Project Management Plan (Project Name) Student Name Walden U ✓ Solved

Project Description

The project description is a summary of the project and the deliverables or outcomes expected as a result of conducting the project. The project description typically includes a statement of the purpose of the project and the justification for undertaking the project from a business perspective. It also includes project objectives, high-level requirements, and how project success will be measured.

INSERT THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION YOU CREATED IN YOUR PROJECT CHARTER

Project Management Approach

A project management approach or methodology defines the specific way that projects will be managed within an organization. There are a variety of project management methodologies available. The one that is chosen should match the needs of the organization and the characteristics of the project. Refer to Parts 1 and 2 of the St. Dismas Assisted Living Facility case study. Part 1 provides an overview of the project. Part 2 describes the steps that are being taken to plan the project. Formulate the project management approach that will be used to conduct the St. Dismas Assisted Living Facility project as follows:

  • Describe the similarities and differences between various approaches to managing projects. (3-4 paragraphs)

  • Describe the project management approach that will be used for this project. (one page)

Project Assumptions and Constraints

Project assumptions are factors that may be true but are not confirmed and can impact the project. Constraints are factors that impose limits or boundaries on the project.

INSERT THE PROJECT ASSUMPTIONS AND CONSTRAINTS YOU CREATED IN YOUR PROJECT CHARTER

Responsibility Assignment Matrix

A Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) is a tool that is used to document the roles and responsibilities of project resources. A RAM provides role clarity for project team members. One type of RAM, the RACI chart, designates responsibility and authority to project resources at the task level making it clear who is responsible for what and who has decision-making authority. Refer to Part 1 of the St. Dismas Assisted Living Facility (ALF) project. Fred Splient, the President of St. Dismas, formed the ALF Project Steering Committee naming key stakeholders to participate. Fred is taking responsibility for managing the project. He has assigned other planning tasks to each member of the committee. Using the table below, create a RAM:

  • In the top row of the RAM (Table 2), add the names and titles of the other members of the ALF Project Steering Committee.

  • In the first column of the RAM (Table 2), add the planning tasks that have been assigned to the other members of the committee. Under the name and title of each individual, add one or more codes from the RAM Role (Table 1) that indicate the role each stakeholder is assigned for his or her respective tasks.

NOTES: Add rows and columns to Table 2 as needed to document the committee members’ roles on the project. A stakeholder may have more than one role assigned for a task.

Table 1: Responsibility Assignment Matrix Role R: Responsible for doing the task A: Accountable to ensure the task gets done C: Consulted before the task is executed I: Informed when the task is completed

Table 2: Responsibility Assignment Matrix Task Fred Splient President Name / Title Name / Title Name / Title Name / Title Manage project R, A Communicating with project team members / stakeholders who need to be consulted prior to executing a task requires a two-way exchange. One-way communication is used for those who need to be informed about the progress of the project. Using the RAM you created, describe the communications plan for the St. Dismas ALF project.

  • Describe the methods that will be used to communicate with project team members / stakeholders who are to be consulted on project tasks. (2-3 paragraphs)

  • Describe the methods that will be used to communicate with project team members / stakeholders who are to be informed about project progress. (2-3 paragraphs)

Stakeholder Acceptance Process

The project approval procedure is a formalized process for obtaining stakeholder approval and sign-off before the project team can proceed to the next step in the project. Stakeholder approval is typically required at milestones in the project when major project deliverables are completed.

INSERT THE PROJECT APPROVAL PROCEDURES YOU CREATED IN YOUR PROJECT CHARTER

Project Scope

Project scope defines all of the work that must be done to deliver the expected outcome or product of the project. The project scope statement describes precisely what is and what is not included in the project. The scope of the project is derived from stakeholder requirements and is used as input to create the Work Breakdown Structure. Refer to Table 4: St. Dismas ALF Construction Project Plan in the case study. Compose a project scope statement.

  • Describe, in detail, the scope of work required for each of the four phases of the construction project to build the ALF at St. Dismas. (3-4 paragraphs)

  • Describe, in detail, the deliverables from each of the four phases of the construction project to build the ALF at St. Dismas. (3-4 paragraphs)

Work Breakdown Structure

The WBS is used in project management to depict the scope of a project. In addition, the WBS is the primary source of information for the development of the project schedule and network diagram, for the determination of project resources, and is an important element of performance measurement. At the lowest level of detail, the WBS depicts all of the activities/tasks that the project team will be required to perform in order to complete the project.

