Fundamentals of Project Management

Goal

Allow students to demonstrate comprehension of project scheduling using the standard approach. Students will create a Network Diagram that highlights activities and their relationships, which can be used to determine the project's critical path and critical time.

Related course objective:

Comprehension of project management artifacts to solve business problems

Details

You will undertake the role of "Project Manager" to identify at least ten (10) work package level activities (NOT categories of work or summary tasks) for either of the following (below) cases. You can assume that you have a fully capable team with the necessary skills to complete all project work. You should estimate labor costs for most or all tasks in addition to materials costs. All activities identified will comprise the project scope and should be a fairly comprehensive list of the significant activities necessary to complete the project. Draw upon your own experiences and/or research (i.e., online search, etc.) to develop your list of activities. Each activity must:

Have plausible estimates (duration and cost) - anticipated expenses should include the cost of your and your team members' time, purchase of materials, contract fees, etc.

Be logically related/sequenced

Case Option 1: Office Remodel. Remodel either your home or business office. This should be an extensive remodel substantial enough to require about one month to complete, based on a weekday schedule. Assume that you will either hire contractors or pay friends/family to assist with at least some of the work so there should be labor costs in addition to other costs.

Case Option 2: Host Training Class. Host a mandatory training class for your employer. Assume you have only been told what the high level skill need will be and you have to research and plan everything else from there. The class should be held roughly one (1) month from today. Again, assume that you will pay labor and/or materials costs for all or most tasks and are on a weekday schedule.

Tip 1: Feel free to include your work breakdown structure in your submission, but do not confuse your WBS with your network diagram! You are graded on the network diagram.

Tip 2: Using task numbers and durations on your network diagram makes it much easier to trace your paths through the model and identify your critical path and critical time.

Network Diagram: Case > The Project Critical Path is: \#\#\#\#\# The Project Critical Time is: \#\#\# days The Project Budget at Completion is: $###### Schedule 1 Total Points: 10 Network Diagram: Case > The Project Critical Path is: \#\#\#\#\# The Project Critical Time is: \#\#\# days The Project Budget at Completion is: $###### Schedule 1 Total Points: 10