MGMT404 Week 1
Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
dq 1
WEEK 1: CASE STUDY: KEFLAVIK PAPER COMPANY
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Discussion Topic. (Text for subsequent posts is fine.) You must review and
comment on at least 2 other VoiceThreads from other students during the week.
Read Case Study 3.1
The Keflavik Paper Company is a case with a problem in determining
a project management process for new product development.
Answer the following questions:
- What
does this case demonstrate about the effect of poor project screening
methods on a firm’s ability to manage projects effectively? - How
would project portfolio management help to improve the situation at
Keflavik? - If
you think about it, all business problems are case studies. To effectively
evaluate the situation, you must approach the problem in a methodological
manner. A proven technique to do this is to do the following:
1. list the
facts;
2. identify
the issues;
3. based on
the facts of the case and your knowledge, analyze the issues of the case;
4. prepare
recommended solutions and their possible outcomes;
5. implement
the optimal solution (not always the one with the best outcome, because the
cost or other things could be impractical); and
6. monitor
the implementation and outcomes.
So when you read and prepare to respond to this case, please
follow the above guidelines. I don’t necessarily expect you to perform Steps
4–6, but I do expect your response to be based on the facts and your knowledge.
Remember—your first impressions may not be correct!
dq 2
WEEK
1: CASE STUDY: WIDGETS ‘R US
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Read Case Study 2.4
The Widgets ‘R Us case study is a case with a problem of how the
company is set up and how the company will handle operations with its projected
growth.
Answer the following questions:
- You
have been called in as a consultant to analyze the operations at WRU.
Based on the readings, what would you advise Widgets ‘R Us to do in order
to sustain the competitive advantage in the widget market? - What
structural design changes might be undertaken to improve the operations at
the company?
MGMT404 Week 2
Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
dq 1
WEEK 2: PROJECT SCOPE
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As we have seen this week, project scope creation is very
different in traditional project management versus Agile project management.
What advantages and disadvantages can you see with the process of scope
creation in the traditional project management world? What advantages and
disadvantages can you see with the process of scope creation in the Agile
project management world? Share your experiences with projects that were
created using either Agile or traditional project management techniques.
dq 2
WEEK
2: CASE STUDY: PROJECT MANAGEMENT AT DOTCOM.COM
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Read Case Study 5.3: Project Management at Dotcom.com. Dotcom.com
is a software engineering and systems development consulting firm that needs
some organizational improvements in the area of project management processes
that will cut cost and potentially increase the profit margin for the company.
Answer the following questions:
- Discuss
how you would begin redesigning dotcom.com’s project management processes
to minimize the problems it is experiencing with poor scope management. - Why
do you think configuration management and project change control are
difficult to perform in the middle of a complex software development
project, such as those implemented at dotcom.com? - Share
any experiences you have with project change requests.
MGMT404 Week 3
Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
dq 1
WEEK
3: PROJECT SCHEDULE
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Discussion Topic. (Text for subsequent posts is fine.) You must review and
comment on at least 2 other VoiceThreads from other students during the week.
To develop a schedule for a project, we will use the concept of a
project network, which shows work activities taken from the work breakdown
structure and is organized according to the logical flow in time and
relationships governing when the work will be performed. By combining this
network of work activities with estimates of the time duration for performing
each of the activities, we can create a schedule for the project work. What
types of information can we learn about the project by reviewing the project schedule
and all the information used to generate it?
dq 2
WEEK
3: AGILE SCHEDULE DEVELOPMENT
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As we have seen, traditional and Agile schedule developments are
quite different. Agile project management was originally developed to do
software development. Could a traditional process be successfully used to
develop a new software program? Why or why not? Could an Agile methodology be
used to build a strip mall in your home town? Why or why not?
MGMT404 Week 4
Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
dq 1
WEEK 4: RISK MANAGEMENT
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Assume you have just been assigned to a project risk team composed
of five members.Your task, as project
manager, is to develop a process for handling risks to the project.Because
this is the first time your organization has formally set up a risk team for a
project, it is hoped that your team will develop a process that can be used on
all future projects. Your first team meeting is next Monday morning. Each team
member has been asked to prepare for the meeting by developing, in as much
detail as possible, an outline that describes how you believe the team should
proceed in handling project risks. Each team member will hand out his or her proposed
outline at the beginning of the meeting. Your outline should include, but not
be limited to, the following information:
- What
methods should be used for identifying risks? - Who
should be involved in identifying risks? - What
should be considered when identifying risks?
dq 2
WEEK
4: RISK MANAGEMENT PART II
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As the work of your risk management team (from the first
discussion question) continues, the discussion of your team’s risk management
plan outline moves on and considers the following questions:
- How
should the risks be prioritized? - Who
should do the prioritization of the project risks? - How
should project risks be monitored and controlled? - Who
should develop risk responses and contingency plans? - Who
should own these responses and plans?
