MS.

LUONGS CRAFTSMAN
STYLE HOUSE

Diana Cerecer, Samatha Pantoja, Erick Bonifaz, Alejandro Fox, Javier Ruz
CITY UNIVERSITY OF SEATTLE Introduction to Project Management

Table of Contents
Basic Information.......................................................................................................................................... 2
Team Name: .............................................................................................................................................. 2
Team SWOT ............................................................................................................................................. 2
Contact ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
Group Contract: ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Scope Management ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Project Title............................................................................................................................................... 5
Roles and Responsibilities of each Team Member ................................................................................... 5
Problem Statement .................................................................................................................................... 6
Vision and Objectives ............................................................................................................................... 6
Scope Statement ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Assumptions and Constraints .................................................................................................................. 10
High Level Schedule of Project .............................................................................................................. 11
High Level Risks..................................................................................................................................... 12
Risk Management Plan ........................................................................................................................... 13
Impact and Probability Scale .................................................................................................................. 13
Risk Log .................................................................................................................................................. 14
Risk Cube ................................................................................................................................................ 15
Approval Signature Page ........................................................................................................................ 16
Time Management ...................................................................................................................................... 17
Work Breakdown Structure .................................................................................................................... 17
Network Diagram.................................................................................................................................... 18
Project Schedule...................................................................................................................................... 19
Cost Management ....................................................................................................................................... 20
Project Schedule with Cost Estimate and Resource Allocation .............................................................. 20
Project Budget ......................................................................................................................................... 21
Communication Management ..................................................................................................................... 23
Communication Plan............................................................................................................................... 23
Status Reports ......................................................................................................................................... 24
Method of Assuring Customer Satisfaction ................................................................................................ 27
Lessons Learned Documentation ................................................................................................................ 28
References ................................................................................................................................................... 29

Basic Information
Team Name: Housing Experts
Team SWOT

Javier Ruiz
Strengths

Weaknesses

Responsible

Lack of knowledge

Perseverant

Punctuality

Able to manage stress

Can be easily distracted

Motivated

Hard to focus if I do not like the subject

Open-minded
Opportunities

Threats

Doing another major which gives me a

second point of view
Opportunity to easily travel to another
country for experience

Time management between internship and

second major
Blackboard communication

Samantha Pantoja
Strengths

Weaknesses

Responsible

Timing

Perseverant

Concerned

Researcher

Lack of knowledge of PM

Opportunities

Threats
Time management between classes and

Open-minded

internship

Get/provide feedback

Doubts in understanding of PM concepts

Gain PM abilities

Communication through Bb

Diana Cerecer
Strengths

Weaknesses

Smart
Organized
Peaceful

Perfectionist

Optimist

Procrastinator

Creative
Hard Worker

Opportunities

Threats

Turn weaknesses into strengths and

Lack of time

succeed in this course

Prioritize my work

Erick Bonifaz
Strengths

Weaknesses

Fast learner
Good attitude

No weaknesses

Always trying to improve

Opportunities

Threats

To learn all what the class has to give me

Apply the knowledge in real life

Time to work

Alejandro Fox
Strengths

Weaknesses

Organized

Easily stressed

Fast Learning

Lack of communication

Able to work under pressure

Lack of knowledge about PM

Discipline
Opportunities

Threats

Great motivation to learn about PM

Engineering knowledge that might be
applicable to the course

Work and external activities might

interfere
Personal Commitments

Abilities with software

Contact
Diana Cerecer
E-Mail: cerecerlizeth@gmail.com
Phone: (+52) 1 664-723-9497

Group Contract:
Temporal
1.

All group members have to be punctual. This includes being punctual in our

meetings and delivering our work on time.

2.

We should be present in every meeting we have (via Skype or at school).

3.

If we are unable to attend to a meeting, we should be responsible of asking what

were the final agreements of the meeting.

Behavioral
1.

We should be respectful with each other.

2.

If there is a debate about a specific topic, we should take turns and let other
people talk and express their ideas.

3.

Help each other if one of our teammates needs it.

