Assignment on Project Development and Implementation for Strategic Managers

Unit 17 Edexcel BTEC level 2 Extended Diploma in strategic Management and Leadership (QCF) Guildhall College, London

Prepared By:

Submitted To:

Date of Submission:

Assignment Topics
AC (1.1) AC (1.2) AC (1.3) Analyze the factors that contribute to the process of project selection. Develop outline project specifications for the implementation of a new product, service or process. Produce a specification for an agreed project to implement a new product, service or process AC (2.1) AC (2.2) AC (2.3) AC (2.4) AC (2.5) AC (3.1) AC (3.2) AC (3.3) AC (4.1) AC (4.2) AC (4.3) AC (5.1) AC (5.2) Produce a project plan for an agreed project. Match appropriate resources to the project. Cost all resources required for implementing a project. Agree timescales for the management and implementation of a project. Plan an appropriate strategy for the implementation of a project. Implement a project in accordance with an agreed specification. Develop appropriate measures to monitor and evaluate progress and Outcomes. Monitor the implementation of the project. Analyze the outcomes of a project in terms of the original project specification. Evaluate the outcomes of a project. Make justified recommendations for improvements to the project. Produce a report of all project procedures used. Present the outcomes of the project to an audience using an agreed format and appropriate.

Note: The Chosen Organization for the Assignment.

Happy Heart Events Management Private Limited Happy Heart Events Management Private Limited, has organized more than hundreds events of various types, like Annual Dinner and Dance events, wedding and solemnization occasions, product launch functions, opening ceremonies, seminars, exhibitions and carnivals, which mostly involved 150 300 personnel per event. Our company, Happy Heart Event Management Pte Ltd, is a relatively new company that have organized more than hundreds events of various types, like Annual Dinner & Dance, Wedding & Solemnization, Product launching, Opening ceremony, Seminars, Exhibition and carnivals etc, which mostly involved 150 300 personnel per event. Our company provides customized, strategic event experiences where guests connect with our clients' brands and products in ways that are personally relevant and memorable. Our team offers the creative vision, professionalism, and event expertise to create winning events - with a constant eye towards detail, quality, originality and results. Based on devotion in our mission and jobWith high levels of professionalism and commitment, we are well-trusted by our clients. Building our good reputation of excellent planning and organization skills, this reputation comes with our experience teams of more than a decade of experiences and the project manager well versed skills in project planning and management. Our companys vision is to be the preferred event planning company in UK. Our current business strategy is to create a new market and as well as establish long lasting relationship with clients with a clear, well defined business plan, objectives and financial criteria. We provide total solutions for event ranging from all sizes, sophistication, and logistic supports to marketing and public relations function to ensure every aspect and component is strategically put in place to deliver the best results. With an equipment of good grasp of the strategic marketing and advertising skill, we will be able to understand and fulfill our clients expectations and requirements. Our company motto is to be responsive towards the queries and professionally address the issues that our clients have.

We adopt a strategic design and planning process to attain the most satisfactory results with a well-managed timeline. With all the successes and experiences on small scale events, we are currently presented with the break-through opportunity of managing Hiticha Groups annual Dinner and Dance. Hiticha Group is an internationally reputable organization, this project will enable us to prove our capability in handling multi-national companys event. Also, this project will put our reputation to the toughest test.

Table of Contents Task AC (1.1) AC (1.2) AC (1.3) AC (2.1) AC (2.2) AC (2.3) AC (2.4) AC (2.5) AC (3.1) AC (3.2) AC (3.3) AC (4.1) AC (4.2) AC (4.3) AC (5.1) AC (5.2) Topic Analyze the factors that contribute to the process of project selection. Develop outline project specifications for the implementation of a new product, service or process. Produce a specification for an agreed project to implement a new product, service or process Produce a project plan for an agreed project. Match appropriate resources to the project. Cost all resources required for implementing a project. Agree timescales for the management and implementation of a project. Plan an appropriate strategy for the implementation of a project. Implement a project in accordance with an agreed specification. Develop appropriate measures to monitor and evaluate progress and Outcomes. Monitor the implementation of the project. Analyze the outcomes of a project in terms of the original project specification. Evaluate the outcomes of a project. Make justified recommendations for improvements to the project. Produce a report of all project procedures used. Present the outcomes of the project to an audience using an agreed format and appropriate. Reference Page 6 7 8 12 16 18 19 21 23 25 27 29 30 31 32 34 35