MGMT404 Week 5
Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
dq 1
WEEK 5: CASE STUDY: THE PROBLEMS OF MULTITASKING
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Discussion Topic. (Text for subsequent posts is fine.) You must review and
comment on at least 2 other VoiceThreads from other students during the week.
Read Case Study 12.1: The Problems of Multitasking. Answer the
following questions:
1. How does
multitasking confuse the resource availability of project team personnel?
2. In modern
organizations, it is impossible to eliminate multitasking for the average
employee. Why?
3. How would
resource loading or resource leveling help address multitasking situations?
dq 2
WEEK 5: REDUCING PROJECT DURATION
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In your own words, describe crashing, fast tracking, and scope
reduction as means of schedule compression. When would each be appropriate?
Which methods would you consider better first-choice methods by most project
sponsors? Would any of these methods apply to Agile projects? How does Agile
address schedule compression?
MGMT404 Week 6
Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
dq 1
WEEK 6: PROJECT COMMUNICATIONS
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Discussion Topic. (Text for subsequent posts is fine.) You must review and
comment on at least 2 other VoiceThreads from other students during the week.
Discuss the importance of communication and information exchange
to project success. What are the crucial features and elements of effective
communication and information exchange in successful projects? How are key stakeholders
involved in this process? Are communication requirements different on an Agile
project versus a traditional project?
dq 2
WEEK
6: CASE STUDY: FINDING THE EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
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Discussion Topic. (Text for subsequent posts is fine.) You must review and
comment on at least 2 other VoiceThreads from other students during the week.
Read Case Study 4.2: Finding the Emotional Intelligence.
1. What are
the differences between leaders and managers?
2. Can
anyone be a leader? Which would you prefer to work for: a leader or a manager?
Why?
3. Select
one of the characteristics of an effective project manager and tell why it is
important.
4. Is
leadership of a project different in an Agile environment than in a traditional
project environment?
5. Take the
Future Time Perspective scale on page 129. Share your results and comments with
the class.
MGMT404 Week 7
Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
dq 1
WEEK
7: PROJECT BASELINE
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the week.
We have now moved from the planning stage to
the execution stage of project management. Following good project management
practices, we have set a baseline. How is a project baseline used to guide the
execution of the project’s work, to evaluate progress and performance, and to
control the project? Also, as you continue to think about monitoring and
controlling the project, specifically consider the question: How can the
project baseline and the earned value approach for variance analysis be used to
monitor and report project progress?
dq 2
WEEK 7:
AGILE PROJECT CONTROL
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the week.
In the first discussion, we looked at
traditional project control. Is project control different in an Agile project?
What is the role of a project manager in controlling an Agile project? What is
the role of the project client, sponsor, or customer at controlling project
changes?
MGMT404 Week 1- 8 Course Projects Latest 2017
November
Objectives
The objective of the Course Project is to give you an
opportunity to practice the skills learned in class regarding the planning
methodologies of a project. These skills are directly applicable toward your
senior project.
Guidelines
For this project, you are going to be working in groups. Please
make sure you have a group composed of team members that you have picked or who
have picked you.
For the project itself, your group may choose one that is of
interest to group, or your group may choose to begin planning for your group
senior project. When selecting a project, avoid picking one that is either too
big or too small. For example, do not decide to build a new stadium for your
local sports team (too big) or to plant your summer garden (too small). Here
are some successful past project ideas.
·
The opening of a
coffee shop
·
A charity event for a
local social service agency
·
A meditation pool and
platform in the center of town
·
A redevelopment of a
local playground
·
Design and
installation of a computer network for a small business
·
Software development
project
A project to build a house or create a website is NOT
acceptable.
You are not limited to the list of projects above. Please refer
all questions concerning what is acceptable as a class project to your
instructor.