Procedural
1.

Every time we get together, we should be prepared with notes, questions and
ideas that may work for the project.

2.

Tasks should be completed at the stated time.

3.

If there is anything you do not like, talk with the manager so they can get to an
agreement.

Scope Management
Project Title: Housing Experts Ms. Luongs Craftsman Style House
Roles and Responsibilities of each Team Member

Diana Cerecer - Project Manager

Alejandro Fox Project Coordinator/Editor

Samantha Pantoja Researcher and Contributor

Javier Ruiz Researcher and Contributor

Erick Bonifaz Researcher and Contributor

Problem Statement
Our client, Ms. Luong, has requested Housing Experts to plan, assess and construct a
high quality house in a suburb area of Seattle, WA. Our client has requested that the
selected house plan must not exceed the six months time period, staying under a proposed
budget of $300,000 USD. According to our professional experience and research, the
project is viable. By beginning operations on September 8th, 2016, the house is expected
to be done by February 2017. It is our commitment that the house delivered meets the full
specifications requested by the customer, regarding safety, deliverables, time and budget.

Vision and Objectives

Vision Statement:
We at Housing Experts seek to satisfy each and very single one of our clients housing
needs. By implementing our Project Management expertise in the construction area,
Housing Experts has the vision of providing our clients with a solid Project Management
of their construction project.
Housing Experts primary goal is to provide our clients with professional services in the
entirety of the Project, since the planning stage all the way through implementation to
closing stage. Housing Experts will not consider a job done until our client is satisfied
with the project results.
In this particular project, we seek to aid Ms. Luong in her construction project. Our first
approach is to build a proposal Project Notebook, which will receive clients feedback
and adjust to her needs. As a first stage, we have as an objective to agree on a Project
Notebook that meets our clients expectations in both time and cost management. Later
on, Housing Experts will work as an intermediary between the different stakeholders
involved in the construction project and our customer, always seeking to stay true to the
Project Notebook developed.

Objectives Statement
1. Establish a close and professional relationship with our customer
2. Listen to our customers needs and implement them in the Project Notebook
3. Create a Project Notebook that satisfies our customers needs.
4. Listen to the clients feedback, applying modifications to the Project Plan as
requested

5. Be able to build a solid Project Notebook prior to the implementation of the

Project
6. Be fully committed with the fulfillment of the project in every stage
7. Guide the different stakeholders (electricists, plumbers, architect, etc.) throughout
the project stages
8. Deliver everything that was promised to our client.

Scope Statement

Deliverables:
1. House Plan (Modified to Clients needs)
2. Home Construction
3. Utilities and Storage spaces
4. Finishing
5. Services Infrastructure

Milestones:
1. Permits obtained
2. Foundations finished
3. Rough Framing completed (floor systems, walls and roof)
4. Rough plumbing completed (Pipes, wires, sewer and vents, shower units, HVAC)
5. Flooring and Fixtures completed
6. Final Inspections

House Plan Requirements (House Plans, n.d.):

1. Two stories building
2. Three Bedrooms
3. Two and a half bathrooms
4. Two Garage Stalls
5. Dimensions: 40 x 56 x 23
6. Total Sq. Ft.: 1763 sq. ft.
7. Truss Roof framing, Shingle Siding Wall
8. R-21 Insulation
9. Walk In Cabinet Pantry (Kitchen)
10. Main Floor Laundry

11. Office Study

12. Front Entry Garage
13. Covered Rear and Front Porch

House Plan to be built (Subject to modifications by client):

Figure 1: Craftsman Style House Front View

Figure 2: Main Floor Plan

Figure 3: Upper Floor Plan

Assumptions and Constraints

Assumptions:

Funds have been secured prior the start of the project

o

Funds have been allocated as of 8/26/2016

The property, in which Ms. Luong is purchasing has been approved by the King county and
the state of Washington for build. Permits for the build has been issued and the zoning code
requirements have been fulfilled.
o

Build permits acquired as of 9/8/2016.

Pre inspection and Final inspection pre/post construction is required, by Kings

county regulation, which were held 10/24/2016 and 12/28/2016.