AC (1.1): Analyze the factors that contribute to the process of project selection. Technological factor Advances in technology can help improve productivity of labor, also as reduce transportation costs, distribution costs, communication costs and production costs. Examples of it include changes that affect the production and distribution of a product or services. Economic factor Economic factor affects the overall consumption and investment in a business. A stable economy attracts firms that wish to do business. An unstable economy however increases business risks and even deters investment. Examples of it include national income, taxation policy, foreign exchange policy, inflation rate, etc. Physical factor It refers to the physical location and natural environment which directly affects the economic development of the countries or a region. A favorable physical environment with well-planned infrastructures likes the airport and transport facilities can attract firms. Social and cultural factor Social factor affects the productivity and labor supply. Examples of it include the population structure, language ability, education level, etc. Cultural factor affects trhe taste and preferences of costumers. Examples of it include whether a country encourage women to go out and work and emphasis on virtue of hard work. Political factor This is related to the political system, laws and regulations of a country. Political systems can be classified as authoritarian and democratic. Laws and regulations' examples include licensing laws, customer laws, and labor laws, and licensing regulations. A country with sound legal system and stable political condition can attract investments as it enhances investors' confidence.

AC (1.2): Develop outline project specifications for the implementation of a new product, service or process. Hiticha Group is a well-known multinational organization which specialized in manufacturing electronic products for the retail market. With a budget of 120,000, Hiticha Group has decided to shortlist our company as the most potential event company to manage their 15th Annual Dinner and Dance event. With clients endorsement, it will be named the Starry Starry Night!!!! The objectives for this project are to provide our new client an extraordinary Annual Dinner and Dance, and to make an impression in our client for future engagements for our services. With the organizational commitment from top management to the team members, it lays the fundamental structure for the project manager to develop and execute the project plan.

AC (1.3): Produce a specification for an agreed project to implement a new product, service or process. Scope of the Project: Hiticha Group is a well-known multinational organization which specialized in manufacturing electronic products for the retail market. Hiticha Group head-quarter is based in Japan with more than 10 overseas branches. UKs regional office deals with marketing, sales and service support etc. In December 2011, Hitichas UK office will host their 15th Annual Dinner and Dance event, gathering approximately 500 staffs including clients, partners as well as business associates. With a budget of 120,000, Hiticha Group has decided to shortlist our company as the most potential event company to manage their 15th Annual Dinner and Dance event. From the initial understanding, Hiticha Group will like to conceptualize their dinner and dinner as per their latest marketing campaign Like The Shooting Star. We are tasked to create a theme that chosen embraces grandeur and glamour at a beach environment, where the party will start from evening till the end. The underlying mission is to create an environment, filled with special activities. We hope to provide all guests and staffs with the experience of an extraordinary starry beach night and indulge in the wonderful and splendid performances organize by our company. With clients endorsement, we will name the event Starry Starry Night!!!! Objective of the project: Our objectives for this project are to provide our new client an extraordinary Annual Dinner and Dance, and to make an impression in our client for future engagements for our services. This project will be the critical stepping stone for our company to gain more market share. The top management of the company will select the most suitable project manager to lead this project. The project manager is desirable to be tactful with clients, positive and committed, and experienced in managing a team to organize the larger scale projects. The importance of leadership is to organize the project team and amplify commitments in the team members. With the organizational commitment from top

management to the team members, it lays the fundamental structure for the project manager to develop and execute the project plan. The project cycle is the basis for the project manager to develop the project plan. The Business aspect involves all the operational functions that relating to the overall business management of the project issues from the perspective of customer management, justification of the project. Whereas, Budget aspect involve events related to the requisitioning of the project funds and its management throughout the life of the project implementation. Whereas, Technical aspect identifies the list of activities and events required to provide the optimum technical solution in the most efficient way. The technical aspect spans from the determination of what our client wants to validation the project solution that satisfies our clients. The below illustration will give a more concise concept on the three aspects from our company perspective on this project. Business aspect: Being labeled as medium-sized event company, we are lack of multinational companys event to our portfolio to showcase our success. The milestone project with Hiticha provides us with the opportunity to break-through our currently status and to advance into the multi-national company market. It is very much critical that we can clinch this project. Budget Aspect: Starry Starry Night is an outdoor event, which is also the 15th years anniversary celebration of the Hiticha company. It is expected to cater for about 500 guests. Our client has mentioned that they will be investing a considerable sum of 120,000 for this event, however they also wish we able to assist them to reduce some unnecessary cost for this project. While we are aiming at a forty percents profit from the entire project, we will attempt to assist our client in reducing their cost. However, in order for our company to have better case flow during the implementation period, as per proposed contract, the payments will be made to us by 2 installments, which is 60% follow by 40% of the total proposal cost. The first payment will be made to us when we sign the official contract, while the second payment will be the day after the event. With

