...Memo To: Senior Management From: Portfolio Management Team Date: September 27, 2011 Re: SBU Proposal Industry Background Ford Motors Corporation was started by Henry Ford. Born in Wayne County, Michigan, in an area that later became Dearborn, on July 30, 1863, Henry Ford was the oldest of six children. In April 1888, Ford married Clara Bryant, a local girl and the foster child of—like Henry—Irish immigrant farmers. In 1893, his only child, Edsel, was born. Success soon came to him as he took a position in 1891 as an engineer at the Edison Illuminating Company and fairly quickly climbed the ranks. With his love for the outdoors and rural values, Ford might have easily remained in agriculture but something even stronger pulled at Ford’s imagination: mechanics, machinery, and understanding how things worked and what new possibilities lay in store. In the 1980’s, he focused particularly on internal combustion engines. Henry Ford called his first vehicle the Quadricycle. It attracted enough financial backing for Ford to leave his engineer position at Edison Illuminating and helped found the Detroit Automobile Company in 1899. The company faltered for a variety of reasons, and in 1901 Ford left to pursue his own work again. Later that year, the Henry Ford Company was born, but Henry Ford himself stayed with it only a few months. He left in early 1902 to devote more time to refining his vehicles. Ford recognized that with the right techniques, cars could be made affordable...
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...Deliverables | | In Week 1, you reviewed the Course Project background. Using the project background information and the information below, there are three deliverables due this week: * Create Project Charter – 15 points * Create Scope Statement – 15 points * Create Two-Level Work Breakdown Structure – 15 points Please provide these three deliverables to the Week 2 Drop Box. Please refer to the course syllabus for your due date. | | Project Background | | It is February 1, 2010, and you have been selected to be the project manager of the Huntsville Plant project. You have just received a memo providing authorization to begin this project. The first thing you noticed was that the project charter has not been completed, so you utilized the information that you know through the project background, and then you scheduled a meeting with Walter Seitz, your project sponsor to obtain additional project details. | | Instructions | | Project Charter Using the Project Background information and the theoretical information you learned from your discussion with Walter, create a Project Charter using the template provided in Doc Sharing. Project Scope Statement Using the information established in the Project Charter, create the Project Scope Statement using the template provided in Doc Sharing. Two-Level Work Breakdown Structure Now that you have your charter and scope statement created, you engaged your team members to begin discussing what...
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...Purpose This document describes how we will perform the job of managing risks for an organic fruit parfait. It defines roles and responsibilities for participants in the risk processes, the risk management activities that will be carried out, the schedule and budget for risk management activities, and any tools and techniques that will be used. Roles and Responsibilities Project Manager The Project Manager will assign a Risk Officer to the project. The Project Manager and other members of the Project Management team will meet Monthly to review the status of all risk mitigation efforts, review the exposure assessments for any new risk items, and redefine the project's Risk List. Risk Officer The Risk Officer has the following responsibilities and authority: The Risk officer will be responsible for documenting any risk that are brought forth in the Project Team Meetings and assigning them priority. Assigning team members to develop mitigation strategies and presenting the best options to the Project Manager. Risk Documentation Risk List The risk factors identified and managed for this project will be accumulated in a risk list, which will be maintain and managed by the Risk Officer. Risk Data Items The following information will be stored for each project risk: What is the risk? How will it affect the project? Is it correctable? Who has been assigned to it? When was the Risk discovered? When (if applicable) was the Risk closed? Closing...
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...| Numeric grade: | 60/60 | Letter grade: | A | Comments: Perfect Score! | <Close Window | | | | Time Spent: | | Points Received: | 60 / 60 (100%) | | Question Type: | # Questions: | # Correct: | Multiple choice | 3 | 3 | Short | 3 | N/A | | Grade Details | | | | 1. | Question: | (TCO A) Which of the following statements about Project Portfolio Management is NOT true? | | Your Answer: | | | The PPM process will force organizations to abandon the preparation of traditional business plans and analyses. | | | | | To keep from falling into the error of accepting faulty assumptions and data, everyone involved in PPM needs to ask hard questions before deciding. | | | | | PPM is still evolving. | | | | | PPM begins with a rational prioritization and selection procedure. | | | | 2. | Question: | (TCO A) Which of the following groups of people are not involved in the implementation of the PPM process? | | Your Answer: | | | Senior management | | | | | Functional managers of the IT department | | | | | Members of the PPM governance council | | | | | The project management office | | | | 3. | Question: | (TCO E) Which of the following is a step in the controlling process? | | Your Answer: | | | Motivating | | | | | Delegating | | | | |...
