Project Management Processes (BADM-623-M51) – Full Term

Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 3

Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 3 Assigned Readings: Chapter 7: Project Initiation Chapter 8: Overview of Project Planning Initial Postings: Read and reflect on the assigned readings for the week. Then post what you thought was the most important concept(s), method(s), term(s), and/or any other thing that you felt was worthy of your understanding in each assigned textbook chapter. Your initial post should be based upon the assigned reading for the week, so the textbook should be a source listed in your reference section and cited within the body of the text. Other sources are not required but feel free to use them if they aid in your discussion.

Also, provide a graduate-level response to each of the following questions:

1.  Your manager recently gave you the responsibility of selecting the next project, which you will manage as the project manager.  There are currently 3 projects on hold to choose from.  Using the weighted scoring models method, you determine that Project A has a weighted score of 16, Project B has a weighted score of 14, and Project C has a weighted score of 17.  Which project do you choose and why?

Problem Set #3

1. Software project decision point.
   1. You need to determine an interest rate to use—select an interest rate and explain why you think this number should be used. Use it in your calculations in item 1.2.
   2. Given the information below on options 1 and 2, carry out three forms of analysis: breakeven, ROI, and NPV.
   3. Make a recommendation on which way to proceed, based on the TCO for each option.

• Option 1: Purchase the FunSoft package: Cost $200,000 for software and $85,000 for hardware in year one; with $50,000 to customize it and a $40,000 annual licensing fee for the life of the contract. There will be an annual saving of $61,000 due to the layoff of a clerk.
• Option 2: Purchase the SoftComm package, which will operate on the vendor’s hardware: Cost $250,000 for a five-year license, payable half up front and half during the first year of implementation. The maintenance contract, at $75,000 a year, includes all currently identified modifications to the software for the first three years. The clerk’s hours will be cut by half, for a saving of $25,000 a year.

In both cases, sales are expected to increase from the current $1 million a year, by 10% per year each year (over each year’s previous year’s sales) after full implementation.

Assume a five-year life for the software. 

subject 2

Project management processes

Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 3

Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 3 Assigned Readings: Chapter 4. Life-Cycle Costing Initial Postings: Read and reflect on the assigned readings for the week. Then post what you thought was the most important concept(s), method(s), term(s), and/or any other thing that you felt was worthy of your understanding in each assigned textbook chapter. Your initial post should be based upon the assigned reading for the week, so the textbook should be a source listed in your reference section and cited within the body of the text. Other sources are not required but feel free to use them if they aid in your discussion. Also, provide a graduate-level response to each of the following questions:

1. Discuss the effect of taxes on the life-cycle costing (LCC) of passenger cars. Compare domestic and imported cars.
2. Discuss the effect of LCC on the decision to locate a new warehouse.

Respond to the post of at least two peers, using 100 words minimum each.
[Your post must be substantive and demonstrate insight gained from the course material. Postings must be in the student’s own words – do not provide quotes!] 

Maurice Micklewhite has decided to replant his garden. Show him what the cost is of making an erroneous decision at various stages of the project, starting with conceptual design and ending with the ongoing maintenance of the garden. 

Activity 3