Project Development Plan - Report Example

Work-Related Project Analysis, Part 3 Introduction The main aim of this report is to develop an appropriate follow-up by incorporating the transitionfrom design to implementation for Audi in its work-related information system networks that facilitate to improve the supply chain efficiency of the organization. In this regard, the objective of this report is to describe the development and implementation stages for the work-related information system of the company using different activities such as coding, testing, installation, documentation, training and support. The discussion of the report also tends to provide specific description regarding how the activities will be planned for an individual project. In addition, the discussion also details about the benefits of using defined and repeatable processes for a successful implementation of the activities. Development and Implementation Stages for the Situation The development stage involves a wide range of activities that are required to successfully implement a particular project management activity. During the development stage, the project manager is highly required to formulate appropriate schedule regarding the required suppliers, subcontractors along with different materials and tools associated with the key goals and objectives of the project (Munns & Bjeirmi, 1996). With reference to the previous study, it has been identified specifically the situation relating to the work-related information system of Audi that substantially improve the supply chain activities of the company. The situation in the supply chain management system of Audi has been observed to incorporate a wide range of functional areas with different activities. In order to critically achieve the desired objective of streamlining the supply chain activities of the company, the development and implementation plan of the project will significantly focus on the key areas. The key stages of this proposed project development and implementation plan has been clearly demonstrated in the following pictorial representation Fig: Project Development Stages Source: (Public Procurement Guide, 2008) Development of Activity Schedule The stage of activity schedule will encompass each activity along with recognizing tasks associated with the project goals and objectives. In this regard, project development activity schedule of Audi’s supply chain system will cover activities such as required process of coding along with testing and installation instructions of different supply chain activities of the organization. Moreover, the stage will also incorporate effective schedule of each task along with their required completion time (Munns & Bjeirmi, 1996). The activity schedule for the supply chain functions of Audi will highly focus on prioritizing project tasks in accordance with their requirements and support towards the completion of the overall project during its closing stage. In order to increase efficiency of each project stage, the activity schedule plan will also incorporate training and developmental activities for the staff members to be linked with each project stage. The process of involving training and other support related schedule planning would facilitate the organization to improve quality along with avert risks and uncertainties that may arise during the project activities. Development of Resource Plan The resource plan process is one of the key stages in a particular project development and implementation plan. In relation to the proposed development plan for the supply chain system of Audi, the resource plan activities will include planning of valuable resources materials, equipment and required people associated with different project activities in the supply chain functions of the organization. Moreover, developing effective allocation plan of the resources with respect to the activity requirements will be considered as a major part in this stage. The resource plan process will further focus on listing valuable suppliers in order to procure quality based materials and equipment to be executed in different level of supply chain activities of the project. Additionally, the resource plan would highly focus on selecting appropriate members for different types of project activities in accordance with their skills, experience along with attitude and behavioral traits. The process will substantially help the organization to accomplish the desired project management goals with streamlined quality (Morris & Pinto, 2010). Development of Cost Plan Planning costs to be executed in different levels of project management is one of the critical aspects for an organization. It would help the project management groups or organizations to determine appropriate financing decisions and reduce various risks associated with costs in each project activity (Pathan, 2005). In relation to the proposed development plan for the supply chain system of Audi, the cost planning process will substantially include estimating costs relating to different internal and external project activities. The process of estimating cost plan of the internal and external activities will facilitate the project management department of Audi to improve its various financing decisions. In this regard, the cost planning will help the organization to make appropriate estimation of the costs associated with procurement of materials and/or equipment in accordance with the market trends. In addition, the development of cost plan will further include budgeting and fund allocation process to each project activity. The budgeting and fund allocation for each stage of the project will help the organization to avert any types of financial debacles within the project management operations (Schwalbe, 2013; Levine, 2005). Implementation Stages After the completion of the development stage, project implementation phase tends to construct the actual result of a particular project management process. With regard to the key aim of the implementation stage, it fundamentally tends to shape a realistic view of the activities to be performed within the project management operations. An effective