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the first installment being received, we will have sufficient cash flow to carry out this project. Technical Aspect: One of the deciding factor for the project to be considered as successful lies on the satisfaction of our clients. The smile on our client face, after the event, is the deciding factor. Our challenge is to ensure that the setting is to be done as per the expectation of the given theme, creating the right atmosphere for the guests, within the given timeline. In order to meet the above objectives, the following portions will highlight on the each of the cycles. Basically Business, Budget and Technical cycle are each made up of three periods, study, implementation and operation periods, which will be illustrated in the later part Project management, planning and implementation cycle: Project management and planning coordinate and optimize the resources necessary to successfully complete a project. The resources referring to are manpower, skills, budget, commitment, systems and equipment. Goal of planning is to meet project objectives meeting company and client's requirements. Project plan coordinates and optimizes coordination, mitigating risk and plan for contingencies. Importantly, it aims to obtain commitment from team members to see through the project from planning to operation and disposal. The plan puts in-place a control system to ensure for accountability of processes and expenditure, meeting schedules and clarity. For the project to be successful and achieve the given objectives, it is critical to understand and plan our project cycle. Project cycle is defined as an orderly sequence of integrated activities, performed in phases, leading to success (Forsberg, Mooz and Cotterman, 2005). Like all projects, we will need to break down our project cycle into three aspects business, budget and technical. The team should see project cycle as the foundation for achieving predictable performance which is tailored with special characteristics. The resultant project cycle then becomes the parent or driver of the

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projects logic network represented by PERT and GANTT charts that will be developed during the planning. (Forsberg, Mooz and Cotterman, 2005) The project cycle should be planned throughout the study period, implementation period and operation period.

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AC (2.1): Produce a project plan for an agreed project. Scope of the Project: Hiticha Group is a well-known multinational organization which specialized in manufacturing electronic products for the retail market. Hiticha Group head-quarter is based in Japan with more than 10 overseas branches. UKs regional office deals with South-East Asia marketing, sales and service support etc. In December 2011, Hitichas UK office will host their 15th Annual Dinner and Dance event, gathering approximately 500 staffs including clients, partners as well as business associates. With a budget of 120,000, Hiticha Group has decided to shortlist our company as the most potential event company to manage their 15th Annual Dinner and Dance event. From the initial understanding, Hiticha Group will like to conceptualize their dinner and dinner as per their latest marketing campaign Like the shooting starThe Shooting Star. We are tasked to create a theme that chosen embraces grandeur and glamour at a beach environment, where the party will start from evening till the end. The underlying mission is to create an environment, filled with special activities. We hope to provide all guests and staffs with the experience of an extraordinary starry beach night and indulge in the wonderful and splendid performances organize by our company. With clients endorsement, we will name the event Starry Starry Night!!!! Objective of the project: Our objectives for this project are to provide our new client an extraordinary Annual Dinner and Dance, and to make an impression in our client for future engagements for our services. This project will be the critical stepping stone for our company to gain more market share. The top management of the company will select the most suitable project manager to lead this project. The project manager is desirable to be tactful with clients, positive and committed, and experienced in managing a team to organize the larger scale projects. The importance of leadership is to organize the project team and amplify commitments in the team members. With the organizational commitment from top

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management to the team members, it lays the fundamental structure for the project manager to develop and execute the project plan. The project cycle is the basis for the project manager to develop the project plan. The Business aspect involves all the operational functions that relating to the overall business management of the project issues from the perspective of customer management, justification of the project. Whereas, Budget aspect involve events related to the requisitioning of the project funds and its management throughout the life of the project implementation. Whereas, Technical aspect identifies the list of activities and events required to provide the optimum technical solution in the most efficient way. The technical aspect spans from the determination of what our client wants to validation the project solution that satisfies our clients. The below illustration will give a more concise concept on the three aspects from our company perspective on this project. Business aspect: Being labeled as medium-sized event company, we are lack of multinational companys event to our portfolio to showcase our success. The milestone project with Hiticha provides us with the opportunity to break-through our currently status and to advance into the multi-national company market. It is very much critical that we can clinch this project. Budget Aspect: Starry Starry Night is an outdoor event, which is also the 15th years anniversary celebration of the Hiticha company. It is expected to cater for about 500 guests. Our client has mentioned that they will be investing a considerable sum of 120,000 for this event, however they also wish we able to assist them to reduce some unnecessary cost for this project. While we are aiming at a forty percents profit from the entire project, we will attempt to assist our client in reducing their cost. However, in order for our company to have better case flow during the implementation period, as per proposed contract, the payments will be made to us by 2 installments, which is 60% follow by 40% of the total proposal cost. The first payment will be made to us when we sign the official contract, while the second payment will be the day after the event. With