Due to the projected completion date, cost of labor will greatly depreciate due to cold
weather; the cost of building supplies will also be impacted as a result of expanding
construction input prices (ENR, 2016).

Labor cost from October through January will depreciate around 5%.

Price of Building supplies; Dunn Lumber & Hardware will rise between 2% and 5%.

Given the time frame and float of the project, the project will NOT be significantly impacted
due to bad weather or logistical factors, for final delivery, as there is slack in the project
schedule.

Maintenance cost for excavation and heavy equipment vehicles has been negotiated with the
construction company.
o

The Citadel Development Company will cover cost of maintenance/repairs of

equipment at 90%.

The remaining 10% will be subjected to overall project cost.

The Housing Experts team will have unlimited access to the property at any time of the
project, and Ms. Luong will have scheduled revisions of the project.
o

Ms. Luong has been satisfied after revisions.

The materials requested for the construction will be available for immediate delivery, as the
property is close to Seattle, WA.

The required services (electricity, plumbing, roofing, etc.) will be provided in time.
o

All services have been schedule by 12/7/2016.

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Constraints:

The project needs to be completed within the six-month time period.

The project needs to be completed without exceeding the $300,000 USD budget.

Workers, and service providers should complete their responsibilities on time.

The construction must pass all inspections in order to be fit to live in.

The team must solve and approve every issue and decision throughout the project.

High Level Schedule of Project

Project Milestone

Resource assignment

Target Date

Start Planning

Housing Experts team

August 14, 2016

Begin Building

Construction Company

September 8, 2016

Materials

Suppliers

September 8, 2016

Inspection #1

City officials

October 24, 2016

Framing Inspection

City officials

December 28, 2016

Mechanical

City Officials

December 28, 2016

Project Revision

Customer

February 17, 2017

House delivery

Diana Cerecer

February 20, 2017

Project complete

Housing Experts team

February 20, 2017

Inspection

Date Assigned

Action

Responsible

Due Date

Entire team

08/14/2016

Entire team

08/14/2016

Diana Cerecer

08/14/2016

Samantha Pantoja

08/14/2016

Select House Plan the team will

08/07/2016

work with for the entirety of the

project
Establish the project title and

08/07/2016

responsibilities of each team

member

08/07/2016
08/07/2016

Problem Statement, Vision and

Objectives
Assumptions and Constraints

11

08/15/2016

List of deliverables and Project

Milestones

Diana
Cerecer/Samantha

08/18/2016

Pantoja

08/18/2016

High Level Schedule and Risks

Samantha Pantoja

08/23/2016

08/23/2016

WBS, Network Diagram

Erick Bonifaz

08/26/2016

08/23/2016

Project Schedule

Erick Bonifaz

08/26/2016

Alejandro Fox

09/01/2016

08/26/2016

Cost Estimate and Resource

Allocation

08/26/2016

Budget

Alejandro Fox

09/01/2016

08/26/2016

Communication Plan

Javier Ruiz

09/01/2016

08/26/2016

Customer Satisfaction

Javier Ruiz

09/01/2016

Review contents of Project

Diana

Notebook

Cerecer/Alejandro Fox

09/02/2016

09/09/2016
09/11/2016

Give final format to Project

Notebook
Send Project Notebook

09/08/2016

Alejandro Fox

09/10/2016

Diana Cerecer

09/11/2016

High Level Risks

Due to the geographic zone where Ms. Luongs property is located, if a natural
catastrophe presents (as a storm, flood, earthquake, or tsunami), it could have a high
impact in the construction stage by extending the duration of such stage and the following
ones or in the worst case it will required the cancellation of the project.

Depending on the permits providers and inspectors, the project might be delayed in the
construction stage due to negligence or lack of permits providers, and the delivery could
also be delayed due to the availability of the inspector that would certify the construction
as habitable. In the other hand, the construction and delivery of the project could be ahead
of time if the permits are obtained in less time that expected and if the inspection is
concluded successfully and in shorter period of time than the one assigned.

