Comprehensive Project Management Case Study for Watson PLC Expansion

The report provides an in-depth analysis of Watson PLC's initiative to expand its club presence in the US by integrating 100-seat cinema halls. It evaluates the estimated budget and timeline provided by the project manager and finance manager, considering both internal resources and external vendors. The study employs various project management methodologies to assess risks, performance metrics, and stakeholder relationships. Key references include works on project sponsorship, risk management, complexity theory, and earned value project management, ensuring a robust framework for successful execution and competitive advantage in the market.

Running head: MANAGING PROJECTS
Module: SIM335 Managing Projects
Assignment Code: SIM335
Student Name:
University Name:

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Table of Contents
Task 1 - Short answer questions......................................................................................................2
Answer to Question 1..................................................................................................................2
Answer to Question 2..................................................................................................................3
Answer to Question 3..................................................................................................................3
Answer to Question 4..................................................................................................................4
Answer to Question 5..................................................................................................................4
Answer to Question 6..................................................................................................................5
Task 2 – Project Report...................................................................................................................5
1. Introduction..............................................................................................................................5
2. Project Background.................................................................................................................6
3. Aims and Objectives................................................................................................................6
3.1 Aim of the project..............................................................................................................6
3.2 Objectives of the project....................................................................................................6
4. Project Scope...........................................................................................................................6
5. Purpose of the project plan......................................................................................................7
5.1 Project concerns.................................................................................................................7
5.2 Project stages and processes..............................................................................................8
5.3 Leadership and administration...........................................................................................8
5.4 Control problems...............................................................................................................9
5.5 Project assumptions...........................................................................................................9
5.6 Project constraints..............................................................................................................9
5.7 Project deliverables..........................................................................................................10
6. List of project resources.........................................................................................................10
6.1 Roles and responsibilities of the project resources..........................................................11
7. Project Schedule....................................................................................................................11
8. Work Breakdown Structure...................................................................................................16
9. Milestones in the project........................................................................................................16
10. Estimated project budget.....................................................................................................17
11. Communication plan............................................................................................................17
12. Closure Checklist.................................................................................................................18
13. Conclusion...........................................................................................................................19
References......................................................................................................................................20

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Task 1 - Short answer questions
Answer to Question 1
The three types in which project are being categorized are described as below:
Civil Engineering, Construction, Petrochemical, Mining, and Quarrying: This type of
project mainly involve industrial projects. Special risks as well as problems may be incurred
upon an organization due to these types of projects (Walker 2015). Some typical examples of
these type of projects are Construction of a building, Opening a new commercial complex,
Design and Development of a coal mine and etc.
Manufacturing Projects: In this type of project, the aim is to produce or develop an
equipment, machinery, vehicle or even some other item. The developed product from these type
of projects maybe intended for single customer or even funded within the company (Fleming and
Koppelman 2016). The examples of these type of projects include Manufacturing of Aircraft,
Manufacturing of earth moving vehicles or even manufacturing of a small pen.
Management Projects: These type of projects reflect that expertise of project
management is essential for every company regardless of their size. The typical examples of
these type of project include:
 Relocation of company headquarters
 Development and implementation of a new information system
 Launching a campaign for marketing
 Preparing feasibility report or other documentation
 Organizing a trade exhibition or stage show

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Answer to Question 2
The major concern of scope change control is to identify the factors that influence
changes in project scope along with monitoring the impact on project due to such changes. It
ensures that the changes that are being requested as well as the required corrective actions are
carried out using the process of project Integrated Change Control. It can be integrated with other
control processes for management of actual changes that may occur in a project.
The process of change can be managed by using control system that will be documented
in the scope management plan. The management plan for scope changes will comprise definition
of the procedures which can be followed to make changes in the project scope. The performance
measurements can be used for assessing the variations due to changes in project scope.
Answer to Question 3
Project Gantt chart

