, F. and Lock, D., 2017.Advanced project management: a structured approach.
Routledge.
Hopkinson, M., 2017.The project risk maturity model: Measuring and improving risk
management capability. Routledge.
Kerzner, H. and Kerzner, H. R., 2017.Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Lientz, B. and Rea, K., 2016.Breakthrough technology project management. Routledge.
Martinelli, R. J. and Milosevic, D. Z., 2016.Project management toolbox: tools and techniques
for the practicing project manager. John Wiley & Sons.
Nicholas, J. M. and Steyn, H., 2017.Project management for engineering, business and
technology. Routledge.
Padalkar, M. and Gopinath, S., 2016. Are complexity and uncertainty distinct concepts in project
management? A taxonomical examination from literature. International Journal of
Project Management.34(4). pp.688-700.
Schwindt, C. and Zimmermann, J., 2015. Handbook on Project Management and Scheduling
Vol. 1. Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Sears, S. K. and et. al., 2015. Construction project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Online
The 4 Phases of the Project Management Life Cycle. 2018. [Online]. Available. Through:
<https://www.lucidchart.com/blog/the-4-phases-of-the-project-management-life-cycle>
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