Category: Project Management

Provide your thoughts on one of the following topics (
Describe the four phases of the traditional project life cycle. Which phase do you think would be the most difficult one to complete?
What are some of the key environmental forces that have changed the way projects are managed? What has been the effect of these forces on the management of projects?
What kinds of projects is Agile PM best suited for and why?
The technical and sociocultural dimensions of project management are two sides of the same coin. Explain.

Assignement instructions is in attached file.
Prior to beginning work on this learning activity, read Chapter 9: Reducing Project Duration from your course textbook and Chapter 6.5: Develop Schedule from the book, PMBOK Guide.
If the indirect costs for each duration are $300 for 27 days, $240 for 26 days, $180 for 25 days, $120 for 24 days, $60 for 23 days, and $50 for 22 days, compute the direct, indirect, and total costs for each duration. What is the optimum cost-time schedule? The customer offers you $10 for every day you shorten the project from your original network. Would you take it? If so, for how many days?

Instructions are in the attachment.
Prior to beginning work on this learning activity, read Chapter 13: Progress and Performance Measurement and Evaluation from your course textbook.
Given the following project network, baseline, and status information, develop status reports for periods 2, 4, 6, 8, and complete the performance indexes table. Calculate the forecasted estimate at completion (EAC) and the forecasted variance at completion (VAC). Based on your data, what is your assessment of the current status of the project? Is it at completion?
Use the project network, baseline chart, and status report table below to complete this learning activity:

Capstone Project
Objective: The purpose of this assignment is to allow students to apply project management principles and develop a plan to successfully manage a project.
Instructions:
Use the files created throughout the Milestones in this course to submit a final, revised (based on feedback) Capstone project. 
Milestone submissions and feedback attached
Milestone 1:
Choose a project: Select a project that you would like to manage.  Ensure that the project has clearly defined goals, tasks, and objectives.
Develop a project charter: Create a project charter that outlines the purpose of the project, the stakeholders involved, project objectives, scope, and assumptions.
Define project scope: Define the scope of the project, including deliverables, timelines, and milestones.
Deliverables from Milestone 1:
Project Statement of Work (SOW)—including the introduction of the project, business need, service scope description, and the strategic plan to show how the project aligns with the organization’s vision, goals, and mission.
Business case—including information relative to the market demand, organizational need, customer request, technological advance, legal requirement, ecological impact, and social need.
Project Charter—which will formally authorize the project and use of resources.
Stakeholder Register -which will contain an analysis of the likely stakeholders.
Milestone 2:
Create a communication plan: Develop a communication plan that outlines how communication will be conducted between stakeholders, including project status updates, meetings, and reporting.
Deliverables from Milestone 2:
Communications matrix
Project communication plan
Contingency plan for communication
Executive Summary
Milestone 3:
Provide a justification for your selected project.
Deliverables from Milestone 3:
Project Selection Summary
Milestone 4:
Use a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and WBS Dictionary to break down the project into manageable WBS Elements (tasks) and work packages).
Deliverables from Milestone 4:
WBS and WBS Dictionary
Milestone 5:
Establish a project schedule: Develop a project schedule and a network diagram that outlines the timeline for each task, the dependencies between tasks, and the critical path.
Deliverables from Milestone 5:
Executive Summary
A table that lists all WBS Activities and their durations, ES, EF, LS, LF of your project (See the WBS dictionary template in Module 8)
Network Diagram that shows the critical path of your project
Milestone 6:
Identify risks: Identify potential risks that may impact the project, and develop a risk management plan.
Deliverables from Milestone 6:
Presentation File on Risk Management for your project
Capstone Project Submission:
Your final submission in Module 8 should incorporate feedback and revisions needed for your project plan.  You will compile several documents in Module 8.  With the exception of Milestone 6, all other milestones should be compiled into one comprehensive document. Submit both the compiled document and the Module 6 presentation for this assignment. 
Where appropriate, your document should conform to APA guidelines in the CSU Global Writing Center. Include a compilation of scholarly references as outlined in the previous milestones (where applicable) in addition to the course textbook. The CSU Global Library is a good place to find these references. Click on the Library or Writing Center tabs on the Course Navigation Panel for quick access.

