Project Management: Auckland Transport Congestion Analysis

This project management assignment examines the challenges faced by Auckland Transport, primarily focusing on traffic congestion resulting from population growth. The report identifies key issues such as chocked roads and the need for improved public transport to mitigate traffic problems. It emphasizes the importance of project management skills like scheduling, risk management, and cost control. The assignment explores various solutions, including adaptive traffic signals, autonomous vehicles, and real-time traffic feedback, as well as the use of the Dwight D. Eisenhower priority matrix for effective task management. The analysis highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address the issues, including proper traffic management, population control plans, and the implementation of advanced project management tools and techniques to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. The document provides a detailed analysis of the project management challenges and proposes practical solutions to improve Auckland's transport system.

Running head: PROJECT MANAGEMENT
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Question 1:.......................................................................................................................................2
Question 2:.......................................................................................................................................5
Question 3:.....................................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
References......................................................................................................................................12

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Introduction
The main aim of the assessment is to identify the importance of project in the fields of the
Auckland organization. Auckland transport is considered as the largest hub of transportation in
New Zealand. However there is a huge problem faced by the people of New Zealand that is the
existing traffic congestion problem. The report will focus entirely on determining the essential
project management factors that can provide better support towards the Auckland organization.
Auckland Transport is responsible for commuting around 74% of trips. It has been observed that
due to increase in number of immigrants, the Auckland overall population has increased by 50%.
Thus it is becoming difficult to manage the overall congestion ratio.
Question 1:
a. Project management is referred to the practice of organizing all the key components
associated with the developing a project. Project management mainly focuses on using
proper knowledge, tools and techniques for the purpose of meeting the key objectives of
the project. Before executing a project it becomes essential to ensure that the cost and
time factors are determined at the early stage so that it becomes easy to ensure that the
project has been executed successfully. With proper knowledge of project management it
becomes easy to improve the way projects are carried out (Kerzner, 2017). This also
ensures that all the key objectives are obtained while developing the project. According
to the statistical survey NZ projected that around 38% of NZ population will be there in
Auckland by 2031. However it has been observed that there is a huge rise in population
of the Auckland that is impacting the way of living. Due to increase in population it has

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been observed that the numbers of passengers are also increasing widely. This is further
hampering the different transportation facilities. The main reason of failure of Auckland
transport system arouse due to wrong estimation of the cost and plan. The main issues
that are identified include worse traffic congestions and choked roads. The traffic
gridlock has the potential to hamper the economy along with the productivity. Auckland
needs to develop a proper share of public transport that will be able to provide better
transportation facilities towards the citizens. With an enhanced transport system it will
become easy to reduce the traffic issues. Auckland transportation needs to apply proper
project management knowledge towards the way transport facilities need to be managed.
It is important to ensure that every aspect is fulfilled properly so that the chances of
budget overshooting can be reduced. Project management knowledge is important for
managing different components of the project (Kerzner, 2017). This will help in ensuring
that every aspect of the Auckland transport system has evaluated efficiently for the
purpose of mitigating the issues.
b. The main issues that were faced by Auckland transportation include the chocked roads
condition, worsening congestion and traffic jams. Thus there is a need to ensure that the
proper project management skills are being used for the purpose of removing the
problems that are identified within the Auckland case study. The project management
skills that are needed for removing the issues includes proper scheduling, proper risk
management control and enhancing the communication process properly so that the
transportation process can be enhanced (Spoonley et al., 2019). Before execute any
project or preparing and enhanced transportation system it becomes essential to ensure
that proper project management skills are integrated within the system properly. With