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...Final Project Bryant/Smith Manual Case 7: Tom’s Used Mustangs Applied Managerial Statistics I. Executive Summary The data file named “MUSTANGS”, contains observations on 35 used Mustangs with a variation of 10 different characteristics[1]. This file was used to prepare a report on the influence of various options on asking price and to relay how this information could be used to set prices on used Mustangs. Statistical analysis by Hypothesis Testing and Multiple Regression Analysis was performed on the asking prices for used Mustangs and it was found that there are five independent variables that affect the selling price of used Mustangs: • If the car is a convertible or not • If the car is a GT model or not • Age of the car in years • Odometer reading in miles • Number of cylinders in the engine II. Introduction Research suggests that pricing strategies can have a huge influence on company profits.[2] Several customers of Tom’s Used Mustangs have mentioned that asking prices are way out of line with the rest of the market. These prices may be too high or too low, and are never close to the going rate. It had been determined that asking prices for the used Mustangs were based on an informal scheme and has not proved to be as effective as anticipated. In researching competitors, and because the physical characteristics are many, there has been some difficulty pinpointing a useful pricing strategy...
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...Memo To: From: CC: Date: Re: Part I Team Paper Industry Background Cosmetics have been around almost since the beginning of time. In 4000 BC the Egyptians applied bright green paste made from copper minerals to their face to provide color and definition. They also painted on eyebrows with cream that came from sheep’s fat, lead and soot. Fast forward to the present time. In the 1970’s “certain ingredients were banned from use in cosmetics to protect endangered species, and other species currently used as “lab rats” by some cosmetics manufacturers.” (Cosmetic Discounter, 2004) The sale of cosmetics within the US market has increased from 3.34 billion dollars in 2000 to 5.35 billion dollars in 2005. Some studies also estimate that this market will increase to reach 8 billion dollars in 2010 and further to 11.85 billion dollars in 2015 and what is really driving growth is innovation. This means that products are being formulated with increasing amounts of highly developed active ingredients, such as anti-wrinkle and firming agents. The contra of this innovation is focused on the environmental issues: The unfortunate practice of many cosmetic companies trialing their products on animals in horrible ways, some contents like dibutyl phthalate, or DBP, a chemical linked to cancer in animals and other chemicals commonly found in cosmetics include acrylamide, formaldehyde and ethylene oxide - all listed by EPA as carcinogens. L’Oreal is the global leader in cosmetics...
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...PM587 – Advanced Program Management March 23, 2012 BEFGS – Week 4 Background and Proposal Industry Background Over the last century, the life expectancy of an individual has increased from 47 in 1900 to 76 in 1997. (Moody, 1997) This increase in life expectancy is due to better living conditions, better care for the sick or disabled, and breakthroughs in the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmaceutical companies have been able to aid the pursuit of longevity and health through understanding the mechanics of the human body, disease, and disease treatment and prevention. Treatment and prevention comes in the form of new drugs and consumer products which have been developed over the last century and companies in this vertical expend significant resources on the research and development of them. The main objective in the industry is to improve the quality of life for everyone. There are three main types of pharmaceutical companies: large, small, and generic. Large pharmaceutical companies are established firms that have many approved drugs already on the market. Examples would be Merck, Bayer, Johnson & Johnson, and GlaxoSmithKline. These companies often have significant numbers of Research and Development (R&D) laboratories and manufacturing plants globally. In contrast, smaller pharmaceutical companies are usually more research focused, and often do not have any drugs on the market. Smaller companies in the pharmaceutical industry can also operate as contract manufacturers...
