Project Management Report: Analyzing JKB Bloggins Project Management

This report delves into the principles of project management, using JKB Bloggins as a case study to illustrate key concepts. It begins by defining different project types, with a focus on manufacturing and management projects relevant to JKB Bloggins' expansion plans. The report then explores scope management, outlining tools such as scope definition, work breakdown structure, validation, and scope control. The importance of Gantt charts and critical path analysis for scheduling and resource allocation is highlighted. Ways to determine project success, including schedule adherence, budget compliance, and customer satisfaction, are also discussed. Furthermore, the report addresses the necessity of adapting project plans to accommodate changes and methods to ensure timely project completion. Task 2 outlines activities essential for managing a new project, including identifying goals, defining tasks, team development, training, and feedback. The report concludes by examining the essential skills and competencies of a project manager, such as leadership and communication, crucial for the successful execution of projects within JKB Bloggins.

Managing Projects

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1. Definition of type of project....................................................................................................1
2. Scope management and its tools.............................................................................................1
3. Importance of plotting a Gantt chart and identifying critical path..........................................2
4. Ways to determine the success of a project............................................................................3
5. Changes to the project plan.....................................................................................................3
6. Methods to ensure timely completion of project.....................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
Outlining of activities essential to manage a new project...........................................................4
Skills and Competencies of a manager.......................................................................................5
Project Management Process......................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Projects are mentioned to be a undertaking by an organisation to create a new product
(Cavaleri, Firestone and Reed, 2012). It can be defined as a complex one time initiative
undertaken by an organisation to meet customer’s expectations. However the project differ from
daily operations of business as they result in creation of new and unique product for the
business.. Projects are time bound therefore, expires on the completion of objectives. Project
management aims to plan and organise activities of a undertaking so that they can be carried out
in an ideal manner (Van Offenbeek and Vos, 2016). The steps which are undertaken in project
management are planning, induction, execution and monitoring. The special consideration in
project management is given to time, resources, tools and team. This assignment aims to develop
a thorough understanding about project management with special consideration to working of
JKB Bloggins. It is an organisation that caters needs of auto mobile sector in the United
Kingdom.
TASK 1
1. Definition of type of project
There are various types of projects which can be carried out by a business. The type
which carries highest degree of relevance are the manufacturing projects. JKB Bloggins aims to
expand their operations and product line which comes under the category of manufacturing
projects. These projects are generally carried out within existing operating environment. This
organisation aims to increase the area of operations along with development in offerings.
Another type of project i.e. Management projects is also relevant to this organisation as they are
looking to enter into markets of Asia with their latest offerings. The management of projects
guarantee that right tools and equipment are employed and makes sure that activities are
accomplished on time.
2. Scope management and its tools
Scope management are defined to be the process in which inputs and outputs of a process
are controlled and manipulated (Cleden, 2012). It is the process through which scope of a project
is managed and made sure that activities will accomplish in specified time. Project scope is
defined to be work that is needs to be accomplished so that desired product is delivered to
consumers. It helps in allocation right amount of efforts and resources so that project is carried
1

out as expected. It is essential to cater the project with essential attention and services so that it
results in delivering ideal products. The tools to show subdivision of work are as follows:
Definition of scope: This is the first tool employed to identify key deliverables which are
to be undertaken in this project. It ensures preparation of detailed document which states
activities to be considered. For example: Project charter is prepared with the use of Interviews,
workshops and creativity techniques.
Work Breakdown structure: The scope which is built in the first step is to be broken
down into smaller and manageable components that goes by the name of packages (DeFillippi,
2015). The tool which is employed in this process is Decomposition.
Validation: it is a step in which the level of acceptance by the consumers is ascertained.
The consumers provide feedback which is to be collected and analysed by the organisation
(Thamhain, 2013). The tool which is considered in this step is Inspection.
Control scope: As the name suggests, it aims at monitoring activities of a project and
revamping scope of the same. Variance analysis is employed to control the scope of a project.
(Source: Project Scope Management, 2017)
3. Importance of plotting a Gantt chart and identifying critical path
Gantt chart is a tool employed by businesses to schedule tasks that are time bound and
track their progress against time allotted to the same. JKB Bloggins is looking to expand their
operation into north-east London with their new manufacturing site by offering latest technology
in auto-mobile sector. This mentioned project is to be carried out by March 2018 which makes it
essential to form a Gantt chart. This organisation possesses software that helps in sequencing
2
Illustration 1: Project Scope Management

