Read the case study below and answer the questions that follow.

The Project Handoff Method

Hospi - Tek is a medical equipment manufacturing company who has historically used a project hand - off approach to develop its products. They are currently under intense time - to - market pressure from their primary competitor, forcing senior management to re-evaluate this approach.

A HANDOFF METHOD

Under the project handoff method, the Hospi-Tek product development effort began with the architectural team who developed an architectural concept and derived the high - level requirements of the medical device from the work of the product marketing team. The architectural concept and specifications were then handed - off to the hardware engineering team, who assumed ownership of the project. The engineering team developed the hardware requirements, engineering specifications, and the product design, which were then handed - off to the manufacturing team, who assumed ownership of the project. The manufacturing team developed the manufacturing processes, retooled the factor, and produced the physical product. The product and project ownership were then handed - off to downstream engineering teams, such as the software development team. The software team developed the software stack, then handed - off the combined hardware/ software product, as well as project ownership, to the validations and test team.

Finally, the validations and test team performed product - and component level testing to ensure the product achieved the functional, quality, usability, and reliability requirements. Management of the project was accomplished through a project management - only model, with multiple project managers in control of the project as it progressed through the development life cycle. Thus, a project manager with the functional expertise specific to the phase of development the product was currently in assumed ownership of the project.

JUDGEMENT

The handoff method of development is common in smaller, less mature, and technically focused companies in which true project management value is usually not well understood and the engineering functions reign king. Unfortunately, this method is not scalable, and as a company begins to succeed and grow, product and process complexity requires the management team to look at alternative methods to structure and manage its product development efforts. This was the case with Hospi - Tek.

Source: Dragan Z. Milosevic, Russ J. Martinelli, and James M. Waddell

QUESTION 1 (20)

Hospi-Tek seems to have an effective project management end to end process that they consider as a key success factor in undertaking projects. Analyze the project management lifecycle with specific reference to Hospi-Teks successes in each phase of the lifecycle.

QUESTION 2 (20 marks)

The case study reveals that Hospi-Tek managed its projects well. The monitoring of projects is important so that any deviations may be identified proactively and corrected. Evaluate the project monitoring systems and the project control process from a theoretical perspective and also relate how Hospi-Tek may have monitored and controlled its projects.

QUESTION 3 (20 marks)

Assume that you are responsible for maintaining the project portfolio for a major company. Analyze some key criteria that should be used in the evaluation of all new projects before they are added to the current portfolio. Your answer should cite relevant examples.

QUESTION 4 (20 marks)

Project planning scope statement is regarded as a critical component of the planning process of a project. Give a critical account of how the scope statement could aid and also impact the implementation of a project. Your answer must cite a project that you are familiar with.

QUESTION 5 (20 marks)

Problem-solving sometimes becomes challenging in a project environment. Discuss the problem-solving process as described by Burke and Barron (2007). Cite a project you know of to complement your discussion of the theory.