The Process of Developing a Project Plan for Student

Introduction A project plan is indispensable as a document that governs the development of a project. The process of developing a project plan ensures that all critical issues relating to the success of the project receive attention early in the project.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on The Process of Developing a Project Plan for Student specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In this sense, any activity that has definite goal, fixed resources, and a time constraint fits within the definition of a project. This plan sets out the essential issues surrounding the taking of the project management unit. The unit qualifies as a project because there are constraints on it similar to any project. Project Rationale The choice of this unit came from the desire to learn about project management. Project management is an essential component of any job today. The skills are invaluable for any employee. Learning about project m anagement improves the marketability of any student. The strategic objectives that led to the choice of the project included the following. First, it will lead to a clear advantage when looking for work opportunities because of the demand for project management skills. Secondly, regardless of work and employment, learning about project management gives a student the ability to plan projects of any nature. This may include remodeling a home, opening a business, or organizing an event. Thirdly, the unit is a prerequisite for graduation. This means that completing it is a necessary step towards graduation from college. The mission underlying the project is to participate as a leaner in the project management unit to gather the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to perform the roles of a project manager. There are no clear alternatives to the project management unit within the college. However, there are options available for taking project management courses in other instituti ons. It is also possible to participate in certification programs in project management based on experience gained in projects.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Scope Statement The scope of this project includes the following deliverables Attending classes Taking continuous assessment tests Carrying out assignments Participation in group discussions and seminars Sitting for a final exam The University requires students to attend at least two thirds of all classes to pass the unit. It is better to attend all the classes because this has an impact on the final scores, and mastery of the subject. Continuous assessment tests provide feedback relating to comprehension of the subject to both the learner and the tutor. Assignments form part of continuous assessments. However, they cover specific issued related to the course. Participation in group discussion and seminars will contribute towards better comprehension of the unit. Finally, sitting for the final exam provides a means of grading. The time needed to complete the unit is the semester. The institution is responsible for determining the time each unit will take. The university offers the project management unit within a semester. Therefore, by the end of one semester, the project will be complete. The budget for the unit is part of the semester’s fees. The university makes statutory charges per student and thereafter, a student pays for each unit taken. The cost related to the project is the fees paid to take the unit. The statutory fees do not change with the number of units taken. This cost is a prerequisite to paying for the project management unit. The project specifications for the unit come from the course outline. The issues covered are as follows Development of a project rationale Learning to develop a scope statement Identification of project constraints How to carry out a stake holder analysis Developing a project work breakdown structure Identification of project milestones The main assumption relating to this project is that there will be no disruption to the academic calendar. The second assumption is that the grades from the continuous assessment tests and the final exams will be high enough to guarantee successful completion of the course.