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the first installment being received, we will have sufficient cash flow to carry out this project. Technical Aspect: One of the deciding factor for the project to be considered as successful lies on the satisfaction of our clients. The smile on our client face, after the event, is the deciding factor. Our challenge is to ensure that the setting is to be done as per the expectation of the given theme, creating the right atmosphere for the guests, within the given timeline. In order to meet the above objectives, the following portions will highlight on the each of the cycles. Basically Business, Budget and Technical cycle are each made up of three periods, study, implementation and operation periods, which will be illustrated in the later part Project management, planning and implementation cycle: Project management and planning coordinate and optimize the resources necessary to successfully complete a project. The resources referring to are manpower, skills, budget, commitment, systems and equipment. Goal of planning is to meet project objectives meeting company and client's requirements. Project plan coordinates and optimizes coordination, mitigating risk and plan for contingencies. Importantly, it aims to obtain commitment from team members to see through the project from planning to operation and disposal. The plan puts in-place a control system to ensure for accountability of processes and expenditure, meeting schedules and clarity. For the project to be successful and achieve the given objectives, it is critical to understand and plan our project cycle. Project cycle is defined as an orderly sequence of integrated activities, performed in phases, leading to success (Forsberg, Mooz and Cotterman, 2005). Like all projects, we will need to break down our project cycle into three aspects business, budget and technical. The team should see project cycle as the foundation for achieving predictable performance which is tailored with special characteristics. The resultant project cycle then becomes the parent or driver of the

15

projects logic network represented by PERT and GANTT charts that will be developed during the planning. (Forsberg, Mooz and Cotterman, 2005) The project cycle should be planned throughout the study period, implementation period and operation period.

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AC (2.2): Match appropriate resources to the project. SL. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Deliverable Contract of service provision Venue for conduct of event Tentage for conduct of event Stage in tentage Activities area Dining area Games booths Pot-flower & plants Directional signs Mobile generator Prizes for games Customized gift Customized balloon Invitation card License for usage of copyright media Eight-Course Dinner with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks Audio system amplifier Quantity 1 set 1 set 1 set 1 set 1 set 1 set 6 Booths TBC TBC 2 TBC TBC TBC 550 1 1 1 Purpose Event Setup Event Setup Event Setup Event Setup Event Setup Event Setup Event Setup Decoration Logistic Power supply Logistic Logistic Decoration / special effects Logistic Special effects Dinner Special effects

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18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.

Audio Mixer & equalizer Speakers with stand Wireless microphones with stand Wireless microphones (hands-free) Audio Technician Dancing-man tube

1 6 4 2 4 6

Special effects Special effects Special effects Special effects Special effects Special effects

Continued SL. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. Deliverable City color architectural lightings MAC-700 intelligent spot lightings AVOLITE PEARL 2000 intelligent stage lighting controller Digital video camera with camera man Rear screen projectors Photographer Emcee Standup comedy Singing A3-size poster Quantity 4 10 1 1 6 2 2 1 1 30 Purpose Special effects Special effects Special effects Broadcasting Special effects Photography Entertainment Kumar - 20 mins Olivia Ong - 3 songs Decoration

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34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44.

Banner (4ft by 2by) Banner (6ft by 3ft) Live Feed Photo Shoot Tattoo Dauber Who Dares To Win games Magic Performance Bhangara Dancers Shaolin Matrix Street fusion Confetti cannon Carbon desire

3 3 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 10 TBC

Decoration Decoration Decoration Entertainment Entertainment Entertainment Entertainment Entertainment Entertainment Entertainment Entertainment

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AC (2.3): Cost all resources required for implementing a project.

SL. Detail Description Provision of Stage & deco for event inclusive of: Food Catering at events 1. hall for 500 pax (A) Portable rental stage (B) 1 set of 3 dimension Backdrop and entrance specially design for event (C) Decoration of event areas Audio Visuals Productions inclusive of electricity supply Photography and Videography EMCEE and show productions Celebrity Acts Kumar & Olivia Ong Licenses and Fees Promotion of Event Pre Dinner Entertainments Spectacular Special Effects Professional Events Proposal to Client () 27,500 9,500 6,500 5,500 18,000 3,500 4,500 5,500 1,000 1,000 3,500 4,000 Mgmt. 10,000 Cost () 20,000 5,000 3,500 2,000 6,000 2,500 2,800 2,800 300 500 2,000 2,500 6,000 Profit () 7,500 4,500 3,000 3,500 12,000 1,000 1,700 2,700 700 500 1,500 1,500 4,000

5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

(Manpower Cost) Fixed hidden cost inclusive: wages, project incentives for staffs, inclusive: fees, OT transports allowances, etc Various hidden cost

14.

N/A

2,600

(2,600)

15.

printing, wages, etc

entertainment Total

N/A 100,000

1,500 60,000

(1,500) 40,000

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AC (2.4): Agree timescales for the management and implementation of a project.