Refer to Table 4: St. Dismas ALF Construction Project Plan in the case study. Kyle Nanno, the construction project manager for the St. Dismas ALF project, prepared a project plan for the construction of the facility. Many of the tasks are at a summary level. Fred has asked Kyle to provide a greater level of detail for the four phases of the project.

  • Produce a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for the construction of the St. Dismas ALF. The WBS must be decomposed to three levels and include at least two deliverables from each of the four phases in the construction project plan.

  • Describe the purpose of a WBS, how it is created, and why it an important tool in project management. (2-3 paragraphs)

Project Schedule

A project schedule is developed by estimating the duration of each of the activities defined in the Work Breakdown Structure. A Gantt Chart is a graphical representation of the project schedule that shows, among other things, the project’s critical path. Activities on the critical path are those that, if delayed, will impact the project finish date. A Network Diagram is another graphical representation of the project schedule. It depicts the relationships among the project activities.

  • Using the WBS you created, construct a Gantt Chart and a Network Diagram for the construction of the St. Dismas ALF facility.

  • Briefly describe one qualitative and one quantitative tool or technique that can be used to estimate activity durations.

Project Budget

The project budget is developed after project costs have been estimated. The budget represents the amount of funding that will be requested for the project. Refer to Figure 1: St. Dismas ALF Preliminary Budget in the case study. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at St. Dismas hired a consultant to assist with developing the ALF project budget. The estimated cost for building the new facility is $6,743,000. Before approving the budget, Fred Splient the president of St. Dismas, wants more detail.

  • Using the WBS you created estimate the costs for each of the four phases in the construction project plan.

  • Explain what estimating techniques and assumptions you used to develop the project budget. (one page)

Risk Management Strategy

It is important to develop risk management strategies for every project. Depending on the nature and size of the project, a comprehensive risk management plan may be required. The goal of risk management is not necessarily to eliminate risk but to maximize opportunity for gain and minimize the chance of loss.

Refer to Table 4: St. Dismas ALF Construction Project Plan in the case study. Develop a risk management strategy for the construction of the St. Dismas ALF.

  • Describe risks associated with the scope, schedule, and cost of the project.

  • Describe a risk response strategy for each of the risks associated with the project. (one page)

Quality Management Strategy

Customer satisfaction depends on delivering quality results of a project. Establishing quality targets and managing them throughout the project increases the chances of a successful outcome of the project.

Develop a quality management strategy to manage the St. Dismas Assisted Living Facility case.

  • Explain the difference between quality assurance and quality control.

  • Describe the quality requirements for the project.

  • Briefly describe how you plan to manage project quality. (one page)

Paper For Above Instructions

The project management plan for the St. Dismas Assisted Living Facility is articulated through various segments that guide its execution and ensure completion. This comprehensive strategy encompasses critical components such as project description, management approach, assumptions, and stakeholder processes which collectively set the blueprint for the project.

Project Description

The St. Dismas Assisted Living Facility is envisioned as a community care initiative aimed at providing holistic support to elderly residents. The project aims to deliver a fully operational facility that not only meets regulatory standards but also fosters a nurturing environment through its design and services. The key deliverables for this project include completed construction of the living units, communal spaces, recreational areas, and administrative offices. Success will be measured by adherence to the project timeline, budget constraints, and the quality of received feedback from stakeholders post-implementation.

Project Management Approach

In managing the St. Dismas project, a hybrid project management approach will be employed, integrating methodologies from both Agile and Waterfall frameworks. While Agile allows flexibility and adaptability in response to change, the Waterfall methodology will provide a structured and sequential approach, particularly useful in construction-based phases where clear, defined stages are crucial.

Agile methodologies focus on iterative progress and stakeholder involvement throughout the project. This is essential in understanding the evolving needs of residents and staff as the project develops. Conversely, the Waterfall approach will be utilized during the primary phases of construction to ensure that foundational elements are completed in a logical sequence, minimizing risks associated with project scope changes.