Please conduct a critical and comparative analysis of project team case studies to inform your response. You must ensure that the projects you refer to are identifiable in literature and included in your reference list. You must select a minimum of two projects for your critical and comparative analysis.
This is a research-focused piece of work and grading will reflect the depth of your research and analysis of real-life case studies. You will be drawing upon people
management topics from the workshops on this module, your wider reading and research and specifically literature on projects for virtual and traditional teams.
Wordcount: 2,000 words (+/- 10%).
Your assessment should be presented in a report format that will include:
1. An introduction to the report – state and cite the two main projects you are analysing.
2. A critical and comparative analysis of the different challenges faced by project managers when leading virtual teams compared to traditional project teams from a People Management perspective.
3. Linked directly to your analysis above, evaluate the skills and competencies that a project manager of virtual teams requires; support and justify your recommendations academically.
4. A conclusion bringing together the overall findings from your critical and comparative analysis, and assessing the implications/consequences of your findings for the leadership and management of virtual project teams compared to traditional project teams.
5. A reference list that fully and accurately complies with the Harvard Referencing system and comprises a minimum of 20 good quality academic sources.
You must draw upon relevant published literature, theory and research on the topics of the leadership and management of project teams and people management /HR practices to support your work with appropriate academic references using the Harvard Referencing system.

Post #1: Parahraph for each
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to be the project manager for Week 9-10 for Team 6. This week was particularly demanding as we had several tasks at hand: finalizing the integrated project plan, refining the project schedule, preparing the sponsor presentation, and completing an individual assignment.
This week marked the culmination of our research work, which we have been diligently pursuing for the past 8-10 weeks. The primary focus was on finalizing the integrated project plan, incorporating the professor’s feedback, and adding any additional research required. As we delved into the finer details, our understanding improved, leading to better outcomes. A key personal takeaway was the importance of perseverance; efforts to resolve issues tend to pay off over time. Initially, I faced some confusion regarding certain aspects of the project, but with the team’s support, my understanding improved significantly.
In terms of the project schedule, we did not have to make major changes, thanks to the team’s consistent efforts. A few refinements were sufficient to keep us on track. The sponsor presentation was a significant milestone this week. Our team worked hard to compile and present our research and recommendations effectively. At this stage, our team was in the performing phase, where everyone was familiar with each other’s working styles, and we functioned cohesively. Completing the sponsor presentation in a timely manner to get the professor’s review was a priority.
What Went Well:
Team Energy and Morale: Despite working on the same topic for several weeks, the team’s energy remained high. We maintained our communication, trust, and respect for each other’s work and timelines, which was crucial in keeping the momentum going.
Task Delegation: I learned the importance of delegating tasks and trusting team members to complete them. Initially, I preferred handling tasks myself, but with the complexity of our project, delegation became key to our success. This also empowered team members and utilized everyone’s strengths.
Adaptability and Support: We were able to handle external crises effectively because team members had each other’s backs and completed tasks when needed. This adaptability and mutual support were vital to our smooth progress.
Communication Tools: Although coordinating meetings was challenging due to different schedules, we effectively used technology like WhatsApp and Teams to provide feedback and updates regularly. This ensured continuous communication and collaboration.
What Could Be Improved:
Team Meetings: While we adhere to our timelines, I wish we could have conducted more team meetings. Scheduling conflicts made it difficult to find a common time, but our reliance on digital communication helped mitigate this issue to some extent.
Additional Lessons Learned:
Leadership Style: I employed a blend of democratic and authoritative leadership styles. This approach allowed for team input and collaboration while ensuring decisive action and clear direction when necessary. This balance helped in making informed decisions while maintaining team cohesion and motivation.
Adaptation to Feedback: We revised the integrated project plan in response to the professor’s comments and our additional research. Additionally, each team member accepted changes suggested by others, highlighting the importance of being open to feedback and continuously improving our work.
Clarity Through Detailing: As we delved into the details of the project, we gained clearer insights, leading to better outcomes. This emphasized the value of thorough analysis and attention to detail.
Timely Execution: We achieved the timeline we set for ourselves, especially with the sponsor presentation. Completing tasks promptly for the professor’s review highlighted our commitment to deadlines and quality work.
Post#2:
I was the Project Manager for Team 4 during Weeks 9-10. This period proved to be particularly demanding, as we had several critical tasks at hand: finalising the integrated project plan, refining the project schedule, preparing the sponsor presentation, and completing an individual assignment.
These weeks marked the culmination of our extensive research efforts, which we have been diligently undertaking for the past 8-10 weeks. Our primary focus was on finalising the integrated project plan, incorporating the professor’s feedback, and supplementing it with any additional research required. As we delved deeper into the finer details, our understanding improved, leading to better outcomes.
While I am still honing my skills in Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) creation, the unwavering support and diverse expertise of our team enabled us to complete it on time and in the required format. As the youngest Project Manager in the group, it was a truly enriching experience to learn from my teammates, each bringing unique perspectives and knowledge, which instilled confidence in me to lead our team effectively and complete all group assignments smoothly.At one point, we inadvertently deleted a file, causing momentary panic. However, our team’s collective determination and collaborative effort enabled us to recover the file successfully, demonstrating our resilience in the face of challenges.
Key Takeaways:
The importance of clear and consistent communication cannot be overstated in ensuring project success and maintaining alignment among team members.
Embracing diverse perspectives and leveraging the unique strengths of each team member foster a collaborative and productive environment.
Perseverance and a solution-oriented mindset are essential when facing challenges, as they enable us to overcome obstacles and deliver high-quality work.
Effective time management and prioritisation skills are crucial for juggling multiple tasks and meeting deadlines in a demanding project environment.
What Went Well:
Effective collaboration and communication among team members fostered a supportive environment, enabling us to leverage our diverse strengths and expertise.
Our perseverance and commitment to resolving issues paid off, as we were able to address challenges and deliver high-quality work within the given timeline.
The feedback and guidance provided by the professor proved invaluable in refining our integrated project plan and ensuring we were on the right track.
Despite facing a setback with the accidental file deletion, our team’s swift and coordinated response allowed us to recover the file promptly, minimising disruption to our workflow.
As the Project Manager, I gained valuable experience in leading a team, managing tasks, and fostering an environment conducive to learning and growth.
It was a privilege to work with such a dedicated and talented team, and I look forward to building upon the lessons learned from this experience in our future endeavours.

