Bright Dark Blues 846071

Bright Dark Blues

Bright Dark Blues Grays Night Overview of Assignment You are the new project manager at Garden Decks of Beauty, a local company for the past 12 years in the Lexington, KY area. Your first assignment will be for the Melrose family (Todd and Margo, plus two yippy dogs to drive the neighbors nuts) who moved into their new home two years ago and now wish to replace the 8’ by 3’ slab of concrete (the stoop) which their backyard facing French Doors step onto with a new luxurious deck area with hot-tub and accoutrements. Their backyard is 80’ wide and 120’ deep and runs at a 5% slope straight down the back. By the way, Todd and Margo are Iron Triangle lovers – Time/Cost/Quality. Win them and you win their neighbors’ business.

Customer’s Basic Requirements: A two-area deck with the upper level (will step on from the French Doors), being a 5 meter by 7-meter rectangular area. One end of the upper level will have a 5 meter by 3 meters by 3.5-meter-tall pergola – you may use a kit or build and design from scratch. You will have a single step down to the second circular area which will be 7 meters in diameter and have a 2.5 meter square hot-tub on the far side – this will need electrical, and you will acquire and facilitate the installation through the vendor. You will be able to step from the circular area to the yard on a paving stone path which will run out to the garden – the path will be 7 meters long and 1 meter wide – this path will have electrical yard lights. There will be a 25’ diameter area halfway down the path which will have a built-in fire pit with seating (4 seats / benches) – the area will use gravel and border stones. All deck areas will be edged with decorative railing. The deck framing will set on 4x4 footers which will be concreted 1 meter into the ground (below frost line) – you will use galvanized hangers to support frame supports. The lower area will have built-in flower boxes 2’x 3’. The upper area will have a gas grill with built-in gas service. You will need a building permit and it will cost 50 dollars. All railing will have decorative lighting running along it. Both main deck areas will be fully landscaped around the perimeter with plants, decorative stones, perennials, and bushes – your team will do the landscaping. You will have an experienced construction crew of 4 FTEs which will cost $80/hour including benefits and 1.5-time overtime applies. You will have a team of 2 experienced landscape professionals who will cost $75/hour and overtime applies.

Additional requirements include: Need a couple outdoor, 110 electrical outlets for Xmas lights, etc. You will need electrical; you will vendor out for this – determine cost. Vendor out hot-tub installation – determine cost. Vendor to install and run the gas-line – determine cost. The deck will be fully sealed with a medium brown stain / preservative. You will use treated lumber for all framing, and you will decide on product for surface boards (wood, synthetic, etc.). The upper level will have two built-in seats near the grill area (wood) – not under the pergola. You will need to determine the timeline based on your Work Breakdown Structure. Assume you have all the tools needed. Any requirements not specifically stated are at your discretion.

Project deliverables include: Project Charter, RACI (use EXCEL), Statement of Work (SOW), Scope Document, Very Basic Drawing, Procurement Process, Assumptions and Constraints Document, Risk and Issues Log (use EXCEL), Communication Plan (use EXCEL), Work Breakdown Structure (WBS, use EXCEL), Quality Document, Change Request Process Document, Milestone Timeline Breakdown, Budget (from WBS), Project Status Report (PowerPoint), including status, budget, risk, issues, achievements, work underway.

Research topics: Deck construction, hot tubs, gas grills, landscape planning, estimating labor, material costs, fire-pit building, procurement/bidding, building flower boxes, pergolas, etc. Use internet, textbooks, library, videos. Focus on learning project management principles beyond specific technical expertise. Timeline: due by end of Week 7.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Effective project management is essential for delivering complex construction and landscaping projects successfully. In this paper, I will outline a comprehensive approach to managing the Garden Decks of Beauty project for the Melrose family, focusing on planning, organization, and execution. The process will encompass the creation of essential project documents, cost estimation, vendor selection, scheduling, and risk management strategies to ensure the project meets the stakeholders’ expectations within time and budget constraints.

Project Planning and Documentation

The foundation of project success begins with meticulous planning and documentation. The project charter will define the scope, objectives, and stakeholders, establishing clear authority and responsibilities. Using a RACI matrix in Excel, roles and responsibilities will be assigned for tasks such as design, procurement, construction, landscaping, and inspection, ensuring accountability and clarity throughout the project lifecycle. The Statement of Work (SOW) will detail project deliverables, specifications, and quality standards, providing a basis for contractual agreements with vendors and subcontractors.