SL. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. Task Name START Meet clients for theme and budget First budget drafting Brainstorming for program activities & games Proposed ideas and venue source quotation Evaluation of budget segregation of task for proposal consolidation of information confirmation of final proposal final budget draft & breakdown budget draft presentation to client negotiation with client & revision of proposal finalization of proposal and theme concept draft agreement legal consultant endorsement of contract receive of first payment source of venue Duration 0 days 1 day 2 days 2 days 2 days 3 days 1 day 2 days 1 day 1 day 1 day 1 day 3 days 1 day 1 day 2 days 1 day 7 days 2 days Start Date 18-Sep 18-Sep 19-Sep 23-Sep 25-Sep 29-Sep 02-Oct 29-Sep 01-Oct 03-Oct 06-Oct 07-Oct 08-Oct 13-Oct 14-Oct 15-Oct 17-Oct 20-Oct 14-Oct Finish Date 18-Sep 18-Sep 22-Sep 24-Sep 26-Sep 01-Oct 02-Oct 30-Sep 01-Oct 06-Oct 07-Oct 08-Oct 13-Oct 14-Oct 15-Oct 17-Oct 20-Oct 29-Oct 16-Oct

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20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

tentative booking of venue confirmation of venue selection of Project Team member formation of sub team design of games and activities

1 day 1 day 2 days 1 day 2 days

|16-Oct 29-Oct 20-Oct 22-Oct 31-Oct

17-Oct 30-Oct 22-Oct 23-Oct 04-Nov

Continued
SL. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. Task Name site visit to the venue design of general floor plan design of stage and dinner table layout booths and game activities layout cable and power point layout verify no. of pot-flower & balloons required design of signage confirmation of contractor preparation of construction material construction of tent age and power cables selection of prizes and gifts design of customized gift making of customized gift and balloons Duration 1 day 5 days 3 days 3 days 3 days 2 days 2 days 1 day 7 days 1 day 3 days 4 days 7 days Start Date 30-Oct 31-Oct 07-Nov 07-Nov 12-Nov 17-Nov 19-Nov 17-Nov 21-Nov 02-Dec 04-Nov 07-Nov 19-Nov Finish Date 31-Oct 07-Nov 12-Nov 12-Nov 17-Nov 19-Nov 21-Nov 18-Nov 02-Dec 03-Dec 07-Nov 13-Nov 28-Nov

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38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50.

collection of customized item design of invitation card printing of invitation card sending of invitation card to client application of required license selection of food caterer food tasting with client confirmation of food caterer source of entertainers confirmation of entertainers design of entertainer dressing Rehearsal Actual day of event

2 days 3 days 5 days 1 day 8 days 2 days 5 days 1 day 10 days 5 days 5 days 5 days 0 days

28-Nov 23-Oct 28-Oct 04-Nov 07-Nov 23-Oct 27-Oct 03-Nov 04-Nov 18-Nov 25-Nov 03-Dec 10-Dec

02-Dec 28-Oct 04-Nov 05-Nov 19-Nov 27-Oct 03-Nov 04-Nov 18-Nov 25-Nov 02-Dec 10-Dec 10-Dec

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AC (2.5): Plan an appropriate strategy for the implementation of a project. Functions of strategy planning: 1. Planning a vital aspect of management, serves several important functions. 2. It provides basis for organizing the work on the project and allocating responsibilities for the individuals. 3. It is a means of communication and coordination between all those involved in the project. 4. It induces the people to look ahead. 5. It instills a sense of urgency and time consciousness. 6. It establishes the basis of monitoring and control. Areas of strategy planning: 1. Planning the project work. 2. Planning the resources and organization. 3. Planning the money. 4. Planning the information system. Steps in project strategy planning: 1. Setting the project objectives. 2. Identifying the work activities. 3. Creating the project organization. 4. Preparing project schedule. 5. Making budget and resource plan. 6. Preparing forecast of time, work, cost and performance projections. Project objectives and Strategies: Often, the focus of project planning is on questions like who does what and when. Before such operational planning is done, the objectives and policies guiding the project planning exercise must be articulated. The questions to be answered in this context here: 1. What are the technical and performance objectives?

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2. What are the time and cost goals? 3. To what extent should the work be given outside contractors? 4. How many contractors should be terms of contract? Well-defined objectives and policies serve as the framework for the decisions to be made by the project manager. Throughout the life of a project, he has to seek a compromise between the conflicting goals of technical performance, cost standard, and time target. Work breakdown structure: The work breakdown structure, as its name suggests, represents a systematic and logical break down of the project into its component parts. Thus breakdown structure helps in: 1. Effective planning by dividing the work into manageable elements, which can be planned, budgeted, and controlled. 2. Assignment of responsibility for work elements to project personnel and outside agencies. 3. Development and control and information system. Essentials strategies for successful project implementation: 1. Adequate formulation. 2. Sound project organization. 3. Proper implementation planning. 4. Advance action. 5. Timely availability of funds. 6. Better contract management. 7. Effective control and monitoring the progress of the project.

