Project Charter for New Computer Science Lab Construction

This project charter outlines the strategic project management plan for constructing a new computer science lab at ABC University. The project encompasses the design, planning, and construction of a fully functional lab, including 50 laptops, necessary software, and infrastructure. It details the project's scope, objectives, stakeholder roles and responsibilities, work breakdown structure, schedule, resource allocation, Gantt chart, budget, quality assurance plan, and risk management plan. The project aims to enhance the learning environment for computer science and IT students by providing a dedicated lab space, addressing the current limitations of shared lab facilities. The charter covers all phases from initial survey and planning to project closing and sign-off, including tender processes, resource procurement, construction, system implementation, and final project handover to the university authority. The budget includes costs for materials, labor, and contingencies, with a detailed breakdown of expenses and resource rates. The project is designed to improve the quality of education and provide students with the necessary resources for practical sessions.

Running Head: STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Project Charter for New Computer Science Lab Construction
Name of the Student
Name of the University

1STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Executive Summary
ABC University wants increase facilities in the university building for the better learning
environment of the students. As a part of the plan, a new computer science lab will be developed
for the computer science and information technology students’ ease of learning during the
module. Furthermore, a suitable plan for the project will enable the management team to create a
project roadmap using which the project can be executed.

2STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................3
2.0 Project Charter...........................................................................................................................3
2.1 Background of the Project.....................................................................................................3
2.2 Scope of the Project...............................................................................................................4
2.3 Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities.................................................................................5
2.4 Work Breakdown Structure...................................................................................................6
2.5 Schedule.................................................................................................................................7
2.6 Project Resources.................................................................................................................15
2.7 Gantt Chart and Critical Path Analysis................................................................................16
2.8 Project Budget and Costs.....................................................................................................18
2.9 Quality Assurance Plan........................................................................................................19
2.10 Risk Management Plan......................................................................................................20
3.0 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................22
Bibliography..................................................................................................................................23

3STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
1.0 Introduction
This project has been authorized in order to design and build a new computer science lab
in ABC University. The university provides courses for various streams of engineering and with
the increase in the number of students in the university, construction of a new computer science
lab has become the primary need to increase the quality of education for the computer science
and information technology engineering students. There are only two computer science labs in
the university building that are currently being used by 8 different departments of engineering.
As a result, overlaps of practical sessions of different departments occur frequently. Furthermore,
the computer science and IT students get much lesser time in the labs than they should have due
to this overlapping of practical sessions. Hence, the university authority has decided to build a
new computer science lab for the computer science and IT departments so that the other two labs
can be used by the other departments without having to worry about overlap of sessions.
This project has specifically been designed to plan, design and construct the new
computer science lab. According to the requirements of the project, a contractor will be hired
from a tender who will be responsible for executing the entire project according to the plan. In
this project charter, a detailed project has been developed that includes project scope, stakeholder
details, risks, schedule and work breakdown structure.
2.0 Project Charter
2.1 Background of the Project
The main background of the project is the development of a new computer science lab for
the university. This lab will be a fully functioning one, containing 50 laptops arranged in a

4STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
specific pattern. Furthermore, the room should have sufficient space for interaction between
teachers and students, projector screen, air conditioning system as well as electrical connections
for running the laptops. In addition to the external requirements, there will be internal
requirements like computer hardware and software. The used hardwares should be such that they
will be able to run various IT-based computer applications and the software installed should
provide a suitable learning and development platform for the students. For the purpose of the
construction contract, a tender will be called from which, the lowest bidder will be chosen.
Furthermore, after the room is complete, a technical team will be deployed who will install the
laptops and develop the necessary softwares required for the practical sessions.
2.2 Scope of the Project
The scope of the project is determined as follows.
 Design and planning of the new lab room is within the scope of the project.
 Construction of the lab room is within the scope of the project.
 Purchase and implementation of 50 laptops in the room is within the scope of the
project.
 Implementation of suitable software for the learning course is within the scope of
the project.
The objectives of the project are developed accordingly as follows.
 To create a new room where the new computer lab will be set up
 To install facilities like projector, tables, chairs, laptops, electrical connections
and others in the room

5STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
 To install suitable platform and development software for the computer science
and IT courses in the laptops
2.3 Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities
The stakeholder roles and responsibilities for this project are shown in the following
table.
Stakeholder Post Name of the Stakeholder Role of the Stakeholder
Project Manager Thomas Wells To plan, approve, supervise,
manage, monitor, change and
control the project
Project Supervisor Christian Sterling To supervise and control the
project, to report to project
manager regularly
Budget Manager Harrison Rudd To manage the entire project, to
allocate budget to the project
teams
Construction Contractor Jason Reeves, Jason Civil and
Electrical Works Ltd.
To design and construct the lab
room as per requirements, to
furnish the room with electrical
connections, air conditioner
device and others
Technical Contractor Wayne Harvey, Waresoft IT
Solutions
To install the laptops, projector
and implement suitable softwares
for the engineering course
sessions

6STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Procurement Manager Matt Grigg To procure resources as per the
requirements of the project
Human Resource Manager Alan Wilkinson To recruit human resources
2.4 Work Breakdown Structure
The work breakdown structure is shown in the following diagram.
Figure 1: WBS of the Project
(Source: Created by Author)

7STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
2.5 Schedule
The estimated schedule for the project along with the allocated resources is shown in the
following table.
Task Name Duration Start Finish Resource Names
Design and Development of
Computer Lab
249 days
Mon 16-04-
18
Thu 28-03-
19
Initial Survey and
Findings
34 days
Mon 16-04-
18
Thu 31-05-
18
Analysis of Current
Situation
10 days
Mon 16-04-
18
Fri 27-04-18
Project Manager, Project
Supervisor
Analyze the Daily Lab
Usage Requirements
2 days
Mon 30-04-
18
Tue 01-05-
18
Project Supervisor
Analyze Course Modules 2 days
Wed 02-05-
18
Thu 03-05-
18
Project Supervisor
University Board
Meeting
1 day
Fri 04-05-
18
Fri 04-05-18
Budget Manager, Human
Resources Manager,
Project Manager, Project
Supervisor
Discussion Regarding
the Problem
1 day Mon 07-05-
18
Mon 07-05-
18
Budget Manager, Human
Resources Manager,

8STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Project Manager, Project
Supervisor
Selection of a Suitable
Solution
1 day
Tue 08-05-
18
Tue 08-05-
18
Budget Manager, Human
Resources Manager,
Project Manager, Project
Supervisor
Decision on Building a
New Computer Lab
1 day
Wed 09-05-
18
Wed 09-05-
18
Budget Manager, Human
Resources Manager,
Project Manager, Project
Supervisor
Checking Availability of
Land Space
2 days
Thu 10-05-
18
Fri 11-05-18 Project Supervisor
Analyzing Project
Feasibility
4 days
Mon 14-05-
18
Thu 17-05-
18
Project Manager, Project
Supervisor
Rough Outline of Project 10 days
Fri 18-05-
18
Thu 31-05-
18
Project Supervisor
Project Approval 0 days
Thu 31-05-
18
Thu 31-05-
18
Project Planning 35 days Fri 01-06- Thu 19-07-

9STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
18 18
Preparation of Project
Charter
10 days
Fri 01-06-
18
Thu 14-06-
18
Project Supervisor
Budget Estimation 5 days
Fri 15-06-
18
Thu 21-06-
18
Budget Manager
Project Time Schedule
Estimation
1 day
Fri 22-06-
18
Fri 22-06-18 Project Supervisor
Listing of Project
Resources
1 day
Mon 25-06-
18
Mon 25-06-
18
Procurement Manager
Finding Project Scope 1 day
Tue 26-06-
18
Tue 26-06-
18
Project Supervisor
Determination of Project
Objectives
1 day
Wed 27-06-
18
Wed 27-06-
18
Project Supervisor
Appointment of Project
Stakeholders
5 days
Thu 28-06-
18
Wed 04-07-
18
Human Resources Manager
Allocation of Project
Duties
3 days
Thu 05-07-
18
Mon 09-07-
18
Project Supervisor
Assessment of Project
Risks
4 days
Tue 10-07-
18
Fri 13-07-18 Project Supervisor

10STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Addressing of Project
Risks
2 days
Mon 16-07-
18
Tue 17-07-
18
Project Supervisor
Quality Management
Plan
2 days
Wed 18-07-
18
Thu 19-07-
18
Project Supervisor
Project Start 0 days
Thu 19-07-
18
Thu 19-07-
18
Initiation of the Project 38 days
Fri 20-07-
18
Tue 11-09-
18
Preparation of Tender
Documents
10 days
Fri 20-07-
18
Thu 02-08-
18
Human Resources Manager
Start Tender 1 day
Fri 03-08-
18
Fri 03-08-18 Human Resources Manager
Selection of
Construction Company
2 days
Mon 06-08-
18
Tue 07-08-
18
Human Resources Manager
Background Check of
the Construction Company
2 days
Wed 08-08-
18
Thu 09-08-
18
Human Resources Manager
Selection of IT Solutions
Company
2 days
Mon 06-08-
18
Tue 07-08-
18
Human Resources Manager
Background Check of 2 days Wed 08-08- Thu 09-08- Human Resources Manager

11STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
the IT Solutions Company 18 18
Recruit System
Development Team
5 days
Fri 10-08-
18
Thu 16-08-
18
Human Resources Manager
Handing Out Project
Charter to Teams
1 day
Fri 17-08-
18
Fri 17-08-18 Project Supervisor
Team Meetings 2 days
Mon 20-08-
18
Tue 21-08-
18
Construction Contractor,
Construction Team, Project
Manager, Project
Supervisor, Technical
Contractor, Technical
Team
Procurement of Project
Budget
5 days
Wed 22-08-
18
Tue 28-08-
18
Budget Manager
Handing Out Budget to
Teams
2 days
Wed 29-08-
18
Thu 30-08-
18
Budget Manager
Hire Vendor for
Resource Supply
2 days
Fri 31-08-
18
Mon 03-09-
18
Procurement Manager
Procure Resources for
Project
4 days
Tue 04-09-
18
Fri 07-09-18 Procurement Manager
Allocate Resources 2 days Mon 10-09- Tue 11-09- Procurement Manager

12STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
18 18
All Deals Finalized 0 days
Tue 11-09-
18
Tue 11-09-
18
Project Execution 134 days
Wed 12-09-
18
Mon 18-03-
19
Development of Room
Blueprint
10 days
Wed 12-09-
18
Tue 25-09-
18
Construction Contractor,
Construction Team
Start Room Construction 2 days
Wed 26-09-
18
Thu 27-09-
18
Construction Contractor,
Construction Team
Place Foundation 15 days
Fri 28-09-
18
Thu 18-10-
18
Construction Contractor,
Construction Team,
Construction Materials[1]
Build Room Framework 30 days
Fri 19-10-
18
Thu 29-11-
18
Construction Contractor,
Construction Team,
Construction Costs
[$75,000.00]
Fill the Infrastructure
with Plaster
10 days Fri 30-11-
18
Thu 13-12-
18
Construction Contractor,
Construction Team,
Construction Costs

13STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
[$20,000.00]
Add Doors and Windows 10 days
Fri 14-12-
18
Thu 27-12-
18
Construction Contractor,
Construction Team
Add Electric Sockets 5 days
Fri 28-12-
18
Thu 03-01-
19
Construction Contractor,
Construction Team
Apply Wall Colours 15 days
Fri 04-01-
19
Thu 24-01-
19
Construction Contractor,
Construction Team
Place Tables and Chairs 4 days
Fri 25-01-
19
Wed 30-01-
19
Construction Contractor,
Construction Team
Install Air Conditioner 5 days
Thu 31-01-
19
Wed 06-02-
19
Construction Contractor,
Construction Team
Place 50 Laptops and
Peripherals
2 days
Thu 07-02-
19
Fri 08-02-19
Technical Contractor,
Technical Team,
Hardware[1]
Start the System 1 day
Mon 11-02-
19
Mon 11-02-
19
Technical Contractor,
Technical Team
Install Software Platform 10 days
Tue 12-02-
19
Mon 25-02-
19
Technical Contractor,
Technical Team,
Software[1]

14STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Install Programming
Languages
5 days
Tue 26-02-
19
Mon 04-03-
19
Technical Contractor,
Technical Team
Add Development
Softwares
5 days
Tue 05-03-
19
Mon 11-03-
19
Technical Contractor,
Technical Team, System
Implementation
Costs[$20,000.00]
Testing and Changes 5 days
Tue 12-03-
19
Mon 18-03-
19
Technical Contractor,
Technical Team
Hand Project to
University Authority
0 days
Mon 18-03-
19
Mon 18-03-
19
Technical Contractor,
Technical Team, Other
Costs[$5,000.00]
Closing and Sign Off 8 days
Tue 19-03-
19
Thu 28-03-
19
Develop Project Report 5 days
Tue 19-03-
19
Mon 25-03-
19
Project Supervisor
Post Project Review 2 days
Tue 26-03-
19
Wed 27-03-
19
Project Manager
Stakeholder Signoff 1 day Thu 28-03-
19
Thu 28-03-
19
Budget Manager, Human
Resources Manager,
Procurement Manager,

15STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Project Manager, Project
Supervisor
Project Closing 0 days
Thu 28-03-
19
Thu 28-03-
19
2.6 Project Resources
The resources required for the project are shown in the below table.
Resource Name Type Max. Units Std. Rate
Project Manager Work 100% $300.00/hr
Project Supervisor Work 100% $225.00/hr
Budget Manager Work 100% $225.00/hr
Construction Contractor Work 100% $175.00/hr
Technical Contractor Work 100% $175.00/hr
Procurement Manager Work 100% $150.00/hr
Human Resources Manager Work 100% $200.00/hr
Construction Team Work 100% $450.00/hr
Technical Team Work 100% $350.00/hr

16STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Construction Materials Material $150,000.00
Hardware Material $30,000.00
Software Material $25,000.00
Construction Costs Cost
System Implementation Costs Cost
Other Costs Cost
2.7 Gantt Chart and Critical Path Analysis
The Gantt chart of the project along with the critical path (marked in red within the Gantt
chart) is shown in the following diagram.

17STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Figure 2: Gantt Chart and Critical Path of the Project
(Source: Created by Author)

18STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
2.8 Project Budget and Costs
As per the overall budget calculation from the Gantt chart, the total estimated budget for
the project is $1,263,000 in which further 10% will added for emergency and contingency. The
cost allocations and expenses are reflected in the following table accordingly.
Resource Name Std. Rate
Project Manager $300.00/hr
Project Supervisor $225.00/hr
Budget Manager $225.00/hr
Construction Contractor $175.00/hr
Technical Contractor $175.00/hr
Procurement Manager $150.00/hr
Human Resources Manager $200.00/hr
Construction Team $450.00/hr
Technical Team $350.00/hr
Construction Materials $150,000.00
Hardware $30,000.00
Software $25,000.00

19STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Construction Costs Varies / Depends
System Implementation Costs Varies / Depends
Other Costs Varies / Depends
2.9 Quality Assurance Plan
A high quality project can be delivered meeting all the needs and requirements of the
project can be made ensured through presenting an effective and efficient Quality Assurance
Plan. Before the execution of this project including the infrastructure and other major
components, it is the necessity to develop a quality assurance plan.
Following is the list of the requirements and policies those need to be implemented
within this project for establishing the computer science lab in an effective and efficient manner:
The hardware and software should be installed of the current version in the
market and it should be compatible to fulfill the needs and requirements of the
project delivery. The components and software should be capable of running for
long period without being hampered or damaged.
The resources established for this establishment should be of high quality and
compatible of providing necessary support for the systems and its wiring
components.
The network establishment should be of high bandwidth in manner to be more
effective for this establishment and enhancing the output of the project.

20STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The developed model should be capable of fulfilling the requirements and needs
of the college through ensuring the available resources of high and better quality.
2.10 Risk Management Plan
Risk has been always associated with the execution of the project and should always be
considered prior the execution of the project in manner to eliminate them at the beginning of the
project execution. Following is the list of certain risks those have the possibilities to affect the
project:
Risk Details Chance of
Occurrence
Impact on Project Management Plan
Budget could be
increased due to
unnecessary or over
expanses in certain
phases
High Very High The resources and
human labor should
must be calculated
well in the beginning
of the project
Lack in resources, or
bad quality resources
availability
Medium Very High The suppliers’
background must be
cross checked before
giving contract to
him or her and proper
agreement should be
made regarding the
quality of the

21STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
delivery
Since the computer
lab system will be
connected to the
network, there are
chances that data
breach or intrusion
might occur that can
affect the data or
information saved in
the systems
Very High Extreme Installing antivirus,
updating firewall, and
using original
software can be
recommended as an
effective measure for
the execution of the
project
Natural Disasters:
Uncertainties might
occur while
delivering the project
that could physically
affect the project in
negative manner
Low Medium Contingency plan
should always be
considered of total
10% value of the
project for such
accidents

22STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT
3.0 Conclusion
In this a brief project charter has been developed for the development and
implementation of the new computer science lab. As per the initial analysis and estimations, the
costs and schedule for the project have been determined along with the project scope and
requirements. For the purpose of accurate estimations, a Gantt chart has been prepared that also
reflects the critical path for the project. Finally, a risk management plan has been developed to
assess and manage possible risks that can be encountered during the project.