In the case that the customer request major or high impact changes during the late
construction stage, it would have a high impact in costs, time schedule and pay to the

12

construction team, services and materials providers, which could also cause the renew
permits and required more planning.

If resources become unavailable, whether they are human, economic or material

resources, each one that is missing will have a high impact in the development of the
project as, without resources the activities will be delayed. However, if more resources
become available, activities could be completed ahead of time and reduce long time costs
as the rental of equipment and other resources.

Risk Management Plan

Impact and Probability Scale
Impact Scale
Project Objective

Cost

Time

Scope

Quality

Very Low

Low

Moderate

High

Very High

Insignificant cost

<10% cost

10-20% cost

20-40% cost

>40% cost

increase

increase

increase

increase

increase

Insignificant

<5% time

5-10% time

10-20% time

>20% time

time increase

increase

increase

increase

increase

Scope decrease

Minor areas of

Major areas of

Scope reduction

Project end item

barely noticeable

scope affected

scope affected

unacceptable to

is effectively

sponsor

useless

Quality

Only very

Quality

Quality

Project end item

degradation

demanding

reduction

reduction

is effectively

barely noticeable

applications are

requires sponsor

unacceptable to

useless

affected

approval

sponsor

Probability Criteria

Rank

Remote probability of occurrence

Low probability of occurrence

Moderate probability of occurrence

High Probability of occurrence

Very high probability of occurrence likely failure

13

Risk Log
Risk

Priority

WBS name

Description

Response

Contingency Plan

Delay obtaining

Work ahead of time to

Re-arrange schedule to minimize

Permissions

permits due to

ensure inspectors

impact in further activities, and

and signatures

unavailability of the

availability by setting

the construction of the house.

permits provider

appointments and

#
1

scheduling them too.

2

Anteproject,

Resources

Schedule, order and hire

Work with Ms. Luong for other

services,

unavailability

resources ahead of time,

resources options, and select the

interiors,

and obtain approval of

ones that will minimize the

exteriors,

Ms. Luong

impact on schedule, cost and

quality.

details
3

Anteproject,

Changes in

Include Ms. Luong

Work Ms. Luong to adjust

services,

customer

revisions in the schedule.

changes, explain their impact and

interiors,

requirements

Create a 3D render of the

schedule them to minimize them,

exteriors,

project before

or explain why some changes are

details

construction.

not feasible.

Acquire an insurance

Review the constructions

services,

contract that covers all

damage and decide whether is

interiors,

damages to the

feasible to complete the project or

exteriors,

construction.

cancel it.

Delay in inspection

Work ahead of time to

Re-arrange inspection date and

due to unavailability

ensure inspectors

the following activities to reduce

of inspector

availability by setting

or eliminate impact.

Anteproject,

Natural catastrophe

details
5

Details

appointments and
scheduling them too.

14

Risk Cube
5
#5

Probability

#3

3
#2

#4

#1

1
1

Impact

15

Approval Signature Page

This section should be implemented in order to collect the signatures of all Project
Stakeholders and Service Providers involved in the construction Process.
Agreement Approval Form
Project name: Ms. Luongs House
By signing the following document, it is implied that all signing parties have read the contents of
the Project Notebook, and agree that the content is acceptable as a viable direction for managing
the specified project. Additionally, all signing parties commit to ensure its implementation by
those over whom they have authority.
It is the responsibility of each of the signing parties to notify the other in the event that a
commitment cannot be met and to initiate the timely renegotiations of the terms of this
agreement.
______________________________________________________________________________
Name

Project Manager

Date

Signature

______________________________________________________________________________
Name

Project Client

Date

Signature

______________________________________________________________________________
Name

Stakeholder Description

Date

Signature

______________________________________________________________________________
Name

Stakeholder Description

Date

Signature

______________________________________________________________________________
Name

Stakeholder Description

Date

Signature

______________________________________________________________________________
Name

Stakeholder Description

Date

16

Signature

Time Management
According to our research, the average time to build a house in the West Coast, as of
2015, takes around 5.6 months. (Bonislawski, 2015). Therefore, the construction time period of 6
months requested by the client is doable. Proper planning must be established in order to stay on
track and satisfy customer requirements.

