Reference no: EM132227028

Scenario
Manley's is a family-owned home improvement specialist similar to Homebase. It has 4 stores around London and is planning an expansion. Like its competitors, it offered DIY solutions as well as a range of furniture, and kitchen and bathroom design. Its unique selling point is the fact it employs designers and, through subcontractors, offers guaranteed installation and workmanship such as plumbing, electrical, etc.

Due to these unique services which helps the customers to achieve designer houses at an affordable price, Manley's enjoyed a financial success and a rapid growth. The first store opened 7 years ago, the 2nd store 3 years ago, the 3rd store 1 years ago and the 4th store opened last week. Several other stores are in the plans.

However, Manley's only online presence is a static web page showing the location of its 3 stores (the page has not been updated for the 4th store yet), there is no possibility to either order online or book appointment with designers. Also, now that there are 4 stores and several more in the pipelines, the owner's son feel that it is time to have a Management Information System to improve customer service and operations through help managing stocks, personnel, subcontractors, marketing, customers data, etc. Finally, the owner is planning on either creating a loyalty programmes or joining one such as Nectar card to give encourage repeat customers through benefits and promotions.

During the last board meeting, an experience manager saw the necessity to handle these tasks as projects and recommended to get a project consultant to help out. The board decided to hire you as the project consultant, as they want everything to be done within 3 months.

Task 1 of 2 - Project selection

Instructions

Your first task is to
1. Develop an overall Gantt chart of the various projects, including subdivision and a time-scale

2. Write a short report, recommending a project management methodology for each project (and your reasons for your recommendation)

3. In the same report, assess the feasibility of all the projects and decide on one to carry out first.

Task 2 of 2 - Project details
Currently Manley's employ 4 store managers, 4 store assistant managers, several store attendants, several designers, 1 HR officer, 1 Accountant, 1 procurement manager, 3 account executives in charge of maintaining relationship with suppliers, 1 executive assistant and 1 administrator. In addition, the owner and his son are involved in the management of the organisation. There is no IT department looking after the information and IT infrastructure of the company.

Instructions

Select one of the project and:
1. Create a detailed Gantt chart, including the roles and responsibilities of the participants (this could be integrated in your Gantt chart)

2. Create an organizational structure to carry out the project, and add a commentary regarding your team structure

Task 3 of 3 - Project monitoring

Instructions

In relation to your selected project, prepare a document with the following details

1. Explain the purpose of PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) or a CPA (Critical Path Analysis) diagram

2. Create a PERT or a CPA diagram to identify likely challenges, issues and risks during the life of the project.

3. Create a general quality management process to be used for the project, and 4. Explain the change control procedure

4. Analyse the methods used to measure project performances