This is the final of three assignments that, as a whole, will ✓ Solved

This is the final of three assignments that, as a whole, will cover all aspects of the project life cycle relevant to your selected project. At this point, your project sponsor has approved your project proposal and has asked you to come up with a proposal for the execution, control, and closure for the project.

Requirements Write a 4–6 page paper in which you:

  • Provide a brief summary of your project.

  • Identify and discuss your project’s greatest challenges (at least three) and provide a recommendation for addressing each of the challenges.

  • Examine how you manage your project performance via earned value management (EVM).

  • Identify at least three key EVM metrics you will use for your project.

  • Discuss your plan to properly close your project when it is over.

Use at least three academic resources for this assignment. Use the Strayer Library to conduct your research. These resources should be related to your chosen project and the content you provide in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar websites do not qualify as quality references.

Paper For Above Instructions

Project Execution, Control, and Closure Proposal

In the realm of project management, the execution, control, and closure stages are crucial for the success of any project. This proposal aims to outline these aspects for a hypothetical project aimed at developing a new mobile application targeted at enhancing user productivity within organizations. This project, aimed at integrating comprehensive task management tools within a single platform, seeks to address contemporary productivity challenges faced by businesses.

Project Summary

The project involves the development of a mobile application named "TaskMaster Pro." The app will combine task management, calendar synchronization, and communication tools to improve productivity among team members. The app will be designed with an intuitive interface and functionality that helps users plan their tasks effectively, set reminders, and collaborate in real-time. The overall timeline for this project spans eight months, with a budget of $150,000.

Project Challenges

1. Technical Challenges: One of the greatest challenges in this project lies in integrating various technologies to ensure smooth functionality and user experience. The use of different programming languages and platforms may create compatibility issues that could delay development. To address this challenge, a preliminary technical feasibility study should be conducted, and developers should establish a clear roadmap with milestones to mitigate risks related to technology integration.

2. Stakeholder Engagement: Gaining and maintaining stakeholder engagement can pose significant challenges, especially when different stakeholders have divergent interests. Clear communication strategies should be implemented from the outset to manage expectations and ensure that all parties are aligned throughout the project phases. Regular stakeholder meetings should be held to solicit feedback and make necessary adjustments to the project scope in response to stakeholder insights.

3. Time Management: The project must adhere to strict timelines to maintain the $150,000 budget. However, delays in one phase can cascade into subsequent phases. To tackle this, the implementation of Agile project management techniques is recommended. By adopting iterative development cycles, the team can prioritize tasks and adjust plans based on real-time progress, ultimately allowing for greater flexibility and adherence to deadlines.

Managing Project Performance via Earned Value Management (EVM)

Earned Value Management (EVM) provides a powerful framework for assessing project performance relative to planned objectives. EVM integrates project scope, time, and cost data, enabling project managers to evaluate performance effectively. In this project, EVM will help track the cost variance (CV), schedule variance (SV), and the project performance index (CPI) to gauge progress accurately.

Key EVM Metrics

1. Cost Performance Index (CPI): This metric measures the cost efficiency of the project by comparing the earned value (EV) to the actual cost (AC). A CPI of less than 1 indicates cost overruns, while a CPI above 1 signifies efficiency.

2. Schedule Performance Index (SPI): The SPI measures the project's progress relative to its schedule. By comparing earned value to planned value (PV), project managers can identify potential delays early.

3. Estimate at Completion (EAC): EAC forecasts the total cost of completing the project based on current performance metrics. It allows project managers to adjust budgets and forecasts proactively based on real-time data.

Closing the Project

Lastly, developing a comprehensive closure plan is imperative to conclude the project successfully. The closure phase will involve several key steps, including:

  • Conducting a final review of project deliverables against the defined scope to ensure all objectives are met.

  • Documenting lessons learned to provide insights for future projects and strategies for improvement.

  • Releasing project resources, including team members, equipment, and materials, back to their respective departments or projects.

  • Celebrating the success with stakeholders and team members to acknowledge their contributions and boost morale for future initiatives.

In conclusion, this proposal outlines the execution, control, and closure strategies necessary for the successful delivery of the "TaskMaster Pro" mobile application project. By proactively addressing challenges, employing EVM for performance management, and adhering to a systematic closure plan, the project can achieve its goals and provide substantial value to its users.

References

  • Kerzner, H. (2017). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Control. Wiley.

  • Project Management Institute. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.). PMI.

  • Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. (2014). Project Management: A Managerial Approach (9th ed.). Wiley.

  • Schwalbe, K. (2015). Information Technology Project Management (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.

  • Snyder, C. A. (2011). The Benefits of Earned Value Management in Project Control. Project Management Journal, 42(1), 81–93.

  • Vanhoucke, M., & Gemmill, T. (2010). Earned Value Management: A Historical Review. Journal of Operations Management, 28(3), 241–263.

  • Lock, D. (2014). Project Management (10th ed.). Gower Publishing.

  • Burke, R. (2013). Project Management: A Complete Guide. Hachette UK.

  • Thomas, J. (2013). Project Management: The Simplified Approach. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

  • DeMarco, T., & Lister, T. (2013). Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams (3rd ed.). Dorset House Publishing.