Identify a project which has not yet been implemented at your workplace or in your area of specialisation. You are required: 1. to define the project scope; 2. to identify stakeholders and...

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Running Header: Assignment E2 Project Management
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Assignment E2 Project Management
Assignment E2 Project Management
Table of Contents
1    Introduction    3
2    Project Background    4
3    Project Scope    4
4    Stakeholders & Decision Makers    6
5    Work Breakdowns Structure (“WBS”)    9
6    Project Duration Estimation    18
7    Network Diagram    23
8    Critical Path & Project Completion    24
9    Conclusion    27
References    28
Introduction
In essence, project shall always be temporary in nature on account of the fact that the same entails defined start as well as end in terms of time. In consequence the same means defined resources as well as scope (Gido & Clements, 2014; Meredith et al., 2017; Harrison & Lock, 2017). Further, project can be noted to be distinct as the same is not routine form of operation, and rather specific set of activities/ operations that are designed for accomplishing a singular objective. In this context, project management entails application of skillsets, knowledge, techniques and tools for project activities in meeting the requirements of a project. The planning as well as organisation of the resources in the specific entity for the purposes of moving a specific event, duty or else task towards completion (Gido & Clements, 2014; Meredith et al., 2017; Harrison & Lock, 2017). In general, project management entails focus on the one-time project instead of being ongoing activity, as well as the resources to be managed will include both financial as well as human capital. Project management shall usually be closely linked with that of engineering projects, that usually encompasses complete range of components which need to be delivered as well as assembled over the manner for the purposes of creating functioning products. In effect, project managers utilise visual representations with respect to work flow like that of Gantt charts, network diagrams, etc. for the purposes of determining the tasks for being completed by concerned personnel (Gido & Clements, 2014; Meredith et al., 2017; Harrison & Lock, 2017).
In this context, this report presents project plan report for the project being undertaken at my organisation and entails the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system.
Project Background
This project as specified aims to implement ERP system at the organisation by way of identifying suitable system, implementing the ERP system, and integrating the system at the organisation. ERP refers to the software which aids the organisation in effectively managing business activities in the day-to-day contexts like that of procurement, accounting, risk management /compliance, operations related to supply chain, and project management. ERP suite in its comprehensive level also encompasses management of enterprise performance, software which aids in planning, budgeting, predicting, as well as reporting on the financial results of the organisation.
At the project organisation as part of this project, ERP systems shall be implemented for the purposes of tying together wide ranging business processes as well as enables data flow in-between them. In collecting the organisation’s transactional data via multiple set of sources, the ERP systems will be used for eliminating data duplication as well as for providing data integrity. Apart from this the project shall ensure the ERP system implemented will cover all usual functions like procurement, accounting, risk management /compliance, operations related to supply chain, and project management.
Project Scope
Project scope refers to detailed documentation and the outlining of every aspect concerning a specific project, inclusive of all of the affiliated activities, timelines, deliverables, as well as resources in addition to the boundaries of the project (Brewer & Dittman 2018; Mir & Pinnington 2014; San Cristobal et al. 2018). In addition, project scope shall also entail the outlining of the key stakeholders, assumptions, processes, as well as constraints, in addition to the overall context of the project, on what has been included, as well as what shall not be included. All of these information, which are highly essential, shall be documented within the scope statement (Brewer & Dittman 2018; Mir & Pinnington 2014; San Cristobal et al. 2018). The scope statement of a project shall be the key document which shall offer all of the stakeholders to have clear form of understanding on why the specific project has been initiated as well as defining key set of goals (Brewer & Dittman 2018; Mir & Pinnington 2014; San Cristobal et al. 2018).
In case of this project, the project statement can be stated as the identification of exact business requirement of the organisation, identify the required and suitable specification for the ERP system, procure the ERP system, implement the system, integrate and test the system, and finally roll-out the system.
The deliverables of this project shall include the following:
· Analysis of Business requirements and documentation of the findings: Observation, collection & review of existing IT Infrastructure, software, systems, as well as other pertinent data, observation, collection & review of data pertinent to relevant processes as well as teams, analysis and identification of the requirements, documentation of the exact business requirement on report format, identification, and review and finalisation of exact ERP system specifications.
· Procurement of ERP system: Identification of vendors with required capabilities and features for delivering ERP system, preparation, finalisation & delivery of the Request for Proposal (RFP) to identified vendors, receiving quote from the vendors within allocated time and undertaking comparative review, shortlisting the vendors and undertaking meetings with these vendors, and finalising Vendor for procurement and signing the procurement contract.
· Implementation, integration & testing of the ERP system: Implementation of the ERP system at the organisation, integration of the ERP system at the organisation, testing of the ERP System implemented/ integrated at the organisation, preparation and documentation of the manual for ERP system to be used as reference for end users, preparation of training manual, and the planning and documentation of the system transitioning at the organisation.
Stakeholders & Decision Makers
The management of the expectations of stakeholder shall often be challenging on account of conflicting set of objectives (Brewer & Dittman 2018; Mir & Pinnington 2014; San Cristobal et al. 2018). However, prior to any form of stakeholder management could take place, it shall be primary and essential to identify and know the key stakeholders. In effect, stakeholder analysis shall aid one in classifying the stakeholders as well as identify the needs as well as requirements of the stakeholders (Brewer & Dittman 2018; Mir & Pinnington 2014; San Cristobal et al. 2018).
Project shall have higher extent of success in case the same entails meeting the objectives as well as fulfilling or exceeding expectations of the stakeholders in the project (Brewer & Dittman 2018; Mir & Pinnington 2014; San Cristobal et al. 2018). It shall be the responsibility of project manager for managing — as well as even influencing — expectations of key stakeholders in addition to their requirements. The same forms the reason on why the management of project stakeholders shall be crucial to project success (Brewer & Dittman 2018; Mir & Pinnington 2014; San Cristobal et al. 2018).
The stakeholders of this project include the following:
Table 1 – Project Stakeholders
    S. No.
    Stakeholders
    Project Role
    Responsibilities
    1
    CEO
    Project Sponsor
    Funding and project governance
    2
    IT – Vice President
    Project Manager
    Overall project planning, accountability, people management and successful project delivery
    3
    IT Senior Manager
    Project Team Member #1 (Implementation Support)
    Support project manager with implementation specifically with respect to project planning, business requirement analysis, and the system implementation process.
    4
    IT Manager
    Project Team Member #2 (Implementation Support)
    Support project manager with implementation specifically with respect to project planning, business requirement analysis, and the system implementation process.
    5
    Operations Manager
    Project Team Member #3 (Resource Procurement & Management)
    Support project manager with implementation specifically with respect to procurement of the required resources and ERP system and the overall resource management for the project.
    6
    IT Executive
    Project Team Member #4 (System Testing)
    Support project manager with implementation specifically with respect to testing of the ERP system after the implementation and integration within the existing IT infrastructure.
    7
    Employees
    End Users
    NA
In the context of this project, project sponsor and the project manager will be the key decision makers. However, project manager will have complete authority with respect to the end to end planning and management of the project. The key strategies that shall be used by the project manager for stakeholder management shall be as follows: (1) Members of the project team, that is, the key for managing the team expectations shall be constant form of communication. The scheduling of informal and...