Introduction To Modern Project Management Practices
Project Background
The paper mainly focuses on the construction of a building for Wesfarmers in order to provide the facility of warehouse. The warehouse facility is needed by the company “Wesfarmers” for the purpose of storing materials and goods. It is identified that the design of the building is done in order to accommodate need for future loading docks, truck space as well as car parking space.
b. Project background
The organization “Wesfarmers” started its journey in the year 1914 and now it is considered as one of the largest companies of Australia. The company has it’s headquarter in Western Australia and the business operation of the company mainly cover supermarkets, hotel and convenience stores, office supplies, industrial safety products and more. It is identified that with expansion, the company faces difficulty in storing goods as well as products. For resolving this issue, the company wants to construct a building in Australia, which would be helpful for providing the facility of warehouse so that the products and materials of the companies can be easily stored.
c. Project stakeholders
The stakeholders who are involved in the project are as follows:
- Project manager
- Project planner
- Supervisor
- Architect
- Worker
- Contractor
- Supplier
- Civil engineer
- Machine operator
- Financial manager
- Human resource manager
2. Project scope
a. Project objective
The objectives of the project are as follows:
- To construct a building for “Wesfarmers”
- To provide the facility of warehouse for storing goods and materials for the company
- To resolve the issue that the company faces due to improper storage facility
The lists of deliverables for the project are as follows:
- Design drawings
- Technical interpretation
- Site investigation report
- Design review
- Tender document
- Manufacturing process improvement
- Progress report
- Marketing study
The milestones of the project are provided in the table below:
|
Task Name |
Duration |
Start |
Finish |
|
Milestone 1: Completion of initiation phase |
0 days |
Tue 2/13/18 |
Tue 2/13/18 |
|
Milestone 2: Completion of planning phase |
0 days |
Thu 3/22/18 |
Thu 3/22/18 |
|
Milestone 3: Completion of design process |
0 days |
Fri 3/2/18 |
Fri 3/2/18 |
|
Milestone 4: Completion of construction phase |
0 days |
Fri 4/13/18 |
Fri 4/13/18 |
|
Milestone 5: Completion of closure phase |
0 days |
Tue 4/17/18 |
Tue 4/17/18 |
d. Technical requirements
The technical requirements of the project are as follows:
Architectural: The technical requirements are associated with concrete, masonry, metals and more.
Mechanical: The technical requirements are also related with plumbing as well as fire protection.
Electrical: The technical requirements are associated with electrical, communication as well as electronic safety and security system.
Site/ Civil: Earthwork utilities, exterior improvements as well as utilities related with electrical and water supply system.
e. Limits and exclusions
The limits and exclusions of the project include:
Budget: It is identified that the estimated budget of the project is around $357,560. The project manager must complete the project within this estimated budget.
Time: It is quite important for the project manager to complete the entire project within 115 days.
Scope: The project must follow the scope, so that the entire project will be completed successfully.
b. Project schedule
|
Task Name |
Duration |
Start |
Finish |
|
Construction of building for Wesfarmers for providing warehouse facility |
112 days |
Thu 2/8/18 |
Fri 7/13/18 |
|
Initiation phase |
25 days |
Thu 2/8/18 |
Wed 3/14/18 |
|
Development of business case |
7 days |
Thu 2/8/18 |
Fri 2/16/18 |
|
Undertaking feasibility study |
9 days |
Mon 2/19/18 |
Thu 3/1/18 |
|
Establishing charter |
10 days |
Mon 2/19/18 |
Fri 3/2/18 |
|
Appointing project team members |
9 days |
Fri 3/2/18 |
Wed 3/14/18 |
|
Milestone 1: Completion of initiation phase |
0 days |
Fri 3/2/18 |
Fri 3/2/18 |
|
Planning phase |
23 days |
Mon 3/5/18 |
Wed 4/4/18 |
|
Creation of project plan |
8 days |
Thu 3/15/18 |
Mon 3/26/18 |
|
Creation of resource plan |
7 days |
Thu 3/15/18 |
Fri 3/23/18 |
|
Development of financial plan |
6 days |
Mon 3/5/18 |
Mon 3/12/18 |
|
Creation of quality plan |
5 days |
Tue 3/27/18 |
Mon 4/2/18 |
|
Development of risk plan |
8 days |
Mon 3/26/18 |
Wed 4/4/18 |
|
Creation of acceptance plan |
7 days |
Tue 3/13/18 |
Wed 3/21/18 |
|
Development of communication plan |
6 days |
Tue 3/13/18 |
Tue 3/20/18 |
|
Milestone 2: Completion of planning phase |
0 days |
Mon 4/2/18 |
Mon 4/2/18 |
|
Design phase |
26 days |
Wed 3/21/18 |
Wed 4/25/18 |
|
Creation of rough sketch |
10 days |
Wed 3/21/18 |
Tue 4/3/18 |
|
Integrated design process |
12 days |
Tue 4/3/18 |
Wed 4/18/18 |
|
Architect drawing |
15 days |
Tue 4/3/18 |
Mon 4/23/18 |
|
Arrangement of meetings for permit |
16 days |
Wed 4/4/18 |
