Dissertation Project Management Assignment Sample

Introduction: Dissertation Project Management Assignment 

Project management is defined as a process with assists the person in managing the team to attain a common project goal. It includes the application of the different knowledge relating to project management so that all the given tasks can be accomplished and the overall objective of the project can be attained well. The present study is based on the project of supply of computer equipment for office use. This project aims to upgrade the workplace available in Nigeria so that it can increase efficiency & productivity and also communication efficiency will be improved. Thus, the current study will evaluate the project management theories relating to the execution and closure phase so that the overall project can be accomplished well. it relates to managing the project relating to the supply of computer equipment for office use. Also, it will help analyse how well the work is done so that objectives can be attained well.

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Main Body

Project introduction and background

In the present case of the Supply of Computer Equipment for Office Use Project, the project methodology included a major focus on the need assessment and stakeholder engagement. This is because of the reason that when the needs of the stakeholder will be assessed effectively then it will be improving the efficiency of the business to a great extent (Mishra, 2020). Along with this, the project also followed an effective implementation plan so that the execution of every stage could be done in a better and more effective manner. The execution phase of the current project was clearly defined and it focused on the effective management of the equipment, materials and other aspect of the project. When the decision relating to these elements is taken in a better and more effective manner then it will improve the overall efficiency of the business. It relates to the PM research area in that it emphasises clear objectives which helps in implementing the project well. It includes equipping the workplace with the latest computer systems and other systems. For instance, having 50 laptops, 25 desktops and other related aspect.

Project initiation summary

Referring to CW2, it was evaluated that the project dealt with the supply and installation of computer equipment for EVELYN Corporation. The objective of the current project was to modernise the workspace of the office relating to the supply and installation of the updated computer system. The stakeholders of the project included the client leadership team, internal project team, IT suppliers, employees and many other different types of employees involved in the business. The major aim of the project was to analyse the impact of adapting to the different project management methodologies on the success of the working of the company (Haverila, Haverila and Twyford, 2021). The project assumed that the supplier would be made easily available and also the internal IT capacity of the company was good. With these assumptions, it is clear that the company has the appropriate services and resources with the help of which the work can be improved and the implementation of the new project can be done well. Furthermore, the smart objective includes an emphasis that they install all the new computer systems within the time frame of 3 months. Also, it is objectified that within 4 quarters the company is ready to use the fully upgraded system which will help in improving the working capability and efficiency of the business.

Project planning and scheduling

For the success of the project, it is very necessary that effective planning need to be present. This is because of the reason that in case the effective planning is done then automatically the project objectives will be attained well. The reason underlying the fact is that when the planning is done well then automatically the overall objective will be attained because the project is executed concerning the intended plan only (Fernandes and O’Sullivan, 2023). In the current project, ‘Local Community Garden Enhancement Project’ the planning phase is done well and it ensures that all the aspects are considered during the planning. When, at the initial level only all the aspects are evaluated and planned well then it will improve the overall working of the company and the project will be made successful. Also, the scheduling of the project is done very well. It is because of the reason that all the stages of the project lifecycle are clearly defined and this improved the working capability to a great extent.

Project execution summary with analysis of project outcomes

With the application of the effective execution theory, the project manager of the Supply of Computer Equipment for Office Use Project’ was able to manage the whole project well. Within the execution stage, all the steps were implemented well and this improved the overall working of the company to a great extent. Within the execution stage, the first step was the selection of a supplier to supply the specified quantity of computer equipment and its components. After that, the infrastructure was installed which included monitor, CPU systems and many others. Also, the execution stage focused on the networking of many different types of computer components, printer and fax machines, and internet connectivity which can be used to communicate within the company and outside the company (clients and customers). All these stages are very important for the effective and successful working of the company as when the execution of the work is done in a better manner then it will improve the efficiency of the work to a great extent. It is linked with the PM research area because with the help of the execution, the company was able to meet its objectives stated and ultimately the project will become successful. Here all the planned steps are executed so that the intended objective can be accomplished. Also, the feedback from the stakeholders is analysed so that any of the changes can be implemented well.

