Project Management Fundamentals and Practices: University Project

This project delves into the essential steps required for opening a university, emphasizing project management fundamentals and practices. The assignment is divided into two parts: Project A focuses on the initial phases, including project conception, initiation, planning, execution, performance control, and closure. It covers the development of a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and a project network diagram. Project B provides a comprehensive summary of the project, analyzing the project schedule using critical path, Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) chart, and earned value analysis. The project also explores other project management practices, providing a detailed overview of the entire lifecycle, from initial planning to successful completion. The project emphasizes the importance of resource allocation, stakeholder management, and effective communication throughout the project's various phases.

Running head: OPENING A UNIVERSITY
Project Management Fundamental and Practices: Opening a University
Name of the student:
Name of the university:

1OPENING A UNIVERSITY
Table of Contents
Assignment 1: Unit project- Project A............................................................................................2
1. Introduction to the case project....................................................................................................2
2. Background of the project...........................................................................................................2
3. Description and discussion on different phases of the project life cycle development of work
breakdown structure.........................................................................................................................3
Project conception and initiation.............................................................................................3
Project planning.......................................................................................................................4
Project execution.....................................................................................................................5
Project performance control....................................................................................................5
Project closure.........................................................................................................................6
4. Develop work breakdown structure (WBS)................................................................................7
5. Development of a network diagram for the project.....................................................................8
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
Assignment 2: Unit project- Project B...........................................................................................10
1. Comprehensive summary..........................................................................................................10
2. Analysis of project schedule using the critical path, program evaluation and PERT chart.......12
3. Description of the project using the earned value analysis........................................................15
4. Description of other project management practices..................................................................19
Bibliography..................................................................................................................................21

2OPENING A UNIVERSITY
Assignment 1: Unit project- Project A
1. Introduction to the case project
This project depicts all the necessary steps those are required to be undertaken by the
project development team for opening a university. The project needs proper commitment from
the human and material also. Though the resources should be selected and deployed properly. In
order to prepare this project different university projects are required to be encountered by the
project manager. The backgrounds of the case project, the different phases those are considered
for the development of the project are also elaborated in this paper. Different kinds of project
development life are here however based on the project type proper development life cycle must
be selected by the project manager.
In order to minimize the workload from the project team members, activity segmentation
are required to be implemented in terms of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Not only this but
also the activities are required to be served by the project team members properly for evaluating
the project accurately within estimated budget and time a well. A project network diagram
(PERT chart) and a project schedule should be developed by the project manager. In addition to
this, a project earned value of the project will be analyzed including the cost benefit analysis.
After preparing the comprehensive summary, the other project management practices are also
implemented in this paper.

3OPENING A UNIVERSITY
2. Background of the project
Considering the subject on demands the course details are to be selected by the
management authority of the college. However, for opening a university in is very much
necessary to select the building location first. In order to serve the purpose, at the very initial
phase the project manager is required to took authentication rather permission from the
government and then based on the granted permission the project manager is required to select
the project sponsors. After getting project sponsors, the authority should sign contract with the
building contractors. Based on the number of courses and departments the building will be
segmented properly. Not only this but also a university hostel should also constructed just beside
it so that outsiders students could also take admission in the university.
3. Description and discussion on different phases of the project life cycle
development of work breakdown structure
In order to develop the university opening project, the project manager is required to
select an accurate project development life cycle. The steps included in this project are as
follows:
Project conception and initiation
In the project initiation phase, the project manager is required to define the project goal
at a broad level. With a business case this particular phase initiates. In this phase the project
manager should make a project feasibility test to determine that whether the project is feasible or
not. If the project is found to be not feasible then the project manager should introduce all the
necessary changes in this phase only. Whether, the project will meet the requirement of the
consumers and project manager or not, can be determined with the help of due diligence of the

