Efficiency of Different Project Methods - Assignment Example

HAMAD PM Student’s name Course Professor’s name University City Date Contents 1.0 Portfolio Summary 3 1.1 Prince2 Project Management Methodology 3 1.2 Benefits of PRINCE2 Project Management Methodology 5 2.1 Project Time Management 5 2.3 Project Cost Management 6 2.4Project Quality Management 7 2.5 Projects Communications Management 7 3.0 Engineering Management Project on an Automatic Wood Crusher 8 3.1 Working of the automated wood crusher 8 3.2 Advantages and Disadvantages 9 3.2.1 Advantages 9 3.2.2Disadvantages 9 3.3 Lessons 9 4.0 Conclusion 10 5.0 References 10 1.0 Portfolio Summary The aim of this paper is to show how different project methods are used and its efficiency as far as the project is concerned and its proximity in achieving the goals its set out to accomplish. It focuses on the Prince2 project management methodology and the PMBOK knowledge areas and how they add value to the project. It also shows the benefit of using the Prince 2 project management methodology. It shows how managers are able to be hands on in the project activities and even decision making processes. It also shows a project on an automated wood crusher that has a conveyor belt and how it was used, its efficiencies, setbacks and how it can be improved to be even better. 1.1 Prince2 Project Management Methodology Prince2 is a method used for proper management of projects which is broadly used by the UK. Prince2 was a management methodology that was formed by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency in 1989. The method shows how a project is separated into stages that allow effective management of resources and monitoring of progress of the project. Planning a project using PRINCE2 relies on the product gained at the final stages of the project which shows that initiative has goals and aims at achieving them. PRINCE2 shows how a project is separated into small controllable stages that allow for effective management of resources available and often keeping an eye on the progress in the project (Joslin and Muller2015, pp 1377-1392). The various obligations for controlling a project are fully stated and are compatible to suit the complexity and size of the project, and the qualifications of the organisation. A PRINCE2 project goal is its perspective which shows the enterprises’ conviction, dedication and rationalization for the initiative’s final results. The case of the business is often changed in relation to the progress made to ensure the business goals, which may take a different phase during the project are still accomplished. Projects today, usually involves different people like the users of the product, suppliers and manufacturers. PRINCE2 project management method spots the urgency and requirement to provide projects with the required measures to work successfully. PRINCE2 is common ground which is used as a platform where everyone interested can interact. PRINCE2 is used because those projects ran without a project management method issues occur among those people involved in the project since they will have different perspectives and approaches on how things should be arranged hence leading to a bowl of contention (Ijaiser n.d.). Most projects fail because of a couple of reasons that are overlooked. Such include: inadequate resources, improper estimation of the time the project is supposed to take and the cost to be incurred leading to unforeseen extra expenses and more time consumed. Lack of effective evaluation of the project’s progress reduces its propensity to enhance project’s success (Science Direct n.d). Lack of a proper project management method in place, projects is often not completed within the targeted span of time and an implicated cost that is bigger than the estimated one. A proper project management method will lead the project to achieving the desired results and expected outcome through proper management and cleared stated roles of the individuals involved towards the project. For the project to succeed, all individuals involved in the project must know the goals of the project, requirements, results and how the expected outcome is to be reached, and what their roles they need play towards the achievement of that goal. Prince provides advantages to the stakeholders of a project and to a business, through the effective use of resources and the capability to run business and project liabilities well. 1.2 Benefits of PRINCE2 Project Management Methodology PRINCE2 has many advantages accrued by using it since it enables for staff to be organised and have their roles clearly stated out from the beginning to the end. It also allows for proper communication within the project. It carries out regular reviews in terms of the progression of the project and makes necessary amendments. It also gives an allowance for the project managers to evaluate the project and ensure the required standards are met (Modern Science Applied n.d). It gives managers the opportunity to be involved in all the day’s activities and be part in the decision making process. They also have the allowance to divide the projects into small groups that are more flexible and works efficiently with a common aim of achieving the desired bigger picture. 