Contents
This report is based on the following case scenario - - Scenario
- Outstanding Media Group are expanding to a new building in another part of the UK. The building, although sound does not have an adequate existing wired network infrastructure. This will mean the building being rewired for the wired network, new PCs for staff along with printers and scanner, and new servers. As the staff are new they will also need to be trained.
Description
This papers answers the following questions on the case study -
Task 1 (28%)
As this is a large project and the expansion is very important to the company they wish to ensure that it has the greatest chance of success.
As you have been appointed the project manager the senior stakeholder has asked you to identify five critical success factors (CSFs) that you consider essential for the successful completion of the project. In order to do this you are expected to demonstrate that you understand what is meant by CSFs and are aware of the CSFs often identified with this sort of project. Using the work of authors on the subject as inspiration you will then identify what you think are the five CSFs for this sort of project, each with a justification for its inclusion in your list. The knowledge you have picked up through the course should also help you decide what you believe are the most important aspects of this type of project.
Write a formal report of no more than 1200 words.
Task 2 (25%)
Some of the stakeholders are concerned that the project will take too long to produce what will be an over specified solution. They are concerned that budget for the project seems high – there appears to be a lot of allowance in the budget for items that seem to relate to managing and monitoring the project as opposed to those directly related to the implementation of the project.
Write a short report that explains the benefits of ensuring the quality of the project outcomes and what costs are associated with the processes to ensure the quality of the outcome. In essence what you are being asked for is the benefits of quality assurance and what overheads are associated with strong QA processes. The report should be no more than 1000 words.
Task 3 (28%)
The remaining paragraphs of this task describe the activities identified for the completion of the project. Create a Work Break Down Structure (WBS) and a Gantt Chart for the project. The durations for activities are shown in parenthesis and are given in weeks. Assume that the project will start on January 16th 2017. The critical path must be clearly identified. Outline any other assumptions you have had to make and any weaknesses, omissions or errors you think there are in the plan. You need to identify the following dates and show them on your Gantt chart as milestones
The date the office can be advertised as open for business. (i.e. the project should be completed and all staff trained.
The date the stakeholders can approve the design.
The date the stakeholders can confirm the opening date. This will be when the hardware and software tests have been completed.
The project will have to come up with a network design. This will involve the analysis of the network requirements (7) then a topology design (6). Once the topology has been decided it is possible to specify the internetworking devices such as routers and switches (2), determine the WAN requirements (2) and the firewall rules (1). The next stage would be the implementation of the network design which can start once the internetworking devices have been specified. This will involve tendering for the internetworking devices (8) followed by their installation (3). Once they are installed they can be configured (9) as can the firewalls (1). Whilst this is going on the completion of designing the network topology allows the cabling to be ordered (3) and installed (12).
End devices need to be acquired. These can be divided into PCs (this includes desktop and laptop devices as well as some tablets) and printers/scanners. It will be necessary to analyse the requirements of both classes; PCs (9) and printers/scanners (1). It will then be necessary to develop the specifications (PCs – 2 weeks; printers/scanners – 1 week). The tendering process for PCs (7) is expected to take a week longer than for the printers/scanners (6). When the PC tendering process is complete they can be configured (2) followed by installation and testing of applications (3). When these tests have finished they can be distributed around the offices (3) On completion of the printer/scanner tendering process they can be installed (1) and tested (1) though the testing will not be possible till the network tests are complete.
The network infrastructure test (2) can be undertaken once the internetworking devices and firewalls have been configured, the cable installed and applications have been tested on the PCs.
In order for tenders to go out for the servers (7) it is necessary to undertake an analysis of their requirements (4). On completion of the tendering process the servers can be configured (3), then applications installed (3). When the apps have been installed on the server and the PCs then the server applications can be tested (2)
Once the application requirements have been analysed it is possible to start preparing the training material (1) though recruiting the trainers (4) can be started immediately. Once the trainers have been recruited and the material is ready then trainers can be themselves trained (1). Also once the training material has been completed the training schedule can be developed (1) though the training is expected to be done over 4 weeks.
Task 4 (9%)
Whilst carrying out a site survey prior to the commencement of the project asbestos is found in the walls. This is believed to double the time to take to install the cabling.
Identify three possible ways of dealing with this from the project management point of view (so I do not want to know about how to deal with the asbestos).
Write a short report of no more than 500 words to indicate the affect the discovery will have on the final deadline, the three possible approaches to this you have identified to try to reduce the consequences and which one you would recommend.