Wed 4/25/18 |
|
Milestone 3: Completion of design process |
0 days |
Tue 4/3/18 |
Tue 4/3/18 |
|
Construction phase |
67 days |
Wed 4/4/18 |
Thu 7/5/18 |
|
Break ground |
12 days |
Thu 4/26/18 |
Fri 5/11/18 |
|
Excavation |
15 days |
Thu 4/26/18 |
Wed 5/16/18 |
|
Foundation |
17 days |
Wed 4/4/18 |
Thu 4/26/18 |
|
Concrete slab Pour |
18 days |
Mon 5/14/18 |
Wed 6/6/18 |
|
Providing utilities like Sewer, electrical, Water |
16 days |
Mon 5/14/18 |
Mon 6/4/18 |
|
Framing |
15 days |
Thu 5/17/18 |
Wed 6/6/18 |
|
Roofing |
17 days |
Fri 4/27/18 |
Mon 5/21/18 |
|
Lighting and electrical |
20 days |
Thu 6/7/18 |
Wed 7/4/18 |
|
Insulation |
21 days |
Thu 6/7/18 |
Thu 7/5/18 |
|
Drywall |
18 days |
Tue 6/5/18 |
Thu 6/28/18 |
|
Flooring |
17 days |
Thu 6/7/18 |
Fri 6/29/18 |
|
Milestone 4: Completion of construction phase |
0 days |
Wed 6/6/18 |
Wed 6/6/18 |
|
Closure phase |
27 days |
Thu 6/7/18 |
Fri 7/13/18 |
|
Post project review |
5 days |
Mon 7/2/18 |
Fri 7/6/18 |
|
Stakeholder sign off |
4 days |
Thu 6/7/18 |
Tue 6/12/18 |
|
Documentation |
5 days |
Mon 7/9/18 |
Fri 7/13/18 |
|
Milestone 5: Completion of closure phase |
0 days |
Tue 6/12/18 |
Tue 6/12/18 |
4. Cost estimates (Budget)
It is identified that the estimated budget of the project is around $ 357,560.00. The table below provides cost estimation for each of the project activity.
|
Task Name |
Duration |
Cost |
|
Construction of building for Wesfarmers for providing warehouse facility |
112 days |
$357,560.00 |
|
Initiation phase |
25 days |
$26,600.00 |
|
Development of business case |
7 days |
$5,320.00 |
|
Undertaking feasibility study |
9 days |
$6,480.00 |
|
Establishing charter |
10 days |
$7,600.00 |
|
Appointing project team members |
9 days |
$7,200.00 |
|
Milestone 1: Completion of initiation phase |
0 days |
$0.00 |
|
Planning phase |
23 days |
$36,400.00 |
|
Creation of project plan |
8 days |
$6,080.00 |
|
Creation of resource plan |
7 days |
$7,280.00 |
|
Development of financial plan |
6 days |
$4,320.00 |
|
Creation of quality plan |
5 days |
$3,600.00 |
|
Development of risk plan |
8 days |
$5,760.00 |
|
Creation of acceptance plan |
7 days |
$5,040.00 |
|
Development of communication plan |
6 days |
$4,320.00 |
|
Milestone 2: Completion of planning phase |
0 days |
$0.00 |
|
Design phase |
26 days |
$41,560.00 |
|
Creation of rough sketch |
10 days |
$7,200.00 |
|
Integrated design process |
12 days |
$7,200.00 |
|
Architect drawing |
15 days |
$15,000.00 |
|
Arrangement of meetings for permit |
16 days |
$12,160.00 |
|
Milestone 3: Completion of design process |
0 days |
$0.00 |
|
Construction phase |
67 days |
$246,360.00 |
|
Break ground |
12 days |
$11,520.00 |
|
Excavation |
15 days |
$20,400.00 |
|
Foundation |
17 days |
$17,680.00 |
|
Concrete slab Pour |
18 days |
$23,760.00 |
|
Providing utilities like Sewer, electrical, Water |
16 days |
$16,640.00 |
|
Framing |
15 days |
$19,800.00 |
|
Roofing |
17 days |
$17,680.00 |
|
Lighting and electrical |
20 days |
$21,600.00 |
|
Insulation |
21 days |
$42,000.00 |
|
Drywall |
18 days |
$28,080.00 |
|
Flooring |
17 days |
$27,200.00 |
|
Milestone 4: Completion of construction phase |
0 days |
$0.00 |
|
Closure phase |
27 days |
$6,640.00 |
|
Post project review |
5 days |
$1,800.00 |
|
Stakeholder sign off |
4 days |
$3,040.00 |
|
Documentation |
5 days |
$1,800.00 |
|
Milestone 5: Completion of closure phase |
0 days |
$0.00 |
5. Risk management
|
Risk |
Description |
Impact |
Probability |
Mitigation strategies |
|
Improper estimation of budget |
Due to improper estimation of the project, the project manager faces difficulty in completing the project and as a result the project progress is obstructed due to shortage of budget. |
High |
High |
It is quite important to estimate the project budget by analyzing the market cost of the materials as well resources of the project properly. |
|
Lack of predictability |
Due to lack of predictability, the project manager faces difficulty in estimating the duration of the project effectively. |
High |
Medium |
Experienced project managers must be assigned so that they can have more power of prediction in comparison to the new project managers. |
|
Inexperienced project manager |
If the project managers are not inexperienced then they will face difficulty in completing the project on time and budget |
High |
Medium |
It is very much important to hire project managers based on their experience. |
|
Improper quality of materials |
Due to use of improper quality of materials, the project will face quality related issues. |
High |
High |
It is very much important to use proper quality of materials within the project. |
|
Improper design of the project |
If the design of the project is not created properly then the civil engineer will face issue during project construction. |
Medium |
Medium |
It is very much necessary to create proper design for the project. |
6. Project organization and Management