4OPENING A UNIVERSITY
project stakeholders. The project manager will make Project Initiation Document (PID) in the
initiation phase. In order to grab more number of students from all over the world, the project
manager should select an appropriate location for constructing the university. Even the project
charter should also be developed in this phase. The university need, stakeholders and the project
case are included in the project documentation.
Project planning
The project planning phase of “University opening “, is consists of different activities
such as scope and budget preparation, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Gantt chart,
communication planning and risk management plan as well. With the help of accurate open
communication plan the project team members will be able to communicate with the higher
authority of the project. For successful completion of the project, a project roadmap should be
implemented and based on that focus should be developed. In addition to this, the other
components those are required to be considered include specification, measurement, attainability,
realistic and time management as well. For this project the SMART and CLEAR goals should be
developed. The scope statement developed for this phase include project objectives, project need,
deliverable and key milestones also. In order to visualize the project, proper project timeline and
tasks of the “University opening project” is required to be developed. For identifying the cost,
quality and other resources flexible and refine goals should be considered by the project
manager. However, the project scope statement might change with the changing requirement and
project ongoing phase. The scope statement of the project is segmented with the help of the
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Throughout the project, high level project goals should be
identified. The essential baselines for this project are as follows:

5OPENING A UNIVERSITY
Scope management: In order to define the project need, profit of the project, goals, key
milestones in terms of documentation should be prepared by the project manager. Though,
without the project manager’s approval the scope statement cannot be changed and during the
project ongoing phase the scope might be changed also.
Work Breakdown structure: For developing a visual representation and segment the
work in parts WBS is helpful.
Communication plan: Open communication approach is considered for this project
Risk management: Risks should be identified and analyzed and based on that strategies
ought to be developed to mitigate the risks from the core project management area.
Project execution
After making the project documentation and all the deliverables properly the project will
be professionally executed in this particular phase. For meeting the requirement of the students
all the basic resources must be analyzed in a well organized manner in this particular phase. The
team members involved n the project teams are advised to take the following responsibilities
accurately in terms of team development, resource assignment, project management plan
execution, as per the requirement procure management etc. Not only this but also the project
manager is one of the most responsible person who should take care of all the necessary things
for developing a project professionally. For this particular project, the project manager should
adopt cloud based solution so that the purpose of opening a university could complete and
execute successfully. The cloud based project management software will help to manage the
information regarding the students and employee of the university automatically and much
easily.

6OPENING A UNIVERSITY
Project performance control
In order to measure the project progress and performance of the stakeholders it is
necessary to monitor the project professionally. The project Key Performance Indicator (KPI)
should be considered to determine that whether the project is mentoring on a correct track or not.
However, if the project is found to be not moving on right track then the progress approach
should be changed accordingly. There are different kinds of project Key Performance Indicators
(KPI) are present, however for serving the purpose of opening a university only the relevant KPI
should be nominated by the project managers. For this project the selected KPI are as follows:
Project objectives: whether the project is completed within the estimated budget and
allotted time or not can be determined with the help of the project objective KPI.
Quality deliverable: Whether the specified task deliverables are meeting the consumer’s
requirement or not will be defined with the help of quality deliverable.
Cost and effort tracking: The project sponsors and the project managers are responsible
to rack that whether the project is running on the correct track within the estimated time allotted
or not. Based on the current performance and project progress report, whether the project will be
complete within time or not could be determined.
Project closure
This is the last phase of project management life cycle for this particular project. This
phase represents that the project is successfully completed and if it requires additional changes
then, in the post project review phase, different changes could be brought. However, the project
manager and the sponsors of this project are responsible to develop a punchlist to remind the

7OPENING A UNIVERSITY
parts those are not yet completed on the project ongoing phase. Though, at the end of the project
the documentation and deliverables should be rearranged in a single phase.
4. Development of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Figure 1: Work Breakdown Structure
(Source: created by author)

8OPENING A UNIVERSITY
5. Development of a network diagram for the project
Figure 2: Network diagram developed for opening the University
(Source: Created by author)

9OPENING A UNIVERSITY
Conclusion
From the overall discussion it can be concluded that the project is required to be
completed within estimated time and budget as well to gain measurable benefit. The components
are different for business project and “University Opening” project. For “Opening a University“,
a huge set of commitment are required from the owners end. In order to get the philanthropic
commercial assistance, the entrepreneurs have formed implementation and development grants.
The operational expense could be accomplished with the help of the fund. The project
development sub phases those are considered for this particular project include research,
increment of awareness among the stakeholders, getting help from the external stakeholders,
community planning team development, expert consultation, gathering proper information and
project implementation. The other phases considered include governance, review process and
social media marketing.

