Leadership and Management: Sodor Oil Terminal Project Report Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive critical appraisal and evaluation of the Sodor Oil Terminal project. It begins with an introduction to project management in the modern era and highlights the importance of diversified project managers. The report details the organizational structure of the Sodor project management team, including team roles, responsibilities, and the development of a Contract of Work Agreement. It examines project success factors, risk management strategies, and the application of various project management techniques. The analysis extends to the impact of conflict management and ethnicity diversity management within the project. The report further breaks down the project into stages, detailing the planning, initiation, control, and boundary management processes across multiple sessions. The report emphasizes the importance of effective communication, responsibility distribution, and project control strategies. Finally, the report explores the significance of risk management, project management techniques, and the impact of conflict and ethnicity diversity management on the project's overall success. The report concludes with a summary of the project's key findings and recommendations.

Critical Appraisal and
Evaluation
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Table of Contents
1.0 introduction ...............................................................................................................................3
1.0 ORGANIZATION OF THE MANAGEMENT OF SODOR PROJECT ................................3
2.0 Critical appraisal and evaluation of the Sodor project implementation.....................................5
2.1 Project success.......................................................................................................................5
2.2 Risk management...................................................................................................................6
2.3 Project management techniques.............................................................................................6
Impact of conflict management and ethnicity diversity management.........................................7
TASK 3 Sodor project management................................................................................................8
3.1 Project planning stage- session 1...........................................................................................8
3.2 Project Initiation- session 2....................................................................................................8
3.3 Stage control- Session 2.........................................................................................................9
3.4 Stage boundary Management- session 2 and 3......................................................................9
3.5 Stage control- session 3.........................................................................................................9
3.6 Stage Boundary Management- session 3 and 4.....................................................................9
3.7 Stage control- session 4.......................................................................................................10
3.8 Stage control-session 5........................................................................................................10
3.9 Stage Control - Session 6.....................................................................................................10
3.10 Closing a Project................................................................................................................11
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................13
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
In the modern era, project management has become one of the most crucial and important
aspects of businesses. Furthermore, the present study is based on Sodor Oil Terminal project and
the study includes critical review of the same. The selected oil terminal projects include wide
range of engineering disciples which are electrical engineering, civil, mechanical, civil etc. It can
be stated that in order to handle such kind of project, a more diversified project manager is
required who has knowledge regarding all the above stated areas. Along with this, manager also
needs to have adequate knowledge about fields such as time management, human resources,
finance and quality management (Cervone, 2011).
The present research paper includes a critical review of the above mentioned project.
Along with this, how the existing project can be managed from its beginning to end is also
highlighted in the present research paper. The key tools, methods and techniques applied in the
project has been reflected in the study
1.0 ORGANIZATION OF THE MANAGEMENT OF SODOR PROJECT
The management of the firm of Sodor project was done after the development of team of
four people. Further after receiving the project case study the project started after one week. The
team begin through carrying out study of the project case study. Along with this identification
has been done regarding their mandate within the project for the sake of managing the project in
successful way. Within several projects, the Project manager role is vested on a person (Barber
and Warn, 2005). The team starts when it is being structured and appointment of team leader is
being done who has the responsibility towards coordinating with entire team. Here, Paul
Mugambi was assigned such responsibility.
After the review of the Sodor project case study the group has developed a Contract of
Work Agreement that every member of team has signed. This is considered as the kind of
commitment which presents that they abide with the plan agreed upon and would put best efforts
in attaining the objectives of project. The Contract of Work agreement articulates composition of
team, the scope, the objectives of the particular project as well as the aspects which project
management team needs to attain. It reflects the beginning and finish date of the project
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management. In the present case six session are covered. Further team of personnel would be
included in project management (Thomson and El-Haram, 2014).
As the instructions for every subsequent was being shared the week before and on review
of the instruction the team has devised higher level project management plan for six sessions.
The responsibility towards weekly project management is shared between four members of team
within manner that is round robin.
