Reference no: EM133202724 , Length: 2000 Words

International Project Management Practice Assessment

Learning Outcome 1: Critically evaluate leading edge project management theory and practice.
Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate a critical understanding of risk within a project management context.
Learning Outcome 3: Analyse and evaluate a business case in order to inform project management decision making.
Learning Outcome 4: Solve project planning, budgeting, tracking and change problems using MS Project throughout the lifecycle.
Learning Outcome 5: Communicate clearly and professionally project plans, costs, benefits and risks throughout the life of a project.

Assessment Brief Company Profile

The company is a household appliances industry, a home appliances designer, manufacturer and producer. The main office and factory is located in southeast Asia and with more than 50 stores and after sales services in southeast Asia. The company has been enjoying steady growth over the past 18 years. Last year total revenues increased by 18 percent. The company wants to evaluate and rank a number of potential projects (proposals). The company plans to extend its business and production as well as export in Europe.

COMPANY MISSION
The mission for the firm:
"Our main objective is to be a global leader in household appliances industry from the perspectives of design, innovation and finance"
There are 5 potential projects which are to be evaluated against the strategic corporate objectives of the company and just one of the potential project will be selected for investigation and manufacturing.

COMPANY "MUST" OBJECTIVES
Every project must meet all must objectives as determined by managing director (MD). These objectives are set in line with stakeholder expectations and business profitability as well as comply with legal standards. There are three must objectives:

1. All projects meet current legal, low energy consuming and environmental standards.
2. The selected projects should be eligible to receive the CE marking.
3. The selected project (proposal) should be within household appliances products ranges.

COMPANY "WANT" OBJECTIVES

Want objectives are assigned weights for their relative importance. The project team is responsible for formulating, prioritising, and weighting objectives to ensure that projects support the company's strategy and mission. The following is a list of the company's want objectives:

1. Be nominated for and win national Green Design Award of the year in household appliances industry.
2. Create and attract a strong media & news attention.
3. Time to market.
4. Generate profit in excess of 18 percent.
5. Advance the state of the art in household appliances industry design and innovation and maintain the firm's reputation.
6. Provide the basis for the development of other new household appliances products.

You are a member of the project team in charge of evaluating and selecting a proposal. Use the provided evaluation form (Table 1) to formally evaluate and rank each proposal. The beginning date of the selected project is on 31 Jan 2022.

Home appliance proposals:

(1) PROJECT PROPOSAL 1: 2-in-1 Rechargeable stick vacuum
This Rechargeable stick vacuum cleaner is a cordless vacuum floor cleaning system with handle. This vacuum cleaner can be used as a stick or handheld vacuum cleaner. The product included 1 main body, filter, battery, tube, turbo brush, crevice nozzle, combination brush, charger and wall-mounting kit. The product is compact and light weighting format for fatigue-free cleaning and easy movement. This product is eligible to receive CE marking which indicates that this product is declared by the firm as in conformity with Union harmonisation legislation and enables the free movement of products within the European market. Based on the design of this product. This is a green design, manufacturing, packing and operate as an energy efficient rechargeable vacuum cleaner. Moreover, the specifications show that using recycled materials to manufacture the vacuum cleaner. This vacuum cleaner will have nine-month time to market with £900,000 budget. The project is expected to create ROI as follows:

Probability	20%	50%	30%
ROI	20%	21%	22%

(2) PROJECT PROPOSAL 2: electric cattle 1.8 L
This is a low energy consuming electric and simple electric cattle 1.8L with rapid boil function and style on a budget. It meets CE requirements and is eligible for receiving CE marking. The electric kettle has a perfect pour spout so all of the water goes into the cup and keeping your work surface mess- free. This electric cattle will have six-month time to market with £300,000 budget. The product included power base, power cord, on/off switch, heating element and body with handle. The project is expected to create ROI as follows:

Probability	20%	50%	30%
ROI	16%	18%	20%

(3) PROJECT PROPOSAL 3: bread toaster
This is a low energy consuming electric toaster, 2 slices toaster with auto pop-up & shut off, cancel function and slide out crumb tray. It takes in electrical energy from the power outlet and converts it into heat, very efficiently. The main components of this toaster included cord, crumb tray, browning control, toasting slots, toast lever, cancel button, panel & internal elements, heating element & thermostat This project will have six-month time to market with £400,000 budget. The project is expected to create ROI as follows:

Probability	20%	50%	30%
ROI	16%	17%	18%

(4) PROJECT PROPOSAL 4: electric Desk fan
This is a high energy consuming electric Desk fan. It has three speed settings and an on/off button usually named as "0". This is a manual electric desk fan which does not meet safety standard because of a finger may be caught between the sheave could result in severe injury. There is no CE marking for this product. This electric stand fan will have six-month time to market with £500,000 budget. The project is expected to create ROI as follows:

Probability	20%	50%	30%
ROI	18%	20%	22%

(5) PROJECT PROPOSAL 5: Premium Multipurpose blender
This is an electric and portable 2.0L multipurpose blender with rotation speed function, sensor touch control, shock-proof base, anti-drip protection when pouring juice. This is an immersion blender design so easy to use, store and clean design, compact and lightweight, a good immersion blender For safety, the blender automatically shuts off working once the Jar is lifted up or the lid is opened. The blender is applicable for rice paste, beverage, soy milk, icebreaking, porridge, soup and grain. This project will have six-month time to market with £600,000 budget. Majority of metal parts, some small plastic components, and glass containers of this product are recyclable. These are all very easy materials to recycle. The product meets all health, safety, and environmental protection standards and is eligible for CE marking. This premium blender has an attractive and eye-catching aesthetic design. The project is expected to create ROI as follows:

Probability	20%	50%	30%
ROI	24%	26%	28%

Your coursework:

Your coursework should be presented as key project planning documents followed by a reflective report and cover the following sections:

Section 1. Project Selection. In this section you are required to evaluate each project proposal against the company's strategic corporate objectives using a ‘priority screening analysis' and clearly link the selected project with the "must and want" objectives according to Table 1. You need to review and critically justify your selected project (proposal) using appropriate project management theories, models and literature.

2. Project brief and scope statement: In this section, you need to briefly define the selected project and a scope statement of the selected project should be prepared supported by relevant references. (e.g. scope statement: assumptions, objectives, deliverables, milestones, technical requirements, acceptance criteria, and constraints)
3. Project work breakdown structure (WBS) and project Gantt Chart: In this section, you need to prepare WBS and Gantt chart using MS Project supported by relevant references. You need to develop a three levels WBS. Your Gantt chart should include a minimum of 12 activities and 4 deliverables, duration, predecessors, start and finish date, task name, outline number. (deliverables: e.g. market survey, design product components, initial production & test and validation).

4. Resource allocation: you need to assign only human resource to the selected project. Less than 25% of the project budget should be allocated to your proposed human resources for the selected project (Human resources: e.g. marketing, production, quality, lab, maintenance, R&D experts). Standard rate for human resource is averagely £20. You need to report a resource usage sheet in Ms. Project supported by relevant resources.

5. Tracking the project progress: You need to track the selected project progress (% Complete) as complete through on the date you prepare your report using MS Project (e.g. tracking Gantt). Please be reminded that The beginning date of the selected project is on 31 Jan 2022.

6. Risk management plan: you need to manage the risks for the selected project supported by relevant literature. You need to use a suitable templates (e.g. risk register, assessment plan) that describes the risks clearly, shows the likelihood, impact, owner and approach (accept, transfer, mitigate etc) and identify a minimum of 8 key risks for the selected project.

7. Reflective report (e.g. purpose of project, key finding and outcomes, summary)

Attachment:- International Project Management Practice.rar