SMEF’s BRICK SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, PUNE

M.ARCH (DESIGN & PROJECT MANAGEMENT)

Semester I Term I 2023-24

Project Management Framework
Case Study- Research Center in Liverpool
ABC Pvt. Ltd. is an organization based in Liverpool. They provide services related to manufacturing of
water purifiers. Their manufacturing unit is closely placed to the head office. They’re adding a new
research center in addition to the existing facility in the manufacturing unit building.

Mr. John, the director of ABC, is a new-age professional who believes in giving free reign to his team.
He fosters a culture where he believes that people are important and empowering people is the key
to success.

Ms Rebecca (Mr. John’s cousin), has graduated in Architecture few years back and has been designing
few projects. Seeing this as an opportunity, Mr. John has asked Ms. Rebecca to take up the design
and construction of the new research building. Considering that Ms. Rebecca can’t be there at site
every day, Mr. John has given the task of overlooking the entire construction of the new research
center to Ms. Grace, who is the president of sustainability at ABC. He took this decision, considering
that the new research center is meant for exploring sustainable solutions.

Mr. John also realizes that Ms. Grace has a lot of responsibilities and can spare time only to keep tabs
on the progress. And so, he gives the task of overseeing the entire design & construction of new
research facility to Mr. Robert, who is head of charcoal filter purifiers division. Mr. Robert was chosen
for this task as he has previous experience and contact with design and construction. Another reason
being that the charcoal filter purifiers division is undergoing a transformation, which has resulted in
halt of manufacturing charcoal filter purifiers. Mr. John and Ms. Grace agree that Mr. Robert has got
the time and expertise required to dedicate to the new research center.

Mr Green, is the head of research & development, who had requested for this new facility and knows
about the functions to be performed in the new research center. He expressed the need for this
facility in March 2023. The research center has 2 divisions. Division 1 needs to be operational by
August 2023 and division 2 needs to be operational by September 2023

Ms. Rebecca and Mr. Robert met with Mr. Green in April 2023 to understand the requirements.

The construction started in June 2023. The Construction team was selected and deputed by Ms.
Rebecca. Project was handover for operation in August 2023, however all the requirements were not
met. Furniture couldn’t be delivered and operation started with minimum possible furniture sourced
from other functional areas of manufacturing building.
SMEF’s BRICK SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, PUNE

M.ARCH (DESIGN & PROJECT MANAGEMENT)

Assignment 1 – Prepare a project charter and a project management plan for this project.

Expected Outcome: Project Charter

Assignment 2 – Considering the stakeholders involved, prepare a communication management plan

Expected Outcome: Communication Management plan considering the stakeholder needs

and disposition

Assignment 3 – In July 2023, Mr. Green wanted to check the progress. He realized that furniture
needs to be purchased. He checked with Ms. Rebecca and she shared a list of options with link to the
website of the furniture. The list also shows the rate of the furniture. Mr. Robert is confused,
whether its his responsibility to collect quotations and approve the purchase. He is unsure about his
role in the project. Brainstorm on the situation and identify the root cause of the issue. Propose
planning strategies to avoid the situation.

Expected Outcome: Responsibility Assignment Matrix and responsibility traceability matrix

(considering the resources availability)

Assignment 4 – In April 2023, a furniture layout was discussed by Ms. Rebecca and Mr. Green. On the
basis of this layout Ms. Rebecca had considered the furniture type and corresponding need to have
flexible switch points. As the furniture purchase was under confusion and layout was not known to
Mr. Robert, While start of operation in August 2023, the switches were on the walls and the flexibility
criteria was not met. Brainstorm on what has contributed to the change of scope and how it could
have been avoided.

Expected Outcome: Change Management protocols, Monitoring and controlling protocols

Assignment 5 – Brainstorm on how effective leadership could have resulted in meeting the project
requirements on time without any confusions or conflict.

Expected Outcome: Charter to guide the leadership, team building, conflict management,
cross functional coordination

Assignment 6 – Organization plays a key role in success of any project. Brainstorm on how
Organization could have improved the overall delivery of the Research center project.

Expected Outcome: Organizational Hierarchy, aligning the project with business strategy,
mapping opportunity and risks, setting success criteria and establishing code of Ethics and
professionalism.