Reference no: EM132261789
Discussion board 1
Problem 8.4:
8.4 Under the subsection Program Risks, five examples are listed of conditions that may result in a significant probability of program failure. For each example, explain briefly what consequences of the condition may lead to a program failure.
• A leading - edge unproven technology is to be applied: the application of new technology can bring a lot of benefits; however, unproven technology is one of a reason of project failure. Unproven technology means that it is not tested and validated and applied in the practical project causing of high risky factor. This can link to the wrong estimation in project cost, labor, equipment etc. In addition, there is no standard for unproven technology leading to failure in operating, performance, safety etc.
• A major increase in performance is required: the increase of performance is one of the key factors that need to be considered in project management. For example, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) at DMV was designed to treat 300 MGD; however, the urbanization leads to the increase significantly of wastewater treatment in the next 2 years to 400 MGD.
So, the WWTP has to make a decision to deal with that issue (new technology/ build more plant ... to increase the treatment capacity). If not, they will fail in the requirements of performance quality. This is an example about the major increase in performance to project failure.
• A major decrease in cost is required for the same performance: at the same performance operated at a constant cost, a major decrease in the cost can be the main reason of project failure because of the wrong in cost estimation including labor, technology, materials...
For example, to build a high rise steel- structure building, the estimated cost for this project is 300 M$ for a comprehensive budget; however, the cost is reduced noticeably to 200M$. That leads to the contractor and owner have to deal with the contract about the project requirements, if not, they will fail in project management.
• A significantly more severe operating environment is postulated: This risky factor is related to non-safety related to equipment under postulated environmental conditions could prevent satisfactory accomplishment of safety function.
• An unduly short development schedule is imposed: in this case the operator and developer may not elaborated together to work on new system. The testing is done by the developer only, hence an duty short development schedule may be lack of the training time, step by step of practical of implementation...
Discussion board 2
8.4 Under the subsection Program Risks, five examples are listed of conditions that may result in a significant probability of program failure. For each example, explain briefly what consequences of the condition may lead to a program failure.
1. A leading-edge unproven technology is to be applied. Consequence resulting in failure: The technology is not compatible with interfacing equipment/software, resulting in lost functionality that was defined in the functional requirements and part of program success.
2. A major increase in performance is required. Consequence resulting in failure: this increase is not realized, and therefore the project is delivered late, resulting in market loss and program failure.
3. A major decrease in cost is required for the same performance. Consequence resulting in failure: a late-identified problem is left unfunded to develop a solution, resulting in either the problem going unsolved or reduced performance due to funding realocation.
4. A significantly more severe operating environment is postulated: Consequence resulting in failure: the product is not designed to withstand this more severe environment, and its functionality and/or effectiveness is greatly reduced or eliminated entirely.
5. An unduly short development schedule is imposed. Consequence resulting in failure: there is inadequate margin incorporated into the schedule, and therefore an accumulation of problems results in delays to project delivery or inadequate problem resolution.