Project Management Consultancy Report on the Smart City OS Case Study

This report provides a comprehensive project management consultancy analysis of the Smart City OS project, focusing on the case study of Hull, UK. The report delves into various aspects of project management, including the required skills of a project manager, problem-solving and decision-making processes, stakeholder analysis and influence mapping, project triangle parameters, financial management, risk management strategies, conflict resolution, and team-building techniques. The report examines the importance of communication, organization, budgeting, and leadership skills for the project manager's success. Furthermore, it identifies and evaluates the key stakeholders, including academia, local administrations, financial suppliers, energy suppliers, citizens, government, experts, and the media. The report also explores the implications of project triangle parameters (scope, time, and cost) and their management in the context of the Smart City OS project. It then proceeds to examine financial management, including budgeting, and risk management strategies, encompassing risk identification, assessment, and mitigation. The report also addresses conflict resolution and negotiation, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and collaboration. Finally, it examines the role of teamwork, exploring strategies for building a high-performing team. The report concludes with a summary of the key findings and recommendations for successful project implementation.

Project management
Consultancy report on the start
city OS CASE STUDY
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INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Task 1 – The Project Manager.........................................................................................................3
Skills the project manager of the Smart City OS project needs to develop to be effective....3
Task 2 – Problem Solving & Decision Making...............................................................................6
Relevant stakeholders and create a stakeholder influence map for the Smart City OS project
................................................................................................................................................6
Task 3 – The Project Triangle........................................................................................................10
Importance of the various project triangle parameters that will need to be managed by the
Smart City OS.......................................................................................................................10
Task 4 – Managing Finances.........................................................................................................12
Task 5 – Risk Management within the Project..............................................................................13
Task 6 – Conflicts and Negotiation...............................................................................................18
Task 7 – Teamwork.......................................................................................................................19
What the project manager can do to build a highly successful team for the Smart City OS
project...................................................................................................................................19
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21
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INTRODUCTION
Project management is defined as a process of leading a project goal with the help of team in
order to accomplish project objectives with given constraint. Efficient project management
require application of different skills, knowledge, tools and techniques through which all the
requirements of project can be accomplished with high quality and in effective manner. Present
report has been conducted on the case study of Hull which is a port city in East Yorkshire,
England (Atkin and Brooks, 2021). This city is racing to become United Kingdom first Smart
City. Smart City OS is being delivered by the Hull City Council, technology company Connexin
and Cisco.Main aim behind this is to increase and enhanced data sharing and decision making
and allow council to deliver the most effective service across the broad from traffic management
to health and social care. To accomplish this project, project include different task such as the
project manager, problem solving and decision making, the project triangle, managing finance,
risk management within product, conflicts and negotiation and teamwork.
MAIN BODY
Task 1 – The Project Manager
Skills the project manager of the Smart City OS project needs to develop to be effective
It is essential for a product manager to have different type of skills and develop them
efficiently in order to manage a project in a well define and effective manner. In terms with
project manager of the Smart City OS it is essential to have certain form of skills and develop
them accordingly in order to ensure success of this project, as it an ambitious project thus it is
essential for project manager to develop wide range of skills in order to make sure that this
project will get accomplished in effective manner. Mentioned below there are some certain form
of skills that are required by project manager of the Smart City OS needs to develop:
Communication:
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Being a project manager it is the most essential responsibility to communicate with staff, clients,
vendors and other stakeholders in order to manage project progress. Written and verbal
communication skills plays key essential role for project success. It is essential for a project
manager to have both of these communication skills, as they often engage in the responsibility of
giving presentation (Bruce, 2021). Thus, in order to be comfortable using presentation in large
group of people and engaging their attention it is the most essential skill. This skill also
helpsproject manager of the Smart City OS to motivate staff members, colleagues and encourage
teams to work together in a smooth manner. There are some certain form of specific
communication skill project manager require that include presentation skill, verbal
communication, written communication that include reporting, emailing and more, active
listening, ability to paraphrase and clarify stress and tolerance, conflict management, nonverbal
communication such as motivation, friendliness sympathy that a project manager need. In terms
present Smart City OS there is a long list of stakeholders that a project manager need to keep a
line up- to- date, happy and engaged. This skill also helps project manager to manage project and
workflow in an effective manner. Thus this skill plays important role for project manager this
can be effectively developed with the help of listening and asking questions in client meeting or
employee one –to- one. By simply listening communication skill can also be developed, as it
helps project manager to better understand situation. By offering feedback is also an essential
way through which communication skill can be developed. In addition to this by centralising
communication with the help of taking advantage of project manager tool and allowing self to
send lower email helps project manager to focus where it matters will also help them to develop
communication skill.
