Question 1
(a) Based on the CEO’s direction, you are to appraise the priority of the project by
constructing a project priority matrix.
(5 marks)
(b) Appraise four (4) relevant conditions in deciding to use the Top-down or Bottom-up
Estimate approach for estimating the project cost. For each condition, explain the
preferred approach and whether the approach is suitable to SWL for RCS Project.
Recommend the overall best approach and explain one estimation cost method to SWL.
Question 2
SWL will contract the consultancy to Tron AG. The reinforcement of the Sky Rock’s structure
will also be outsourced to Tron AG implementation team, supervised by the project member,
Hashim. Tron AG’s performance will have a major impact on the success of the RCS Project.
(a) Examine two (2) advantages of outsourcing the works mentioned above to Tron AG.
(4 marks)
(b) Analyse and discuss how you can adopt three (3) relevant best practices in outsourcing
project work to manage Tron AG.
Question 3
(a) Prepare and present in a single diagram, the Gantt Chart view of MS Project with
columns shown for Information, Task Name, Duration, Start Date, Finish Date,
Predecessors and Resource Names. State the project completion date and any resource
conflicts observed.
(b) Due to the specialised skills required, tight project schedule and full dedication of the
team required in this project, resource conflicts cannot be solved by transferring the
task to other people, multi-tasking or adding in more manpower. Hence they can only
be resolved through resource leveling.
You are mindful of the management’s wish to minimise the project duration. Hence
you must first perform a resource levelling within the schedule. Carry out the following
steps:
Click Resource-> Leveling Option -> check the button Level, enter the dates: From
1/9/2016; to 22/12/2016, then check the box: Level only within available slack. Finally
click Level All.
Evaluate and discuss the changes and any effect due to this resource leveling operation.
Determine any impact to the project completion date (i.e. Finish Date of Activity 1).
(c) You are also aware of the need to fully meet the new safety requirements, and hence no
reduction of work scope is allowed. For any resource conflict that cannot be solved
within the original schedule, perform a resource levelling beyond the deadline. (Carry
out the same steps in Q2(b), except uncheck the box: Level only within available slack).
Discuss the changes and any effect due to this resource leveling operation. State what
you observe on MS Project and any new project completion date.
Question 4
The project progresses on. Several issues occurred during the implementation period:
(1) Due to the appreciation of the Japanese Yen, the motor cost (Activity 4) increased by
5%.
(2) The entrance to the worksite (Activity 6) was found to be too small. Enlargement has
to be made with additional cost of $4000. Luckily this does not affect the schedule.
(3) You negotiated with Tron AG (Activity 3). They agreed to give a 10% discount on the
consultancy fee.
(a) Modify the Fixed Cost cells in the Cost Table to incorporate the above changes.
(i) There is an addition change: Due to additional customisation, upgrade of motor
(Activity 9) needs five (5) more days. The subcontractor agreed to work with
Hashim over weekends when absolutely necessary at the cost of $1000 per
Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday, and $500 per weekday. Noted the
deadline set by the Safety Regulation Board, evaluate the number of Saturday,
Sunday and or Public Holiday, and additional weekdays that Activity 9 has to
be carried out with minimum additional cost. Explain your approach and state
these additional working days and the additional cost. Add the cost and days
to Activity 9.
Note: In order not to affect other activities’ schedule, you have to modify only
Hashim working day for the weekends.
Do this by:
View->More View->Resource Sheet -> Right Click on row Hashim-
>Information->Change Working Time. In the table, enter the weekend dates,
then click Details, then click Working Times, click both the morning and
afternoon.To move the project forward, the CEO approved all the changes. The project progresses and it
was re-launched on the date in your final plan.
Set the Status Date to the next working day after the roller coaster launch date. Update the
project (Project -> Update Project -> Entire Project).
(ii) Present in a single diagram the Tracking Gantt Chart view of MS Project with
columns shown for Task Name, Duration, Start Date and Finish Date. State
the completion date.
(5 marks)
(iii) State the Cost Performance Index (CPI) formula, and evaluate the CPI. Present
a MS Project cost report or table with CPI to verify the correctness of your
calculation. Analyse and interpret the CPI.
(5 marks)
(b) Propose three (3) actions that could have been done earlier to prevent the issues in
Question 4(a) from happening or mitigate their impacts.
SECTION B (Total 25 marks)
The Senior Management of SWL asked for a presentation one week after the Sky Rock roller
coaster relaunch. It should address the following issues:
1. What are the objectives and priorities of the project, and are they met?
2. Were there changes in schedule and what are the contributing events?
3. Was there a cost overrun and what were the contributors for the cost overruns if any?
4. Lessons learnt and suggestions for future project.
Prepare a video recording of the presentation of at least 3 minutes but not exceeding 6 minutes.
If you are submitting your video file to Blackboard, please note that your file size should be no
more than 50MB and the format is in either .wmv or .mov.
SECTION C
Prepare a set of PowerPoint presentation upon which the video presentation is based. Please
note that the PowerPoint must be converted to PDF before submission to Blackboard/Canvas.