PM 343 Team Project:

The Requirement - Multiplex Engineering -- 2022 Update v1

Background

Multiplex Engineering (MXE) has been expanding exponentially in the calculator, watch and small electrical device markets for the last decade. Like all startups, it had concentrated initially on establishing its niche and expanding the business. MXE now has over 10,000 employees and plants in three cities. It has become apparent in the last 18 months that the period of exponential growth may be drawing to a close, although they had every prospect of a healthy - even above average - profit/rate of return for the foreseeable future. In the scheme of things in the maturing organization, it is time to take stock of MXE management systems and update them. At this point the leaders know that improvements to the business, and the bottom line, could come from adapting to modern management systems, including the development of an appropriate project management system and culture.

A major step in that direction is considering a new project that would involve developing an information system that would allow all employees and customers to access and maintain their own human resources information, such as address, marital status, tax information, and so on. The main benefits of the system would be a reduction in human resources personnel and more accurate information. For example, if an employee or customer had a new telephone number or email address, she would be responsible for entering the new data in the new system. The new MXE system would also allow employees to change their tax withholdings or pension plan contributions. It looks like the project is getting ready to kick off in two months. A duration of six months and a budget ceiling of $500,000 has been established.

You have been hired as a consultant to help train the project manager and the project team in contemporary techniques of project management, and guide them through this first critically important project. You realize that nothing is more important than ensuring a strong alignment between corporate and project goals throughout the project's planning and execution. To that end, you have decided that you will orient your workshops with the client around those elements of scope planning that should ensure that congruence: The Project Charter, The Scope Statement, the Work Breakdown structure, and the Project Schedule.

The essence of the project is contained in each of those seminal documents, in increasing level of detail. They must track logically from one to the other, always reflecting the organization's goals for the project and the Business Plan. Building upon those, the Project Schedule then disciplines the production of the deliverables that accomplish those goals. The overall content of your training scheme as a consultant will address a number of issues, including but not limited to the issues in the following Parts:

TO DO:

Part 1: Project Charter. You know that charters for a predictive methodology come in many formats, although they tend to contain the same sorts of requirements. You must select one that best reflects the circumstances of your project and organization. Key to understanding a project charter is to know that, building on the Business Plan, in addition to summarizing the scope, it serves two purposes: (1) It formally "authorizes" the project; and (2) It serves as a means of obtaining buy-in from stakeholders, particularly the functional managers.

Tasks:

1. Create a Project Charter for the MXE project. Ensure it has the following elements:

Provide SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) metrics to define success. Try to include several that are in addition to the standard ones of time and budget; for example, " Ten percent improvement in user satisfaction." Google "metrics" and you'll find lists of scores of possible candidates for metrics. Be creative; use some.

Summarize the scope in terms of the organization's goals. Remember, your next step, the Scope Statement must be able to translate those goals to actual deliverables. Make that process easy.

Business Problem Statement

Project Description and Objectives

(Provide a brief narrative including project context and background)

Generally a brief description of the project approach, specific solution, customer(s), and benefits.

Objectives

Business Value

(How will this contribute to our financial/strategic/operational goals?)

Describe how this project aligns with strategic objectives. Include how the project outcomes support the accomplishment of the strategic goal.

Scope

(What is included and not included?)

Major Deliverables

ApproacH

(What is the approach that will be taken, be sure to highlight work streams and stakeholders?)

What is the generally project approach? What are the work streams and stakeholders involved in each?

Success Criteria

(Where do we want to be? How will we measure our success?)

List the success criteria and how these criteria will be measured. Outline criteria and components are outcome statements, such as reduced costs, increased customer satisfaction, and improved efficiency.

List 1 to 5 Impacted Areas

Key Assumptions

(List 1 to 5 and describe specific project assumptions associated with project scope)

Describe the Assumptions made about the project in the Project Description.

Stakeholders

Project stakeholders are individuals and organizations that are actively involved in the project, or whose interests may be affected as a result of project execution or project completion. They may also exert influence over the project.

	Stakeholder	Department/Group	Impact to Project

1

2

3

4

5

Project Risks and Mitigation Strategies

Project ConstraintS

Key Risks

(Define known and potential risks and strategies that will be taken to mitigate such risk)

List any potential risks and suggest possible strategies or tactics to mitigate their effects. Issues of concern include capital, resources, timeliness, sponsorship changes, culture, and expected delays. Consider possible scenarios and include them if they would likely cause the project to produce less than optimum results.

Key Dependencies

(Identify other interdependencies and relationships with other projects)

List other projects that may impact this work, and how they will be resolved. Indicate whether this project is a sub-project of a larger initiative.

Project Communication Plan

QUESTION:

(How/when will project updates/information be exchanged with sponsors, stakeholders, & team members?)

In each row, enter how often the project team plans to distribute these key status reports. Also describe the communications method. For example, Sponsor Updates: Monthly sponsor meetings will occur on the first Tuesday of each month. The project team will review the current status report, including key open issues with proposed resolution activities

Focus Area	Communication Plan, Forums, Vehicles, etc.
Sponsor Updates
Stakeholder Updates
Team Progress/Reports
Communication Plan