Design and Technical Planning

Designing the two-level deck involves creating detailed drawings and layouts for the upper and circular areas, pergola, flower boxes, fire pit, and pathways. These will be generated via sketches and computer-aided design (CAD) software. For procurement, a process will be established to source materials like treated lumber, synthetic decking, railing components, plants, stones, and fixtures. The procurement process will include vendor evaluation based on cost, quality, and lead time, using a Request for Proposal (RFP) or bidding approach. Assumptions such as material availability and delivery timelines will be documented, along with constraints like budget limits and local building codes.

Cost Estimation and Budgeting

Estimating costs involves researching current prices for materials and labor. For materials, prices from Lowe’s, Home Depot, or online suppliers will be referenced. Labor costs are calculated based on crew hourly rates, overtime, and estimated work hours derived from the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Vendor quotes for electrical outlets, hot-tub installation, and gas line work will be obtained to incorporate these into the overall budget. The construction crew's capacity (4 FTEs at $80/hour including benefits, with overtime) and landscaping team (2 professionals at $75/hour, with overtime) will be scheduled accordingly. The project budget will encompass all direct costs, permits, contingencies, and miscellaneous expenses (e.g., stain, tools).

Scheduling and Timeline Development

The project timeline will be broken down with a Work Breakdown Structure, defining tasks such as site prep, foundation work, framing, roofing, electrical, plumbing, landscaping, and finishing. Critical path analysis will highlight activities with dependencies, such as ordering materials before installation. Milestones include permit approval, foundation pouring, framing completion, deck sealing, landscaping, and final inspection. Lead times for vendor services will be integrated, and buffer periods will be included for unforeseen delays. The timeline will be visually represented via a Gantt chart for clarity.

Risk Management and Issue Resolution

Potential risks include delays in material delivery, vendor availability, weather conditions, and regulatory compliance. A Risk and Issues Log will record identified risks, their likelihood, impact, and mitigation strategies, such as early ordering or alternative vendors. Regular project meetings will monitor issues and implement corrective actions promptly. Safety considerations, including site safety protocols and compliance with local building codes, will be emphasized. Changes in scope, budget adjustments, or unforeseen site conditions will be managed via formal Change Requests.

Procurement and Vendor Management

Vendor evaluation will involve market research, referencing online resources, and requesting proposals. Electrical work, hot-tub installation, and gas line setup will be outsourced to specialized vendors with proven track records. Contract negotiations will emphasize scope, timeline, costs, and warranty provisions. Constant communication and progress tracking through scheduled meetings will ensure vendors meet deadlines and quality standards.

Construction and Landscaping Execution

The construction crew will execute framing, foundation, deck assembly, and finishing work, following safety standards and quality specifications. Landscaping professionals will handle perimeter planting, stones, and flower boxes, ensuring aesthetic appeal and durability. The deck will be stained with a medium brown preservative to enhance longevity and appearance. Landscaping will include plant selection suitable for Lexington’s climate, along with decorative stones and gravel for fire pit areas.

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

Effective communication will be maintained through scheduled meetings, progress reports, and the project status PowerPoint presentation. The Communication Plan will specify channels, frequency, and responsible persons. The project leader will update stakeholders on milestones, risks, and issues, and gather feedback for continuous improvement.

Conclusion

Managing the Garden Decks of Beauty project necessitates a structured approach encompassing detailed planning, effective communication, rigorous scheduling, and proactive risk management. By executing this comprehensive strategy, we aim to deliver a luxurious and functional deck that meets the Melrose family's expectations and enhances their property value. Learning from this project will also enrich my understanding of construction project management principles, applicable across various industries and project types.

References

• Project Management Institute. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) — Sixth Edition. PMI.
• Kerzner, H. (2017). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
• Lewis, J. P. (2018). Fundamentals of Project Management. AMACOM.
• Heldman, K. (2018). Project Management JumpStart. Wiley.
• Schwalbe, K. (2018). Information Technology Project Management. Cengage Learning.
• Chen, J. (2021). Construction Cost Estimation: A Practical Guide. Routledge.
• Varney, C. (2016). Landscaping and Construction: Techniques and Cost Analysis. Green Publications.
• Online sources: Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Wayfair for current material prices and procurement strategies.
• Youtube tutorials and industry videos for deck building and landscaping techniques.
• Local building codes, Lexington municipal guidelines, and vendor documentation for compliance standards.