Work Breakdown Structure

Ms. Luong's
Craftsman Style
House

Project Readiness

Permissions and
signatures

Ante Project

Services

Interiors

Exteriors

Details

Excavation and
leveling

Electricity

Wall Installation

Framing

Cleaning

Area reservation

Plumbing

Painting

Roofing

Inspection of final
work

TV Cable

Cabinets

Garage

Permissions

Internet

Bathroom
Fixtures

Porch

Legal inspections

Furniture

Painting

Delivery

Millwork

Concrete

Floors

Windows

Doors

17

Network Diagram
See attached MS Project File for more detailed Network diagram, some screenshots are attached
to showcase a general overview of the project.

Figure 4: First Portion of Network Diagram

Figure 5: Second portion of Network Diagram

18

Project Schedule

Figure 6: Project Schedule with Critical Path

Project stages and time estimates were consulted with professionals in the area, as well as
consulted from the Internet. (Home Building Answers, 2008), (Bady, n.d.)

19

Cost Management
Project Schedule with Cost Estimate and Resource Allocation

Modified Project Schedule with Resource Allocation

Figure 7: Modified Project Schedule

20

Resources available:

Figure 8: List of professional services required

The project Schedule has been modified after resource allocation, having a new target date of
house delivery up to February 20th 2017. This was due to overallocation of Construction
Workers.

Project Budget
According to our expertise and professional research, the price of constructing a house
varies greatly depending on a series of factors. Research suggests that the average cost of
building a house in the US is around $300,000 USD (Home Advisor, 2015). Therefore, we have
suggested an overall project budget of $360,000 USD, which implies a 20% budget slack for any
inconvenience along the project. Average prices are consulted with the NAHB (Taylor, 2015).
On resource allocation, only professional services fees are considered. The following prices
provide a more accurate cost estimate, considering both services and materials required.

21

Average

10%

Total

Cost

Reserve

Budget

$3,601.00

$360.10

$3,961.10

$32,576.00

$3,257.60

$35,833.60

Framing

$44,640.00

$4,464.00

$49,104.00

Exterior Wall Finish

$20,717.00

$2,071.70

$22,788.70

Roofing

$10,069.00

$1,006.90

$11,075.90

Windows and Doors (external, includes garage door)

$12,127.00

$1,212.70

$13,339.70

Plumbing

$12,302.00

$1,230.20

$13,532.20

Electrical

$12,181.00

$1,218.10

$13,399.10

HVAC

$12,623.00

$1,262.30

$13,885.30

Insulation

$6,467.00

$646.70

$7,113.70

Drywall

$11,744.00

$1,174.40

$12,918.40

Interior Doors and Mirrors

$12,409.00

$1,240.90

$13,649.90

Painting

$9,002.00

$900.20

$9,902.20

Lighting

$3,517.00

$351.70

$3,868.70

Cabinets

$16,056.00

$1,605.60

$17,661.60

Appliances

$4,463.00

$446.30

$4,909.30

Flooring

$13,367.00

$1,336.70

$14,703.70

Fixtures

$4,465.00

$446.50

$4,911.50

Landscaping

$6,156.00

$615.60

$6,771.60

Outdoor Structures (porches)

$4,349.00

$434.90

$4,783.90

Driveway

$6,240.00

$624.00

$6,864.00

Clean Up

$2,054.00

$205.40

$2,259.40

$261,125.00

$26,112.50

$287,237.50

Activity
Building permit fees
Excavation, Foundation, Concrete, Retaining walls
and backfill

Total

Figure 9: Approximate Project Budget

22

Communication Management
Communication Plan
Housing Experts Communication Plan
Project Manager: Diana Cerecer
This communication plan describes the strategy utilized to keep all the stakeholders informed in
order to avoid misunderstandings or disappointments regarding any factor or change made
during the project.

