Multi Projects Case

MULTI-PROJECTS

Table of Contents

1.        Executive Summary        

2.        Introduction        

3.        Problem statement        

4.        Proposed Solutions        

4.1.        Project Governance        

4.1.1.        Setting up a Project Management Office        

4.1.2.        Project Prioritisation        

4.2.        Matrix Structure of the Organisation        

4.3.        Resource Management        

4.3.1.        Resource Utilisation        

4.3.2.        Team Dynamics        

4.3.3.        Leadership Styles        

4.4.        Communication        

4.5.        Ethics and Professional Conduct        

5.        Conclusions        

6.        References        

1. Executive Summary

Multi Projects is a successful company that can with minor changes become even more successful.

The students will indicate to the reader that problems identified with the communication, resource utilisation, project prioritisation and team dynamics can be solved with the implementation of a Project Management Office within Multi Projects.  Training on the organisational structure, roles and responsibilities, operating guidelines and the purpose of the PMO is of extreme importance.   The analysis conducted on this case identified the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the organisation.

Conflict exists regarding assignment of resources by a project manager, Jeff Armstrong, instead of the functional manager Jennifer Fernandez.  Certain resources are fully utilised and it should be the responsibility of the appropriate functional manager to assign resources to projects.

Project prioritisation issues exist and the solution will be to implement a prioritisation committee in order to prioritise projects based on customer retention, resource availability and least overall risk.    It is also suggested that Multi Projects prioritise the Goodold and Growin projects on resource availability and the result will be that the Growin project be postponed until such time that the vital resource is available.

Several communication issues were identified and the solution will be to clearly define roles and responsibilities, clear levels of communication and regular project meetings.

Dysfunctional behaviour experienced points to a lack in professional conduct in the project management space and the suggested approach is to establish an ethics committee and train the expected conduct to all employees.  Leadership styles of the role players in the case study have been analysed and it is suggested that all managers be trained in soft skills as well as the strategic long-term business objectives to facilitate decision making processes.

1. Introduction

This submission identifies the various challenges portrayed in the case study referred to as Multi Projects, Inc. (Gido and Clements, 2013: Chapter 13).  It presents the evaluation and understanding of the challenges faced with and seeks the possible causes that lead to these challenges.

Multi Projects, Inc. is a consulting company that generates revenue by the acceptance of client proposals. In the aforementioned case study, the company was awarded two projects. The Goodold project is currently being implemented with a limited timeframe before completion while the Growin Corporation project is being initiated after recently being awarded to the company. One of the challenges being presented is that the project manager on the Growin Corporation project, Jeff Armstrong, wants to impress and will do whatever it takes without being mindful of the rest of the team involved.

This submission will focus on what factors may have contributed to the cause of the

predicament including references to organisational strategy, organisational structure,

human resource development and communication. Recommendations will be based on improving preferred behaviour traits which are more acceptable when considering effective leadership skills.

The students have conducted a SWOT analysis in order to provide information on the strengths and weaknesses in relation to the opportunities and threats Multi Projects Inc.face.

Figure 1:  SWOT Analysis

1. Problem statement

Based on the case study of Multi Projects, the students have identified numerous problem areas as detailed below:

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Figure 2:  Problem Statement

Multi Projects is a fast growing company (50pax per year) resulting in possible inadequate human resource development and training on company procedures. With this type of growth in human resources, the systems, policies and procedures has been left behind instead of growing and moulding as the company expanded.