Organization:
Being a project manager it is essential for them to organise each and every aspect of project as
they are juggling with so many aspects that is need to be organised. It is essential for project
manager of the Smart City OS to effectively develop organisational system in order to keep
records of all the things (Dzhamilova, 2021). Organization skill include being skilled with
schedules, project management software, calendars and time management. It is one of the most
typical project management skills which are essential for a project manager to develop. It not
only helps in managing time but also allowing in accomplishing activities at the right time. In
terms with Smart City OS every individual is relied on project manager. Thus, it is one of the
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most important strength that will lead to work successful accomplishment of this project.
However this skill can be developed by having calendar up to date. It helps in tracking important
task as well as accomplishing milestones.
Budgeting:
It is also one of the most important skill that project manager required in order to effectively
accomplish the project as in order to implement Smart City Solution project manager is required
to take a five step process of installation. In these proper budgeting skills will effectively help in
accomplishing the entire project task under pre-determined budget. This is one of the most
important responsibilities of project manager to develop a budget, as by working on the larger
project like this a project manager with efficient budgeting skills can manage cost and can ensure
savings while reducing the chances of over expenses. This skill can be effectively developed by
understanding project scope (Ichsan, 2021). Along with this past experiences and including a
contingency will help project manager to develop this skill.
Ability to stay cool under pressure:
It has been identified that in order to accomplish present project aim to take build a Smart
City present project manager can find themselves into lot of high-pressure situation. In this with
the help of having the skill related to the ability to stay cool under pressure will help project
manager to deliver project on time with high effectiveness. In this project manager of the Smart
City OS may face pressure situation in terms of dealing with deadlines, difficult client, situation
not going things according to plan and more. This project is related to technology which is
changing with fast-pace. In this project manager is required to keep a level ahead and make good
judgement call under pressure. Along with this they are also required to encourage all the
stakeholders and align them in effective manner by creating positive solutions and keeping team
feeling positive in panic situation. Thus, by developing this skill with the help of understanding
on personal pressure point will effectively help project manager to be more aware towards going
forward. This will help them to plan ahead and make better decisions. Along with this while
learning from experiences will also help protect manager to overcome situation like this.
Leadership:
Leadership skills play most important role, to be a good project manager a great leadership will
allow project manager to look different to different people. In order to be a good leader it is
essential for a project manager to have strong leadership skill, as it helps them to communicate
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the project goals in a clear way and guide other in rocky path. Leadership skill is playing most
important as this allow project manager of the Smart City OS to have a constant direction and act
as a guide for all the members and motivate them towards accomplishment of project. With the
help of unique leadership skills project manager can resolve personality conflicts and can boost
team Spirit while guarding them (Imam, 2021). Leadership skills include aspects related to team
building, motivation, conflict resolution, relationship building skills, critical thinking, decision
making, displaying good judgement and problem solving. This can be developing by learning
from other leaders. Project manager of the Smart City OS project by developing these skills and
can ensure successful accomplishment of this project.
Task 2 – Problem Solving & Decision Making
Relevant stakeholders and create a stakeholder influence map for the Smart City OS project
Academia and Research Institutions:
This group of stakeholders mainly have contribution for the initiation of smart city with
the help of their academic research. It has been identified that in terms with present project this
group of stakeholders mainly include the University of Hull. Interest of this group of
stakeholders is important in developing as well as planning strategies.
Local and regional administrations:
In terms present project to develop a smart city it is essential to have regional as well as
local administration to be actively involved in promotion and supporting smart city project. In
present project it is essential to improve this group of stakeholders as they can help in managing
resources in effective manner.
