Upon completion of each Case Study Analysis, the students will be able to

• outline in detail different facets of project execution, monitoring, controlling and closing;
• explain specific inputs, tools, techniques, and outputs that allow project managers to execute, control, and close projects effectively;
• explore the entire range of key issues and fully articulate the potential pros and cons of the possible measures; and
• make effective project management decisions and communicate succinctly.

Description

In each unit of study, there will be a short case study. The case method of learning requires that each student prepares for the case on his or her own. While there are no right or wrong answers, there are good and bad analyses as well as hasty and impractical recommendations. The case study provides a realistic framework for the learning process. Your successful response will depend heavily on your preparation and active participation in the class discussions. You will be rewarded by marshalling evidence in the case analysis and applying critical thinking of the course readings. If you actively read and comprehend the assigned readings, you will be able to answer the case study question in a pragmatic manner.

Summary of Case Study

This critical incident case discusses the Earned Value concept for monitoring and controlling program status. Particularly, it shows an example of the unsuccessful program where the earned value concept was applied without a deep understanding of the way it worked. In the process the study provides students opportunity to analyze program history and calculate the program schedule performance index (SPI) and the program cost performance index (CPI) at different major points in time of the program life cycle. In addition, it helps to determine what the project manager does when the cost and time overruns are detected.

Instructions and Some Useful Information for Case Analysis

Read the Case Study associated with the specific unit carefully, then proceed as follows:

1. Prepare a response that is a maximum of 3 pages double-spaced (excluding title page and reference page), and should follow APA format and referencing style.
2. While there is no formula for analyzing case studies, the following guidelines are recommended:
   1. Define the outcomes and objectives for your analysis. What questions are you trying to answer and what issues are you trying to resolve?
   2. Rapidly skim through the case study and get a sense for how the case study has been structured
   3. Read through the case study with paper and pencil and make notes as you go along
3. Structure the information in the case study: this is the key step.
4. Whilst addressing the case questions, think of the information given in the case study as raw data that you have gathered to help you answer the questions and resolve the issues.
5. You need to structure this information in order to resolve the issues. Here are some useful dimensions along which you can structure the given information chronologically:
   1. evolution of the industry in which the enterprise operates (e.g., changes in technology, customer needs, competitive landscape)
   2. evolution of strategy - business, technology, and market - of the enterprise
   3. evolution of technology (including manufacturing), product platforms, and product lines of the enterprise
   4. the technology, product, and process development process within the enterprise
   5. growth (or decline) of the enterprise with respect to market share, revenues, costs,
   6. profits, etc.
   7. organizational structure of the enterprise
   8. key decisions made at different stages in the life of enterprise, and the drivers for these decisions
   9. the interconnections and relationships between all the above factors
6. Make extensive use of figures, tables, trees, etc. to shape your thinking during the structuring process.
7. Perform any necessary analysis, for example, revenues or costs associated with different design options
8. Draw conclusions, answer questions, resolve issues, and make recommendations using the structured information in Step 4.