Use of initial information offered within Sodor project case study is done. Under
this work breakdown structure activity planning methods is utilized for the sake of
developing project plan through MS project tool. Moreover development of Gantt chart
has been done. Further grouping of the several components of project has been done into
several stages of project that were assigned to varied members of team for the sake of
managing it (Brewer and Strahorn, 2012). The matrix of responsibility was drawn and
every member of allotted with the responsibility during each step of the Project. However
there are some responsibilities which are being assigned to particular member in order to
last through out the period of project. The distribution of the responsibilities has been
stated in manner as under:
Team members name Responsibility session 1
Team leader
Project manager– session 1&5
Cost model- session 1&5
Monitoring and control
Taking minutes
Project manager- session 2&6
Cost model- session 2&6
Project manager– session 3
Cost model- session 3
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Creation and management of share folder
MS project coordination
Project manager– session 4
Cost model- session 4
Therefore, Sodor project can be managed by distributing responsibilities to all team
members according to their interests and abilities. For effective team building, management of
work and task accomplishment can be achieved smoothly. Moreover, it is useful for
communication strategy and project control strategies that impacts on management of work. In
communication strategy, leader of the team distributes work targeted to each member in a week
and sets goal to get completed work till next week. It influences corporation of employees for
documentation. However, systematic action plans and their implementation is presented to meet
target. In addition to this, project control strategy includes critical evaluation of work
performance. In this process, manager critically determines that all team members are working
with accountability or not.
Thus, imbalance between work performances leads to manage quality and working
efficiency of workers (Kerzner, 2013). It influences personal and professional development of
employees. In accordance to this, changes are implemented and managed also affects team
building strategies. However, it is beneficial for preparing budget for making decisions regarding
management of Sodor projects. Through sharing responsibilities to employees system, planned
and managed resources including base line is obtained. Thus, organization of Sodor projects get
effectiveness by planning strategy to work with coordination. It is related to segmenting work as
well corporations are determined from each team member. However, project including resources
and costs are managed effectively to increase working efficiency of organization and workers. It
is useful for financial management and adequate balance of resource during project period.
Including this, critical evaluation during projecting and its planning influences organization's
effectiveness.
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2.0 CRITICAL APPRAISAL AND EVALUATION OF THE SODOR
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
2.1 Project success
It considers as producing qualitative products to gain customer satisfaction at high level.
Organization aims to achieve effectiveness through Sodor projects by delivering qualitative oil.
In this way, objectives are obtained by critical analyses of project success factors. These factors
include planning, organizing and evaluating action plans for project implementation. Hence,
development of quality services and effective environment of organization is presented by this
way (Burke, 2013). Through this activity, project manager aims to succeed task by developing
strategies for company's effectiveness. In addition to this, it also includes determinants for cost
effectiveness includes buyer behavior related to economic condition and standard for
implementing project planning.
Therefore, project success impacts to achieve customer satisfaction with profit
maximization. It is determined that project can get success by providing oil as per demand
effects on productivity and profitability that is helpful for proper management of resources and
pricing. In accordance to this, functions and project accomplishment for qualitative services are
useful to meet consumer’s expectation (Mir and Pinnington, 2014). However, project can be
successful by setting goals, business and action planning, its enlargement and further analyses of
performances. It is basic structure for managing projects and achieving demand from consumers
at high level. Thus. Above mentioned process is beneficial for project success.
2.2 Risk management
Project related to management of oil production and distribution system includes
management of risk to reach out objectives smoothly. There are several risks occurs at workplace
regarding financial, production, operations and other determinants to present organization's work
performance. For large project, managers and subordinates requires to allocate fund and
resources at sufficient level. Moreover, varieties of components are determined to be focused
like cost, resources, time management and overcoming the issues occurs related to Soadar
projects (Konstantinou and Muller, 2016). However, it includes identifying risks and its
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assessment to recover problem arises at workplace. It approaches to manage risk and preparing
strategies for implementation in oil and other determinants of organization.
Thus, project management involves overcoming risks and generating ideas for financial
and non-economic development of industry. However, risks related to imbalanced production
and distribution system, lack of manpower, lack of knowledge related to organization and oil
products are managed through risk management approach (Hwang and Ng, 2013). It impacts on
overall business activities for its effectiveness. Thus, risk management is useful for recovering
issues and increasing in quality services of oil production for Sodor project at high level. It
creates effective environment of organization which impacts on high profit margin and effective
goodwill in market for export and import of oil within countries worldwide.
2.3 Project management techniques
Project management involves management of entire organization's departments. It
analyses activities in terms of money, production, operations and risk arises at workplace.
However, various tools and techniques are applied for resource allocation as well financial
management. Thus, project management techniques includes planning, organizing and evaluating
performances of business and quality services. In accordance to this, it is considered that project
in the modern era, project management has become one of the most crucial and important aspects
of businesses (Teller, Kock and Gemünden, 2014). Furthermore, the present study is based on
Sodor Oil Terminal project and the study includes critical review of the same. The selected oil
terminal projects include wide range of engineering disciples which are electrical engineering,
civil, mechanical, civil etc. It can be stated that in order to handle such kind of project, a more
diversified project manager is required who has knowledge regarding all the above stated areas.