Project Stakeholders
a. Project organization
A project organization is a structure that generally helps in facilitating the co-ordination as well proper implementation of various project activities. Its main reason is to create proper environment that generally helps in fostering interactions among the various team members for minimizing the amount of overlap, conflicts as well as disruptions. The figure below reflects the project organization structure of Wesfarmers.
b. Project roles and responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities of the project are provided in the table below:
|
Roles |
Responsibilities |
|
Project manager |
The project manager is the person who is responsible for delivering project with proper authority and responsibility. In addition to this, it is identified that the entire responsibility of initiating, planning, controlling as well as executing is done by the project manager. |
|
Project planner |
The project planner is the person who mainly works with the business directors in order to oversee as well as direct the project progression. |
|
Supervisor |
The supervisor of the project is mainly responsible of developing, implementing the various project works. In addition to this, they also help in developing, maintaining as well as improving business relations that are quite vital for the success of the project. |
|
Architect |
The project architect is the person who mainly engages in designing sketches, preparing budgets as well as meeting with clients. |
|
Contractor |
A contractor is the person who is mainly responsible of day-to-day oversight of construction site so that the entire building must be constructed properly. |
|
Supplier |
Supplier provides all the necessary resources that are needed in order to construct the project successfully. |
|
Civil engineer |
The civil engineers are the person who is mainly responsible of creating, improving the condition of the organization by constructing the building for providing the facility of warehouse. |
|
Machine operator |
The machines operators generally operates machines for completion the work operation of the project on proper budget and time. |
|
Financial manager |
The financial manager is the person who is mainly responsible of financial reports, direct investments as well as engages in developing various types of strategies as well as plans for the long-term financial goals. |
|
Human resource manager |
Human resource manager is the person who is mainly responsible of planning, directing as well as coordinating the administrative functions. |
c. Project controls
i) Change management (Strategies)
The change management strategies for the project include:
Proper prediction: It is necessary to predict the duration as well as budget properly so that the entire project can be completed successfully.
Arranging meetings on a weekly basis: Proper meeting must be arranged on weekly basis in order to know the status of the project.
Proper track on the utilization of resources: Proper track on the project resources must be kept so that the project managers can be able to complete the project within the budget.
Use of proper quality of materials: It is necessary to use proper quality of materials in the project for providing quality based outcome.
ii) Management reporting
|
Role |
Report |
|
Financial manager |
The financial manager analyzes that the budget of the project is not sufficient for completing the project. |
|
Human resource manager |
The human resource manager analyzes that the resources of the project are not used properly. |
|
Project planner |
The project planner estimated that the project needs two weeks more for completing the building construction successfully. |
|
Status report |
Discussion |
|
Monthly |
The project manager discusses about the status of the project. |
|
Weekly |
The project manager analyzes that whether the project is progressing properly or not. |
|
Daily |
On a daily basis, the operations of the project are tracked. |
7. Communication Plan
a. Meeting reports
|
Communication type |
Discussion |
Medium |
Frequency |
Audience |
Owner |
Deliverable |
|
Kick off meeting |
Project initiation phase is reviewed. |
§ Face to face |
Once |
§ Project sponsor § Project team § Stakeholders |
Project manager |
§ Agenda § Meeting minutes |
|
Project team meeting |
The status of the project is reviewed with the help of team members. |
§ Face to face § Conference hall |
As required |
Project team |
Project manager |
§ Agenda § Meeting minutes |
|
Status meeting |
The status of the project is reported. |
§ Face to face § Conference hall |
Monthly |
PMO |
Project manager |
|
|
Project status report |
Report on the project status including activities, progress and more |
§ Face to face § Conference hall |
Weekly |
§ Project sponsor § Project team § Stakeholders |
Project manager |
§ Agenda § Meeting minutes |
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