10OPENING A UNIVERSITY
References
Avouris, N., Komis, V., & Garofalakis, J. (2015). Opening up university courseware: Lessons
learned. Proceedings EDULEARN, 7585-7589.
Collyer, S. (2016). Culture, Communication, and Leadership for Projects in Dynamic
Environments.Project Management Journal, 47(6), 111–125.
Davis, K. (2017). An empirical investigation into different stakeholder groups perception of
project success, International Journal of Project Management, 35(4), 604–617.
Fleming, Q. W., & Koppelman, J. M. (2016, December). Earned value project management.
Project Management Institute.
Fujiwara, T., Morita, H, & Suwa, H. (2016). Dynamic project scheduling with reduction of
activit durations, International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, 8(3),
259 – 274.
Guo, F., Chang-Richards, Y., Wilkinson, S., & Li, T. C. (2014). Effects of project governance
structures on the management of risks in major infrastructure projects: A comparative
analysis. International Journal of Project Management, 32(5), 815-826.
Jordy Batselier, J., & Vanhoucke, M. (2017). Improving project forecast accuracy by integrating
earned value management with exponential smoothing and reference class forecasting,
International Journal of Project Management, 35(1), 28–43.

11OPENING A UNIVERSITY
Kerkhove, L. P., & Vanhoucke, M. (2017). Extensions of earned value management: Using the
earned incentive metric to improve signal quality, International Journal of Project
Management, 35(2),148–168.
Kerzner, H. R. (2013). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling.
Kloppenborg, T. (2014). Contemporary project management. Cengage Learning.
Liu, J., Jin, F., Xie, Q., & Skitmore, M. (2017) Improving risk assessment in financial feasibility
of international engineering projects: A risk driver perspective, International Journal of
Project Management, 35(2), 204–211.
Yeo, T. K., Ren, Y., & Ren, Y. (2016). Risk management maturity in large complex rail projects:
a case study, International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, 8(4), 301 –
323.

12OPENING A UNIVERSITY
Assignment 2: Unit project- Project B
1. Comprehensive summary
After analyzing the project requirements for “Opening a University”, proper project
development phases are adopted by the project manager. With the help of these phases the
project manager will be able to open the university on time and estimated budget also. Due to the
increasing number of students, professional education need are also enhancing day by day.
Education industry is referred to as one of the most profitable enterprises and also has become
the ever growing market in the competitive place. Thus for “Opening a University”, and to make
it as a consuming process, lots of research work are considered by the project manager. The
following guideline rather project development standard are considered for implementing the
professional project on “Opening a University “. The guidelines are as follows:
Formation of a committee: Before opening a university the very initial thing that the
project manager has been considered is about formation of a university committee. The
knowledge and experiences of the committee members are helpful for the project development.
The ample of knowledge of the experts helped the project manager throughout the project
development period. Even, the committee included the people, who are belonging from the
educational background such as professors, laboratory assistance, etc. For each department a
time and financial support committee is also needed.
Committee registration: After formation of the committee a professional government
registration is done before opening the university in the desired location. Under the society

13OPENING A UNIVERSITY
registration act 1860, the registration has been done. For leading all the legal actions the
university committee has hired a lawyer also.
No objection certification: Before opening the university building the university
committee should gain a No objection certificate from the Directorate of Education (DOD). The
DOD could provide the certificate o the basis of the university requirement in a permanent zone.
After paying a fix amount to the government the NOC form must be renewed by the university
committee to run the university without any interruption. Even the University must face all the
governmental inspection successfully.
Search for land: In order to open a University another important thing that the project
development team is strictly required to be considered is the selection of an appropriate land for
the university construction. For purchasing a land for construction the project development
committee must consult with the land owning agencies.
College affiliation: Affiliation as a recognized university must be gained to grab good
students and professor as well. The project entrepreneurs are required to conduct proper research
work for find out every community statistics. For identifying the basic education requirements it
is necessary to research properly. Various areas those are focused for this project include
demographic research, academic research and socio economic research at the same time. From
the community leaders and university officials those have elected by the committee should
procure letters. The worth of under graduation and post graduation programs are required to be
promoted by the university authority as a tool to grab more number of student.