Along with this, Silva, Pereira and Magano, (2023) supported that focusing on an effective resourcing strategy is very necessary for the success of any project. It is due to the reason that when the project will not become successful then automatically the overall efficiency of the business will be affected. It is necessary because when the resources will not be effectively assigned to the respected activities then it will be affecting the overall efficiency of the business. Resources are the key elements without which the project cannot be accomplished. It is due to the reason that when effective resource management is present then automatically the overall working efficiency will be improved (Nicholas and Steyn, 2020). It is due to the reason that when the successful working of the project needs to be present then it is the responsibility of the project manager they effectively manage the limited resources so that effective and appropriate decisions are taken.

Project closure summary with client feedback and lessons learnt

The project closure is the last stage of the project, within which all the intended objectives of the project have been attained well. With this stage is it assumed that all the intended objectives of the project are accomplished and now the project is closed down. For this, the project manager of the ‘Supply of Computer Equipment for Office Use Project’ has implemented the theory of closure which states that all the planned objectives of the project have been executed well and resultantly the project has come to a closure. This theory states that at this stage, the performance is evaluated effectively and in case the performance is not measured well then again the necessary steps need to be taken so that the project can be completed and the objectives are attained well.

With the help of this theory, the project manager tries to find the variances between the planned and the actual performance and according to the results, the decision to manage the project is taken. With regards to the current project of ‘Supply of Computer Equipment for Office Use Project’ the closure step includes the handover of the deliverables to the stakeholders of the project (Project management theory, 2024). Also, all the activities and the results are documented so that they can be used for future reference as well. With this, it is learnt that the effective taking of feedback is very helpful because with this the actual position of the project is evaluated. The reason behind this fact is that when effective feedback is provided then the actual company know where they stand and whether the objective has been attained or not.

Also, for the evaluation feedback was taken from the stakeholders to evaluate whether the company was able to manage the project on time or not. In case the feedback is negative then it implies that the work is not managed and the project objectives are not accomplished well.

Data collection summary

For the making of the project successful, the related data must be collected from the appropriate sources. It is due to the reason that in case the data used is not effective then the project will not be accomplished well. Thus, it is mandatory for the project manager to effectively utilise the data so that effective decisions are taken. For the Supply of Computer Equipment for Office Use Project’, it is analysed that effective and relevant data is collected so that the appropriate decisions can be taken. Also with the help of effective data, the decisions are taken and these decisions help the business in managing the project well. it relates to the PM research area as with the help of the secondary data the work is supported and analysed to determine whether the project objectives have been attained or not.

Literature review and case studies

The theory of project management is defined as the approach which can be used by the project manager to attain a particular goal. For attaining a goal there are particular steps which need to be followed. Hence, these project management theories guide the project manager in attaining the objectives well (Ershadi et al, 2021). Namely, there are three different types of project management theories which include planning theory, execution theory and controlling theory. For the successful working of the project, these theories must be applicable so that the overall project is accomplished well. The reason underlying the fact is that project planning is the basis for the success of the project. If the whole planning is ineffective, the project will not be executed appropriately. Further, with the help of the literature review, it is clear that effective planning theory needs to be applied. For instance, if the current project of supplying Computer Equipment proper planning is not done then it may result in non-accomplishment of the objective. It is due to the reason that when the plan is not clear then automatically further steps will not be taken well. ultimately it will impact the working and accomplishment of the company and its objectives.

Thereafter, comes the execution theory. For the successful application of the planning, it must be executed properly. The execution is also a critical stage for the success of the project. In case the execution theory will not be applied appropriately then the overall project will not be done well. In addition to this, the controlling theory is also necessary to be applicable. The reason behind the fact is that there are many different kinds of external changes taking place within the environment and it can affect the project work to a great extent. Hence, when the controlling theory is effective then all these changes will be monitored and controlled well. Thus, as a result of this, it is mandatory for the project manager they apply all three theories well so that the overall work can be improved and project objectives can be attained well.

