Project Management Plan For Student At Walden U

Project Management Plan (Project Name) Student Name Walden University Date

The project description is a summary of the project and the deliverables or outcomes expected as a result of conducting the project. The project description typically includes a statement of the purpose of the project and the justification for undertaking the project from a business perspective. It also includes project objectives, high-level requirements, and how project success will be measured.

A project management approach or methodology defines the specific way that projects will be managed within an organization. There are a variety of project management methodologies available. The one that is chosen should match the needs of the organization and the characteristics of the project. Refer to Parts 1 and 2 of the St. Dismas Assisted Living Facility case study. Part 1 provides an overview of the project. Part 2 describes the steps that are being taken to plan the project.

Formulate the project management approach that will be used to conduct the St. Dismas Assisted Living Facility project as follows: describe the similarities and differences between various approaches to managing projects (3-4 paragraphs). Then, describe the project management approach that will be used for this project (one page).

Project assumptions are factors that may be true but are not confirmed and can impact the project. Constraints are factors that impose limits or boundaries on the project. Insert the project assumptions and constraints created in your project charter.

A Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) is a tool used to document the roles and responsibilities of project resources. A RAM provides role clarity for project team members. One type, the RACI chart, designates responsibility and authority at the task level. Refer to Part 1 of the St. Dismas Assisted Living Facility (ALF) project. Fred Splient, the President, formed the ALF Project Steering Committee and assigned planning tasks to each member.

Using the provided table and role definitions, create a RAM including the names and titles of the committee members and the planning tasks assigned to each. Add rows and columns as needed. Stakeholders may have multiple roles.

Describe the communication plan for the ALF project based on this RAM. Explain methods for communicating with stakeholders who need consultation (2-3 paragraphs), and also methods for informing stakeholders about project progress (2-3 paragraphs).

The project approval procedure is a formal process for stakeholder approval at project milestones before proceeding. Insert the project approval procedures created in your charter.

The project scope defines all work needed to deliver the expected outcome or product. The scope statement describes what is and is not included, based on stakeholder requirements, and is essential for creating the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Compose a detailed project scope statement, describing the scope of work and deliverables for each of the four construction phases of the ALF project (3-4 paragraphs each for scope and deliverables).

The WBS depicts the scope of a project and serves as a primary source for developing the schedule, resources, and performance measurement. Develop a WBS decomposed to three levels, including at least two deliverables per phase. Explain the purpose, creation process, and importance of the WBS in project management (2-3 paragraphs).

Estimate the activity durations based on the WBS, and construct a Gantt Chart and a Network Diagram for the construction project. Briefly describe one qualitative and one quantitative technique for estimating activity durations.

After estimating costs, develop the project budget aligned with the WBS. Using your WBS, estimate costs for each phase, and explain the estimating techniques and assumptions used (about one page). The total estimated cost in the case is $6,743,000.

Develop a risk management strategy addressing scope, schedule, and cost risks, including specific risk response strategies for each identified risk (one page). Risks may relate to scope changes, delays, or budget overruns.

Create a quality management strategy emphasizing the importance of delivering quality results. Explain the difference between quality assurance and quality control, define project quality requirements, and outline your plan for managing project quality (one page).

Paper For Above instruction

The comprehensive management of a construction project such as the St. Dismas Assisted Living Facility (ALF) necessitates a detailed and structured project management plan. This plan acts as a roadmap to guide all project activities, ensuring that objectives are met efficiently and effectively. The plan encompasses defining the project scope, selecting appropriate management methodologies, assigning roles and responsibilities, establishing communication channels, managing risk, ensuring quality, and controlling costs. Together, these elements facilitate coordination among stakeholders and provide mechanisms for monitoring progress, addressing challenges, and delivering a successful project outcome.

Introduction and Project Description

The primary purpose of the ALF project is to construct a state-of-the-art assisted living facility that meets the needs of seniors while adhering to budget, schedule, and quality standards. The project's justification stems from a growing demand for senior care facilities in the community, recognizing the need for improved health, safety, and comfort. The project objectives include completing the construction within a designated timeframe and budget, and ensuring the facility complies with all regulatory standards. Success will be measured through milestones such as completion of design, procurement, construction phases, and operational readiness of the facility.

The project description summarizes these goals and highlights key deliverables, including architectural design, construction, interior fitting, and operational planning, conveying the scope and expected outcomes.

