Principles of Project Management

Read the scenario below and answer the questions that follow. Digital Solutions Pty Ltd Digital Solutions Pty Ltd is an established Information and Technology solutions provider that has been delivering supply chain IT support services to multiple organizations in South Africa for the past decade, consistently maintaining a 20\% market share since its inception. The company places a strong emphasis on cultivating a workforce of highly skilled professionals, specializing in the fields of Information Technology and supply chain management. However, recent concerns have arisen regarding stagnant market share growth. In response, the CEO, Mr. Naidoo, has decided to explore the African markets as a strategic approach to expanding market share. This initiative is seen as a mid-term plan with an expected positive impact within the next 5 years. Following a board discussion, it was decided that the most immediate solution to drive this strategic objective forward is to adopt a project-based approach. Consequently, the board has appointed Kemang Projects and Consulting, an organization led by you, to take charge of Digital Solutions Pty Ltd's project office and ensure the success of this endeavour. Under your leadership, Kemang Projects and Consulting conducted a preliminary evaluation to determine the optimal approach for implementing this project. The project team has identified that the members of Digital Solutions Pty Ltd will require capacity building to ensure the successful execution of the project plan. The focus of this capacity-building effort will be a workshop designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of key project management concepts, including project integration management, project scope and time management, project quality, cost, procurement, and risk management, as well as the effective management of project resources, communication, stakeholder engagement, and successful project closure. Your mandate is to oversee and execute this project, ensuring that the organization can effectively and efficiently achieve its strategic objectives within the specified timeframes. Establishing a close working relationship with Digital Solutions Pty Ltd personnel will be crucial to the success of this undertaking. 1.2. When carrying out the African Penetration Project, it is expected that the project's execution will follow a specific project life cycle model. Provide an illustration of the project life cycle as prescribed by Oosthuizen and Venter (2018:9). (8 marks)