In the views of Urbinati et al, (2021), following the project management theory is very important for the success of the project. It guides the project manager on how they have to run the whole project so that the intended objectives are accomplished. Thus, the major importance of using project management theories is that they guide the successful completion of the project. In addition to this, in case of any emergency, theories also help in finding out the way of dealing with these theories. With the help of the previous and different case studies the project manager can identify the ways of minimising the challenges.

On the other hand Guertler and Sick, (2021) supported that in case the project manager is stuck in some problem then they can refer to the previous case and how it was solved in those cases will provide an idea to the project manager of how the problem needs to be tackled and the project is not affected. Hence, it is the responsibility of the project manager they also refer to the previous case studies so that it can enhance the knowledge relating to the management of the project. In case the project will not be managed appropriately then it will be affecting the overall efficiency of the project. So, the project manager must remain active and comply with all these theories so that the overall project can be managed well.

Reflection

In the end, according to the GIBBS reflective model, it was learnt that having the appropriate knowledge relating to project management is very necessary. It is due to the reason that when the basic knowledge of the project will not be possessed then the project might not become successful. Also, with this project based on the ‘Supply of computer equipment for office use Project’, I learnt that having effective planning is very necessary. Effective planning is the initiation of the project so it needs to be very strong. Also, with this, I learnt that having the coordination skills is also very important. It is due to the reason that all the stages of the project lifecycle are interconnected to one another. Thus, in case there is appropriate coordination then only these stages and the objectives will be attained well. With this, I also analysed that there is a requirement to enhance my time management skills so that all the activities are accomplished on time.

CONCLUSION

At last, it is concluded that managing the project is very necessary for the success of the project. In case the planning and execution is not followed effectively then it will affect the working efficiency of the business to a great extent. The above study inferred that planning, execution and controlling are very important for the successful working of the project. Also, it was analysed that the success of the project also depends on the data collected and used within the success of the project.

REFERENCES

Books and Journals

• Ershadi, M., Jefferies, M., Davis, P. and Mojtahedi, M., 2021. Project management offices in the construction industry: a literature review and qualitative synthesis of success variables. Construction Management and Economics, 39(6), pp.493-512.
• Fernandes, G. and O’Sullivan, D., 2023. Project management practices in major university-industry R&D collaboration programs–a case study. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 48(1), pp.361-391.
• Guertler, M.R. and Sick, N., 2021. Exploring the enabling effects of project management for SMEs in adopting open innovation–A framework for partner search and selection in open innovation projects. International Journal of Project Management, 39(2), pp.102-114.
• Haverila, M., Haverila, K.C. and Twyford, J.C., 2021. Critical variables and constructs in the context of project management: importance-performance analysis. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 14(4), pp.836-864.
• Mishra, K., 2020. Project management: theory and practice from different countries. PROJECT MANAGEMENT: THEORY AND PRACTICE FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, DK International Research Foundation, Tamilnadu, p.345.
• Nicholas, J.M. and Steyn, H., 2020. Project management for engineering, business and technology. Routledge.
• Silva, C.S., Pereira, C. and Magano, J., 2023. The value of project management to competitiveness: Key factors from a holistic and practical perspective. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 16(1), pp.67-91.
• Urbinati, A., Landoni, P., Cococcioni, F. and De Giudici, L., 2021. Stakeholder management in open innovation projects: a multiple case study analysis. European Journal of Innovation Management, 24(5), pp.1595-1624.
• Online
• Project management theory. 2024. Online. Available through: https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/updating-project-management-theory-1917>

Author Bio

Cameron Lee   4 years | MSc in Management

I am Cameron Lee and I have completed an MSc in management from a renowned University of the United Kingdom. For the last 4+ years, I have been assisting students with their assignments, dissertations, essays and other academic papers. If you are struggling with your management task you can have me by your side for help. I would like to give you the best results.