Milestones
Milestones:
·
Due Week 1: Project
Outline Proposal/Approval
·
Due Week 2: Project
Charter
·
Due Week 3: Scope
Statement. Class presentation on Project Charter and
Scope Statement
·
Due Week 4: Work
Breakdown Structure/Gantt Chart
·
Due Week 5: Risk
Management Plan and Project Schedule and Budget
·
Due Week 6: Project
Simulation
·
Due Week 7:
Communication Plan.
·
Due Week 8: Final
Project Package due, project presentation and simulation evaluation
Week
1
Due Week 1: Project Proposal/Approval
The course group project is a team effort assignment. In week 1,
your professor will define the modality of these team formation. Your Week 1
assignment will be to:
Provide an outline of your proposed group project to your
instructor for approval. The project your group selects will be the same
project your group will plan for the 8-week course.
Remember that your team will work together to complete the
entire Statement of Participation template located in the doc sharing area. All
sections for the entire 8 weeks must be completed.
Deliverables for Week 1:
·
Teams need to complete
the entire Statement of Participation with the team and team leader assignments
for Weeks 2–8. Lastly, teams need to update the status of participation for
Week 1.
Week
2
Due Week 2: Project
Charter
Provide a project charter of your selected project in accordance
with the charter template found in Doc Sharing.
Please put this in proper business writing format. Consider me
to be your boss. If working in a group, include the updated Statement of
Participation for Week 2, describing how each person contributed to this
project deliverable. Please place the updated Statement of Participation in your
teams’ Doc Sharing area for review. A charter should be a minimum of 3–5 pages
long.
Deliverables for Week 2:
·
Completed Project
Charter (in MS Word)
·
Statement of
Participation and status update
Week
3
Due Week 3: Scope
Statement
Prepare a scope statement using the template in Doc Sharing.
Remember to be tangible, measurable, and specific. Be sure to include all
sections required in the Week 2 Lecture. A scope should be a minimum of 3 pages
long.
Deliverables for Week 3:
·
Project Scope
Statement (in MS Word)
·
Statement of
Participation and status update
This week you also have a class presentation on the importance
of Project Charter and Scope statement (50 points) what their impact on project
planning and execution are.
Week
4
Due Week 4: Work
Breakdown Structure
According to the PMBOK® Guide, “the WBS is a
deliverable-oriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by
the project team, to accomplish the project objectives and create the required
deliverables.” In other words, it lists the project’s deliverables and
work packages. For this week, you will create a work breakdown structure (WBS)
for the project you selected during Week 1.
Remember that the WBS starts with your major deliverables (that
you stated in your scope management plan) at the highest level. The lower
levels have the work package required to complete those deliverables. Review
the textbook (and the PMBOK® Guide, if you have it) for some suggestions on how
to create a WBS. From your work breakdown structure, develop a project task
list with dependencies and add durations, using MS Project.
Develop the Work Breakdown Structure
·
Your WBS should have a
minimum of 100–150 line items in MS Project and be three levels deep.
·
Make sure to use
verb-object task names (for example, “Develop software”).
·
Enter tasks in MS
Project.
·
Create the predecessor
relationships.
·
DO NOT LINK SUMMARY
TASKS OR ASSIGN RESOURCES!
Deliverables for Week 4:
·
Statement of
Participation and status update
·
The MS Project file
(.mpp) saved from the Tracking Gantt chart screen
Week
5
Due Week 5: Risk
Management Plan
1.
Remember, risk is an
uncertain event or condition that can have a positive or negative impact on the
project. This week, you will be identifying and analyzing your project risks
and developing a risk management plan to monitor and track your project. You
will evaluate each task in your project schedule to identify any risk factors
associated with the execution of the deliverable. You will then add your list
of risk to the risk register template in Doc Sharing. The number of risks will
depend on the project deliverables in your schedule; however, 20–25 positive
and 20–25 negative risks would be considered the minimum. Review the
instructions on the first sheet of the template and complete your risk register
in its entirety.
Deliverables for Week 5-a:
·
Use the Risk ter
Template spreadsheet found in Doc Sharing (there is a separate tab for each
portion of the risk management plan).
·
Statement of
Participation and status update
2.
A project plan cannot
be considered complete until the resources have been assigned (including budget
and cost estimate). This week, you will assign the resources required to work
on your project to your scheduled tasks. In addition, you will add the cost of
the resources per hour and any direct or indirect cost required for project
contracts, materials, or supplies.
You will submit a two-part summary report (business professional
format) of your project budget and resources, which includes the following:
Part 1: Project Budget (Cost Management)
1.