Financial Suppliers/Investors:
Development of smart city is inclusive of extensive things that are required to be
effectively managed. Thus there is a strong dependence on financial suppliers for this project in
order to obtain funding, as it is the key aspect of developing smart city project. This group of
stakeholders are mainly interested in this project to have higher return on investment. In context
with the present project of development of smart city these stakeholders play most important
role.
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Energy suppliers:
Sustainability is an essential concern in smart cities thus sustainable energy supply is
essential for smart city operation. It has been identified that sustainable energy policy for the
development of smart city plays essential role. In relation to this energy suppliers is playing
essential role in terms of present project.
Citizens:
They are most important group of stakeholders and have higher influence. It has been
identified that our citizens as well as their knowledge and creativity playing essential role in
Smart City initiation. In terms of present project it has been identified that Kenworthy, says that
they are required to make sure that what they are doing is benefit for the city which involves
citizens. This indicates that this group of stakeholders are most important priority.
Government:
Government is mainly responsible for knowledge creation as well as capitalisation which are
essentially needed for undertaking action of smart city concept (Jakes and Adjei-Kum, 2021). In
relation to present project government is playing the major role of stakeholder that are required
to be effectively engage in order to assure project success.
Experts and scientists:
Experts as well as scientist of the smart city concepts are the most essential stakeholders
that are required to be effectively engage in the process of planning. They bring innovative ideas
thus play important role that helps in accomplishing the aim of development of smart city in a
well defined and effective manner.
Media:
It has been identified that media have power to effectively influence Smart city project by
the coverage of advantages of Smart City. This group of stakeholders have essential involvement
in influencing citizens in a positive manner. It has been identified that smart city is basically a
multi-stakeholder ecosystem in which every stakeholder engagement is essential in order to
ensure success. Furthermore it has been underlined that this group of stakeholders can also
influence other stakeholders in a positive manner.
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Stakeholders Interests Estimated project
influence
Estimated priority
Academia and
Research Institutions
They help by creating
new solutions that can
lead to a healthier and
more sustainable urban
life. They have low
interest
High 1
Local and regional
administrations
These groups of
stakeholders have
high interest.
Low 2
Financial
Suppliers/Investors
Sponsoring and
investing money in
projects. They have high
interest in terms of
higher ROI.
High 1
Energy suppliers They have stake in the
revenues.They have
high interest.
High 1
Citizens Providing data and
content. They are
interested as they will
directly impact by
project outcome.
High 2
Government They are interested as High 1
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smart city helps in
delivering higher
GDP. They are having
high interest.
Experts and scientists These stakeholders
are having low
interest.
High 1
Media They are having low
interest.
High 3
Stakeholder engagement is defined as an essential component of a project management plan that
helps in identifying strategies and can further help in taking actions that are required for
successful completion of project. By engaging with stakeholders will effectively helps in
executing project with the help of efficient decision making. In terms with present project of
Smart City OS development it has been identified that, one of the biggest challenge for the
project manager is managing the stakeholders those who are spread across various departments
within the council along with other organisations such as Humberside Fire and Rescue Service
and the University of Hull. It is essential to constantly assure engagement with these
stakeholders group across the entire service sector in order to make sure that project is
accomplished with higher standards. Stakeholder engagement is mainly defined as a systematic
identification, evaluation, planning and implementation of actions that helps in influencing
stakeholders. It helps in fulfilling business needs and objectives in effective manner. In context
with present project stakeholders has been effectively identified those who will play key
essential role. in order to engage with all stakeholders group, best communication plan will be
developed with the series of face-to-face meetings with each element of stakeholders group, in
order to discuss their expectations. Along with this conference call to oversee stakeholders
resolution and issues will be undertaken which will be further being followed by a weekly
project tracking document and a RAG system which will be used in order to determine progress
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or other issues (Lobo and Samaranayake, 2020). Along with this, in order to ensure effective
engagement with all the stakeholders’ video conference call will be undertaken in order to assure
successful accomplishment of the project. All these things will help in developing a degree of
trust between the project team as well as various stakeholders’ communities that has been
discussing plans and implementing solution in effective manner.
