Project Management - Gantt Chart Task

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 appointments 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 manage stocks, personnel, subcontractors, marketing, customers data, etc. Finally, the owner is planning on either creating a loyalty programme or joining an existing one to encourage repeat customers through benefits and promotions.

During the last board meeting, an experienced manager identified the need to handle these tasks as projects and recommended getting 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 (ACs 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 & 1.4)

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 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

Delivery and Submission

• 1x Gantt chart
• 1x short report
• Indicative word count 500 words

Please note, it is recommended that you use http://www.ganttproject.biz/, but you are free to use any software

Task 2 of 2 Project details (As C2.1, 2.2 and 2.3)

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 projects and:

1. Create a detailed Gantt chart, including the roles and responsibilities of the participants (this could be integrated in your Gantt chart if using http://www.ganttproject.biz/)
2. Create an organisational structure to carry out the project, and add a commentary regarding your team structure

Delivery and Submission

• 1x Gantt chart
• 1x Organisational chart with commentary
• Indicative word count 1500 words

Task 3 of 3 Project monitoring (ACs 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)

Instructions

In relation to your selected project, prepare a document, 500 words, t 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
3. Create a general quality management process to be used for the project,
4. Explain the change control procedure
5. Design a method to use to measure project performances

Indicative word count 1000 words

Delivery and Submission

• Project monitoring report

Summative delivery and Submission

• 1x Word file containing tasks 1-3
• Indicative word count 3000 words