Imagine you are a project manager developing a Project Plan. The aim is to discuss and apply your project management learnings to a real project. Conduct research into similar or related projects to find as much information about what would typically be involved in such a project (Project Case Study Attached).

The Following must be answered:

- Scope Management - Project Deliverables - Stakeholder Communication Plan

Background 1. Current Situation Arena Financial Products (AFP) is an old and conservative financial products company, which in recent years has moved into several new product areas. This includes offering home mortgages plus a range of financial investment products particularly directed to retirees. 2. Current Business Environment With the expansion of its business model, AFP now has competition from mortgage companies and banks. AFP wants to lift sales volumes through cross selling new products to existing customers, and obtaining new customers, whilst reducing their distribution costs. 3. Planned Project AFP plan to launch a new venture to bring financial services to customers in shopping malls by establishing walk-in kiosks where sales people advise on AFP products and in most cases close the deal immediately. AFP plan to target their market by providing financial planning advice to prospects in busy shopping malls by opening kiosks in these malls. The initial launch of the kiosks will be in Sydney. The Marketing Department is preparing a new financial investment product and a new home loan product for first mortgages. All kiosks will be linked to a central computer where customer databases are held, to assist AFP kiosk sales personnel to service any existing customers. The sales person will also have access to powerful investment planning computer programs to take prospects through various investment scenarios. The preferred IT partner has been identified, however the supplier is USA based and does not have an office in Australia. No contract has been signed yet. The IT partner claims that the package can be easily tailored during installation to meet local business conditions. Initially, AFP plans for 15 kiosk sites in Sydney. They have secured sites for 3 Sydney kiosks and are currently negotiating the others. The emphasis is on obtaining the best site in each location, as the location of the kiosk is believed to be critical to success. The Melbourne launch will follow Sydney, if assessed as successful. AFP will gauge reaction in Sydney first and plans to review the performance after 6 months. It is recognised that some product or other changes may be required. The Board of AFP have requested that the pilot be operational quickly so that evaluation can occur and decisions made on whether or not to expand the pilot. Because of specific market factors, the CEO has decided that the launch should occur in December. It is now April and there is a lot to do in the remaining eight months. 4. Planned Project Scope \& High Level Activities Scope The Project is to coordinate the activities of: - property acquisition \& development - kiosk staff recruitment and training - development of computer systems to support the kiosks - development of new procedures for the kiosks The Project Manager takes responsibility for all the above components. High-level activities: 1. Acquire property (negotiate leases) for kiosks 2. Install communications links to central computer 3. Develop the kiosk properties - general re-modeling \& fit-out 4. Install \& modify new computer software package for financial planning (already identified) 5. Select staff (some will be existing staff) 6. Train staff in selling, using new computer systems for financial planning advice, and other procedures (approvals for loans and insurance) 7. Develop procedures for the kiosks Out of scope Activities 1. Development of new products 2. Preparation of sales and marketing launch material Attachment High-Level Network Diagram - AFP Case Study Background 1. Current Situation Arena Financial Products (AFP) is an old and conservative financial products company, which in recent years has moved into several new product areas. This includes offering home mortgages plus a range of financial investment products particularly directed to retirees. 2. Current Business Environment With the expansion of its business model, AFP now has competition from mortgage companies and banks. AFP wants to lift sales volumes through cross selling new products to existing customers, and obtaining new customers, whilst reducing their distribution costs. 3. Planned Project AFP plan to launch a new venture to bring financial services to customers in shopping malls by establishing walk-in kiosks where sales people advise on AFP products and in most cases close the deal immediately. AFP plan to target their market by providing financial planning advice to prospects in busy shopping malls by opening kiosks in these malls. The initial launch of the kiosks will be in Sydney. The Marketing Department is preparing a new financial investment product and a new home loan product for first mortgages. All kiosks will be linked to a central computer where customer databases are held, to assist AFP kiosk sales personnel to service any existing customers. The sales person will also have access to powerful investment planning computer programs to take prospects through various investment scenarios. The preferred IT partner has been identified, however the supplier is USA based and does not have an office in Australia. No contract has been signed yet. The IT partner claims that the package can be easily tailored during installation to meet local business conditions. Initially, AFP plans for 15 kiosk sites in Sydney. They have secured sites for 3 Sydney kiosks and are currently negotiating the others. The emphasis is on obtaining the best site in each location, as the location of the kiosk is believed to be critical to success. The Melbourne launch will follow Sydney, if assessed as successful. AFP will gauge reaction in Sydney first and plans to review the performance after 6 months. It is recognised that some product or other changes may be required. The Board of AFP have requested that the pilot be operational quickly so that evaluation can occur and decisions made on whether or not to expand the pilot. Because of specific market factors, the CEO has decided that the launch should occur in December. It is now April and there is a lot to do in the remaining eight months. 4. Planned Project Scope \& High Level Activities Scope The Project is to coordinate the activities of: - property acquisition \& development - kiosk staff recruitment and training - development of computer systems to support the kiosks - development of new procedures for the kiosks The Project Manager takes responsibility for all the above components. High-level activities: 1. Acquire property (negotiate leases) for kiosks 2. Install communications links to central computer 3. Develop the kiosk properties - general re-modeling \& fit-out 4. Install \& modify new computer software package for financial planning (already identified) 5. Select staff (some will be existing staff) 6. Train staff in selling, using new computer systems for financial planning advice, and other procedures (approvals for loans and insurance) 7. Develop procedures for the kiosks Out of scope Activities 1. Development of new products 2. Preparation of sales and marketing launch material Attachment High-Level Network Diagram - AFP Case Study