Task 3 – The Project Triangle
Importance of the various project triangle parameters that will need to be managed by the Smart
City OS
There are different types of project triangle parameters that are required to be effectively
considered by the project manager of Smart City OS. These elements will help in enhancing
project quality in a well define and effective manner. With the help of emphasising upon these
constants project manager can work within budget, scope and proper time schedule. All these
elements will lead towards enhancing overall quality of project that will also help in assuring
successful project outcomes. It is essential for respect project manager to effectively balance all
these conference in order to achieve desired outcomes. It has been identified that these elements
have direct impact upon project. Mention below all the elements of triangle is being underlined:
Figure 1: Project triangle parameter
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Cost:
This aspect is defined as financial constant of a project and also termed as the budget. This
element is having influence upon project in terms of resources that can be in material and people
as well as external this can influence. Project cost is mainly variable and can be adjusted
according to the need. This element is significantly interrelated with time and scope, as if project
cost is reduced then project manager is required to reduce scope or increase time. For instance if
due to an unexpected budget cut there is significant cut in scope that lead towards reduction in
quality. This can lead towards decrease in time in order to find cheaper resources. Thus, it has
been identified that cost is interrelated with all the other elements in triangle.
Scope:
This element mainly includes activities that are required to be accomplished in order to
fulfil the project goal. It is essential for a project manager to control scope as this will have a
significant impact upon time as well as cost.In the event that the first solicitation requires 10
hours of work however a stakeholder demands another expansion that addresses an additional 10
hours, almost certainly, end project expenses and time will increment. Frequently, it is this
equilibrium of stakeholder demands that is basic to oversee, especially if partners go back and
forth into the task.
Time:
Time management plays essential role that helps in managing task in effective manner
and accomplishing all the activities in estimated deadline. It is essential for project manager of
the Smart City OS to identify the tasks that are required to be done in sequential order. In this,
project manager is required to plan the schedule, identify and define all the activities and
establish correct sequence, estimate all the resources and tracking them in an effective manner.
For instance during a project to develop a new mobile phone handset if consumer ask that the
launch date is brought forward two weeks, thus to fulfil this deadline there will be significantly
increase in cost in order to add more people as to fulfil new deadline. This will affect the
product, as in order to accomplish deadline some features of the product will be removed in
order to release product to reduce delivery time.
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It is essential for project manager to balance all the constants in effective manner and
educate stakeholders about project management triple constraints in order to create best balance
and aware of all the changes that will impact scope, time and cost. By balancing the three
constants will effectively help in determining quality of overall project. All these aspects have
significant inter-relation to each other and have impact upon project. Thus, it is essential for
project manager to emphasize upon all these aspects in order to accomplish project in effective
way.
Task 4 – Managing Finances
As per view of Strobierski T. (2019), in the area of project administration, cost inference is
the system of approximation all of the charges connected with finishing a assignment within
range and consistent with its time frame (Kostrzewski, 2018). There are a few powerful value
estimation techniques are as:
Analogous Estimating- Through analogous estimating, a assignment supervisor calculates
the predicted charges of a venture-based definitely upon the mentioned charges related to a
similar venture that grow to be completed within the past. This method of estimation relies upon
an aggregate of historical information and professional judgment of the venture manager.
Parametric Estimating- In parametric estimating, historical statistics and statistical
modelling are used to assign a dollar price to wonderful assignment prices. This method
determines the underlying unit fee for a specific element of a mission and then profits that unit
price as appropriate. It is a whole lot extra accurate than analogous estimating however calls for
extra preliminary records to accurately decide costs.
Bottom-Up Estimating- In backside-up estimating, a bigger assignment is broken down into
some of smaller components. The mission supervisor then estimates charges particularly for
every of these smaller work packages. For instance, if a mission includes artwork a great manner
to be split among a couple of departments inside an organization, prices is probably split out
through department.
Three-Point Estimating- In 3-point estimating, a project manager identifies three separate
estimates for the expenses related to a task. The first issue represents an “constructive” estimate,
in which artwork is accomplished and rate range spent most effectively; the second one point
represents the “pessimistic” estimate, in which paintings is completed and finances spent in the
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