Project Management Approach

Selecting the appropriate project management methodology is critical for project success. Several approaches exist, including traditional Waterfall, Agile, and Hybrid models. The Waterfall approach emphasizes sequential phases, best suited for clearly defined projects with stable requirements, as in construction projects. Agile methodologies, by contrast, focus on iterative development and flexibility, which may be less effective in strict construction timelines. Hybrid approaches combine these elements for flexibility in design modifications while maintaining structured phases.

For the ALF project, a traditional Waterfall approach is appropriate due to its predictable scope, strict regulations, and the need for detailed planning at each stage. This approach facilitates comprehensive documentation, linear execution, and clear milestones. Its emphasis on upfront planning minimizes scope creep and ensures project controls are in place. Despite some limitations in adaptability, this methodology aligns well with construction projects where changes are minimized once plans are finalized.

While other methodologies emphasize flexibility and stakeholder engagement, the Waterfall approach's structured phases facilitate tight control over schedule, scope, and costs—crucial factors for this construction project. Nonetheless, a risk mitigation plan is essential to handle unforeseen delays or regulatory changes.

Assumptions, Constraints, and Responsibilities

Project assumptions may include consistent availability of construction materials and labor, adherence to approved permits, and stable funding sources. Constraints could involve regulatory compliance timelines, environmental restrictions, and fixed budget limits set at $6,743,000. These assumptions and constraints influence planning and execution, requiring contingency strategies and rigorous monitoring.

The Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM), particularly the RACI chart, clarifies roles among the steering committee members during project phases. For example, Fred Splient, as President, is accountable for overall project delivery, while committee members like the construction manager are responsible for specific tasks such as site development. Communication plans derive from this matrix, outlining methods such as formal meetings, digital updates, and stakeholder briefings for consultation and information dissemination.

Stakeholder Acceptance and Scope Definition

Stakeholder approval is pivotal at major milestones—design approval, permit issuance, construction completion, and operational readiness. The project approval process involves formal reviews, documentation sign-offs, and review meetings to validate deliverables.

The project scope encompasses four construction phases: site preparation, foundation and structural work, interior and exterior finishing, and commissioning. Each phase requires comprehensive activities such as excavation, framing, utility installation, and final inspections. Deliverables include completed infrastructure, interior fit-out, and regulatory approvals. The scope excludes post-occupancy operations, which are managed separately.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

The WBS decomposes project scope into manageable tasks across three levels, with at least two deliverables per phase. For example, the site preparation phase includes land clearing and grading as Level 2 tasks, with corresponding deliverables such as cleared land and prepared site. The purpose of a WBS is to organize work hierarchically, clarify scope, and facilitate resource allocation. It is created by breaking down project scope into increasingly detailed components, enabling effective planning, scheduling, and performance monitoring.

Schedule Development

Using the WBS, project managers develop a Gantt Chart illustrating task durations, dependencies, and critical path activities. Concurrently, a Network Diagram visualizes task relationships, helping identify critical activities. Qualitative techniques like Expert Judgment leverage experience to estimate durations, while quantitative methods such as Comparative Estimating and Three-Point Estimation refine these figures.

Effective schedule management ensures timely completion, while highlighting activities that require close supervision to prevent delays.

Budget Estimation

The budget is derived by estimating costs at each WBS level, considering labor, materials, equipment, and indirect costs. Techniques like Analogous and Parametric estimating are common, relying on historical data and statistical relationships. Assumptions include current market prices and supplier reliability. The total project cost, approximately $6.74 million, is allocated across phases, with detailed estimates ensuring resource availability and financial control.

Risk Management Strategy

Risks associated with scope include design changes; schedule risks involve delays due to inclement weather or permit issues; cost risks could stem from material price fluctuations. Risk responses include contingency planning, schedule buffers, and fixed contracts with suppliers. Regular risk assessments are integrated into project reviews to proactively address issues.

Quality Management Strategy

To ensure quality, the project adopts a dual approach: quality assurance (preventive measures and process improvements) and quality control (inspection, testing). Quality requirements include compliance with building codes, safety standards, and client specifications. The plan emphasizes continuous quality checks, documentation, and stakeholder feedback, facilitating prompt corrective actions. This comprehensive quality management approach aims to deliver a durable, safe, and occupant-friendly facility.

Conclusion

The effective development and implementation of the project management plan for the St. Dismas ALF are essential to achieving project goals within scope, time, and cost constraints while maintaining high standards of quality and stakeholder satisfaction. This plan provides a structured framework to guide project execution, monitor progress, and respond to challenges, fostering collaboration and transparency throughout the project lifecycle.

References

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