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on The Process of Developing a Project Plan for Student specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The required standard for this is attaining at least forty percent of the overall marks to pass the unit. However, the actual target is much higher. This unit will contribute towards the grades used for classification before graduation. A favorable classification requires higher grades of at least seventy percent. Project Constraints Project constraints refer to the issues that limit the operations of the project . The main constraints in this project include time, availability of discussion group partners, and budgetary constraints. Time is usually the most significant constraint affecting the development of any project . In order to deliver the best results, it is important to spend as much time as possible in the activities of the project. This is not possible for two reasons. First, the project must end on a fixed date. There is no way of revising this time to add time to the project. Secondly, there are competing interests vying for attention. The project management unit is just one of the units for the semester. The second constraint is the availability of people to participate as members of an academic group. Teams form the best workgroups for projects because of the ability to solve problems faster than individuals . The same time constraint also affects the potential discussion group members. This means that the number of meetings will be few. The final project constraint is budgetary in natu re . The costs associated with taking the course are not the problem. No payment to the university is outstanding. However, buying books, attending project management seminars and gaining access to project management resources online are all dependent in the availability of the finances. In this sense, finances will be a constraint to the project. Stakeholder Analysis Project stakeholders refer to people who can have an impact on the execution of the project. They also include people who may suffer or benefit from the implementation of the project . In this project, the main stakeholders are the project sponsors, lecturers, classmates, academic advisors, and the department in general. The following table elaborates on relationship between the project and the stakeholders.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Stakeholder Role in Project Unique Facts Level of Interest Level of Influence Suggestions on Managing relationship Sponsor Pays Fees The sponsor provides the financing for the project High Very high: Project results can influence future financing Keep informed about project progress and relay results promptly Lecturers Provides modules, and grade assignments The lectures are knowledgeable in project management High Very high: They award grades and mark the assessments, including the final exams Take care to follow all instructions issued during lectures Classmates Form part of learning group Classmates are learners, with varying strengths Medium High: Working with classmates especially in group discussions can lead to very good grades Find a dedicated team and develop rules of engagement with the team members Academic Advisor Interested in academic performance The academic advisor is a career coach, and academic mentor Very high Medium: The role of the academic advisor is consultative. The advisor does not have a direct impact on project results Keep posted on progress. Consult often. Department Provides oversight for content and quality of learning The department is interested in the overall delivery of the program high High: While the department controls the delivery of the subject matter, it does not focus too highly on the outcome of individual projects. It makes global assessment of the projects. Table 1: Stakeholder management plan Project Work Breakdown Structure Task Duration Start Time Late start Finish Time Late Finish Predecessors 1 Set personal Goals 4 days 4/9/2013 1/27/2014 4/24/2013 2/12/2014 2 Review reasons for taking unit 1 day 4/9/2013 1/27/2014 4/11/2013 1/30/2014 3 See Academic Advisor 1 day 4/11/2013 1/30/2014 4/16/2013 2/4/2014 2 4 Determine impact of the unit on classification 1 day 4/16/2013 2/7/2014 4/19/2013 2/12/2014 3 5 Determine impact of unit on career prospects 1 day 4/16/2013 2/4/2014 4/19/2013 2/7/2014 3 6 Make performance goals for the unit 1 day 4/19/2013 2/7/2014 4/24/2013 2/12/2014 5 7 Attending Lectures 63 days 4/9/2013 4/9/2013 12/18/2013 2/12/2014 8 Obtain a copy of the timetable 1 day 4/9/2013 4/9/2013 4/11/2013 4/11/2013 9 Locate lecture halls 1 day 4/9/2013 4/9/2013 4/11/2013 4/11/2013 10 Acquire notebook and ipad 1 day 4/9/2013 4/9/2013 4/11/2013 4/11/2013 11 Take Notes 2 months 4/11/2013 4/11/2013 12/18/2013 12/18/2013 8,9,10 12 Prepare note summaries 2 months 4/11/2013 6/7/2013 12/18/2013 2/12/2014 8,9,10 13 Taking continuous assessment tests 62 days 4/9/2013 6/7/2013 12/13/2013 2/12/2014 14 Obtain examinations calendar 1 day 4/9/2013 2/4/2014 4/11/2013 2/7/2014 15 Prepare revision calendar 1 day 4/11/2013 2/7/2014 4/16/2013 2/12/2014 14 16 Revise lecture notes 2 months 4/9/2013 6/7/2013 12/13/2013 2/12/2014 17 Review note summaries 2 months 4/9/2013 6/7/2013 12/13/2013 2/12/2014 18 take first test 1 day 4/9/2013 1/30/2014 4/ 11/2013 2/4/2014 19 Revise lecture notes 2 months 4/9/2013 6/7/2013 12/13/2013 2/12/2014 20 