Explain your approach
to estimating the project cost (e.g., top down, bottom up, etc.) and why that
method was chosen.
2.
Create a table that
shows the original budgeted cost (from the charter) and the actual budgeted
cost (side by side). Include line items for labor, materials, contract,
equipment, travel cost, and so on.
3.
Compare the budget
from the charter to the final budget and explain any variances that occurred
from your original budgeted cost in the project charter and the current project
cost (include your original estimated cost for the project).
4.
Explain your budget
contingency plan and how much is budgeted for contingency.
Part 2: Resource Management
1.
Explain the results of
your resource assignments. Did you assign enough people to the project? Were
there any resources over-allocated? What approach will you take to fix any
allocation problems?
2.
Develop a plan to
manage your project team and define how you will motivate your team and how you
will handle team conflicts.
3.
What structure would
you select for your project: functional, weak matrix, balanced matrix, strong
matrix, or pure project? Why?
Deliverables for Week 5-b:
1.
MS project file (.mpp)
updated with resource assignments and cost
2.
MS Word file with
report of project budget and resource management
3.
Statement of
Participation and status update
Week
6
Due Week 6: Project
Schedule and Budget
You will watch a simulation video on project planning either
using traditional planning methodology or using agile methodology. The goal is
to give you an excellent view as to how these planning take place in real
world. Within your groups, you will discuss this simulation and compare to what
you have been working on as course group project. The final report of your
discussion will be submitted with your final project in week 8. You are also
expected to include your assessment of the simulation within your final project
presentation in week 8. This assignment is valued for 50 points in week 8.
Week
7
Due Week 7:
Communication Plan
According to the PMBOK® Guide, “the Communications Planning
process determines the information and communications needs of the stakeholders;
for example, who needs what information, when they will need it, how it will be
given to them, and by whom.” In other words, it lists the general
communication requirements for the project. This week, you will create a simple
communication plan for the execution of your project. Each team will need to
complete the Communications Plan found in the Files section.
Deliverables for Week 7:
·
Communication Plan
·
Statement of
Participation and status update
Week
8
Due Week 8: Final
Project Package
You will need to create a project plan. This plan should be
completely integrated and presented in a logical order. It should be written
professionally and should be mistake-free in terms of spelling and grammar. The
final project plan should incorporate any changes that occurred along the way,
including corrections and advice given by colleagues or your professor. Any
tables or graphs should be labeled correctly.
You are also expected to make a class presentation using
PowerPoint. Your presentation will have two parts: (1). Your final course group
project, (2) your assessment of the simulation as you compare to your project.
Deliverables for Week 8:
1.
Statement of
Participation and status update
2.
Your final project
plan should consist of the following items.
·
Executive Summary
·
Project Charter
·
Scope Statement
·
Work Breakdown
Structure
·
Budget and Resource
Management Reports
·
Risk Management Plan
·
Communication
Management Plan
3.
PowerPoint
presentation of your course group project including your assessment of the
simulation
MGMT404
Week 4 Quiz Latest 2017 November (all correct answers)
Question 1
5 / 5 pts
(TCO 1) A project is defined as a(n) _____ endeavor undertaken
to create a(n) _____ product, service, or result.
challenging; new
temporary; unique
new; challenging
ongoing; unique
Question 2
5 / 5 pts
(TCO 1) Projects have specific attributes. Which of the
following is not an attribute of a project?
It is an ongoing endeavor.
It has a defined objective.
It requires resources.
It has a defined start and stop.
Question 3
5 / 5 pts
(TCO 2) Which step of the project life cycle defines the project
scope?
Initiation
Planning
Execution
Close out
Question 4
5 / 5 pts
(TCO 2) Which statement is an example of a project deliverable?
“If the parts arrive late, we will not finish on time.”
“We must get permits before we start work.”
“I believe the contracts will be signed by the 15th.”
“The paving of the parking is lot is major piece of work for
this project.”
Question 5
5 / 5 pts
(TCO 3) The critical path in a project describes which of the
following?
The path containing the most important pieces of work
The longest path in a project
The activities with the highest risk
The activities with the highest cost to the project
Question 6
5 / 5 pts
(TCO 3) Hammock activities are used to do which of the
following?
Ensure critical path work is done on time.
Capture lessons learned on two or more activities.
Summarize duration and cost information on related activities.
Provide information on project slack.
Question 7
5 / 5 pts
(TCO 5) In which process of risk management are proactive and
reactive strategies considered?
