How a project manager (PM) uses models, methods, and artifacts in project management

Demonstrating how a project manager (PM) uses models, methods, and artifacts in project management in different contexts, both project planning and project implementation. One important function of the PM is to align resources and plans in a project portfolio to the organization’s objectives. PMs often work on multiple projects at once, so for this assessment you will propose a project and provide a status update on another project that is in the last stages, nearing closing.
As an associate PM of a medium-size company, you will be appearing before the project management office (PMO). You will be proposing a project and providing updates on current project status.
Create a 12- to 16-slide presentation with speaker notes to provide additional details that are not present on the slides. Your presentation will include your slides on the project proposal and project implementation status updates.
Include the following in your presentation:
Part 1: Project Proposal
You have identified a process improvement project that, upon completion, will improve customer retention and help grow the business into a new market. Because this is a process improvement project, there are many things known, and the company possesses most of the expertise to complete this project. Summarize your ideas for this process improvement project. Be sure to do the following:
Identify the 2 key documents in the initiating phase that you will develop. These documents can help you present this idea to your manager. Consider what you have learned in this class to prepare many of the key documents to be considered in the initiating and planning phase. By doing this, you hope to anticipate some of your manager’s questions and concerns.
Summarize 4 key deliverables that you would develop or deliver in the planning phase.
Summarize 4 key deliverables in the executing phase that you would develop or deliver.
Part 2: Project Implementation Status
Another project you are acting as associate PM is in the execution phase. It is an engineering project that has specific statements of work calling for parts, specifications, and acceptable tolerance levels, along with price, delivery, and other contracted terms. This project has a budget and schedule that is baselined and has a management reserve of 5%. Next week, you must present a status report of the project to the PMO and explain how you are managing the scope, timeline, and other aspects of the project. Summarize the state of the project. Be sure to:
Evaluate the 4 key areas where you will focus your efforts on when analyzing and monitoring the scope of the project.
Describe 3 monitoring or controlling activities or processes you would engage in to ensure that product quality, cost, schedule, and risks are according to the plan.
Describe 4 activities you might engage in or documents you may help deliver in the closing phase.
Explain project termination for this engineering project. It will be integrated into the company’s existing product line manufacturing system once completed.

  Project Proposal Introduction Good morning/afternoon [PMO members]. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to present my project proposal today. I am here to discuss a process improvement project that will not only improve customer retention but also help grow our business into a new market. Project Overview The goal of this project is to enhance our existing processes to better meet customer needs and expectations. By doing so, we aim to increase customer satisfaction, improve retention rates, and expand our reach into a new market segment. Key Documents in the Initiating Phase To present this project idea to my manager, I have identified two key documents that will help provide a comprehensive overview of the project: Project Charter: The project charter will outline the project's objectives, scope, stakeholders, and high-level timelines. It will serve as a guiding document throughout the project and provide a clear understanding of the project's purpose and goals. Stakeholder Analysis: This document will identify all the key stakeholders involved in the project, their roles, interests, and potential impact on the project. Understanding the stakeholders' perspectives will help anticipate questions and concerns and ensure effective communication and engagement throughout the project. Key Deliverables in the Planning Phase During the planning phase, we will focus on developing the following key deliverables: Project Management Plan: This comprehensive document will define the project's scope, schedule, budget, quality requirements, risk management approach, and communication plan. It will serve as a roadmap for the project team and guide them in executing the project effectively. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): The WBS will break down the project into smaller, manageable tasks and activities. It will provide a hierarchical structure that helps in resource allocation, task assignment, and tracking progress throughout the project's lifecycle. Risk Management Plan: This plan will identify potential risks and their impact on the project. It will include strategies to mitigate or minimize those risks, ensuring that the project stays on track and any potential obstacles are addressed proactively. Communication Plan: Effective communication is crucial for project success. The communication plan will outline how information will be shared among team members, stakeholders, and management. It will define the frequency, channels, and format of communication to ensure everyone is well-informed and involved. Key Deliverables in the Executing Phase During the executing phase, we will focus on delivering the following key deliverables: Process Improvement Implementation: This involves implementing the identified process improvements based on thorough analysis and planning. It may include changes in workflows, systems, technologies, or employee training to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Training Materials: To ensure a smooth transition during implementation, training materials will be developed to educate employees about the new processes. This will facilitate adoption and minimize resistance to change. Performance Metrics: We will establish performance metrics to measure the effectiveness of the process improvements. These metrics will help us monitor progress, identify areas for further improvement, and ensure that our objectives are being met. Change Management Plan: Change management is crucial to ensure successful implementation. The plan will address how we will manage resistance to change, communicate changes to employees, and provide support during the transition period. Project Implementation Status Project Overview Now let's move on to the current project implementation status. The project I am managing is an engineering project that is currently in the execution phase. It involves specific statements of work related to parts, specifications, tolerance levels, price, delivery, and other contractual terms. Focus Areas for Scope Analysis and Monitoring To ensure effective management of the project's scope, I am focusing on four key areas: Requirements Management: I am closely monitoring customer requirements and ensuring that they are being met throughout the project. Any changes or deviations from the initial requirements are being documented and assessed for impact. Change Control: I am implementing a robust change control process to evaluate any requested changes against their impact on scope, schedule, cost, and quality. This helps in minimizing scope creep and ensuring that changes are properly managed. Scope Verification: Regular scope verification activities are being conducted to ensure that all deliverables are meeting the defined acceptance criteria. This helps in maintaining alignment with customer expectations. Scope Baseline Management: I am actively managing the scope baseline by documenting any approved changes and maintaining a clear record of what was initially planned versus what has been implemented. Monitoring and Controlling Activities To ensure product quality, cost control, adherence to schedule, and effective risk management, I am engaging in the following monitoring and controlling activities: Quality Assurance Inspections: Regular inspections and quality control measures are being implemented to ensure that product specifications and acceptable tolerance levels are being met. Cost Tracking: I am closely monitoring project expenses against the baseline budget to identify any deviations early on. This allows for timely corrective actions or adjustments if needed. Schedule Monitoring: The project schedule is being closely monitored to track progress against milestones and identify any schedule risks or delays. Timely interventions are being made to keep the project on track. Activities in the Closing Phase As we near project completion, there are several activities that I will engage in or documents I may help deliver: Final Project Report: A comprehensive report summarizing the project's objectives, achievements, lessons learned, and recommendations for future projects will be prepared. Acceptance Criteria Validation: We will ensure that all deliverables meet the acceptance criteria defined in the contract or project requirements. Stakeholder Feedback Collection: Feedback from stakeholders regarding their satisfaction with the final results will be collected to assess overall project success. Lessons Learned Documentation: A lessons learned document will be created to capture valuable insights from this project for future reference. This will help us improve our processes and avoid repeating any mistakes in future projects. Project Termination Project termination for this engineering project involves integrating it into our company's existing product line manufacturing system once completed. This integration ensures that the new product aligns seamlessly with our existing offerings and can be manufactured efficiently. In conclusion, by implementing this process improvement project and effectively managing our current engineering project, we are not only enhancing our operations but also positioning ourselves for growth in new markets. Thank you for your time and consideration. I am open to any questions you may have at this point. Note: Speaker notes should be added to each slide with additional details that are not present on the slides themselves.

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