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AC (3.1): Implement a project in accordance with an agreed specification. Implementation Period: As the project moves into the implementation period, the project manager needs to translate organizational business strategy into directions and instructions to the project team. This is a critical task for the project manager. When the scope of undertaking is as clear as crystal, the team can focus and optimize resources to achieve the stated objectives. Although timeline and budget given may be tight, the project manager should not compromise the quality of the event. Instead, he is required to manage the risk involved / assessed in the project. The project risk management will be discussed in detail in the later part. As budgeted, this project will require us to be spending a considerable sum of money; therefore the project manager can try to improve relationship with our entertainers, suppliers and venue owners while bargaining for the best value contract for the project. For example, we will be engaging famous celebrities like Kurman and SINGER to make the event looks prestigious, it will be promotes the companys image if the celebrities are to comment well on our project. Also, the project manager will need to ensure that the project is proper licensed with the rights to play music, MTV or fireworks. The concept of this arrangement is because our client, Hiticha Group will be inviting their top clients and business associates from the region to attend this event. Therefore, it is critical for the project manager to make the event grand so that the guests will feel the importance of their presence in this event which is the primary reason. This will ensure these top clients and business associates to feel pampered and indulged themselves during the entire event. Meanwhile, we would be able to build rapport between us and the guest as this will aid in our business expansion through the conduit of our customers networking as well as enable us to explore the opportunity to gain more sales pipelines for future projects.

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Lastly, the business decision gates lie on the shoulder of the project manager, with the assistant of the advisory panel. They should be informed with any hiccups or changes during the project. The project manager needs to be in control and stay in control while overseeing the overall activities. Operation Period: During the rehearsal and the day of the event, we continue to liaise with contractors for on-site support. All defects reported are to be rectified immediately. At the same time, the project team will continue to evaluate the performance of the contractors. The evaluation will aid the company to retain and improve industrial relationship with reliable contractors. For cost effectiveness and ensure reliability, our top management may consider negotiating for a term contact with selected contractors. After the successful conduct of the event, the project team will be gathering clients feedback. Project Manager will also consolidate lessons learnt for better improvements in future events. A final evaluation is whether key performance indicators, such as meeting companys objectives are met. This report will aid in faster evaluation on feasibility for similar projects.

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AC (3.2): Develop appropriate measures to monitor and evaluate progress and outcomes. As mentioned in the risk management, it is important that the project is closely monitored. However, the rationale of having a project tracking and reviewing process is to ensure the four major project variables performance, cost, time and scope are been taken care of and well monitored by our company throughout the whole project. This is important especially when the project has advanced to the phase of performance, having a consistent and constant flow of information on the actual and accurate status of the project would be essential. Furthermore, reviewing also play an important role in working hand in hand with both tracking and monitoring as well in the project. This is to ensure all issues have been addressed during the process. The key elements in the project that are required for tracking purpose include: Scope of Work Project Functional Success Factors Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Activity list and network Work Packages for critical path tasks to develop an additional level of detail Budgets and Estimates Master and supporting schedules Financial and funding plans Quality and Configuration Management Plans Stakeholder Analysis, including management and clients The Management functions of tracking and monitoring are indispensable to the effective and efficient control of the project. In another word, tracking is been defined as the fact finding process whereas monitoring is the analysis of these facts. Both are required for the management of the project.

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The Card-On-Wall (COW) methodology will be used during the implementation period to facilitate monitoring of the overall progress. OBS, WBS, PPL, network diagrams, estimated budget allocation and schedules using PERT and CPM will be made available on the server. This is to facilitate easy access for the top management and project team. In addition, team members will be submitting Weekly Update Reports (WUR) to the project manager. The WUR is a simple report that reports the status of the each task, the task owner and the expected time of completion. Team members may include pictures or use any means to provide these information. Team members are encouraged to do open reporting on any problems, especially problems that occur in the critical path. The Project manager is expected to look into the problems and resolve it as soon as possible. If further endorsement is required, the Project Manager is encouraged to approach the top management, such as the Chief Operations Officer (COO). The Project Manager will also be providing a fortnightly report to the COO. The report focuses on the planned schedule and expenditures against the actual schedule progress and expenditure. The changes in clients requirements and the related actions taken are also reported in this report.