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The project will require 25 days to complete according to the duration provided for the
required activities.
Gantt chart is defined as graphical representation of the timeframe required to execute
and complete a project. The Gantt chart serves as an outline for the project plan that have to be
followed for successful execution of the project. The major benefit of Gantt chart is that it
provides scheduling to execute required activities that could be used for suitable time
management.
Answer to Question 4
The project closeout report is an essential element to ensure success of future project as it
involves documentation of the lessons learnt, identifying the gaps and review of a particular
project. The generation of closeout report is required for supporting project managers in future
projects so that it can be completed successfully (Leach 2014). The closeout report also reflects
on the acceptance of final product or deliverable by the client. In this report, the analysis is
carried out on whether the objectives have been met according to specification by the client.
Answer to Question 5
Risk management is defined as the process of identifying, analyzing and development of
measures for mitigation of risks that may arise throughout the lifecycle of a project. The risk
management ensures that the project remains on track and the objectives are being met according
to requirements of the client (Nicholas and Steyn 2017).
Some of the major tools and techniques that might be included in the process of risk
management are review of documentation, techniques for information gathering, brainstorming,
root cause analysis, risk probability assessment matrix and etc.

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Answer to Question 6
The major reason behind quality audits on projects is assessment of the chosen
methodology to ensure that it supports the project manager with required procedures as well as
processes. This assessment is required for the project managers to ensure success of the project
(Kerzner 2017). The quality audits on projects help to determine the major concerns of
stakeholders, project sponsor along with the team members. The audits could also be used to
illustrate in the recommendations that can be adapted for overcoming the issues and concerns so
that the project remains on track.
Task 2 – Project Report
1. Introduction
Watson PLC, a British Leisure Company, which is specializes is in provisioning and
operation of a private health and fitness club. However, due to certain operational and functional
disability the company is willing to expand their business by opening a cinema hall with 100
seats. In addition to this the other components of this project include an extensive beauty spa
with treatment facilities, hairdressing, massage and cosmetic treatment as well.
It is expected that the project will help the company to gain competitive advantages and
measurable revenue as well. This project defines the aim and objectives project. In order to
accomplish the project accurate roles and responsibilities are needed to be served by the project
stakeholders. For reducing the work load from the project team members based on the skills and
knowledge of the stakeholders the job roles are divided accordingly. In addition to this, project
assumptions, project concerns and stages those are maintained by the project manager to
complete the project are also elaborated in this report.

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2. Project Background
In the year of 1994, Watson PLC opened their first club and with the moving time span
they have also opened 24 more clubs in United Kingdom. In order to gain more profit the
company is willing to open a new club with new and advanced facilities. Additionally, Watson
PLC is also willing to open a cinema hall and extensive beauty spa. The beauty spa will provide
vast range of treatment and services to their consumers.
3. Aims and Objectives
3.1 Aim of the project
The aim of the project is to expand the existing business activities of Watson PLC by
opening a health studio including spa, steam room and sauna as well to gain competitive
advantages and profit.
3.2 Objectives of the project
 To open a new club that would have new facilities and services throughout
 To construct an extensive beauty spa for the clients
 To incorporate vast range of treatment facilities including cosmetic treatment,
hairdressing and massage for the consumers
4. Project Scope
The scope of Watson PLC project includes many advances facilities and advanced
operational activities accordingly. Watson PLC is willing to open a new club to provide new and
advanced facilities and services to their consumers. In addition to this, it also wants to extend the
beauty spa that would facilitate new range of treatment and services as well for the consumers. It