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... |NutroBalance | Memo To: Alex Manager From: Martin E. Jones CC: Professor Roshonda Davis-Cheadle Date: 1/1/2011 Re: Section 1, Memo - PM587 Case Study After receiving the requirements for this project and putting a project plan together, I was able to determine that this project is set to run for 138 days, considering that we maintain our project schedule. With a commencement date of February 22, 2011, this will put us at an expected completion date of Thursday, September 1, 2011. In order to meet this date, the series of tasks that must be completed on schedule for the project to finish on schedule is as follows. If any one of these tasks on our critical path moves, the end date of the project will move as well. [pic] * Critical Tasks Report | |NutroBalance | Status Report To: Alex Manager From: Martin E. Jones CC: Professor Roshonda Davis-Cheadle Date: 2/1/2011 Re: Section 2, Status Report - PM587 Case Study With the proven success of our Ultra weight loss supplement, we at NutroBalance felt it could be a beneficial endeavor to build off that success by formulating an Ultra pill to target other segments of the work-out population. NutroBalance has decided to invest...
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...PM587 Recommendation Memo Team B Introduction Shao’s Children Wear is geared to expand international market share, into the US market as one of the first target for international penetration in children’s clothing. Shao’s Children Wear has a current cash flow of $30 million, of which $24 million will be budgeted for US market expansion. This segment of the cash flow is budgeted for capital investment in new equipments and new facilities, as well as adding more workers and managers. Shao’s Children Wear weights the priority in selection of the portfolio on alignment of strategic objective and equally with return on investment as we want to expand to US market and targeting to increase additional $50 million worth of company capital and assets. With the new Product D introduced, the total budget of $25.5 million would exceed current funding of $24 million from the Strategic Business Unit. To reduce budget allowance and avoid over expanding Chao’s Children Wear capacity, it is important to review current portfolio to establish the best value for the company. There are a number of ways to consider. The portfolio selection process was re-evaluated. Project priorities were reclassified (see below). Product line D is recommended to include as the second in project priority in the product portfolio with Line B, which was at the second level and now moved to the fourth level in project priority. Additional ideas with streamlining processes or cut down expenses...
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...Advance Project Management PM587, Week 3 quiz Keller Graduate School of Management Week 3 quiz covers material from Weeks 1 2 and 3 Grading Summary These are the automatically computed results of your exam. Grades for essay questions, and comments from your instructor, are in the "Details" section below. Date Taken: 7/28/2012 Time Spent: 58 min , 25 secs Points Received: 72 / 80 (90%) Question Type: # Of Questions: # Correct: Essay 4 N/A Grade Details - All Questions 1. Question : (TCO A) You work for company Bravo and have been asked to create a presentation for the Board of Directors to explain PPM. Your presentation is to include a comparison and contrast of project portfolio management, program management, and project management. The presentation should also include the benefits of PPM and why the company should implement this program. Below, in your own words, write the narrative for the presentation. Be sure to address all elements of the presentation. Student Answer: Bravo Board of Directors Presentation PPM A PPM stands for Project Portfolio management. It is a management process used to develop a series of projects that are grouped into a portfolio based upon similar strategic objectives of the organization. The Project Portfolio management does not actually manage the project; however the management group creates guidelines and processes, which are then enforced to select the proper projects that will allow the organization...
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...Siemens USA This document provides Siemens decision making personnel with the necessary guidelines to select and manage its project management portfolio within the company. It will stand as a reference for executives to follow during the project selection process which is driven by company objectives. The criteria set forth in this document will assess each individual project and rate it according to the standardized evaluation scale. This will further contribute to the decision making process for Siemens internal Project Management Organization team. A brief description of the industry and the key aspects of the environment of that industry: Siemens Industry, Inc. currently has over 400,000 employees worldwide to develop and manufacture products, design and install complex systems, and tailor a wide range of solutions for individual requirements. The company started with the invention of the telegraph and continued to grow and diversity their product line with the production of alternators, electric trains, light bulbs, computers, and washing machines to name a few. Siemens has always stood for technical achievements, innovation, quality, and reliability. They have been synonymous with international focus and worldwide presence for over 160 years. With its U.S. corporate headquarters in Washington, DC, Siemens in the USA reported sales of $19.9 billion and employs more than 60,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. They continue to be one of the most innovative...
