Chapter 4, Project Integration Management
Let’s start!
1. Read the report “2015 Pulse of the Profession. Capturing the Value of Project Management” by PMI mentioned in the What Went Right section, page 194 of the 8th Edition of the book. Summarize the key points on this study and your opinion of it. Describe some specific steps organization can take to provide a supportive culture for project management.
Ø In doing a project we must consider the factors that can affect our project development process. Every organization should meet the scope on the time allocation and on the budget for the project. If we perform well, we have the possibility to have a great output. The dedication that team have shown reflect on how the project work. We have competitive advantage if we maintain the quality of the project and the aspects that related to it.
In the conducted survey only 12% of the organizations were considered to be a high performer. My insight in this survey is that we have a low percentage of having a high quality performer maybe because the organization doesn’t function properly along the project development. Each member of the organization doesn’t perform their obligation in the project it is because they don’t fully understand on what is their role in the organization.
In order to have progress in the project development we have some major cultural changes. We have to make sure that each member of the organization has fully understand the value of project management. The project manager should have the capability to rule the organization and the executive sponsor should fully engage on the project.
Culture: High-performing organizations fully understand the value of project management and are creating a project management mindset.
Talent: High-performing organizations are significantly more likely to focus on talent management, establishing ongoing training, and formal, effective knowledge transfer. This is especially important in project management, where technical skills are enhanced by the leadership and strategic and business management capabilities that are nurtured through experience.
Process: High-performing organizations support project, program, and portfolio management though standardized practices and by aligning projects and programs to the organization’s strategy.
2. Perform a financial analysis for a project using the format provided in the book (IT Project Management, Revised 6e). Assume that the projected costs and benefits for this project are spread over four years as follows: Estimated costs are $200,000 in Year 1 and $30,000 each year in Years 2, 3, and 4. Estimated benefits are $0 in Year 1 and $100,000 each year in Years 2, 3, and 4. Use a 9 percent discount rate, and round the discount factors to two decimal places. Create a spreadsheet or use the business case financials template on the companion Web site to calculate and clearly display the NPV, ROI, and year in which payback occurs. In addition, write a paragraph explaining whether you would recommend investing in this project, based on your financial analysis.

3. Develop an outline (major heading and subheading only) for a project management plan to create a Web Site for your class, and then dill in the details for the introduction or overview section. Assume that this Web site would include home page with links to a syllabus for the class, lecture notes or other instructional information, links to the Web site for the books that we are using in the class, links to other Web sites and all links to personal pages for each member of your class and future classmates. Also, include a bulletin board and chat room feature where students and the instructor can exchange information. Assume your instructor is the project’s sponsor, you are the project manager, your classmates are your project team and you have three months to complete the project.

4. Write a short paper based on the chapter’s opening case. Answer the following questions (Information Technology Project Management, 7e, page 140, Opening Case):
a. What do you think the real problem was in this case?
Ø The real problem in this case is that Nick Carson ignore his new job as a project manager rather than to continue the previous role with is software developer.
b. Does the case present a realistic scenario? Why or why not?
Ø Yes, because in real company scenario there also a similar happening on Nicks problem. If you are in the field of developing a software then suddenly you assign to a new job which is project manager, sometimes you forgotten your new responsibility instead you continue your previous work.
c. Was Nick Carson a good project manager? Why or why not?
Ø Definitely No, because in his case he was not familiar with his new job as a project manager. Being a project manager involve the good communication. He did not take the time to find out what top management expected from him as a project manager.
d. What should top management have done to help Nick?
Ø The top management must keep the project managers informed of major issues that could affect their projects and strive to make processes consistent throughout their organization.
e. What could Nick have done to be a better project manager?
Ø To be a better project manager Nick should apply the knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to meet the project requirement at the same time meeting or exceeding the stakeholder needs and expectation.
:) jlumbaga