RPS Food Test Lab: A Project Management Case Study & Solution

This case study examines the project management challenges and solutions involved in setting up a food test laboratory by Reliance Product Services (RPS). Faced with increased competition, RPS seeks to expand into food safety testing. The case details project prioritization using a priority matrix, resource allocation, Gantt chart development, and resource leveling to address conflicts. It further analyzes the impact of unforeseen events, such as the incorporation of Fipronil testing, on project schedules and costs, along with key accomplishments and monitoring progress using the Cost Performance Index (CPI). The document concludes with preventive actions to mitigate potential risks, offering a comprehensive overview of project management principles in a real-world scenario. Desklib provides access to this solved assignment and a wealth of other study resources.

Running head: PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Project Management
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Table of Contents
Section 1: Managing the Project Team................................................................................2
Question 1........................................................................................................................2
1a) Project Priority Matrix...........................................................................................2
1b) Three Personal Attributes of team Members.........................................................3
Section 2: Developing a Project Plan..................................................................................3
Question 2........................................................................................................................3
2a) Gantt Chart View after Clear Leveling..................................................................3
2b) State of Total Project Cost.....................................................................................4
2c) Resource Conflict observed...................................................................................5
2d) Solving Resource Conflict.....................................................................................6
Section 3: Managing the project..........................................................................................8
3a) Impact on Schedule and Cost....................................................................................8
3b) Important Accomplishments...................................................................................10
Section 4: Monitoring the Project’s Progress and Closing the Project..............................10
4a) Gantt Chart View.....................................................................................................10
4b) Cost Performance Index..........................................................................................11
4c) Preventive Actions...................................................................................................11
References..........................................................................................................................13

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Section 1: Managing the Project Team
Question 1
1a) Project Priority Matrix
Project priority matrix helps in prioritizing the urgent and critical tasks associated with a
project (Kerzner & Kerzner, 2017). The project by the Reliance Product Services is considered to
be a high priority project as it aims in addressing the concerns associated with food safety. A
food test laboratory will be built as per the specifications of the project and will be launched on 1
July 2019. The project priority matrix for this project is represented in the table below.
Table 1: FTL Project Priority Matrix
Time Performance Cost
Constrain
Enhance
Accept

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There is a time constraint in the FTL project as the entire project is needed to be
completed within a specific time (Heagney, 2016). The CEO has directed to have a fixed start
and end date for project completion. Accurate and effective project planning can help in
improving the performance of the project. However, the implementation of such a complex
project can result in change in cost or budget of the project, which is needed to be accepted.
Thus, the project priority matrix that has been developed, indicates the priorities set for the FTL
project.
1b) Three Personal Attributes of team Members
The FTL project is associated with the development of a Food Test Laboratory. In order
to ensure that the project is completed in an effective manner, a well competent project team is to
be hired. The personal attributes that the project team members should possess and which are
critical of the success of this project, are as follows-
Availability: Since it is a high priority project, all the human resources must be readily
available and should not be overcommitted with other works (Mir & Pinnington, 2014).
Problem Solving Ability: The team members should be competent enough to solve the
issues in project team such as internal conflict, decision making errors and others (Lientz & Rea,
2016).
Political Connections: It would be helpful to manage and execute this high priority
project if the team members possess a close relationship with the project stakeholders
(Cunningham, Salomone & Wielgus, 2015).
Section 2: Developing a Project Plan

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Question 2
2a) Gantt chart View after Clear Leveling
Figure 1: Representing Gantt chart of FTL project
From the figure above, it is observed that the completion date of the project is Monday, 1
July 2019.
2b) State of Total Project Cost

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Figure 2: Representing the Cost Table
2c) Resource Conflict observed

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Figure 3: Representing Resource Conflict
The figure above indicates that there is a state of resource conflict for activity 9, 10, 16
and 17. The resource conflict is seen in the project plan mainly because of resource over
allocation.
2d) Solving Resource Conflict
Figure 4: Representing Resource Levelling
The resource conflict problem in the project plan was tried to be solved with the resource
levelling options.

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Figure 5: Representing the Schedule after resource auto levelling
The two options for accelerating the project completion are as follows-
1. Adding more resources to the critical path can solve the resource conflict. PM can be
assisted by the Ad hoc Admin.
2. The working hours can be changed for overtime to solve the resource conflict.
From the above two options, the first option is more feasible. This is particularly because
the project plan had a scope for taking help from ad hoc admin when needed (Verzuh, 2015).
Since the cost of appointing ad-hoc admin is fixed in comparison to cost of overtime, the first
option is more beneficial from cost perspective of the project. The cost of appointing ad hoc
admin is $600. It is fixed prior to the start of the project and is a part of the resource estimate as
well, as indicated in the picture below-

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Figure 6: Resource Ad-hoc Admin cost
The change of working hours will not be a cost effective solution as all the tasks are
interdependent and therefore a slight change in resource allocation can result in huge increase of
the cost.
Figure 7: Change in Project Status Date

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Figure 8: Setting Project Baseline
Section 3: Managing the project
3a) Impact on Schedule and Cost
The increase in duration of activity 4 has resulted in a schedule conflict.
Figure 9: Representing Scheduling Conflict
The Fipronil Testing has resulted in scheduling conflict and increase in the overall project
schedule. An increase in overall project schedule resulted in increase in the cost of the project.

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The change in duration increased the total cost of the project as well.
Figure 10: Increase in Project Cost
3b) Important Accomplishments
The four important achievements in the project are as follows-
1. The resource availability is seen in project. Peter decided to help the project team by
undertaking extra work of Fipronil Testing.
2. The project got a full support of AVA after incorporation of Fipronil Testing
3. The set project priorities are followed and maintained
4. Since the project could be able to complete Fipronil Testing, it is expected that funding
for the project can be easily generated by AVA.

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Section 4: Monitoring the Project’s Progress and Closing the Project
4a) Gantt chart View
Figure 11: Representing the Gantt Chart
From the above figure, it can be seen that the completion date of the project is 2 July
2019
4b) Cost Performance Index
The formula of CPI is Earned Value / Actual Cost.
The Calculated CPI is $182,860/ $189,440 = 0.9652
The CPI generated from MS project is represented in the figure below-