Prepare A Report On The Impact Analysis Of EEF (Enterprise E ✓ Solved

Prepare a report on the impact analysis of EEF (enterprise e

Prepare a report on the impact analysis of EEF (enterprise environmental factors) identified within 1500 words. The report should address the following: Evaluation of the internal and external factors and their impact on project management processes; Development of strategies to implement the appropriate actions; Drafted communication plan and outcomes to diverse stakeholders.

Paper For Above Instructions

Executive summary

This report analyses Enterprise Environmental Factors (EEFs), evaluating internal and external elements that influence program and project management processes, proposing strategies to respond to those factors, and drafting a communication plan with expected stakeholder outcomes. The analysis draws on established project management standards and literature to recommend practical governance actions that support program success (PMI, 2017; ISO 21500, 2012).

Introduction

Enterprise Environmental Factors (EEFs) are conditions not under the immediate control of the project team that influence, constrain, or direct the project (PMI, 2017). Proper impact analysis of EEFs is essential for program governance because EEFs shape decisions on scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk, procurement, and stakeholder engagement (Kerzner, 2017; Meredith & Mantel, 2017).

Evaluation of internal factors and their impact on project management processes

Key internal EEFs include organisational culture and structure, governance and decision-making hierarchies, information systems, resource availability, existing processes and policies, and staff capabilities (PMI, 2017; Schwalbe, 2015). Their impacts are:

  • Organisational culture and structure: Centralised structures create slower approval cycles and tighter controls, affecting schedule and decision-making speed; decentralised cultures enable faster decisions but may require stronger integration controls (Turner, 2014).
  • Governance and authorities: Financial and resource approval thresholds determine how quickly budgets and resources are allocated, which affects procurement timelines and risk exposure (PMI, 2017).
  • Information systems and tools: Mature project information systems improve configuration management, reporting, and traceability; immature systems increase manual effort and error risk (Kerzner, 2017).
  • Skills and human resources: Workforce capability directly influences quality, productivity, and the need for training or external contractors (Schwalbe, 2015).

These internal factors require alignment between program processes and organisational norms; failing to do so leads to scope creep, missed milestones, and compliance breaches (Meredith & Mantel, 2017).

Evaluation of external factors and their impact on project management processes

External EEFs include market conditions, regulatory and legal requirements, supplier ecosystems, stakeholder expectations, technological trends, and socio-political conditions (ISO 21500, 2012; Zwikael & Smyrk, 2012). Their impacts are:

  • Regulatory and legal environment: Compliance requirements impose constraints on deliverables, testing, reporting, and may affect cost and schedule (ISO 21500, 2012).
  • Market and economic conditions: Volatility in supplier pricing or availability influences procurement strategy and contingency planning (Verzuh, 2015).
  • Technological trends: Rapid technology change can create integration risk or opportunity for competitive advantage, affecting scope and technical governance (Kerzner, 2017).
  • Stakeholder and community expectations: Public sentiment, media scrutiny, and political sponsorship influence communications, benefits realisation, and reputational risk (Bourne, 2015; Freeman, 2010).

External EEFs often require adaptive governance: formal compliance checks, vendor management, flexible contracts, and active stakeholder engagement to manage shifting constraints (PMI, 2017).

Strategies to implement appropriate actions

Effective strategies to respond to EEF impacts combine policies, controls, capability building, and adaptive planning. Recommended actions include:

  • Governance and decision frameworks: Define clear decision authorities, escalation paths, and approval thresholds aligned with organisational structure to reduce bottlenecks (PMI, 2017; Turner, 2014).
  • Risk-based controls and contingency planning: Integrate EEF-driven risks into program risk registers and allocate contingency budgets and time buffers where external volatility is high (Zwikael & Smyrk, 2012).
  • Capability development: Implement targeted training and mentoring programs to close skills gaps; where speed is critical, use contractors under robust procurement terms (Schwalbe, 2015).
  • Systems and configuration management: Standardise tools for configuration, version control, and reporting to maintain data integrity and audit trails (Kerzner, 2017).
  • Supplier and contract strategies: Use flexible contracts, multiple suppliers, and performance-based milestones to mitigate supply-side EEFs (Verzuh, 2015).
  • Regulatory compliance program: Embed compliance checkpoints into stage-gates and ensure legal and regulatory stakeholders are included in reviews (ISO 21500, 2012).

Each strategy should be operationalised via documented procedures, assigned owners, and measurable success criteria so the governance body can monitor effectiveness (PMI, 2017).

Draft communication plan and outcomes to diverse stakeholders

An effective communication plan aligns messages, methods, frequency, and owners to stakeholder needs (Bourne, 2015). The following communication matrix summarises core elements:

Communication Plan Summary
Stakeholder Group Primary Objective Message Channel Frequency Owner Expected Outcome
Executive Sponsor Strategic oversight Program health, risks, investment needs Executive report; monthly briefing Monthly / ad hoc Program Manager Timely approvals and resource support
Steering Committee Decision making Milestone status, change requests Board pack; meetings Stage-gate Program Director Clear decisions and accountability
Project Teams Operational coordination Tasks, dependencies, issues Collaboration tools; weekly stand-ups Weekly Project Leads Aligned execution and reduced rework
Suppliers Contract performance Deliverable specs, acceptance criteria Email, contract portal Milestone-based Procurement Lead On-time quality delivery
Public / Media Reputation and awareness Key messages, event updates Press releases, social media Event-driven Communications Manager Positive public perception

Expected outcomes include improved stakeholder alignment, faster approvals, reduced rework, and demonstrable compliance. Measurement should include stakeholder satisfaction surveys, approval timelines, and communication open/engagement metrics (Bourne, 2015; Freeman, 2010).

Conclusion

EEF impact analysis is a governance imperative. By systematically evaluating internal and external EEFs, implementing targeted strategies (governance rules, risk controls, capability development, configuration systems), and communicating clearly with stakeholders, programs can mitigate constraints and exploit enabling conditions. Adopting the recommended approaches will strengthen program resilience, transparency, and outcomes (PMI, 2017; Kerzner, 2017).

References

  • Project Management Institute (PMI). (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) — Sixth Edition. Newtown Square, PA: PMI.
  • ISO. (2012). ISO 21500:2012 Guidance on project management. Geneva: International Organization for Standardization.
  • Kerzner, H. (2017). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Turner, J.R. (2014). Handbook of Project-Based Management. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Schwalbe, K. (2015). Information Technology Project Management. Boston: Cengage Learning.
  • Bourne, L. (2015). Stakeholder Relationship Management. Farnham: Gower Publishing.
  • Meredith, J.R., & Mantel, S.J. (2017). Project Management: A Managerial Approach. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Zwikael, O., & Smyrk, J. (2012). Project Management for the Creation of Organisational Value. London: Springer.
  • Verzuh, E. (2015). The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
  • Freeman, R.E. (2010). Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.