14OPENING A UNIVERSITY
Get help from the famous personalities: In order to open the university, the university
must keep in touch to some of the professional famous personalities. The background visionary
and concerned community will increase accordingly.
Development of community planning team: Considering the components of
community team, it is necessary to determine the basic need of the university committee. Various
domains those are required to be considered by the project manager include civic, education,
religion, foundation business etc. Apart from this the other components those are considered by
the project manger involve committee leaders, university superintendents, attorneys, accounts
etc.
Consultation along with the experts: Depending upon the areas of university
components all the owners are required to consult with the consult professional. Each members
of the expert team should follow the similar type of educational set up for the assessment. Proper
collaboration will help to assess the community immediately based on the University opening
requirement.
Gathering proper information: In order to “Open a University”, in the desired location
it is required to gather information from different resources. The owners if the university must
visit different college and take proper permission from the DOD to get to know about these
colleges those will perform under the university. Proper initiatives are required to be undertaken
by the University management authority to gain every technical support from the external field.
Not only this but also the exiting guidelines and planning should also be considered while
“Opening a University”.

15OPENING A UNIVERSITY
2. Analysis of project schedule using the critical path, program evaluation and
PERT chart
Task Name Duration Start Finish
Predecessor
s
Schedule development for
Opening a University
174 days Mon 8/21/17 Thu 4/19/18
Project conception and
initiation
47 days Mon 8/21/17 Tue 10/24/17
Study project details 14 days Mon 8/21/17 Thu 9/7/17
Developing SMRT and
CLEAR project goal
8 days Fri 9/8/17 Tue 9/19/17 2
Project feasibility study 7 days Wed 9/20/17 Thu 9/28/17 3
Project initiation
documentation
8 days Fri 9/29/17 Tue 10/10/17 4
Development of university
committee
5 days Wed 10/11/17 Tue 10/17/17 5
Register of the university
committee
5 days Wed 10/18/17 Tue 10/24/17 6

16OPENING A UNIVERSITY
Project planning 38 days Wed 10/25/17 Fri 12/15/17
Scope preparation 5 days Wed 10/25/17 Tue 10/31/17 7
Budget preparation 5 days Wed 11/1/17 Tue 11/7/17 9
Risk management
development
7 days Wed 11/8/17 Thu 11/16/17 10,7
Communication planning 8 days Fri 11/17/17 Tue 11/28/17 11
Project objective
development
8 days Wed 11/29/17 Fri 12/8/17 12
Key milestone
representation
5 days Mon 12/11/17 Fri 12/15/17 13
Project execution 52 days Mon 12/18/17 Tue 2/27/18
Team development 9 days Mon 12/18/17 Thu 12/28/17 14,13,2
Resource assignment 8 days Fri 12/29/17 Tue 1/9/18 16,2
Implementation of cloud
based software
10 days Wed 1/10/18 Tue 1/23/18 17
Project objective
modification
9 days Wed 1/24/18 Mon 2/5/18 18
No objection certification 5 days Tue 2/6/18 Mon 2/12/18 19

17OPENING A UNIVERSITY
Government affiliation 6 days Tue 2/13/18 Tue 2/20/18 20,2
Consultation with expert
team
5 days Wed 2/21/18 Tue 2/27/18 21
Project performance control 30 days Wed 2/28/18 Tue 4/10/18
Communication of project
stakeholders
7 days Wed 2/28/18 Thu 3/8/18 22
Risk response team
development
7 days Fri 3/9/18 Mon 3/19/18 24
Community leader selection 6 days Tue 3/20/18 Tue 3/27/18 25
Background visionary
development
4 days Wed 3/28/18 Mon 4/2/18 26
Superintendents selection 6 days Tue 4/3/18 Tue 4/10/18 27
Project closure 7 days Wed 4/11/18 Thu 4/19/18
Project kick off 3 days Wed 4/11/18 Fri 4/13/18 28
Post project monitoring 2 days Mon 4/16/18 Tue 4/17/18 30,2