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...Recommendation Memo for Web Development and Support for: “CDC Web Subscriber Updates and RSS Feeds” Project Background for Decision Justification - Current State of GITSS In-Flight Projects Before discussing the Decision Justification for taking on the web design and support project “CDC Web Subscriber Updates and RSS Feeds” (Project D) for the Center of Disease Control (CDC); a brief description of the currently in-flight projects (Projects A, B, C) is in order. Current High Priority Project: Upgrade of CDC Web-serving (CMS) Content Management System (Project A). * This project has been ongoing for one full year and is due to be completed in Q2. The project is a complete implementation of a globally recognized CMS solution provided by EMC(2) – Documentum. This CMS system will provide the cornerstone of all upcoming website updates, page changes and scheduled site changes as well as complete version control of code. Update of CDC XML Style Sheet Libraries (Project B) * An upgrade to the XML Style Sheet Libraries was required to align the CDC websites to the overall standard for Department of Public Health websites. Upgrade of CDC Webpage Design Standards for Flash Support (Project C) * It was determined not all of the CDC websites and web pages were supported with Adobe Flash, adopted by the Department of Public Health agencies. Current Scheduling: The first quarter of the year has just concluded. * GITSS has spent $6.0 million of the annual...
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...Section 1 – E-Mail to Alex conveying project duration and critical tasks Hi Alex, Based on the task details provided, a project plan for the UltraMAX Testing Project has been created. The total duration of the project as can be seen from the project summary report is 140 days, with the project completion date as 3rd September 2010. The tasks that are on the critical path, and which should be managed very closely to ensure that there are no delays to ensure that there is no schedule slippage are : identify target consumers, recruit test subjects, screen test subjects, finalize test subjects, prepare placebo, test the subjects, input actual data into database, analyze actual data and prepare findings report. The critical tasks report for the project is attached below for your reference Section 2: Project Overview, Project Status and Resource Leveling The project in scope is the product testing and analysis for UltraMAX to determine suitability for women customers, where NutroBalance as part of its strategic goals have decided to expand the Ultra product line to include new customer segments. The scope of the project therefore entails detailed end to end activities to effectively plan, facilitate, test, analyze and then report findings using which the company can make decisions for the new product. The timeline for the project is expected to be 140 days given that this is a key strategic project that must be completed fast, with the project start date being February 22, 2010...
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...PM587 – Assignment: Case Study – Section 3 Executive Summary Report UltraMAX pill is the new NutroBalance’s weight-loss drug study project investment, approved by NutroBalance board of directors. UltraMAX is a weight loss supplement intended for women who lift weights and do cardiovascular exercises. The decision was based on the successful results NutroBalance experienced two years ago with the Ultra pill, which is also a weight loss supplement but intended for men. The board of directors originally approved the project to start on February 22, 2010 and expected it to complete by September 1, 2010 and under a budget of $41,880.00 with an expected duration of 138 days. To date, the project manager and its team had a few challenges to overcome. The first challenge was to rearrange the original schedule in order to fix resource constraints over the last two weeks of April. The team was able to level the resources and still expect the project to complete on the original schedule date and under the same budget; however, after a month and a half into the project, it has been discovered that the project is behind schedule due to a delay on the third task “Screen Test Subjects” assigned to Sarah who had an unexpected emergency and was out for a few days. Screening the Test Subjects was originally expected to take no longer than 20 days but instead was completed in a period of 30. Such delay caused the project three resource constraints on Sarah’s schedule and an increase on...
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...Individual Insight Paper PM587 Advanced Program Management Keller Graduate School of Management Submitted: 18 April 2011 Insight Paper Our team (Team Hearts) presented two cases, the first case on “Agile Project Management” and the final case on “The Ethics Code between genders”. My role on both cases was to develop the work break down schedule and the responsibility assignment matrix. I think some of my core competencies I brought to the team were: Communication, I engaged in two-way communications with my team. I was personable and approachable when working with the team. We decided early in the project on the best method of communication, which was email and to broadcast the messages out to the entire team so no one was unaware. I had a good relationship with all the members and I was able to provide constructive feedback during our cases without issues. Another competency would be action. I think all of us in the group were self-starters and were ready pitch in to complete our cases. I closed the loop on any outstanding WBS issues during our thirty-minute session before class. Then I updated the WBS to ensure we were tracking on our cases. Another competency I provided was a positive attitude. I tried to keep our team on an even keel by enlivening the mood on the project so the pressure to perform would not be stressful. I think a weakness might have been in aggressiveness. I tended to blend in with the group since we were all self-started there was no...
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