Plan risk management
Plan risk responses
Control risks
Qualitative risk analysis
Question 8
0 / 5 pts
(TCO 5) Contingency plans are created
to proactively address the risk.
to respond to the risk should the risk occur.
to gather information on vital risks.
to avoid red risks in the project plan .
Question 9
20 / 20 pts
(TCO 1) Before one can begin writing a charter, one must
consider the most appropriate organization for the project. You are the project
manager for a company that integrates custom data solutions for large corporate
enterprises. This project will span two or three years and will cost tens of
millions of dollars. This is a large, very involved project. Which of the five
organization structures is most suitable? Why?
Question 10
20 / 20 pts
(TCO 2) You are reaching the end of your graduate school program
and are planning a large party to celebrate your success! You have rented out
the local forest preserve as the venue for your party. Applying your project
management skills, you want to ensure you have everything planned out and
you’ve asked your family and friends to be a part of your team to hold this
party. At your party, you have made it clear to your team what you want to have
delivered. After all, it’s your party— you can have whatever you want! Some of
the key items you want at your party include
• graduation announcements;
• party invitations;
• live entertainment;
• games (for adults and for children);
• food;
• beverages; and
• convenience for all (parking, restroom facilities, etc.).
Part 1: To ensure you have a clear scope for your team, create a
2-level WBS. Don’t forget to include your WBS numbering (15 points).
Part 2: In your WBS, how many work packages have been created?
(5 points)
b) As can be seen from above WBS, there are 21 work packages,
the second level tasks under each main task
Question 11
20 / 20 pts
(TCO 3) Compare and contrast fast tracking and scope reduction
as means of schedule compression.
Question 12
20 / 20 pts
(TCO 5) A firm hosts data-mining servers and performs data
mining for other companies that do not desire the costs of hardware, software,
or expertise to data mine their data. The firm is planning to roll out faster
data-mining software that will reduce the time to sift through customers’ data
by a fraction of the present time.
Part 1: List and discuss the major risk management functions
from a project management perspective for the data-mining software project. (15
points)
Part 2: Describe a positive and negative risk event, the
consequences, and the risk-response plans for the data-mining software project.
(15 points)
Question 13
20 / 20 pts
(TCO 9) List and describe at least three key differences between
risk management in an agile environment and risk management in a traditional
project.
MGMT404 Week 5 Course Project Latest 2017 November
Week 5
Due Week 5: Risk Management Plan
1. Remember,
risk is an uncertain event or condition that can have a positive or negative
impact on the project. This week, you will be identifying and analyzing your
project risks and developing a risk management plan to monitor and track your
project. You will evaluate each task in your project schedule to identify any
risk factors associated with the execution of the deliverable. You will then
add your list of risk to the risk register template in Doc Sharing. The number
of risks will depend on the project deliverables in your schedule; however,
20–25 positive and 20–25 negative risks would be considered the minimum. Review
the instructions on the first sheet of the template and complete your risk
register in its entirety.
Deliverables for Week 5-a:
- Use
the Risk ter Template spreadsheet found in Doc Sharing (there is a
separate tab for each portion of the risk management plan). - Statement
of Participation and status update
1. A project
plan cannot be considered complete until the resources have been assigned
(including budget and cost estimate). This week, you will assign the resources
required to work on your project to your scheduled tasks. In addition, you will
add the cost of the resources per hour and any direct or indirect cost required
for project contracts, materials, or supplies.
You will submit a two-part summary report (business professional
format) of your project budget and resources, which includes the following:
Part 1: Project Budget (Cost Management)
1. Explain
your approach to estimating the project cost (e.g., top down, bottom up, etc.)
and why that method was chosen.
2. Create a
table that shows the original budgeted cost (from the charter) and the actual
budgeted cost (side by side). Include line items for labor, materials,
contract, equipment, travel cost, and so on.
3. Compare
the budget from the charter to the final budget and explain any variances that
occurred from your original budgeted cost in the project charter and the
current project cost (include your original estimated cost for the project).
4. Explain
your budget contingency plan and how much is budgeted for contingency.
Part 2: Resource Management
1. Explain
the results of your resource assignments. Did you assign enough people to the
project? Were there any resources over-allocated? What approach will you take
to fix any allocation problems?
2. Develop a
plan to manage your project team and define how you will motivate your team and
how you will handle team conflicts.
3. What
structure would you select for your project
