Faculty of Business and Law
Level:
6
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Module:
SIM335 Managing Projects
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Assignment Code:
SIM335
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Module Leader:
Michael Cassop-Thompson
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Issue date:
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Return date:
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Contribution to module assessment:
100%
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This is an individual assignment - complete both tasks 1 and 2
Background: The assignment is intended to bring out the benefits and limitations of different approaches to project planning and control by relating these to the circumstances in the cases outlined. It is also intended to allow students to demonstrate their learning and competence in respect of the management of resources generally, but in particular elements of scope, schedule, quality, and cost.
Case 1:MangeistLtd is an organisation which provides plant and materials to the building sector. These products include: Cement Mixers, Dump Trucks, Compressors and Pneumatic Drills, Lighting rigs, and Vibrating Plates. As part of your job as the Mangeist Ltd special projects manager, you have produced a list of activities that need to be addressed to source a new range of industrial forklift trucks for supply to the sector. The details are shown in the table provided. Please note: You must use the methodology detailed above table 1 headed
“essential methodology”.
Task 1 (40% marks)
1)Draw the network diagram (use activity on the node). (8 marks)
2)Explain how you determined the timing of activities and the total float. (6 marks)
3)Explain how you determined the project duration and the critical path. (6 marks)
4)If the project starts on the Monday 7 January 2013, what is the earliest date it can be completed using a 5 day working week? Assume no other holidays (explain how you calculated the figure). (4 marks)
5)If the following happened what would be the effect on the duration of the whole project? Explain the reasons. (6 marks)
a)Activity B is delayed 1 day.
b)Activity P is delayed 1 day.
c)Activity 0 is delayed 2 days
6)Explain the limitations of Network diagrams. (10 marks)
Essential methodology (activity on the node):
· All the timings (i.e. earliest start, earliest finish, latest start, latest finish, total float, duration and activity) must be included within each node of your diagram. This essential methodology is detailed in the text: Project Management, Field and Keller (2007. p. 197,p.198 & p. 391)
· All timings must be in days –
not dates
· To complete your network diagram assume that:
oIf task A has a duration of 4 days (task A, earliest finish would be day 4), therefore, task B earliest start time will be day 4.
· This essential methodology is detailed in the text: Project Management, Field and Keller (2007. p. 197,p.198 & p. 391),
Table 1
Activity (Tasks)
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Duration (Days)
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Preceded By
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A
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4
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-
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B
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5
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A
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C
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4
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A
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D
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8
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A
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E
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6
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A
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F
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2
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A
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G
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13
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B,C,D,E, F
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H
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8
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G
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I
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7
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H
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J
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6
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H
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K
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8
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I, J
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L
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13
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K
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M
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9
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L
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N
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4
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M
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O
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5
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B
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P
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12
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N
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Q
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2
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O, P
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Case 2: Watson Ltd is a SME company specialising in the design and supply of signage. The organisations they are commissioned by includes: Local Authorities, SME enterprises, and - on rare organisations - large global companies. The company has been particularly successful since it started trading in 2005. They trade from a single main warehouse that also includes office accommodation (25,000 square metres). At present the company employs 1 General Manager, 2 Assistant Managers, 3 Administration staff, 4 Design and Sales Staff, and 6 General Operations staff.
As part of a strategy of expansion, Watson Ltd have employed you as a consultant to manage a one off special project. This project is concerned with the opening of a building which they recently acquired (35,000 square metres). This new building will allow the company to target and respond to large global organisations demands for Signage. Initially, the staffing structure at the new building will mirror the existing structure at the existing site.
Task 2 (60% marks)
As Project Manager responsible for the opening – for trade - the new building, you are contracted at the feasibility stage. You are required to prepare a report (2,000 words). From a
project management perspective
outline the activities required to successfully manage this new initiative, ensuring that it is on time, and within budget.
The analysis should include the skills and competencies required by the Project Manager, along with the project management process. Use examples of the concerns, stages, processes, leadership, administration and control problems associated with managing the lifecycle of this major project.