(1) For your mock project for this class, first create a WBS using Figure 9.3 in the Verzuh text as an example. 
(2) Second, create a network diagram using Figure 10.1 in the Verzuh text as an example. 
(3) Third and last, create work packages using Tables 10.1 – 10.5 in the Verzuh text as examples.   
Submit 4-5 pages (not counting cover and references), APA format.
NOTES: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY 
(1) Images and Phtos of : 9.3; 10.1; 10.2; 10.3, 10.4; 10.5 are attached
(2) Copy of MOCK Project PROPOSAL are attached. Thiis is the Mock Project proposal that you submitted 
in previous weeks.

The objective of this assignment is to help students understand the concept of critical path and how to determine it using an existing work breakdown structure (WBS). Students will also learn how to create a network diagram and highlight the critical path.
Instructions:
Use the WBS created in Milestone 4. 
Using the WBS, identify all the activities and their durations.
Determine the sequence of activities and create a network diagram using a tool of your choice.
Identify the critical path of the project using the forward and backward pass methods.
Highlight the critical path on the network diagram.
Write an executive summary report discussing the critical path, its importance in project management, and how it can affect project scheduling.
Deliverables:
Executive Summary
A table that lists all WBS Activities and their durations, ES, EF, LS, LF of your project (See the WBS dictionary template in Module 8)
Network Diagram that shows the critical path of your project
Tips:
The activities list in this milestone may be expanded from the WBS created in Milestone 4.
Your paper should be 2 to 3 pages in length and conform to APA 7 guidelines.

What do you hope to accomplish with your e-portfolio? Why and how? Share a brief presentation (PowerPoint, Prezi) of what you have included and intend to include in your e-portfolio. The presentation should include: (1) a personal profile including career theme (project management, human resource management, etc.), (2) career goal(s), and (3) at least three examples of artifacts that will support your e-portfolio (does not need to be an entire document- include snapshot).
** my career theme will be project management

Due to financial pressures that many hospitals face, the Deaconess Clinic in Billings, Montana, decided to outsource several services, although in somewhat different ways.
First, the hospital outsourced its cafeteria food service. Although the food service employees were hired by the outside firm, they still felt a sense of ownership of their jobs and still felt connected to the hospital because of the family atmosphere in the kitchen and the cafeteria.
When the hospital tried the same thing with housekeeping, employee turnover became a problem. An investigation revealed that because the housekeeping employees were more isolated in their work, they lost what little feeling of being connected to the hospital they had. The problem was solved by hiring the employees back but using the outsourcing company to manage housekeeping.
The hospital also decided to outsource its laundry service. This time the hospital approached a rival hospital about joining it in outsourcing laundry service.
Source: Based on Norm Friedman, “Is Outsourcing the Solution?” www.hpnonline.com/inside/June04/outsourcing.htm.
Step 1. use factual, relevant data and examples to address the following questions:
In some instances, the outsourced service occurs in a different location, while in others it takes place inside the organization doing the outsourcing, as the food service did in this case. What advantages were there in having the outsourced work performed within the hospital? Suppose a different hospital outsourced its food service but decided not to have the work performed in-house. What might its rationale be?
In the housekeeping situation, why not just forget about outsourcing, especially since the hospital ended up rehiring its employees anyway?
For laundry service, what might have been the rationale for asking another hospital to join it?