activities within a project. Critical path is also employed in this project as it provides sequencing
of activities and elimination of those which are not essential (Fageha and Aibinu, 2013). This
helps in saving the time and resources as well as making it convenient for a business to
accomplish all activities (The Importance of the Gantt Chart and the Critical Path for Project
Management, 2015.).
4. Ways to determine the success of a project
There are numerous ways through which success of a project is determined. Some of
them are as follows:
Schedule: It refers to the time allotted to complete a project. Completing a project within
a deadline established can be termed as the success of a project.
Budget: It refers to the amount which is allocated to complete a project. Completion of a
project within the budget allotted can be termed as a success as it enhances profitability segment
of business as well (Jerbrant and Karrbom Gustavsson, 2013).
Customer satisfaction: Satisfaction of clients is a clear indicator of successful completion
of a project. Residents in Asia are satisfied with the latest offering of business results in
successful expansion of business.
5. Changes to the project plan
A business environment is dynamic and therefore, changes are introduced on a regular
basis. A project manager is responsible to analyse these factors and incorporate change in the
project plan. Changes in the project should not only be documented but analysed as well so that
stakeholders are imitated about the same. Stakeholders management is defined to be the most
common approach to facilitate changes in the project. The changes in the market are ascertained
and activities of the project are modified so that risks are minimized.
6. Methods to ensure timely completion of project
There are variety of approaches which are employed by the manager in evaluating and
monitoring of a project to ensure that activities are carried out as planned. A project manager can
evaluate progress of the project with help of techniques such as financial ratio methods, cash
flow analysis and mathematical models (Kendrick, 2015). When it comes to monitoring a
3

project, a manager has to ensure that needs of clients are met and expansion of company is
carried out in the most efficient manner with communicating same to subordinates.
TASK 2
JKB blogging is an organisation catering its services in the designing and manufacturing
of textiles in an automotive sector. Since company began its operation in 1980 it has been able to
serve auto mobile manufacturing inputs in the best way possible. In order to compete
successfully in the market, institution is taking up expansion programme and looking to expand
in the Asian region. The project have been initiated to complete the same before march 2018. the
budget allotted to complete the same is 12 million pounds. It is the duty of project manager to
ensure that introduction of new technology is introduced to the market on time specified and
confining to the budget allotted by the management.
Outlining of activities essential to manage a new project
The total project is decomposed into various deliverables which later turned into work
packages or activities which are to be carried out to successfully deliver a product. The work
packages are the lowermost segment of WBS. In every work package there is a summation of
activities which are to be carried out. For instance their work package which revolves around
recruiting people for upcoming manufacturing site.
Identification of goals: the breaking down of project into smaller components helps in
establishing goals for each segment which are to be achieved by project manager (Kendrick,
2015). The goals in this particular WBS is to form a team which is capable of handling latest
technology in the new manufacturing site for JKB Bloggins.
Define tasks: To achieve an objective there are variety of tasks which are to be
undertaken by employees to achieve the same. To raise a competent workforce for new
manufacturing site. Human resource department of the company has to lay down a series of tasks
which are to be carried out to achieve the same. In context of the company, this particular
domain will select employees from the existing workforce and recruit remaining workforce
through online platforms.
Team development: Now that requirement of workforce have been fulfilled team
building exercises are to be carried out. The roles and responsibilities of the people comprising a
team are provided. The team will be lead by Project manager. They are kept together so that they
form a bonding with each other and starts working together to achieve a common goal.
4

Training: It is necessary that newly formulated team is to be provided with right set of
knowledge, behaviour and skills so that they are able to assist in implementation with latest
technology manufactured from Asia. According to the project, they are to be provided with 12
months of training so that they are able to carry out allotted tasks.
Feedback: it is essential that members of a team are provided with feedback so that their
setbacks are to be addressed (Larson and Gray, 2013). The project manager along with
stakeholder can provide feedback on the way things are carried out in an organisation.
Monitoring and supervising can be employed by the trainer so that they are raised in an ideal
manner.
The above mentioned activities are essential to complete a small segment of a WBS
which is critical from a point of view of complete project. There is an requirement of a
competent staff which is fulfilled by this activity.
Skills and Competencies of a manager
It is essential for a project manager to carry a defined set of skills and capabilities to
ensure that given task is carried out in the manner desired by the company. Skills are defined to
be an ability of an individual to carry out a task. The major skills and competencies which are to
brought by a project manager in the business are as follows:
Leadership
It is one of the most vital skills which are to be possessed by a manager. It is defined to
be the ability of a person to lead a group of people towards achievement of a goal (Morse,
Babcock and Murthy, 2014). The ability to inspire others to achieve a shared goal is the skill
which is possessed by a capable project manager. However there are some believe that this skill
can not be taught as it people are born with it. Which is untrue, every individual when provided
with an opportunity can adapt to ways through which he is able to get work done out of others.
Leading a project team is a difficult task a manager not only have to ensure that project is
successfully completed but also that members of the team are able to carry out their operations in
an ideal manner. In context of this particular case study of JKB Bloggins, A project manager
have to ensure that new technology is developed with in time and budget specified along with
raising a competent workforce which contribute to the project in the ideal manner.
Communication
5