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proper scheduling it becomes easy to manage the activities and also ensures that the
project is being properly managed within the organization. In addition to this it is
important to ensure that an effective risk management strategy is used for enhancing the
way traffic is controlled over the Auckland area (Kerzner, 2017). The skills that are
needed to be present for successful evaluation of a project are described below:
Scheduling: Project scheduling is considered as the most important aspect of project
management. It is important for the Auckland transportation manager to ensure that
proper schedule is created for the purpose of enhancing the services that are offered
towards the citizens of Auckland (Kerzner, 2017). Auckland needs to schedule every
component effectively so that it becomes easy to reduce the traffic within the roads.
Risk management: In order to ensure that the developed project has the potential to
improve the performance or the transport system. The risk needs to be identified quickly
so that it becomes easy to manage the risks (Sjekavica Klepo & Radujković, 2019). This
will ensure that the identified risks are mitigated properly.
Cost control: Cost management is considered as an important aspect as this helps in
ensuring that the project has been developed with maintaining proper budget. It is
important to manage the project finances effectively so that it becomes easy to ensure that
the budget has been maintained properly (Kerzner, 2017).
c. After analyzing the case study of Auckland transport it can be stated that there is a need
to have proper scheduling, risk management and cost control tool that will be capable of
enhancing the performance. The main issues identified are with the increasing traffic
jams due to population growth (Roberts et al., 2017). Thus there is a need to implement
proper population control plan along with the traffic management system. This will

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enhance the performance. The easy projects review is considered as the most effective
cost management software. There is a need to manage the project component effectively
so that it can provide better way of managing the cost for developing the project. The cost
constraint needs to be managed effectively so that it does not hamper the overall
economy of the Auckland. Root cause analysis is the most effective way of managing the
risks within a project. The quality of the risks needs to be managed properly so that it
becomes easy to mitigate the risks (Radujković & Sjekavica, 2017). Root cause analysis
is a systematic approach that helps in identifying the root cause behind the problem so
that it becomes easy to mitigate the issues. This will ensure that proper ways of
preventing risks are being mitigated successfully. It can be stated that with the help of
this project management tool it will become easy to overcome the issues. The third issue
that was identified is with proper scheduling. There is a need to use an effective project
management technology for managing the schedule. Celoxis is considered as the most
efficient project management tool for improving the performance (Kerzner, 2017). This
condition is considered as the most important way of managing the schedule. The key
benefits that are offered with the project management software is that it helps in
managing the scheduling properly, better communication can be obtained and also it
becomes easy to track the projects. Collaboration must be maintained properly so that it
becomes easy to manage the performance of the software (Nellore & Hancke 2016). The
main reason behind using this project management tools is that it helps in managing the
plans and also ensures that proper control is obtained within the different project
management process.

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Question 2:
a. Traffic congestion problem is one of the most important issues that are needed to be
mitigated properly within time so that it becomes easy to manage the population. It has
been observed that due to huge increase in population it becomes very difficult to manage
the traffic. There is a need to integrate proper solution within the citizens so that it
becomes easy to manage the condition of the city. Once the issues with traffic congestion
is reduced than the chances of budget overrun will also reduce (Muller & Turner, 2017).
Hence the performance will eventually improve. As a project manager it is important to
implement proper traffic signals so that it becomes easy to manage the performance. The
ways traffic congestion can be reduced are discussed below:
 Adaptive traffic signals: Traffic signals can be developed with proper V2I
technology so that it becomes easy to provide smart performance. The
government fleet vehicles were used for the purpose of gathering data so that it
becomes easy to improve the timing of traffic signals (Macmillan et al., 2020).
 Introducing autonomous vehicle technology: Autonomous vehicle technology has
the potential to decrease the number of cars that are present on the road. There is a
need to ensure that the accidents rates are reduced with the use of autonomous
vehicles (Macmillan et al., 2017). The number of vehicles needs to be reduced so
that it becomes easy to manage the conjunction in the public transportation.
 Providing real-time traffic feedback: Real time traffic feedback can ensure that
the concept of congestion pricing will be reduced (Liu et al., 2016). This will also
ensure that real time feedbacks are generated by each vehicle so that it becomes
easy to manage every passenger present in the road.