The juxtaposition of these methodologies allows for a nuanced approach that can effectively balance stakeholder engagement with the structured demands of construction. For example, while the project will maintain a primary timeline for construction, Agile sprints will be deployed in design phases where feedback can be rapidly integrated, ensuring that the end product aligns with community expectations.

Project Assumptions and Constraints

The assumption that the project will consistently receive funding from stakeholders is central to its execution. Additionally, it is presumed that there will be no significant changes in legislation affecting assisted living facilities during the project duration. Constraints include budget limitations, potential supply chain disruptions, and adherence to strict regulatory compliance.

Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM)

The RAM delineates clear roles and responsibilities among project stakeholders, providing clarity and accountability. For the St. Dismas project, Fred Splient serves as President and key decision-maker, responsible for overall project management. Other committee members will be assigned specific tasks, which include project planning, stakeholder communication, and quality assurance efforts, to ensure that all aspects of the construction are monitored and executed as per the predefined standards.

Stakeholder Acceptance Process

The stakeholder acceptance process will entail scheduled milestone reviews where deliverables are presented for approval. This process serves as a formalized checkpoint ensuring that all stakeholders are involved at critical stages of the project development, thereby fostering trust and alignment with the project's objectives.

Project Scope

The project scope encompasses the full breadth of construction activities required to establish the facility. This includes four key phases: site preparation, construction of living units, development of communal spaces, and landscaping, each designed to achieve specific, measurable outcomes. For instance, the construction phase will provide at least 50 living units, community recreational areas, and supportive administrative offices tailored to enhance functionality for staff and residents.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

The WBS will categorize the project into manageable tasks dispersed over the four project phases. It will ensure that all activities are accounted for and assigned appropriately, allowing for detailed tracking of progress and resource allocation. Key deliverables will include documented plans for each construction aspect, ensuring that project objectives are met efficiently.

Project Schedule

The project schedule will be established using a Gantt Chart and Network Diagram to visualize task sequences and dependencies. These tools will facilitate an organized timeline that aligns construction activities with resource availability, ensuring the project adheres to deadlines and anticipates potential bottlenecks.

Project Budget

The project budget will delineate the estimated costs across all four construction phases, incorporating labor, materials, and overhead expenses. Through cost estimation techniques such as analogous estimating and parametric modeling, the budget will be continuously reviewed and adjusted to reflect actual expenditures, thereby keeping financial management transparent and accountable.

Risk Management Strategy

The risk management strategy is formulated to anticipate and mitigate potential challenges that could impede project progress. Identified risks include schedule delays due to adverse weather conditions and cost overruns linked to material price fluctuations. Risk response strategies will incorporate contingency planning, allowing the project to adaptively manage unexpected events without significant disruptions.

Quality Management Strategy

Emphasizing the importance of quality, the quality management strategy will facilitate the delivery of results that meet or exceed stakeholder expectations. This approach distinguishes between quality assurance (the processes in place to prevent defects) and quality control (the efforts to identify defects in deliverables), ensuring that all elements of the project align with established quality standards.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the project management plan for the St. Dismas Assisted Living Facility is architected to serve a dual purpose: ensuring a structured approach to project execution while maintaining flexibility for stakeholder engagement. By integrating well-defined components such as the RAM, scope statement, and risk management strategies, the plan stands to guide the project toward successful completion, fulfilling its goal of enhancing community care for elderly residents.

References

  • Project Management Institute. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide). Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.

  • Kerzner, H. (2018). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

  • Wysocki, R. K. (2019). Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

  • Schwalbe, K. (2019). Information Technology Project Management. Cengage Learning.

  • Turner, J. R. (2014). The Handbook of Project-based Management. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

  • Gray, C. F., & Larson, E. W. (2017). Project Management: The Managerial Process. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

  • Cheng, H. K., & Ko, K. C. (2020). Exploring the impact of risk management capability on project success. International Journal of Project Management, 38(2), 97-107.

  • Jiang, J. J., & Klein, G. (2020). Project management: A systems approach to project success. Journal of Systems and Software, 167.

  • Gido, J., & Clements, J. P. (2018). Successful Project Management. Cengage Learning.

  • Antony, J., & Gupta, S. (2019). Exploring quality management. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 36(3).