2.0 PMBOK knowledge Areas This is short for project management knowledge areas. They aid in efficiency of the project as they improve the output (American Society of Civil Engineers n.d). They include: 2.1 Project Time Management This is a knowledge area that is important to the stakeholders in a particular project. It helps to calculate the estimated duration of time that a particular project is projected to be finished. The desired goals of that particular project having been achieved and the stakeholders fully satisfied. The project time management allows for the manager to properly plan for activities schedule them to the rightful time of occurrence (Springer n.d). In an actual project the amount of time spent on disputing on who is to carry out a particular task is salvaged and spent on the project which saves time. The estimated duration of time the project is said to take place will give insight on the number of people involved in the project will be needed and the managers contribution to the progression of the project and will also show the necessity of carrying out reviews to make sure the project is on track to avoid setbacks that will lead to wastage of time (Kerzner2013, p. 8) 2.2Project Risk Management The project risk management is aimed at evaluating the risks that a project is likely to face. This is important and a large chunk of the project’s budget is spent here for future unforeseen setbacks that the project may encounter. In the long run this may end up saving money that would have otherwise been used in remedying for unplanned for liabilities that come with the project that were not included in the project budget which leads to more money being spent and more time consumed. In projects this reduces the amount of money spent for unplanned activities and avoids major losses. This enhances the efficiency of the project (Roudias2015, p.4). This is done using the project plan evaluation at the initial stages of the projects (Gallati2015, p. 24). 2.3 Project Cost Management The project cost management technique is used to estimate the total cost to be incurred during the whole project procedure. It includes the material needed, payment of the people in the project, unforeseen issues that may occur in the project and funds for emergencies. In an actual project cost implicated reduces relative as all outcomes are foreseen. The project cost management is important as it gives a close prediction of how much the entire project may cost. At this stage is where alternatives that are relative cheaper but serve the same function as the more costly one are found are used to cut down the cost and budget incurred during the progression of the project (American society of Civil Engineers n.d). 2.4Project Quality Management The project quality management is important as it gives a clear picture of exactly what the project is aimed at achieving and the required standards that need to be met. The manager may carry out spontaneous reviews during the project where he/she ensures that the standards of the project are met and if not the areas in which the project has digressed from the main aim. In a construction site the manager makes sure the best quality products are used and the work by labourers is good. Enough resources are allocated to ensure that the quality of the project is top notch. The roles and responsibilities of stakeholders are clearly stated that ensures all the parties know what they have to do for the process to be a success (Munier2013, p. 27). : 2.5 Projects Communications Management The project communication management is important for ensuring the communication flow among the parties involved is seamless and is clearly stated. The importance of this in the project is that the roles and responsibilities of each and every stakeholder is clearly shown. In an actual project the communication management makes working easier among the parties involved as information flows freely. The manager is also able to delegate duties to those involved in making sure that the parties involved play their parts well. The stakeholders should be open to clearly state their roles as far as the project is concerned (JYX front page n.d). Communication is key to the successful completion of a project having all the goals set out achieved. It is also a platform that all the stakeholders use to ensure that all their needs are met and full user satisfaction (Kupasazshomal.com n.d). 