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 Tracking pedestrian traffic: in order to address the traffic congestion it becomes
essential to understand the pedestrian traffic so that it becomes easy to manage the
traffic.
 Offering car sharing solutions: It is important to share cars for the purpose of
reducing the traffic jams. With a better connected approach it will become
effective to manage the performance (Nellore & Hancke, 2016).
Thus it can be stated that with the use of following approaches it will become easy to
improve the traffic congestion problem in the Auckland. The major issues can be
mitigated properly.
b. Dwight D. Eisenhower invented a prioritizing matrix that will be capable of
differentiating the different components associated with the strategy (Batra, 2017). The
main reason behind using this prioritizing matrix is to provide better support towards the
identification of the key issues faced by Auckland transport. The first quadrant is do first
as it focuses on tasks that are important for career. The second quadrant focuses deciding
the schedule. This includes the tasks that are important but not that much importance. The
third quadrant is designed for the purpose of ensuring that the needed tasks are enlisted
properly (Batra, 2017). The last quadrant is known as they don’t do quadrant for the
purpose of identifying the activities that should not be carried out by anyone.

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The major benefits that are likely to be offered with the use of Dwight D. Eisenhower
priority matrix approach is that it helps in sorting the important and unimportant tasks
effectively. The issue that is identified within the Auckland transport can be resolved
quickly with the use of this matrix. This helps in sorting out the less important tasks so
that it becomes easy to carry out the activities properly. Dwight D. Eisenhower priority
matrix approach has the potential to manage the performance as this will help in
providing better support towards mitigating the risks (Hastings, 2013).
c. The possible conflicts that are likely to arise within the current situation are with the lack
of traffic management and cost management. The issues that are likely to arise with the
lack of proper controlling process include unnecessary conflicts, accidents, delay in
reaching at the work location and hampering the transportation system (Basu et al.,
1. Do first
focus is on
removing the
traffic
congestion
2. Schedule
Managing the
cost factor
3. Delegate
determining
the quality of
the services
4. Don't do
Transport
performance

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2017). These issues are the issues that are more likely to take place. Thus in order to
enhance the traffic congestion and the condition of Auckland transportation it becomes
essential to implement proper project management techniques that will mitigate the
issues. The ways in which the issues can be mitigated are listed below:
 It is important to design proper feedback system that will be capable of giving
traffic details towards the travellers. This has the potential to reduce the traffic
condition.
 For reducing the accidents everyone should be aware of the traffic rules and
should follow this. Every signals needs to be designed with proper emergency
alerts that will be capable of generating alarms whenever any conflict arises.
 In order to prevent budget overrun it becomes essential to ensure that the budget
has been developed properly with the use of proper technologies. Better an
enhanced project management skill will be capable of providing better way of
managing the projects.
Project management skills needs to be enhanced properly so that it becomes easy to
manage the performance. The main reason behind managing the project components
is that it helps in accomplishing the goals fasters and also ensures that all the
requirements are fulfilled properly (Alotaibi, Sutrisna & Chong, 2016). While
managing a project it also becomes essential to ensure that the project is delivered
within the budget and under the determined deadlines. Thus it is important to ensure
that proper way of handling the projects is determined so that the performance can be
enhanced.

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Question 3:
Auckland is considered as the leading transportation hub for New Zealand that is located
in the North Island. Due to huge increase in the population of Auckland it has been very difficult
to manage the transportation condition. Based on the 2013 census data stated that around 5.8%
travelled by the bus, around 5.6% chooses walking and cycling and 1.6 per cent by train and the
rest 7.5% population works from home. After analyzing the data it can be stated that the
importance of public transport needs to be increased within the people of Auckland so that it
becomes easy to reduce the traffic congestion. It has been observed that there are low share of
public transport as compared to other cities. This is mainly due to the fact that maximum
population of Auckland is a rural area. Auckland has become the destinations for the immigrants
of New Zealand. Hence this is leading to increase in 50% of overall population growth.
As compared to Sydney, it has been observed that around 65% of the population uses
private vehicles for their transport. On the other hand the population margin is quite higher for
using private vehicles. The use of public transport in Sydney is high as compared to Auckland.
After evaluating the data it can be stated that public transport is considered as an important
aspect in Sydney. This is leading to better management of the traffic condition. Due to lack of
proper vehicles management it can be observed that the transportation quality of Auckland got
hampered widely. Hence there is a huge need to manage the total passengers that are boarding
from one place to another place so that it becomes easy to maintain the population. Hence in
order to manage the transportation in the areas of Auckland it is important to carry out certain
approaches that will be capable of enhancing the performance (Roberts et al., 2017). The projects
that are associated with the Auckland transportation includes preparing proper traffic incident
management, organizing proper traffic safety rules, planning special event traffic management

