Question

2. A) We require you to describe how you would use project management tools to develop and implement a project plan. Discuss at least 3 tools from below:

Activity (What is to be done?)	Objective (Why will we do it?)	Resources (Where will it be done?)	Procedures (How will it be done?)	Responsible person (Who will do it?)	When?	Budget
Acquire additional resources – delivery van.	To provide a delivery service and provide brand recognition	Purchase a new van for each outlet and detail it with the marketing logo.	Contact suppliers obtain quotes and purchase the required delivery van. Contact sign writers to have marketing decals attached to the vans.	Head office marketing manager	31 July	$50,000 per outlet

• project management software
• Gantt and bar charts
• critical path method (CPM)
• Program Evaluation Review Technique charts (PERT)
• cost schedule control system
• life cycle cost analysis
• logistics support analysis
• spreadsheets
• technical resources

B) Whilst completing your project plan, ensure you include the following:

• deliverables         
• work breakdown  
• budget and allocation of resources          
• timelines  
• risk management
• recordkeeping and reporting       
• consult and communicate with relevant stakeholders to generate input and engagement in planning, implementing and reviewing the project        
• provide support to team members to enable them to achieve deliverables and to transition them as appropriate at completion of the project        
• finalise the project including documentation, sign-offs and reporting   
• review and document the project outcomes.

Answer 1

1. Project management software: Project management software are critical in developing and implementing the project plan. In project plan, project management software helps all the team members in projects and responsible stakeholders for managing resources and costs. Project management software helps in task distribution, resource planning, budgeting etc. Project management software is also responsible for planning, organizing the individual tasks and implement the project plan in time and complete as scheduled.

Gantt and bar charts: Gantt and bar charts are important and critical type of bar charts that helps in scheduling the projects. These charts represent the project plan over time and graphical depiction of project schedule. Gantt and bar charts mostly depict project milestones, start and end points of project, dependencies between tasks and scheduling persons to tasks. Gantt charts also depicts predecessors, time estimates of the tasks, estimated completion time of the task and the difference between completion time and estimated time. Gantt charts are also responsible for detecting bottlenecks in the project and explaining how well the project is as per schedule.

Critical path method: Critical path method is important in project management. Critical path method (CPM) is responsible for identifying the longest stretch of important activities and dependent ones and also measuring the time required from start to finish. Critical path is the important step in project management where certain dependent tasks are needed to perform in a clear order for a certain period. Critical path method identifies the critical tasks that are necessary and helps in timely detection of risks. If duration of critical tasks increases or decreases, there will be a change in entire project plan. Therefore, critical path method is very important in planning the project well.

2. Deliverables: During the time of project completion, deliverables are an important and critical part in completion of a project. Deliverables are the quantifiable items that are needed to complete upon completion of project. These deliverables are both tangible and intangible in nature. Deliverables can be either a product, report or service and can be created for both internal and external stakeholders.

Budget and allocation of resources: At the time of project completion, it is very important for planning budget and allocating resources properly. Budget and allocation of resources are very important for any project. Resource allocation in project management is very important in successful completion of a project and help in achieving final goals. Proper resource allocation and budget management is very important in finishing the project on time and as per budget. This part is very important in successful completion of project.

Risk management: Risk management is very important in successful completion of the project. For any project to be successful, it is very important in identifying potential risks and risk mitigation measures. Project risk management is important in identifying, analysing and then responding to risks that arises in the lifecycle of project and meet the project deadlines and complete the project in proper time.