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is expected that with the help of the advanced treatment facilities the company would be able to
grab more consumers, revenue throughout United States.
5. Purpose of the project plan
5.1 Project concerns
The project developed for Watson PLC should have the following concerns for successful
development of the project ad are listed below:
Ensuring proper management of the activities – The project schedule should be
monitored for the development of the project and the changes in the requirement of the project
must be managed by the project manager (Turner 2016). A priority list must be created for
management of the resources and a log should be used for recording the activity of the team
members.
Defining the project metrics – Data should be collected and similar type of project
should be analysed for creation of a benchmark. The project report should be reviewed and
expected results should be analysed for evaluation of the rate of success of the project.
Ensuring effective communication between the team members – A communication plan
should be used for communicating with the different stakeholders associated with the
development of the project (Snyder 2014). Two way communication should be used for
analysing the progress of the project and remove the constraints raised during the project
development process.
Integration of the strategic management plan – It is used for the management of the
changes in the business process of the organization and reduce the effort of the team members
for the management of the project (Martinelli and Milosevic 2016).

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5.2 Project stages and processes
The main stages of the project are given below:
Project initiation phase – In this stage and analysis is made on the requirement of the
project and a feasibility study is made fir the identification of the risk associated with the
development of the project.
Planning stage – In this stage an outline of the project should be created and the
resources required for the project is assigned to each of the activity for the estimation of the
budget (Mir and Pinnington 2014). The communication plan, strategic management plan and the
risk management plan is also created.
Execution stage – In this stage the development of the project is started following the
project schedule created.
Monitoring stage – In this stage the project manager monitors the progress of the project
and controls the different operation for resolving the problems in the project and develop a
quality project.
Closure stage - All the stakeholders are involved and the documentation of the project is
created for signing the project closure document.
5.3 Leadership and administration
Effective leadership and administrative is important for the organizing the task and
increase the productivity of the team members for successful development of the project
(Heldman 2015). The project manager should have leadership skills and able to communicate
with all the stakeholders efficiently for management of the problems faced by the team members.

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5.4 Control problems
The control problems that may occur within the project are described as below:
Scope change control: The requests for change in project scope during lifecycle of the
project may lead to delay or even failure (Cicmil et al. 2017). Hence, controlling the changes in
project scope is a challenging task for the project.
Risk control: The controlling of risks that may arise during execution of the project is
also a bit complex task. The improper control of risks may lead to failure of the project.
Quality control: Quality is considered as an essential factor to determine success of the
project (Lock 2017). Hence, the controlling of quality may be hampered with the changes in
project scope which in turn would result into failure of the project.
5.5 Project assumptions
The assumptions that have been made in context to the Watson PLC project are listed as
below:
 Availability of adequate funds required for the project.
 Availability of adequate resources for the project.
 Required workforce has suitable skills and expertise.
5.6 Project constraints
Constraints are essential factors to determine success of any project as those ensure that
whether it will be complete within estimated time and budget. The constraints identified in
context to the Watson PLC project are described as below:

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Scope: The request for changes in project scope at a certain point in between lifecycle of
the project may hinder the progress (Portny 2017). This may eventually cause delay or even
failure of the project.
Time: The completion of project within estimated time is an important factor for
satisfaction of the client. Hence, if the project is delayed then the client may not be satisfied and
accept the project.
Cost: Cost is an important factor for successful execution of a project as if there is
shortage in funding in between the progress of project then it may cause failure of the project
(Todorovic et al. 2015). Hence, there is a need to make proper budgeting for success of any
project.
5.7 Project deliverables
The deliverables of the project for Watson PLC are illustrated as below:
 A new club with new facilities and services.
 A small 100 seat cinema theatre.
 A beauty spa with vast range of treatments and services.
6. List of project resources
Resource Name Type Initials Max. Units Std. Rate
Project manager Work PM 100% $20.00/hr
Finance manager Work FM 100% $18.00/hr
Project sponsors Work PS 100% $20.00/hr
Contractors Work C 100% $15.00/hr
Sub-contractors Work SC 100% $12.00/hr
HR manager Work HRM 100% $10.00/hr
Facility manager Work FCM 100% $0.00/hr
Business analyst Work BA 100% $18.00/hr
material needed for extensive Material M $130.00