3.0 Engineering Management Project on an Automatic Wood Crusher Industrialization is inevitable in the current situation of the world which is needed to make work easier. Industrialization has led to the efficiency and effective ways of carrying out tasks in the aim of reducing the effort factored in by replacement with mechanised means. The automatic wood crusher with a conveyer belt is the main contributor that helps in the collection of wastage in industries which is manned manually however it is automated by the controlling valve. The projects main initiative is to automate the wood crushing process. The wood crusher machine works using torque with a motor of high alternating current. The torque motor is linked to the gear arrangement where it is used to compress waste from wood. Objective of the project is that focuses on the reduction of cost implicated to get the wood crusher in full, safety of the person using the machine and the effect to the environment and to reduce time consumed to press the wood. In India for instance this machine may be very useful as it produces a lot of wood. Many techniques have been invented but majority of them have not been a success. They are still clinging on to past methods that required a lot of energy. Recent devised methods were introduced but they did not appeal to the group that it wanted to get (Engg.net n.d). 3.1 Working of the automated wood crusher Once power is supplied to the machine the motor which is the driving force of the gear box making 1440 rotations per minute. The speed the decrease to 28 rotations that then sends power to the shaft. The presence of the crown gear is then presented to distribute the power equally to the rotating blades. The crown gear is placed by surface contact where pinion gears are installed. The shaft is then left to aid the holing system. 3.2 Advantages and Disadvantages The wood crusher can be used to press cans and wood husks. 3.2.1 Advantages i. The wood crusher has proved to be the most applicable in the technical world. ii. Assembling the wood crusher is simple. iii. The machine maintenance is simple and repair iv. Cost of the operation incurred is low v. Incidents of fire breakouts due to over loading of the system is low. vi. Fast operation of crushing the wood because of the efficient means of operation. vii. Relatively cheaper as compared to other systems used. viii. The wood crusher is able to get a quicker feedback. 3.2.2Disadvantages i. During the process of breaking the wood the air compressed in the machine may lead to noise pollution ii. The torque is difficult to find that has high alternating current. iii. The amount of wood able to be crushed at a go is very low. 3.3 Lessons The project should look into the noise pollution issue where it should remedy it by maybe the use of a silencer that would reduce it. The wood crusher should also be restructured so that it may be able to have a wider scope of the carrying capacity. The torque with a high alternating current should be replaced with a product that is readily available to the market and at the same time serve the same purpose at the same capacity or even better. 4.0 Conclusion The PMBOK in relation to the PRINCE2 project management methodology ensures that the project is successfully manoeuvred and all the goals are achieved using the knowledge areas of project management areas. The knowledge areas are guidelines on how projects should be carried out and evaluated for good results. The use of PRINCE2 management methodology has a lot of advantages towards the project, given its realised benefits in various aspects notably in the management of projects 5.0 References .Abdul, R.S., Ismail, W., Mohammad, N., & Long, C 2014, ‘Assessing Adoption of Project Management Knowledge Areas and Maturity Level’, American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Management in Engineering Vol.30, Issue 2 Bryde, D., Broquetas, M., Volm, JM 2013, ‘The project benefit of building information’, International Journal of Project Management Science Direct, Vol 31, pp 971-980 Burke, R 2013, ‘Project management: planning and controlling techniques, Accessed from Kupasazshomal.com [5th May 2016] Gallati, R 2015, Risk Management and Capital Adequacy. McGraw-Hill, Sybex Hammad, M., Abbasi, A., and Ryan, M 2016, ‘Allocation and Management of Cost Contingency in Projects’, Journal of Management in Engineering pp 1 American society of Civil Engineers. Hammouch, H 2016, Designing Multi Agent System Architecture for Project Performance Based on PMBOK Standard Vol 366, pp 559-570 Springer (4th My 2016)Joslin, R. & Muller, R. (2015) Relationships between a project management methodology and project success in different governance contexts: International Journal of Project Management, Science Direct Vol 33 pp 1377-1392 (4th may 2016) Karaman, E and Kurt, M. (2015) Comparison of project management methodologies: Prince 2 versus PMBOK for its projects Ijaser.com Vol.4 No.5 (4th May 2016) Kerzner, HD 2013, Project Management, Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons IncMunier, N., Jimenez-Saez, F., Fernandez-Diego, M. (2013) Project Management for Environmental, Construction and Manufacturing Engineers Dordrecht; New YorkOveisi, M. (2016) Study on Method Project Management Relying on PMBOK and Prince 2: Modern Science Applied, Vol.10, No.6. Philips, J 2013, Project Management Professional McGraw-Hill Osborne Media: Sybex Roudias, J. (2015) Mastering Principles and Practices in PMBOK, Prince 2, and Scrum: Using Essential Project Management Methods to Deliver Effective and Efficient Projects. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey Sims, R.L., Kramer, SB 2015, Stakeholder Management: A theoretical analysis of the PMBOK. Thorat, S. (2015) Automatic Wood Crusher with Conveyor Belt. Accessed from: Engg.net [5th May 2016] Read More