Project Plan Forecast

Project Plan Forecast

Pooya Alam

University of Phoenix

Project Management in the Business Environment

MGT 573

Eli Konorti

March 21, 2007

Summary

            Project management is a continuing process of controlling the development of a project from initial planning, to monitoring progress and finally to seeing the successful completion of the project. Every program, project, or product has certain phases of development known as life cycle phases. A clear understanding of these phases permits managers and executives to better control resources to achieve organizational goals (Kerzner, 2003). As a result, the project manager must learn to deal with a wide range of problems and opportunities, each in a different stage of evolution and each having different relationships with the evolving project (Cleland and Ireland, 2002). This paper identifies the communication plan and project audit of Vancity for a Total Quality Management system. Furthermore, factors that affect the accuracy of forecasts will be highlighted as well as using the macro approach to cost and time assessment.

A Communication Plan

            Communications is an essential element of Vancity’s TQM approach. Effective project communications ensures that the organization provides the right information to the right person at the right time and in a cost-effective manner. In fact, without an accurate communications plan working parallel to the TQM plan, Vancity’s efforts will be convicted to die a quick and inglorious death (Exterbille, 1996). According to Goetsch and Davis (2003, p.367), “if total quality is the engine, communication is the oil that keeps it running. Much of what total quality is all about depends on effective communication.” The communications process is more than simply conveying a message; it is also a source for control. Proper communications let the employees in on the act because employees need to know and understand. The communication plan has two essential components:

  1. General information about the quality improvement project can be communicated through posters, competitions, a Vancity internal magazine, or special events. These materials must be interesting, varied, and up-to-date.  A steady stream of information should be supplied to project sponsors and executives to keep the informed of progress and developments.
  2. Regular meetings between employees and their supervisor should be used to reinforce the general information produced by the Vancity regarding the current improvement program. These meetings should also be used to discuss specific non-performance problems affecting the department and the necessary corrective actions.
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On the other hand, some messages should not be limited to conventional corporate media such as videos, newsletters and memos, but should also be evident in day-to-day communications. Indeed, communication provides the means of raising quality awareness, staff involvement and reinforce the desired message. It is also critical as a means of publicizing achievements and recognizing contributions to quality improvement (Porter and Parker, 1993).

Time Forecasting

            According to Gray and Larson (2006), long-duration projects increase the risk in time and cost estimates. To be effective Vancity needs to prepare, agree, and issue a quality ...

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