Tasks: Your first task is to write a report focusing on the introduction of a new project planning approach. This report is expected to serve as an input for the discussions at the board of directors....

Tasks: Your first task is to write a report focusing on the introduction of a new project planning approach. This report is expected to serve as an input for the discussions at the board of directors. This has become a critical issue as several key suppliers of the company have required to coordinate their planning activities with those of your company. For OmniBuild, the stated objectives of your report are to: • Demonstrate that a systematic planning approach impacts on financial performance; • Explain the relationship between project planning and the controlling of budgets and time schedules in project management (PM); • Suggest several specific project planning techniques for improved project performance; • Provide evidence (e.g. through secondary data collection from the literature about the effectiveness of PM planning activities; • Explain how the interaction between project management, project portfolio management and strategic programme management can lead to better planning and financial performance; and • Analyse how better planning can produce positive financial results through better coordination with key suppliers. Timescale Although your report is time critical, a 4 month period is given to prepare, before presenting in front of the board of directors of OmniBuild. Please consider progress meetings or other milestones as part of your time planning. Cost A total project budget of £850,000 is considered appropriate and sufficient by the Finance Director. This sum is intended to cover all costs to finish your report including all consultant and travel costs, and new hardware and software for the project planning software solution. The budget includes all costs for contacting and meeting suppliers of OmniBuild. The only costs this budget would not cover would be the salaries of any project managers seconded full or part-time to support you. They would draw their salaries exactly as usual from their units which does not impact on your budget. Staffing Personnel allocated for your study are: two secretaries with a salary at £ 3,250 p.c.m. (per current month), and two consultants at £ 200 per hour or 1,600 per day. Further Instructions: Assignment Questions In the role of the Chief Project Planning Manager you are required to develop a report (including academic references) of approximately 2,500 words in length and not exceeding 3000 words. Your report should be structured along the following lines: Part A – General overview (60%) – approx. 2,500 words Critically evaluate the relationships between project planning and project controlling. Discuss what steps can be taken to improve the financial performance of projects at OmniBuild and identify the key weaknesses of the current HR focus. In addition, assess the key measures and tactics required to implement a new project planning approach.