Assignment Part 1: Return To The Project Libre File Used ✓ Solved

Assignment Pt.1 Return to the Project Libre file used in the

Return to the Project Libre file used in the previous module. Go to the Gantt and Task view, right click on “Start” and then “insert column”. Insert a “Baseline duration” column. Next, right click on the “finish” column, and insert an “Actual Start” column. Finally, right click on “Predecessors” and insert an “Actual Finish” column.

Then, in the task view, click on “Save Baseline”. Your project should look similar to the Office Relocation project example below: Assume now that at least five your project activities have slipped in duration, and some of these activities have completed late. Enter these schedule slips into your Project Libre file. What you now have is a typical view of what happens to a schedule when originally scheduled activities become delayed. (Note that the “gray” lines capture the original schedule baseline.)

Assume that you are a project manager and you must report progress of your schedule given the delays against the project baseline you set.

Given that you must report to key stakeholders, create a PowerPoint presentation, using at least 7 slides, that addresses the following: What activities are delayed? What happened and why? What is the projected new schedule end date? Present delay against original project baseline in the PowerPoint presentation. Explain what actions you will take to recover your schedule.

Paper For Above Instructions

In the realm of project management, understanding and responding to changes in the project schedule is crucial for success. This paper outlines the process of adjusting a project schedule using Project Libre by incorporating a baseline, noting delayed activities, and preparing a report for stakeholders. The aim is to ensure that all project activities remain on course, and when deviations occur, they are effectively documented and addressed.

Setting the Baseline

Returning to the Project Libre file is the first step in assessing the project’s current status. The insertion of crucial columns such as “Baseline duration,” “Actual Start,” and “Actual Finish” allows the project manager to compare planned versus actual timelines. In Project Libre, these features can help visualize the discrepancies between the initial project plan and the actual progress. Once the columns are inserted, the project manager must click on “Save Baseline” to ensure that the current baseline reflects the originally planned timeline.

Identifying Delayed Activities

After updating the baseline, the next step is to identify activities that have experienced delays. At least five project activities are assumed to have slipped in duration, prompting a detailed analysis of each activity’s timeline. By comparing the baseline with current progress, the project manager notes which tasks have exceeded their planned duration. This analysis is vital, as it not only highlights problem areas but also informs stakeholders of the potential impacts on the overall project timeline.

Understanding the Causes of Delays

Once delayed activities are identified, an essential part of the reporting process involves understanding and articulating the reasons for these delays. Common causes might include resource availability issues, unexpected challenges, or insufficient planning. For instance, if a critical task was dependent on the timely completion of a prior task that encountered unforeseen obstacles, it would be essential to explain this dependency to stakeholders clearly. This transparency helps maintain stakeholder trust and underscores the project manager's proactive approach to problem-solving.

Projecting New End Dates

With the analysis of delays complete, the project manager must then project a new schedule end date based on the revised timelines. This involves recalibrating the schedule to account for the delays while considering any mitigation strategies that can be employed to recover lost time. The new end date should reflect realistic adjustments rather than optimistic predictions, as setting overly ambitious deadlines could lead to further delays and discontent among project stakeholders.

Communicating with Stakeholders

The next phase involves crafting a PowerPoint presentation that effectively communicates the project's current status to key stakeholders. In this presentation, it is critical to layout the following:

• Delayed activities and their new timelines.
• Reasons for the delays and their potential implications.
• The projected new schedule end date.
• The original project baseline for comparative purposes.
• Proposed actions for recovering the schedule.

Actions for Schedule Recovery

Finally, the project manager must outline the specific actions to recover the schedule. This could involve reallocating resources, adjusting task dependencies, and implementing overtime where feasible. It’s crucial to present these recovery strategies within the PowerPoint presentation to demonstrate a proactive and responsible approach to problem-solving.

Conclusion

In conclusion, project delays are an inevitable aspect of project management. However, the ability to respond timely and effectively through thorough analysis and clear communication with stakeholders can significantly mitigate the negative impacts of such delays. Utilizing tools like Project Libre enhances the project manager's capacity to track progress and adjust as necessary, ultimately driving the project towards its successful completion.

References

• Kerzner, H. (2017). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. Wiley.
• PMI (2021). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (7th ed.). Project Management Institute.
• Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. (2017). Project Management: A Managerial Approach. Wiley.
• Schwalbe, K. (2018). Information Technology Project Management. Cengage Learning.
• Heagney, J. (2016). Fundamentals of Project Management. AMACOM.
• Lock, D. (2020). Project Management. Gower Publishing Ltd.
• Verzuh, E. (2015). The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management. Wiley.
• Duncan, W. R. (2013). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). Project Management Institute.
• Brown, K. A., & Hyer, N. L. (2016). Project Management: The Managerial Process. McGraw-Hill.
• Lewis, J. P. (2019). Project Planning, Scheduling & Control: A Hands-On Guide to Bringing Projects in On Time and On Budget. McGraw-Hill.