Along with this, manager also needs to have adequate knowledge about fields such as time
management, human resources, finance and quality management (Cervone, 2011).
The present research paper includes a critical review of the above mentioned project.
Along with this, how the existing project can be managed from its beginning to end is also
highlighted in the present research paper. The key tools, methods and techniques applied in the
project has been reflected in the study can be managed effectively through various
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methodologies. For example; improving in communication skills improve team building and
encourages employees for better work performances.
However, it impacts on creating understanding and supportive behavior of employees for
effective team strategies. In accordance to this, Sodor project is managed through clear
communication among workers to increase effectiveness at workplace (Sodor project, 2016). In
addition to this, project management involves creating balance between demand and supply of
oil also remains able to control over excess and deficit of production. Moreover, marketing and
its essentials are get impacted for managing risks and also useful for time management to reach
out the target. In accordance to this, proper market structure and time management strategies are
created for optimum utilization of resources including financial management for project planning
and implementing efficiencies for risk assessment as well its management.
Impact of conflict management and ethnicity diversity management
Sodor project management also includes management of conflicts and disputes occurs at
workplace. In this regard, manager of entity makes plan to provide effective facilitates to
employees. Therefore, they can perform their job with satisfaction.
Conflict management: - It is related to recover issue and misunderstanding among
workers. Sodor project seeks to create healthy and positive environment of firm to gain
effectiveness. However, conflicts and disputes occurs at workplace are managed by applying
different methods to increase efficiency of organization related to project management (Kulik,
2014). Thus, it is essential for creating positive atmosphere as well development of entire
activities of business entity.
Ethnicity diversity management: - Diversity management includes positive attitude
towards ethnic diversity at workplace, leadership management, management of overall business
activities. It is considered that changes in workplace environment and contract between employer
and employees, meeting customer expectations, etc. are crucial for diversity management of
Sodor project and organization's effectiveness. In addition to this, environmental changes
including demographic and factors affect to buyer behavior are analyzed that impacts on
environment of company (Qian, Cao and Takeuchi, 2013). Therefore, management diversity,
practices for public relations enhances organization's efficiency.
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TASK 3: SODOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT
3.1 Project planning stage- session 1
Formulation of project team and its implementation initiates from planning and decision-
making process that includes forecasting for further activities. Under Sodor Oil terminal design,
development of strategies are presented in the form of making planning and procedure with time
frameworks. It also involves planning with time framing structure to manage project and and its
implementation (Martinsuo, 2013). In accordance to this, project planning related to control over
excess and deficit is determined effectively. Therefore, including planning cost model and
structural framework for decision-making and forecasting is calculated. On behalf of which,
organization prepares project plan involves decided activities are to be done accurately. In
addition to this, budget allocation and planning procedure including strategic plans and
techniques are obtained through this process.
3.2 Project Initiation- session 2
Under this session, vendor selection for project management is determined. It is useful
for implementing team and getting each individuals' information related to performance and
requirements for team building (Joslin and Müller, 2015). However, it involves selection process
for choosing vendor including conducts interview for project accomplishment. In this process,
each supplier remains connected to all contractors for projecting and documentation of workers'
performance. In addition to this, it involves cost and time duration for task oriented strategies
regarding project management. However, it is relate to update project plans and preparing
selection matrix document for selecting vendor that impacts on environment of organization for
meeting objectives of project.
3.3 Stage control- Session 2
After team recognition of Session 1, new information and project duration increases its
cost for project accomplishment (Hornstein, 2015). It involves applying overtime and new
project planning procedure which saved as 'Baseline 3'. However, team plans for effective
project duration that increases costs and impacts on budgetary tools.
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3.4 Stage boundary Management- session 2 and 3
It is management related to project planning implementing between second and third
sessions. It involves preparing planning process for controlling over previous stages by
comparing current and past performances (Morris, 2013). Moreover, it includes cost and time
duration management for projecting. In addition to this, cost is compered that emerges variances.
It is helpful technique to implement changes. Thus, this plan is saved as 'session 3.1’. Including
this, it provides necessary updates related to project and all new cost and time schedules are
presented effectively.