Review note summaries 2 months 4/9/2013 6/7/2013 12/13/2013 2/12/2014 21 take second test 1 day 4/11/2013 2/4/2014 4/16/2013 2/7/2014 18 22 Discuss feedback with lecturer 1 day 4/16/2013 2/7/2014 4/19/2013 2/12/2014 21 23 Discuss progress with academic advisor 1 day 4/16/2013 2/7/2014 4/19/2013 2/12/2014 21 24 Carrying out assignments 19 days 5/14/2013 9/30/2013 7/31/2013 12/18/2013 25 Obtain assignment briefs from lecturers 1 day 5/14/2013 9/30/2013 5/16/2013 10/3/2013 26 Clarify all requirements 1 day 5/16/2013 10/3/2013 5/21/2013 10/8/2013 25 27 Discuss approaches to assignment with classmates 1 day 5/21/2013 12/13/2013 5/24/2013 12/18/2013 26 28 Carry out research 1 day 5/21/2013 10/8/2013 5/24/2013 10/11/2013 25,26 29 Prepare and hand in assignments 2 wks 5/24/2013 10/11/2013 7/23/2013 12/10/2013 28 30 Discuss results with lecturer 1 day 7/23/2013 12/10/2013 7/26/2013 12/13/2013 29 31 Discuss results with Academic Advisor 1 day 7/26/2013 12/13/2013 7/31/2013 12/18/2013 30 32 Participation in group discussions and seminars 71 days 4/9/2013 5/1/2013 1/20/2014 2/12/2014 33 Create rapport with classmates 1 wk 4/9/2013 5/1/2013 5/7/2013 5/30/2013 34 Indentify classmates interested in participating in group work 1 day 5/8/2013 5/30/2013 5/10/2013 6/4/2013 33 35 Call for a meeting with the potential group members 1 day 5/10/2013 2/7/2014 5/15/2013 2/12/2014 34 36 Make rules governing group work 1 day 5/10/2013 2/7/2014 5/15/2013 2/12/2014 34 37 Elect group leaders 1 day 5/10/2013 2/7/2014 5/15/2013 2/12/2014 34 38 Create meeting schedule 1 day 5/10/2013 2/7/2014 5/15/2013 2/12/2014 34 39 Indentify topics of discussion in each meeting 1 day 5/10/2013 6/4/2013 5/15/2013 6/7/2013 34 40 Hold meetings as agreed 2 months 5/15/2013 6/7/2013 1/20/2014 2/12/2014 39 41 Sitting for final exams 77 days 4/9/2013 12/5/2013 2/12/2014 2/12/2014 42 Review all notes 14 days 12/18/2013 12/18/2013 2/12/2014 2/12/2014 11 43 Review all note summaries 14 days 12/18/2013 12/18/2013 2/12/2014 2/12/2014 11 44 Consult Academic Advisor 1 day 4/9/2013 2/7/2014 4/11/2013 2/12/2014 45 Consult lecturers on how to prepare for the exams 1 day 4/9/2013 2/7/2014 4/11/2013 2/12/2014 46 Review all outputs from group work 14 days 7/31/2013 12/18/2013 9/25/2013 2/12/2014 24 47 Review all continuous assessment tests 14 days 7/31/2013 12/18/2013 9/25/2013 2/12/2014 24 48 Review all take-home assignments 14 days 4/9/2013 12/5/2013 6/4/2013 1/30/2014 49 Sit for final exams 1 day 6/4/2013 1/30/2014 6/7/2013 2/4/2014 48 50 Discuss results with the Academic Advisor 1 day 6/7/2013 2/4/2014 6/11/2013 2/7/2014 49 51 Discuss results with the sponsors 1 day 6/12/2013 2/7/2014 6/14/2013 2/12/2014 50 Table 2: Work Breakdown Structure Project Milestones The milestones indentified in this project are as follows Formation of Discussion groups This is a key component of learning. Successful formation of the discussion group will be a key step in ensuring participation in a group activity Sitting for continuous assessment tests The tests contribute towards the final exams. Handing in take home assignments These will be vital to attaining the objectives of the project because of the exposure to project management issues and their contribution towards the final mar Sitting for final exams This is the final step in the active life of the project. Reference List Flannes, S., Levin, G. (2005). Essential People Skills for Project Managers. Vienna, VA: Management Concepts. Holmes, D. (2005). Communication Theory: Media, Technology, and Society. London, UK: SAGE. Jeyarathmm, M. (2008). Strategic Management. Mumbai, India: Global Media. Kerzner, H. (2009). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling and Controlling (10 ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons. Klastorin, T. (2003). Project Management: Tools and Trade-offs. New York: Wiley. Lewis, J. P. (2006). The Project Managers Desk Reference. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional. Peacock, L. (2012). Thousands of Jobs could be Created at Former Pfizer Site in Kent. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/9646165/Thousands-of-jobs-could-be-created-at-former-Pfizer-site-in-Kent.html Project Management Institute. (2003). A Guide To The Project Management Body Of Knowledge. San Diego: Project Management Institute. Stackpole, C. (2010). A Users Manual to the PMBOK Guide. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons. Walker, D. M., Walker, T. D., Schmitz, J. T. (2003). Doing Business Internationally: The Guide to Cross-Cultural Success. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Professional. This case study on The Process of Developing a Project Plan for Student was written and submitted by user Isabella Tyler to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. 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