18OPENING A UNIVERSITY
Continuous development
plan implementation
2 days Wed 4/18/18 Thu 4/19/18 31
Figure 3: Schedule Gantt chart for University opening project
(Source: created by author)

19OPENING A UNIVERSITY
3. Description of the project using the earned value analysis
ye
ar
The
onetim
e cost
The
recur
ring
Cost
Net
inves
tmen
t Return
The rate
of
Cumulati
ve cash
flow
The
total
cash
flow
The
discoun
ted
Cash
Flow
Net
Discount
ed Cash
Flow
Payb
ack
phas
e
ini
tial
ye
ar
$
14,500.
00
$
14,50
0.00
$
(14,500.00
)
$
(14,5
00.00
)
$
(14,500.
00)
$
(14,500.0
0)
3.7
906
486
82
1st
Ye
ar
$
-
$
7,000.00
$
(7,500.00)
$
(22,0
00.00
)
$
(6,975.0
0)
$
(21,475.0
0)
2n
d
Ye
ar
$
-
$
7,700.00
$
200.00
$
(21,8
00.00
)
$
186.00
$
(21,289.0
0)

20OPENING A UNIVERSITY
3r
d
Ye
ar
$
-
$
8,470.00
$
8,670.00
$
(13,1
30.00
)
$
8,063.1
0
$
(13,225.9
0)
4
th
Ye
ar
$
-
$
9,317.00
$
17,987.00
$
4,857
.00
$
16,727.
91
$
3,502.01
5th
Ye
ar
$
-
$
10,248.7
0
$
28,235.70
$
33,09
2.70
$
26,259.
20
$
29,761.2
1
initial year 1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 4 th Year 5th Year
-20000
-10000
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
Period for Breakeven

21OPENING A UNIVERSITY
Figure 4: Earn value analysis
(Source: created by author)
Year Total commercial profit he rate of discount @
7%
PV profit NPV for
total
profit
Nr profit
Initial year $ - 1 $
-
$
-
1st year $ 7,000.00 0.93 $
6,510.00
$
6,510.00
2 nd year $ 7,700.00 0.86 $
6,622.00
$
13,132.00
3rd year $ 8,470.00 0.79 $
6,691.30
$
19,823.30
4th year $ 9,317.00 0.72 $
6,708.24
$
26,531.54
5th year $ 10,248.70 0.65 $
6,661.66
$
33,193.20
$ 33,193.20
One Time
Costs
Developmen $ 14,500.00

22OPENING A UNIVERSITY
t Cost
Year Recurring Costs Discount rate @ 7% PV of Recurring
Costs
NPV of
all
Benefits
total benefits
Initial year $ - 1 $
-
$
14,500.00
1st year $ - 0.93 $
-
$
14,500.00
2 nd year $ - 0.86 $
-
$
14,500.00
3rd year $ - 0.79 $
-
$
14,500.00
4th year $ - 0.72 $
-
$
14,500.00
5th year $ - 0.65 $
-
$
14,500.00
$ 14,500.00
Overall NPV $ 18,693.20
Overall ROI 1.289185862

23OPENING A UNIVERSITY
4. Description of other project management practices
Beside the considered project management practices, many other components are there
that helps to implement the documented project much successfully. With the help of these
projects management practices the shareholders will be able to gain effective benefit. Due to the
changing requests the project scope might change and according to that the project practices
should also be changed. The additional project management practices include the following:
Communication with the project stakeholders: The project development team should
use open communication so that all the members could communicate with the project team
members.
Development of risk response team: In order to mitigate the risks proper risk response
and risk mitigation strategies are required to be developed.
Documentation of detail work definition: The work definition should be developed
considering project kicks off and by managing new agreement.