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AC (3.3): Monitor the implementation of the project. The most dreadful incident that could happen to an event company is failing to meet the deadline given by our clients. In our case, the entire team is to work closely and effectively to ensure that this event will be ready by 10th Dec 2011 - as set by our client. In order to reduce the possibilities of failing to meet the deadline, we have planned out the scheduling of each activity, the inter-relationship of individual activity and given a timeline to each activity. However, according to our PERT calculation, there is a possibility that our project can be delayed by 4.14 days. Therefore, the project is to be completed on 4th Dec 2011, which is 4 working days before the actual event. Hence, we have planned the rehearsal to be held on 3rd Dec 2011, with 5 days of time allowance for completion. Even with additional time allowance, we can still be in the danger of failing to meet the deadline if each activity is not carried out within their given timeline, specially the activities found within the critical path. Since we are unable to forecast or prevent mishaps, we have opted to be safe than sorry. While we are working out on the Gantt chart, we have given more timeline to activities, which have more likelihood to be delayed. With reference to the above network diagram and grant chart, we have noticed that there is a timing lapse between both the critical path and non-critical path. In another word, there might be some delays that hold up or slow down the whole process. Hence, for example, the construction of tentage and installation of power cable are the activities which fall under the critical path. These two activities supposedly to be completed by 3rd Dec 2011. However, due to unforeseeable circumstances like raining on the day that we plan to set up of tentage. This will eventually leads to the delay of setting up the tentage and delay in installation of sound systems and stage setup etc. The whole process is disrupted which causes the planning to be delayed as well as affected the whole progress of implementation process. Thus, our deadline might not be meets as result we are not

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able to complete the project as schedule or plan. Whereas, the non critical path activity like collection of customized gifts have been deferred to another date due to the delay in shipment that causes the original collection date schedule to be delayed rather than completed by 2nd Dec 2011 - the actual collection date. But, it does not disrupt the whole progress as the other functions still able to carry out without delay. Hence, precautionary measurement has been taken into account as we arranged the tentage to be set up by at least one day earlier than the actual plan as this will helps to prevent the disruption of the critical activities like raining. The early setup of tentage will act as a buffers, this is to prevent unforeseeable circumstance for disrupting the progress or delay of the whole process. With the above precautionary measurements, we believed that we will be able to meet our deadline or finish the event early which wont fail the expectation that our clients have in us.

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AC (4.1): Analyze the outcomes of a project in terms of the original project specification. The accomplishment of this project provides many benefits to the company. Besides having a higher reputation for events planning services, there will be a boost in companys revenue and sense of achievement in employees. Essential to the growth of the company, the knowledge management processes will aid future project teams in managing similar projects, improving cost effectiveness and work efficiency.

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AC (4.2): Evaluate the outcomes of a project. One of the main concerns with regards to this project is on the accuracy of the projects budgeting plan. The objective is to create an accurate and well monitored budget plan, in order to reduce the risk of getting into cash flow difficulties or over-spending the given budget. In order to meet the clients expectation and given event theme, we will be engaging external companies to perform several activities and to custom-make gifts and decoration items. As we have forecasted that the number of items required and its quantity and quality required may varies, it is critical for our logistics and external liaison team to be precise on the quotations gathered during the sourcing phase in the study period. Such variable cost includes the entertainers fees, cost to customize-make items, cost of construction, cost of printing and cost of external manpower. The logistic team is to tabulate a project product list as according to projected quantity and quality. Whenever there is any update or changes to the project product list, our logistic team is to notify the finance department. The finance departments role is to control and monitor the budgeting. We will discuss on the methods of monitoring in the later part. Based on the information and quotation gathered, the finance department, together with the project manager will draft out a budget proposal which include the project cost, proposed pricing for client and estimated profit. This budget plan has to be reviewed and agreed by all other departments, especially the logistic department. The project manager and the external liaison team will liaise with the client to confirm on the pricing and revised the plan if necessary. Upon endorsement of contract, client will be invoiced with 60% of the contracted price and remaining balance on a later date. To ensure a flow cash flow, the estimated date of payment received from client is scheduled to be ahead of the estimated date of payment payable to the external parties. By doing so, we can be ensured that our finance department have the cash available for any out-going payment required, if the budget is well-maintained.

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AC (4.3): Make justified recommendations for improvements to the project. Based on our experience, one of the factors that can cause an event to fail is due to the clients expectation and requirement. Although being contracted, most clients have the habits of making last minutes changes to the theme or requirements. If the project manager fails to cater sufficient timeline within the project scheduling, the project will fail either in terms of meeting the deadline or meeting the clients expectation. As the old saying goes Customer is always right, we have to anticipate any changes, which our client will have and ensure that there is always sufficient time to work on the changes incurred. To avoid the unpleasant situation, it is the responsibility of our external liaison team to be in constant contact with our client, updating them on our current process and informing that the upcoming process. This allows our client to alert us before hand on the changes, which they have in mind. Also, external liaison team will constantly remind the client on the timeline given to them for making changes before we execute each important activity like design of gifts or arrangement of floor plan. Meanwhile, we will be closely monitoring the timeline and progress advancement that set by us internally in order to have more buffers when required as well as from our clients. This is to prevent us from having any hiccups or letting our clients to have any unpleasant experience with us. Building a good rapport with clients will enable us to give them a sense of satisfactory and that is what our company have been emphasizing.