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for enhancing the way transportation is carried out (Kerzner, 2017). The main aim behind
developing the projects is to ensure that the traffic conditions are managed efficiently
irrespective of the number of travellers and location. In addition to this it is important for every
transportation management team to ensure that the planned programs are scheduled after
determining the traffic conditions. This will reduce the chances of traffic and will provide better
access management. Public private partnership needs to be managed properly so that it becomes
easy to manage the public agency and private sector properly. With proper transportation
projects it will become easy to manage the traffic (Liu et al., 2016). There is a need to increase
the use of shared resources instead of using private vehicles so that the number of vehicles on the
road can be reduced. This will eventually lead to reducing the traffic congestion and will also
offer a better economy structure towards the Auckland government.
Conclusion
Thus from the above report it can be stated that there is a need to manage the traffic
congestion within the Auckland area. This will enhance the way transports takes place. With the
use of an effective traffic incident management it becomes easy to coordinate the process. This
will help in detecting, responding and removing the traffic incidents quickly and will ensure that
the traffic capacity is determined safely. The report has focused on determining the major issues
that are faced by the Auckland transportation. In addition to this the report has also provided the
possible project management knowledge that will be capable of managing the traffic within the
Auckland. The traffic signal timing also needs to be enhanced properly so that it can reduce the
chances of delay at the major locations. Hence it can be concluded that with proper project

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management knowledge it will become easy to mitigate the issues that can hamper the overall
economy rate.

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References
Alotaibi, N. O., Sutrisna, M., & Chong, H. Y. (2016). Guidelines of using project management
tools and techniques to mitigate factors causing delays in public construction projects in
kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Journal of Engineering, Project, and Production
Management, 6(2), 90-103.
Basu, R. (2017, September). Quality management tools and techniques in major infra-structure
projects. In 2017 6th International Conference on Reliability, Infocom Technologies and
Optimization (Trends and Future Directions)(ICRITO) (pp. 114-126). IEEE.
Batra, P. (2017). Eisenhower box for prioritising waiting list of orthodontic
patients. OHDM, 16(1), 1-3.
Hastings, G. (2013). The marketing matrix: How the corporation gets its power–and how we can
reclaim it. Routledge.
Kerzner, H. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Liu, T., Ceder, A., Bologna, R., & Cabantous, B. (2016). Commuting by customized bus: a
comparative analysis with private car and conventional public transport in two
cities. Journal of Public Transportation, 19(2), 4.
Macmillan, A., Smith, M., Witten, K., Woodward, A., Hosking, J., Wild, K., & Field, A. (2020).
Suburb-level changes for active transport to meet the SDGs: Causal theory and a New
Zealand case study. Science of The Total Environment, 136678.

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Martens, M. L., & Carvalho, M. M. (2017). Key factors of sustainability in project management
context: A survey exploring the project managers' perspective. International Journal of
Project Management, 35(6), 1084-1102.
Muller, R., & Turner, J. R. (2017). Project-oriented leadership. Routledge.
Nellore, K., & Hancke, G. P. (2016). A survey on urban traffic management system using
wireless sensor networks. Sensors, 16(2), 157.
Radujković, M., & Sjekavica, M. (2017). Project management success factors. Procedia
engineering, 196, 607-615.
Roberts, S., Bonenberg, L., Meng, X., Moore, T., & Hill, C. (2017). Predictive intelligence for a
rail traffic management system.
Sjekavica Klepo, M., & Radujković, M. (2019). Usage of project management methods, tools
and techniques in infrastructure projects.
Spoonley, P., Imran, M., Jackson, N., Peace, R., & Cain, T. (2016). Transport demand
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