Project Management Integration Framework – Week 2 Assignment

Project Management Integration Framework – Week 2 Assignment

Identify a project of interest to you. Make sure the project is not too small nor too big. A great example of a project may be purchasing a home, implementing a software/hardware upgrade, starting a business or changing from a manual process to an automated process. (If you are not sure your project meets the criteria please reach out to your instructor for approval via email) You are to create a project charter for your current project choice. Since you do not have a business case, be sure to elaborate as much as possible when creating the project charter. 1-2 sentence answers do not provide enough detail so be sure to elaborate.

Project Charter: include the project title, date authorized, PM’s information, high-level schedule (start and end dates), estimated budget, objectives, business justification, planning approach, roles/responsibilities and a sign-off area. Be sure to state the scope of the project, including what is in and out of scope. Be sure to provide 2-4 pages. At least one reference is required.

Paper For Above instruction

Developing a comprehensive project charter is a fundamental step in the project management process. It serves as a formal document that authorizes the project, provides clarity on its objectives, scope, and stakeholders, and establishes the foundation for planning and execution. This paper will illustrate the creation of a detailed project charter for a chosen project—specifically, the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system within a mid-sized manufacturing company. The project is substantial enough to require structured planning but manageable within defined parameters, making it an ideal example to explore the essential components of a project charter.

Project Title and Authorization Date

The project is titled "Enterprise Resource Planning System Implementation for XYZ Manufacturing." The project was formally authorized by the company's executive leadership on March 1, 2024. This authorization signifies the formal start of activities, allocating necessary resources and establishing the project manager's authority to proceed with detailed planning and execution phases.

Project Manager and Contact Information

The project manager assigned to this initiative is Jane Doe, PMP. Her contact information includes email (janedoe@xyzmanufacturing.com), phone number (555-123-4567), and office location at the company headquarters. Jane has extensive experience managing large-scale IT implementations and will lead the project team through all phases of this initiative.

High-Level Schedule

The project’s high-level schedule spans six months, from March 1, 2024, to August 31, 2024. Phase one involves planning and vendor selection, scheduled from March 1 to April 15. Phase two covers system design and customization, from April 16 to June 15. The third phase includes testing, training, and deployment, scheduled from June 16 to August 15. The final phase involves post-deployment support and project closeout, concluding by August 31, 2024.

Estimated Budget

The total estimated budget for this implementation is $1.2 million. Key components include software licensing costs ($600,000), hardware upgrades ($300,000), consulting and implementation services ($200,000), training expenses ($50,000), and contingency funds ($50,000). The budget allocation supports procurement, personnel, and risk mitigation activities necessary for a successful deployment.

Project Objectives

  • Successfully implement the new ERP system within six months, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.
  • Enhance manufacturing process efficiency and data accuracy through integrated software solutions.
  • Improve reporting capabilities to facilitate better decision-making across departments.
  • Train staff effectively to ensure smooth adoption and utilization of the new system.

Business Justification

The current manual and fragmented systems hinder operational efficiency, create data discrepancies, and impede timely reporting. An integrated ERP system will streamline processes, reduce manual errors, strengthen data integrity, and foster real-time decision-making. The investment aligns with the company’s strategic goal to modernize operations, increase productivity, and maintain competitive advantage in the manufacturing sector.

Planning Approach

The project adopts a hybrid planning approach combining traditional waterfall methodologies for the structured implementation phases with agile practices for system customization and training. This ensures rigorous planning, stakeholder engagement, and flexibility to adapt to emerging requirements during development. A dedicated project team, vendor collaboration, and regular stakeholder meetings underpin this approach to ensure alignment and transparency throughout the project lifecycle.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Project Sponsor: Executive leadership providing strategic oversight and approval.
  • Project Manager: Jane Doe, overall project planning, execution, and stakeholder communication.
  • IT Team: System integration, infrastructure setup, and technical support.
  • Vendor Team: Software customization, implementation, and training services.
  • Department Heads: Providing requirements, participating in testing, and ensuring departmental readiness.
  • End Users: Participating in training and providing feedback during pilot phases.

Scope of the Project

The scope encompasses the full deployment of the ERP system across all manufacturing, inventory, finance, and human resources departments within XYZ Manufacturing. It includes software procurement, hardware upgrades, system customization, data migration, user training, and post-implementation support. Out of scope are expansions to additional facilities not yet planned, extensive hardware procurement outside the defined upgrades, and non-core modules not identified in the initial requirements gathering.

Sign-Off Area

Signatures from key stakeholders affirm their agreement with the project charter and authorization to proceed:

  • Project Sponsor: ________________________ Date: ____________
  • Project Manager: ________________________ Date: ____________
  • Department Head, Manufacturing: __________ Date: ____________
  • Chief Information Officer: __________________ Date: ____________

References

  • Project Management Institute. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.). PMI.
  • Kerzner, H. (2017). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Schwalbe, K. (2018). Information Technology Project Management. Cengage Learning.
  • Leach, L. P. (2005). Critical Chain Project Management. Artech House.
  • Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. (2017). Project Management: A Managerial Approach. Wiley.
  • PMI. (2015). Pulse of the Profession: Capturing the Competitive Advantage. PMI.
  • Heldman, K. (2018). Project Management JumpStart. Sybex.
  • Gido, J., & Clements, J. (2018). Successful Project Management. Cengage Learning.
  • Harrison, F., & Lock, D. (2017). Advanced Project Management: A Structured Approach. Gower Publishing.
  • Lock, D. (2020). Project Management. Gower Publishing.

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