design of implementation plan significantly involves different key steps that enable project management team to accomplish its postulated goals. In relation to the proposed project management goals to improve the supply chain efficiency in Audi, the following key steps would substantially enable the organization to achieve its goals (Morris & Pinto, 2010). Attribute Management Responsibilities In order to successfully achieve the postulated goals of the proposed project, the implementation stage will be highly accountable to manage attributes associated with each project activity. The step of managing attributes will be responsible to set effective operational strategies of the project. Moreover, the step will also ensure that the activities performed in each stage are aligned with the actual planning or the overall goals of the project. Therefore, the attribute management responsibility in the supply chain management system of Audi will facilitate the organization to gain effective control managing capability over the project management activities (Levine, 2005). Managing and Monitoring Project Delivery and Service Output In relation to the key objectives of the proposed project management, the step of managing and monitoring deliveries of each activity would be a key element for Audi to streamline its supply chain system. Managing and monitoring of the project delivery plan will be planned by encompassing each project activity along with departments associated with the overall supply chain management operations of the organization. In addition, continuous monitoring of the project deliveries and service outputs will be also executed to ensure that the project activities are effectively performed with their desired roles within the project management operations. The adequate focus on monitoring the deliveries and service outputs would substantially help each individual to improve quality while performing their assigned roles across different stages of the project management cycle (Pathan, 2005). Change Management The change management plan to be developed for the proposed project ensures to manage changes, which can influence different stage of the project including project scope, scheduling, cost or quality. Corresponding to the monitoring of deliveries and service outputs, the change management plan will also focus on incorporating each project activity and align them in accordance with the primary goals of the project management operations. In addition, the change management plan will also emphasize the supply chain system of Audi, which can substantially help the project management team to align their operations with the organizational vision (Levine, 2005). Communication and Risk Management Plan Communication and risk management plan has been also considered as two major aspects of the project implementation plan for Audi. The communication plan refers to ensure effective communication process to the project stakeholders and defines methods, which can be implemented in the communication process. The communication plan in the supply chain management system of Audi will also focus on encouraging shared value by including each department and staff member associated with the project management activities. On the other hand, the risk management plan will emphasis identifying potential risks in different activities. Moreover, it will also be designed to deliver possible actions that can enable the project management team to mitigate the potential risk factors in any of the project management stages (Levine, 2005). Benefits of Using Defined and Repeatable Processes in the Project Implementation Phase In relation to the current business environment, it has been perceived that the use of defined and repetitive project management practices substantially help organizations to improve their different operational functions. In relation to the proposed project development and implementation plan for Audi, the use of defined or repeatable practices can substantially improve the efficiency of the company’s supply chain system. In the context of the development stage, various other essential planning phases associated with risks, issues, quality, communication and change management activities required to successfully achieve the desired objectives of the project are considered. In addition, the repetitions of common project management practices would also ensure the supply chain operation of the organization to avert possible errors that can significantly lower the quality or productivity of the organization. The strategy will further help the supply chain system to accomplish planned tasks within a postulated time frame along with desired quality (Morris & Pinto, 2010). Conclusion The implementation of an effective set of project development plan perhaps demonstrates the major activities that enable the companies to effectively meet their desired project goals. In relation to the proposed development plan, brief demonstration about various essential processes that can enable the supply chain system of Audi to streamline its wide range of activities are identified critically. The aforesaid plans associated with project development and implementation will be a critical set of practices for Audi to strengthen its wider supply chain management system. References Levine, H. A. (2005). Project Portfolio Management: A practical guide to selecting projects, managing portfolios, and maximizing benefits. New Delhi: John Willey & Sons. Morris, P. W. G. & Pinto, J. K. (2010). The wiley guide to project, program, and portfolio management. Canada: John Willey & Sons. Munns, A. K., & Bjeirmi, B. F. (1996). The role of project management in achieving project success. International Journal of Project Management 14(2), 81-87. Pathan, S. K. (2005). Managing Projects. United Kingdom: Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. Public Procurement Guide. (2008). Public procurement best practice guide. Retrieved from http://www.publicprocurementguides.treasury.gov.cy/OHS-EN/HTML/index.html?7_project_management.htm Schwalbe, K. (2013). Information technology project management. USA: Cengage Learning. Read More