Stakeholder

Information needs

Frequency

Medium

Response
Inform Mrs. Luong about

Ms. Luong

Progress of the

the progress of the project

project

on

Project
Performance

Monthly

monthly

basis.

If

1. Face to face

changes are made or risks

2. Email

are present the stakeholder

Risks involved in

will be informed, but no

the project

cost or schedule will be

presented.

Diana

Cerecer
(Project

1. Group chat

Summon team
meetings

Twice a

Meeting

week

memorandum

manager)

online
2. Face to face
3. Presentation
s

The team and the project

manager will meet in order
to tell her about the current
situation of the project.

1. Group chat

Team

online

General questions
Project

Daily

development

2. Face to
Face
3. Email
4. Skype

23

Main

means

of

communication on the daily

basis.

Status Reports

Status Report 1:

Status/Progress Report
Project Name: Housing Experts
Team Member Names: Erick Bonifaz, Javier Ruiz, Alejandro Fox, Samantha
Pantoja, Diana Cerecer
Date: August 14, 2016
Reporting Period: First report
Work completed this reporting period:
- Project Title
- Roles and Responsibilities of each Team Member
- Problem Statement
- Mission and Objectives
- Scope Statement
- Assumptions and Constraints
Work to complete next reporting period:
- High Level Schedule of Project based on Class Schedule with milestones and resource
assignments
- High Level Risks
- Approval Signature page
Whats going well and why:
-As a team, we get along pretty well and we can manage to complete our tasks by helping
each other if we need to

24

-Even though our schedules and time zones are different we are trying our best to
complete our tasks
-Everyones open to suggestions and try to contribute towards a positive outcome
-The entire team desires to learn
Whats not going well and why:
-Some of us are not at the same city or even at the same country, and it may be
complicated at some point, for the fact that if we want to have a meeting, even time zone
is a problem to get organized ourselves.
-Most of the team members go to both school and work, hence, making it difficult to
coordinate meetings.
-Even though some of us attend the same school, our schedules are completely different.
-We rely on activity distribution to complete tasks, often leading to one person working
at a time on a specific factor of the project.
Suggestions/Issues:
-Try to find time during the week so we can gather everything during the weekend,
review the work done by each one of us, give feedback and make corrections.
Project changes
-Until now we have not decided if we are going to make some changes for the fact that
things are working well besides the mentioned issues.

25

Status Report 2:

Status/Progress Report
Project Name: Housing Experts
Team Member Names: Erick Bonifaz, Javier Ruiz, Alejandro Fox, Samantha
Pantoja, Diana Cerecer
Date: August 28, 2016
Reporting Period: Second report
Work completed this reporting period:
- High Level Schedule of Project based on Class Schedule with milestones and resource
assignments
- High Level Risks
- Approval Signature page
Time Management
- Work Breakdown Structure - 3 Levels, represent the 4 task relationships, and at least 20
activities
Work to complete next reporting period:
- Network Diagram
- Project Schedule
Cost Management
- Team Project Schedule with Cost Estimate and Resource Allocation
- Project Budget
Communication Management
- Communication Plan
- All Status Reports
Method of assuring Customer satisfaction
Lessons Learned Documentation (From a Project, Team, and Class perspective)

26

Whats going well and why:

- We still help each other every time we have problems with our tasks.
- We are working out with our biggest problem: time and our different schedules. By
doing this, we will manage to hand in everything on time for our final project.
- The whole team is asking if anything is needed, so the interest is still there.
Whats not going well and why:
- Communication is still our problem and we work a little bit slower than desired,
however, we are still working on it and we are doing better than in the first report.
- We rely on activity distribution to complete tasks, often leading to one person working
at a time on a specific factor of the project.
Suggestions/Issues:
- Hand in everything on time to avoid a final delay.
Project changes
None

Method of Assuring Customer Satisfaction

As Warren Buffet once said, It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.
This is the reason why ensuring customer satisfaction is of the utmost importance. Here at
Housing Experts we want to ensure that the customer is completely satisfied in order to ensure
that we follow four basic rules for customer service:
1. Honesty and Integrity. To be honest and own our mistakes in case we make one. But not
only own them but also to have a plan to solve the problem and communicate it to the
stakeholders.
2. Response Time. Problems have to be solved quickly and swiftly. All the members
involved have to be briefed.