3.5 Stage control- session 3
Stage management leads to address shortcomings for team. Under this stage, new brief
and new task are obtained to extended project. It includes activities like utilization of electrical
contractor. However, cost and time procedure and cost regarding painters and mechanical
installation is determined (Ahern, Leavy and Byrne, 2014). Including this, effective cost model is
presented for introducing slippage. However, project plan is termed as 'baseline 3.1'. In this
process. Overlapping of two shipments for supplement of pipes are determined as 25%.
3.6 Stage Boundary Management- session 3 and 4
After completing session 3, next step further to session 4 that includes variances for cost
and timing to process projects. In this regard, cost model is developed that is able to increase
efficiencies for projecting (Teller, Kock and Gemünden, 2014). In this form, project manager
named this task as 'session 4.1'. It involves cost baselines and respective comparing cost
efficiencies for implementing action plans to create price model as effective as possible.
However, it implements strategies for project planning and its implementation.
3.7 Stage control- session 4
Effective stage management proceed to identify shortcomings by analyzing previous
sessions. However, relationship between supplier and contractor is determined through this
process. It includes cost benefit analyses that influences cost effectiveness and proper strategies
for presenting pricing model. However, 'session 4' remains at winding stage through stage
control. Therefore, under this system, critical evaluation of projects and planning procedures are
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considered that impacts on structure and costing of project scheduling (Hwang and Ng, 2013).
Thus, proper strategies are determined for implementation and cost efficiencies. It also generates
ideas for further stage control which is related to team and resource allocation. In addition to this,
it also provides methods to increase cost and fund allocation for implementing project strategies.
3.8 Stage control-session 5
After completing 'session 4’ project management technique leads to 'session 5' it includes
factors like determining issues occurs at workplace. It also includes cost factors to spend and
getting source for fund allocation. Thus, this step is related to financial development and critical
path model to determine strategies for project implementation (Mir and Pinnington, 2014). Under
this process, schedule for project accomplishment involves planning procedures for further
timing. Thesession 5 is winded up through this process by recognizing time duration and costing
for project. Therefore, budget is prepared on the basis of last activities. In this regard, cost
variances and effectiveness is created for resource allocation and fund allocation. It influences
proper financial management to develop strategies for further activities to reach out the
accomplished tasks (Brewer and Strahorn, 2012).
3.9 Stage Control - Session 6
This stage has reflected a completed project that was delayed because of the installation
vendor done by the vendor. It is where the duration of the final project was raised by 95.74
weeks. It was together with an increased cost of the project that reflected a substantial rise with
an ultimate price of £6,514,468.14. However, this particular project was yet again reflected to be
carried out at a more preferred time period of 98 weeks (Cervone, 2011). Whereas, due to a
nonexistent clause of budget allocation, there existed no such comparison of costs.
3.10 Closing a Project
The project closure process is initiated by the Project Manager in order to notify about its
closing to the project board. It is basically to inform them that the project is organised to get
close. It is therefore reflected to be a last stage in which the project is referred to be submitted by
the projects team to its actual possessor.
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This in turn necessitates the Project Manager to together handover some vital documents
at the rime of handing it over to the owner that involves the original induction document of the
project (Thomson and El-Haram, 2014). It is along with both affiliated plans made at the
beginning and end of the project that also includes the issue register and log of the carried
lessons.
These documentations in turn aid the Project Board to ascertain the way in which the
project can be effectively managed for a successful closure at the end. It is however a dependent
clause in which, the project is usually closed with a prime approval of the Project Board where
the Project's team is required to close the project by excluding the Benefit review. It is
principally because of a deficit budget where it is among the three impulsive forces called
budget, time and scope as some consecutive elements required to serve a quality product
(Martinsuo, 2013).
CONCLUSION
Sodor project is referred to be a massive project that has involved multi-disciplinary
teams to handle its relative number of activities. Into which, the teams are together supposed to
conduct several meetings in order to understand the principle requirements of the project. It is
however on relating to the present scenario where the current team had minimal meetings with
their developmental teams for discussing the project.
It is where an inadequate budget was together depicted to be a leading flow in this
particular project with a principle concern of the project team to supervise the progressive means
of the project. It was in association with three more substantial considerations that were needed
to be tracked such as the cost or budget to carry out the project with effective research. It is along
with yet another indispensable component called time and scope that has defined the featured
objectives of the study.
It has however examined that the team over here did not intended to create a detailed
benefit plan of review for which the project was merely directed by its range and time span
where it is recommended that such utilize practice should be carried in a factual state. This will
in turn support the learners to attain more than their anticipated clauses.
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