Focus On The Project Scheduling And Budgeting Aspects Of The

Focus On The Project Scheduling And Budgeting Aspects Of The Selected

Focus on the project scheduling and budgeting aspects of the selected project on developing a corporate website. (See attached file) Based on your understanding of project scheduling and budgeting, address the following: Create the project schedule using Microsoft Project . Use the start date of the course for the first day of the project. The trial run of the software should be at least two weeks before the actual installation. Create a budget sheet for the project in Microsoft Excel. This budget sheet should include the following : Material procurement, including hardware and software. Total person effort (depicting the people in different phases and their efforts). Installation charges. Maintenance charges (annual).

Paper For Above instruction

Developing a comprehensive project schedule and budget for a corporate website initiative necessitates meticulous planning and precise resource allocation. Utilizing Microsoft Project and Microsoft Excel, the project manager can effectively map out the entire process from initiation to maintenance, ensuring all critical aspects are accounted for and aligned with organizational goals.

Project Scheduling Using Microsoft Project

The scheduling process begins with defining the project scope, deliverables, and key milestones. Considering the course start date as the project initiation point, the first step involves breaking down the project into manageable phases such as planning, design, development, testing, and deployment. Each phase encompasses specific tasks with designated durations and dependencies. For instance, the development phase cannot commence until the design phase is completed, establishing a logical sequence that Microsoft Project can model effectively.

In addition, planning for the trial run is a crucial element in the schedule. The trial run, which serves as a pre-deployment testing phase, should be scheduled at least two weeks prior to the actual installation date. This buffer period allows for identifying and resolving any issues, ensuring the deployment proceeds smoothly. The trial run tasks include environment setup, testing phases, feedback collection, and necessary adjustments. By incorporating these activities as distinct tasks with their respective start and end dates, the project timeline remains realistic and well-organized.

The project timeline should also allocate sufficient time for stakeholder communication, resource mobilization, and risk management activities. Using Microsoft Project’s Gantt chart view enables visualization of task dependencies, resource allocation, and critical paths, facilitating proactive management of potential delays or conflicts.

Budget Creation in Microsoft Excel

The budget sheet encompasses various cost components essential to the project's financial planning. Material procurement, including hardware (servers, networking equipment) and software licenses, constitutes a significant initial expense. Estimations are derived from vendor quotes, market research, and organizational standards to establish a realistic procurement budget. For instance, hardware costs may include purchasing servers, workstations, and networking infrastructure, while software costs cover licensing fees for operating systems, content management systems, and development tools.

The total person effort allocates human resources across different project phases. This involves estimating the effort (in person-hours or person-days) required from project team members, including project managers, designers, developers, testers, and support staff. Effort is distributed based on the complexity and workload of each phase, with detailed breakdowns aiding in accurate personnel cost calculations. For example, the design phase might require 100 person-hours from UI/UX specialists, while development might need 300 hours from developers.

Installation charges include costs associated with deploying the website onto the live environment. These costs cover server setup, configuration, and security testing performed by technical staff or third-party services. Additionally, a contingency budget should be included to accommodate unforeseen expenses during deployment.

Maintenance charges are estimated on an annual basis, reflecting ongoing costs for server hosting, domain registration, regular security updates, backups, and technical support. These recurring costs ensure the website remains operational, secure, and updated, safeguarding the organization's online presence.

Analysis and Rationale

Accurate estimation of material procurement costs is essential for realistic budgeting. Vendors’ quotes, past projects, and industry standards are valuable references that aid in establishing reliable figures. For instance, hardware prices tend to decrease over time, yet lead times and quality requirements influence procurement decisions.

The effort required from personnel varies across phases. During the design and development phases, intensive effort is necessary due to creative and technical demands. Conversely, testing and deployment phases require focused effort to ensure quality control and system stability. Properly accounting for personnel effort prevents budget overruns and project delays.

Installation charges are justified by the need to securely and efficiently deploy the website, often involving specialized technical work. Rationale for maintenance charges is based on the necessity for ongoing support, security patches, and infrastructural updates, which are crucial for the website’s long-term sustainability.

Overall, integrating detailed schedules and comprehensive budgets enhances project control, facilitates stakeholder communication, and mitigates risks associated with cost overruns or missed deadlines. Effective planning ensures the website development project progresses smoothly within specified timeframes and budgets.

Conclusion

In developing a project schedule and budget for a corporate website, meticulous planning using tools like Microsoft Project and Excel significantly contributes to project success. Properly scheduled activities, contingency planning, and detailed cost estimates grounded in real-world data enable organizations to deliver high-quality web solutions efficiently. Continual monitoring and updating of schedules and budgets throughout the project lifecycle are vital for adapting to unforeseen challenges and ensuring project objectives are met.

References

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