Communication is a major tool which is to be possessed by a project manager. It is used
by a manager to clearly articulate what is to be done by subordinates (Ochieng and Hughes,
2013). A project manager must install a clear communication channel so that individuals who are
associated with the task are given guidance and instruction in the best manner. It can be further
used in process of file sharing, chatting, discussions and finally in presentations. The influencing
and motivating of stakeholders can be carried out only through adopting a suitable
communication pattern. They carry a crucial role in successful completion of projects of with
time and budget specified.
Scheduling
No one can understand the intensity of scheduling other than project manager. It is the
core skill which is to be possessed by a individual managing projects. It is a crucial approach
through which goals of the projects are to be achieved within time specified. A project schedule
undertakes activities which are to be carried out in a defined sequence to ensure project
completion (Patanakul, 2015). JKB Bloggins is aiming to open new manufacturing site
incorporating technology from Asia. This project is complex and will require sequencing of tasks
including recruitment and training of new workforce which is able carry out its functions. This
project will require scheduling of activities which can only be accomplished by a individual
possessing this capability. Forming a practical schedule can be done with the help of software
such as Gantt chart.
Risk Management
It is another crucial capability which is to possessed by a person handling a project. This
capability of a person ensures that risks in the project are forecasted and contingency plans are
created so that there is minimum risk while completion of the project. Risks are unexpected
circumstances which carry potential to harm project (Petit, 2012). It is essential to consider risk
factor while managing a project as it helps in reducing disruption which may caused in project
completion. The amount of risk management ensures timely completion of projects. In this
context, a manager should invite latest technology to its new manufacturing site. The technology
should be relevant as well so that it carries a lesser amount of risk with itself.
Cost management
Managing the cost is another crucial capability which is to be possessed by an individual.
It is essential for a project manager to create a realistic budget and make sure that activities and
6

tasks of the project are carried out confining in the budget exclusively. It is the duty of manager
handling the project to employ cost control measures so that financial constraints can be defeated
(Phillips, 2013). The budget allocated to carry out this project is 12 million pounds and project
manager with its cost management capability can make sure that goals are attained within
specified time and budget.
Project Management Process
Project management refers to different set of activities which begins at inception of
endeavour and ends with completion of the same. These are carried out to ensure that project is
able to meet the desired targets. The process of project management includes various steps which
are as follows:
Project conception and initiation
This is the first step in project management process which aims to ascertain nature and
scope of a project. It is essential to critically examine this stage as success and failure of the
same majorly depend on this stage only. The study of external environment is to be carried out so
that major controls are added to the product (Polonsky and Waller, 2014). It includes planning
the project and identifying whether it will help in goal attainment or not. Considering level of
competition in the market, JKB Bloggins planned to expand operational market with the help of
building a new manufacturing site. Initial charter was developed which included a plan for the
project and their scope have been identified. Inclusion of Project proposal document and WBS to
facilitate ideal initiation to the project.
Planning
Planning is defined as bridging the gap between present circumstances and expected
future condition of business. In context of project, times,cost and resources on decomposed
activities are planned so that they are awarded with right resources and able to manage risk factor
in an ideal manner. Rolling wave technique of planning is employed in which as the activities
proceeds the activities which are to be carried out later seem clear (Saunders and Lewis, 2012). It
is employed in projects which are time bound. The development of cost and budget is to be
carried out in this step.
Execution
The activities which are planned in prior step will be executed. It is essential for a project
manager to implement activities in the same manner as they are planned. The appropriate
7