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AC (5.1): Produce a report of all project procedures used. Before the project commence, the event manager and the team members are identified as early as possible. This is because the team members are chartered from various departments in the company. Early identification allows event manager and department managers to manage work load of the team members. In the company, the matrix functional structure is always adopted. Employees from various departments are assigned to be team members in project teams. This is because they are in the best position to assist the project team in their primary scope of work. Hence, for example, an accountant is assigned to manage financial accounting and payments for the event. With all the required staffing, the Organization Breakdown Structure (OBS) provides the reporting structure for the project. Importantly, it identifies the all group members, stake holders and management. It is the structure that to organize the project team. The organization structure provides one of the fundamental structures to support the project through its project cycle. From the PPL listed, the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is used to assist the project team to allocate budget, assign tasks and scheduling. It is also developed to provide an effective visual overview of identifying of tasks, statuses and task owner. The WBS diagram, as below, is divided in four main categories of work Venue Setup, Entertainment, Food and Beverage and Industrial Relations. Industrial Relationship is an important component to ensure continuous communication with the clients, understanding and managing clients requirements, and translating into time, cost and tasks. In addition, task owners help to market the companys services. Another category, Venue Setup, is essential as the foundation for the rest of the activities to fall in-place. Achieving the theme at the beach is unique and challenging, and requires a lot of resources. The entertainment category also consists of resources. It is also the key performance indicator for our company to make the mark in Hitacha and their business partners. The fourth category is Food and Beverages, which is baseline for customer satisfaction.

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Each category of work in the WBS is further broken down into sub-categories and eventually into tasks. WBS dictionary and WBS package compliments by further elaborating on the tasks. The WBS dictionary defines the tasks, task requirements and expectations in the WBS. The WBS package states the critical information about completing the task. Such critical information includes the dates for commencement and completion, task owner, allocated budget and conditions. The comprehensive WBS helps the event manager to identify the tasks which are critical to fulfil the requirements for each system or activity. During the initiation ceremony, the WBS will be signed off by the process owners, signifying top managements recognition and commitment to the team members. Intangibly, the signing-off event harnesses organizational commitments from task owners. The WBS will be placed on the companys server for easy access to all team members and top management. This enhances communication and better understanding among top management and project team. From the work breakdown structure (WBS), the project manager will allocate the members with responsibility that suit the team members capability. Based on their job scope, each member will attempt to assist the clients D&D committees in their concept planning, coordinating, and sourcing for alternative resources during the implementation period. The purpose is to show our clients what we are capable of. As one of the main objective to the create the special effects for the theme, it is essential for the logistic team to design and build the special effects lighting in order to lift up the atmosphere and the moods of the audiences. The setting of the special effect and lighting will be pre set up and test during the rehearsal, prior to the actual event.

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AC (5.2): Present the outcomes of the project to an audience using an agreed format and appropriate. A competent project manager is selected to lead the biggest event for our company. It will be an opportunity to develop the companys profile and improve reputation. With commitment from top management, the project manager leads the team in proposing a unique and feasible theme to clinch the deal. To ensure highest success rate, the project managers will develop a detailed and comprehensive project development plan. Risks will be identified and mitigated. Control measures will be put in-place to monitor and react to problems as soon as possible. The accomplishment of this project provides many benefits to the company. Besides having a higher reputation for events planning services, there will be a boost in companys revenue and sense of achievement in employees. Essential to the growth of the company, the knowledge management processes will aid future project teams in managing similar projects, improving cost effectiveness and work efficiency.

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References: Forsberg, K. & Mooz, H. & Cotterman, H., 2005. Visualizing Project Management. 3rd ed. USA: John Wilsey & Sons, Inc. Allen, J., 2004. Marketing Your Event Planning Business. Canada: John Wilsey & Sons, Inc. Rounds, M., 2004. Common Sense Project Management. UK: Prentice Hall. Young, T.L., 2001. Implementing Projects. London: The Industrial Society. Phillips, J.J. & Zuniga L., 2011. Cost and ROI. USA, John Wilsey & Sons, Inc. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_factors_affecting_business_decisions http://www.ehow.com/how_5936144_monitor-project-progress.html http://www.management-hub.com/project-plan-implementation.html http://www.projecttimes.com/articles/10-steps-to-creating-a-project-plan.html

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