27

3. Set realistic expectations. We will never set goals that are not achievable.
4. Respect, in Housing Experts we love our customers, because without them there would
be no company, so we have a philosophy of respect and appreciation towards our
customers.
By following these ideals in all of our deals and exchanges with our customers we will ensure
that they are satisfied. But how do we measure their satisfaction? We plan to have them answer
a survey by the end of our exchange in which they will answer questions related to the following
points:
1. Service Level: How quickly and thorough we were when dealing with them
2. Customer Retention: Ask them if they would recommend us or if they would contact us
again.
3. Response Time: How quick they felt we were in solving their doubts and finishing the
project.
4. Time with the Customer: Did they feel that they were being treated with respect, that
their time was respected? Did they feel that they had our complete attention or that we
just wanted to finish quickly?
5. If they ended not taking our service we want to know why.

Lessons Learned Documentation

To develop this project throughout the course was, to our opinion as a team, the perfect
complement to enhance our learning. Through this project, it was possible to apply the lessons
and knowledge acquired in the modules to an ongoing project.
The most important lesson that we learned was that the most essential part of the project is the
scope and objective delimitation. At the beginning of the project, we did not defined a clear
project scope and objective, this deciding to work with no clear basis of what we were doing.
After realizing that this was not the correct way, we sat down and talked about it, finally defining
the project to a better extent. Afterwards, the project proceeded with minor setbacks.
Working as a team, with proper project planning, is a real challenge. In our particular case, we
had an issue regarding time zones. Having the team distributed in three different time zones

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made it almost impossible to coordinate scheduled meetings, having to implement social media
and messages in order to continue with the development of the project.
Using charts and external software makes it easier to handle otherwise real complex variables.
Elements such as scheduling, costing and resource allocation are complex concepts that, without
the provided MS software, would have been very difficult to understand. Thanks to the
generation of graphs and charts, handling information acquired a more visual nature, making it
easier to coordinate.
A hard lesson that we learned was that, even though everything might be properly and
theoretically scheduled, organized and delimited, reality is an entirely different factor to handle.
There are many variables that can interfere with what has been planned. A good project manager
must be able to overcome this unexpected circumstances without compromising the project,
something that we learned and applied with the creation of this document.
Even though there were still some concepts that were not fully understood, we think that
implementing this project aided us greatly in clearing other doubts and misunderstandings
regarding class content. We hope that, with the lessons learned through this course, we can
become better professionals and perform correctly in future project planning, always leaving
room for a constant learning process.

References
Bady, S. (n.d.). A Step by Step Guide to the Home Building Process. Retrieved from New Home
Source: https://www.newhomesource.com/resourcecenter/articles/a-step-by-step-guideto-the-home-building-process
Bonislawski, A. (2015, January 7). Average Time to Build a House: 6 Months. Retrieved from
The Wall Street Journal: http://www.wsj.com/articles/average-time-to-build-a-house-6months-1420652311
ENR. (2016, June 30). Construction Materials Prices Rise Again in May. Retrieved from
http://www.enr.com/articles/39760-construction-materials-prices-rise-again-in-may

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Home Advisor. (2015). How Much Does It Cost to Build a House? Retrieved from
HomeAdvisor: http://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/architects-and-engineers/build-ahouse/#
Home Building Answers. (2008). The Steps of Building a Home. Retrieved from Home Building
Answers: http://www.home-building-answers.com/step-by-step-home-building.html
House Plans. (n.d.). Plan #124-907. Retrieved from House Plans:
https://www.houseplans.com/plan/1763-square-feet-3-bedroom-2-5-bathroom-2-garagebungalow-craftsman-38089
Taylor, H. (2015, November 2). Cost of Constructing a Home. Retrieved from NAHB: National
Association of Home Builders:
https://www.nahbclassic.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=248306

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