Fundamentals of Project Management

Construction of Tower Tangible Project from given resources and print a project report

Final Paper: Activity Group: B SZABIST Islamabad.

Introduction: Fundamentals of project management is a core subject of project management which we have been taught by Mr. Farid Zafar. We have covered all the basics of project management i.e all the process groups which is covering all the knowledge areas. To see the practical implications that how projects are undertaken we have been given an activity in the final exam. We were supposed to construct a tower. Project has covered the following process groups. Initiation, Planning, execution, monitoring and control and closing. Our team consisted of 4 members including a project manager. Inititaion: We were provided with the adequate resources by the sponsor i.e Tape, papers, pairs of scissors and inches tape. We were provided with the requirements by the sponsors. The requirement was to construct a tower having length of 5 feet 6 inches and place a tennis ball on the top of it. The sponsor gave an initial briefing to the project manager about the project and the constraints. Planning: This was a very crucial stage and took a maximum time out of 90 minutes. We evaluated all the resources and thoroughly studied the briefing notes given by the sponsor. We started off by examining the constraints i.e height of the tower minimum, variance as less as 1 inch and time management. We spent 30 minutes in taking all the measurements which covers paper measurement and ball measurement. We explored all the options available to meet the constraints mentioned above. Considering all the pros and cons of the alternatives we selected an option that gave us the tower of height 58 inches. The option which has been chosen was that we will provide support to the tower by making round pillars of 11 inches all around the largest pillar of the tower.

Execution: We divided our work and started constructing the largest pillar of the tower. We rolled 6 pages in the vertical order giving height of 11 inches each. We binded them by rolling the tape around them. The total height of the largest pillar was 67 inches. Our main pillar of the tower was ready. Now this was the time to give this pillar a firm base. For this we rolled 6 papers of 8inches each and binded them all together and attached them all around the pole. Monitoring and control: We were constantly monitoring the project by placing the ball again and again by adding support every time. At sharp 7:35 we were done with our project. We monitored it for ten minutes. Then at 7:50 our examiner monitored our whole activity i.e we have utilized all the resources and mainly he noted the height and the variance.

Closing: We completed this project by compiling the report which was the pre requisite for this final exam. We were appreciated by Mr. Farid zafar and the other groups.

Implication of Knowledge areas:

Following are the knowledge areas covered: Scope management: We met our sponsors requirements effectively which was proved by the appreciation given by the sponsor at the evaluation time. Human Resource Management: We have got the very efficient team that was consisted on 4 members and we utilized their potential fully. Constructing of the main pillar was done by 2 members of the team rest 2 were constructing the support at the same time to save time. Time management: According to the d for sponsor the time allotted was 3 hours. Out of which 90 minutes are required for constructing the tower and rest of the time was for report writing. We spent 30 minutes for planning and 45 minutes on execution. Risk management: The constraint of the time was a risk for us. As we have been assigned the room 20 minutes late but we effectively managed to complete ot before time. Risk involved were the tower should be lifted at the angle of 90 degree only 1 inch variance was acceptable. To meet this constraint we spent a major time on planning mainly measurements and evaluated all the options. The other risk was to maintain the minimum height i.e 5 6. We constructed the tower of height 58 which proved it to be risk free. Another major risk was to place the ball over the tower for minimum 10 minutes. We constructed it in a way that it supported the ball. The radius of the pillar and the strong base around the pillar ensured it to be risk free.

Quality management: We ensured by rounding the papers firmly with the tape and making the supporting cylinder slim but with many folds to make it strong and firm. We delivered the quality by keeping in mind all the quality measures.

Communication Management: Our project manager has effectively communicated about the project and made sure that it is well understood by all the team members. Conclusion: We had a great learning through this activity by analyzing all the knowledge areas in making the project. We had a very good team with perfect chemistry. It was fun to do this activity in a close room. We worked in a very light mode laughing and giggling. We had a great success in the final exam.