resources are allocated to the activities and individual are communicated about the tasks they
have to accomplish with right allocation of time. Information related to projects are being
discussed as to know opinion of subordinates.
Control
Controlling of activities is very important so that they are falling as per the plan. The
current status of activities are matched with planned activities so that discrepancies are identified
(Sparrow, 2012). The major alteration in the scope of project is to be carried out so that project
activities are carried out as per planned. The major tool which are employed in this project
monitoring are cost variance metric and stakeholder satisfaction metric (Teller, Kock and
Gemünden, 2014). It is one of the contemporary approach to monitor project in which level of
satisfaction of stakeholder determine the level of agreement with the way activities are carried
out.
Closing
This is the last step in project management process. This step focuses on completion of
project and management is satisfied with the manner things have been carried out calls for
closing of a project (HOW TO MANAGE A PROJECT FROM START TO FINISH, 2016). In this
step it is evaluation has been carried out so that major highlights are ascertained and to learn
from this experience. It refers to formal closure of project and end thereof. The development of
new manufacturing site with installation of new machinery along with development of staff
which is ready to operate calls for closure of the project. It is necessary for the stakeholders to
accept this formally so that contract can be closed and ultimately leading to project closure.
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report, it has been concluded that project management plays
a crucial role in context of an organisation. It aims to manage resources of a project in such a
manner that desired targets are attained. It provides opportunity to exhibit competence and
learning in context of resources management. There are different types of projects which can be
applied depending upon the situation. Scope management assists in identifying activities and
enable managers as well as supervisors to proper allocation of resources that are required for
successful completion of project in specific period of time. It is essential that a project manager
is possessed with capabilities such as scheduling, risk management and leadership so that he is
able to achieve goals through the subordinates.
8

REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Cavaleri, S., Firestone, J. and Reed, F., 2012. Managing project problem-solving patterns.
International Journal of Managing Projects in Business. 5(1). pp.125-145.
Cleden, M. D., 2012. Managing project uncertainty. Gower Publishing, Ltd..
DeFillippi, R., 2015. Managing project-based organization in creative industries. The Oxford
handbook of creative industries. pp.268-283.
Fageha, M. K. and Aibinu, A. A., 2013. Managing project scope definition to improve
stakeholders’ participation and enhance project outcome. Procedia-Social and
Behavioral Sciences. 74. pp.154-164.
Jerbrant, A. and Karrbom Gustavsson, T., 2013. Managing project portfolios: balancing
flexibility and structure by improvising. International Journal of Managing Projects in
Business. 6(1). pp.152-172.
Kendrick, T., 2015. Identifying and managing project risk: essential tools for failure-proofing
your project. AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn.
Kendrick, T., 2015. Identifying and managing project risk. Amacom.
Larson, E. W. and Gray, C., 2013. Project Management: The Managerial Process with MS
Project. McGraw-Hill.
Morse, L. C., Babcock, D. L. and Murthy, M., 2014. Managing engineering and technology.
Pearson.
Ochieng, E. and Hughes, L., 2013. Managing project complexity in construction projects: The
way forward. Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology. 2. p.e111.
Patanakul, P., 2015. Key attributes of effectiveness in managing project portfolio. International
Journal of Project Management. 33(5). pp.1084-1097.
Petit, Y., 2012. Project portfolios in dynamic environments: Organizing for uncertainty.
International Journal of Project Management. 30(5). pp.539-553.
Phillips, J., 2013. PMP, Project Management Professional (Certification Study Guides).
McGraw-Hill Osborne Media.
Polonsky, M. J. and Waller, D. S., 2014. Designing and managing a research project: A
business student's guide. Sage publications.
Saunders, M. N. and Lewis, P., 2012. Doing research in business & management: An essential
guide to planning your project. Pearson.
Sparrow, E., 2012. Successful IT outsourcing: from choosing a provider to managing the
project. Springer Science & Business Media.
Teller, J., Kock, A. and Gemünden, H. G., 2014. Risk management in project portfolios is more
than managing project risks: A contingency perspective on risk management. Project
Management Journal. 45(4). pp.67-80.
Thamhain, H., 2013. Managing risks in complex projects. Project Management Journal. 44(2).
pp.20-35.
van Offenbeek, M. A. and Vos, J. F., 2016. An integrative framework for managing project
issues across stakeholder groups. International Journal of Project Management. 34(1).
pp.44-57.
Online
9

The Importance of the Gantt Chart and the Critical Path for Project Management. 2015.
[Online]. Available through: <https://www.inloox.com/company/blog/articles/the-
importance-of-the-gantt-chart-and-the-critical-path-for-project-management/>.
HOW TO MANAGE A PROJECT FROM START TO FINISH. 2016 [Online]. Available through:
<https://due.com/blog/how-to-manage-a-project-from-start-to-finish/>.
10