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Harris posted Jan 14, 2022 6:44 PMSubscribe

Class,

As we near the end of the course, this week we are challenged with describing the steps required to plan a project. Additionally, we are challenged with appointing both primary and secondary positions from Week Seven's Case Study. Before beginning this week's discussion, I would like to point out how there will likely be many different iterations and inputs to both the case study activity and with the discussion of the steps required when planning a project; however, there will also likely be a lot of overlap between everyone's forum.

First and foremost, in order to better understand what it takes to plan a project, the term project manager must be properly understood (Gordon 2022). With that being said, a project manager refers to the "individual responsible for managing a project" (PMI 2008, Pg 205). Additionally, a project refers to "a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result" (PMI 2008, Pg 204).

In regard to planning a project, there are five steps that are recommended to be followed in order to successfully carryout the project's lifecycle. The five steps, which is also referred to as the "five-phase model" by the Project Management Institute, consist of the 1) project initiation phase 2) project planning phase 3) project execution phase 4) project performance phase and 5) project closure phase (MacNeil 2021, para. 3). The project initiation phase is the first step of the project's lifecycle. The project initiation phase's purpose is to define why the project is being executed, what value does it have, and who are the targeted stakeholders along with how they can be bought-in as support for the project (MacNeil 2021, para. 3). The second step, which is also known as the project planning step, outlines all the specifics and pertinent details of the project, which would include the objectives, deliverables, and a roadmap diagram of the project (MacNeil 2021, para. 4), such as a work breakdown structure (WBS). As we learned in Week 2, a WBS "is a project management tool that takes a step-by-step approach to complete large projects with several moving pieces" (Organ & Bottorff 2021, para. 1). The third step, or the project execution step, carries out the actions denoted from the two previous steps (MacNeil 2021, para. 4). The fourth step, which is also referred to as the project performance step, gauges the overall effectiveness and performance of the project as it is being executed (MacNeil 2021, para. 4). In this step, changes will be implemented as they are deemed necessary. Lastly, the fifth step, which is the project closure step, delivers the project's deliverables and then debriefs the stakeholders to ensure that all expectations and criteria was appropriately met (MacNeil 2021, para. 4).

Backtracking to the first step, which is the project initiation phase, there are four individual steps within itself that need to be addressed. First, a project charter must be created (MacNeil 2021, para. 7). Dating back to Week 2, we learned that a project charter is "the statement of scope, objectives and people who are participating in a project" (Ray 2017, para. 1) and it established the importance of the project by addressing the who, the what, and the why (MacNeil 2021, para. 8). The second step must identify, engage, and hook the stakeholders (MacNeil 2021, para. 11). This step will address approval restraints, resource procurement/management, and the overall influence/budget of the project. The third step requires that a feasibility study proves the concept of the project based on the relevant known facts (MacNeil 2021, para. 14). One of the biggest takeaways from the feasibility study is that it will assess whether or not there is a profitable return on investment for the project. Lastly, the team and resources must be assembled and acquired (MacNeil 2021, para. 18).

The Case Study

Lead Engineer

I would appoint Carl Clear as the primary lead engineer with Paul Paulson as his secondary. I would pick Carl because he has the most experience out of the three, he is recognized as the "top engineer," and he has a successful work history with many other similar projects. In conjunction to this, I would pick Paul as his secondary because Paul brings a diverse skill set to the team from his previous working experience. Both Carl and Paul are locally based, are said to be team oriented, and budget focused when necessary. This is important because the lead engineer needs to be close in proximity to the project at hand in the event they need to visit the site on short notice, and because staying on budget is always a big necessity when executing a project.

Contract Manager

I would appoint Cindy Jolive as the primary contract engineer with Ron Nieber as his secondary. My explanation for this selection is due to the fact that Cindy has ten years of contract management experience with the company along with an additional five years of experience with contract management from another company. Cindy is stern with her clients and with her subordinates; however, she is also very result driven. Moreover, Ron has eight years of contract management with 2 additional years of finance experience. With that being said, Ron should have enough experience to lead the contract while also having insight to address any potential budget constraints. In conjunction with this, Ron is known to work well with Carl Clear, which I will appoint as the lead engineer. Optimistically, both Carl and Ron's easy-going personalities and respectability with the team should be able to balance out Cindy's tendency to put off clients. Lastly, both Cindy and Ron are also locally based in the event of a short notice presence is required.

Financial Manager

I would appoint Rod Smith as the primary financial manager with Larry Tandle as his secondary. Rod would make an excellent financial manager because of his twelve years of experience with finance within the company, his previously managed successful programs, and his fondness of working with Carl Clear. Most importantly, Rod is locally based and can provide a physical presence on short notice when necessary. As the secondary financial manager, I would appoint Larry. Larry has ten years of finance experience within the company and is identified as a financial guru. Additionally, Larry is also highly approved of within the company and is known to work well with everyone. Although Larry would make an ideal candidate to be the primary financial advisor, Larry current lives in San Diego. Moreover, Larry has expressed interest in relocating to Houston; however, the unfortunate reality is that Larry has not actually done so. Larry's role will be primarily based on virtual connectivity.

Creative Design

I would appoint Tammy Mason as the lead for creative design with Linda Vera as her secondary. Tammy would make a great lead for the creative design position because of her four years of experience along with her proven successful track record of winning several awards for creative design. Tammy is also known to work well with everyone, except Carl Clear; however, since Tammy lives in New York City, her position will be primarily virtual based. Hopefully the physical separation between Tammy and Carl can allow the two to work harmoniously with one another. Furthermore, Linda will make a good secondary for this project because of her limited tenure with the company and lack of involvement with previous projects. With Tammy's role being conducted primarily through virtual means, this would present a great opportunity to harness Linda's physical proximity to the company's location, along with her ten years of creative design experience from her predecessor company. To this point, Linda shows great leadership abilities such as her strong willingness, determination, and her likeable personality.

Client Support

I would appoint Sam Roberson as the primary for client support with Jason Anders as his secondary. Sam has over eight years of experience with the company and an additional five with another company. Sam's overall experience totals to an impressive thirteen years of client support experience. On the contrary, Jason only has ten years of client support experience. In further elaboration of this decision, Sam is locally based while Jason is based out of Seattle, WA. Sam's physical proximity will enable him to physically engage with more clients than Jason's remote location. Moreover, both guys are known to be well liked and they both have worked well in previous projects; however, it is known that Jason and Cindy cannot and will not work well together. As a result of this, Jason's position would be primarily virtual based, while Sam will take charge locally and hopefully lessen the tensions between both Jason and Cindy.

References:

Gordon, Robert. 2022. "Project and Project Manager" from Week 7: Planning a Program. DEFM550 American Military University.

MacNeil, Caeleigh. 2021. "Project initiation: The first step to successful project management" from Project Planning Resources at Asana, INC.

Organ, Christine and Bottorff, Cassie. 2021. "Work Breakdown Structure As A Project Management Tool" from Forbes Advisor.

Project Management Institute (PMI). 2008. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide). 4th ed.. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.

Ray, Stephanie. 2017. "A Quick Guide to Project Charters" from Project Management 101. Project Manager Incorporation