Category: Project Management

Overview and Rationale
In order to demonstrate proficiency with the content in this course we will complete a number of different assignments to validate your learning – and allow you to implement relevant practices a real-world setting.
Program Level – Student Learning Outcomes:
Describe the importance of the monitoring and controlling process group through incorporation of key tools, techniques, and processes
Explain the change control process and necessary activities associated with project integration
Summarize the processes to monitor project performance using Earned Value Management and other analytics
Use performance reporting to update project progress
Identify techniques associated with managing changes to the project schedule and cost performance baselines
Best practices continue to evolve in the project management space. As a project management practitioner, it is important to continue learning in the field, make sense of the current state of best practices and work to apply these.
For this semester long project, choose a “current” topic to explore over the semester. in the project monitoring and controlling space Assume that you are a project manager for your organization’s Project Management Office – which is organizing an internal conference for project practitioners! You have been invited research good practices for an emerging topic in the project management monitoring and controlling field and present at the conference. Below are several sample topics though this is the opportunity to explore a topic you would like to learn more about.
Monitoring and Controlling Innovation Projects
Controlling Benefits Realization through the Project
Using AI for Project Monitoring/ Controlling – Not too Far in the Future
Using the attached worksheet: (Submit by the end of each week as indicated).
PMO Presentation – Individual Semester Project.docxDownload PMO Presentation – Individual Semester Project.docx
There are assignment links set up for each of these in the noted modules.
Topic and problem to explore – end of Module 2 (10 points) – Be sure to come up with a “conference snazzy” title
List of 10 articles with relevant content – End of Module 3 (15 points)
Summarize table with key points to use from each article – End of Module 4 (15 points)
Design slide guide for presentation – End of Module 5 (10 points)
Presentation due – Middle of Week 7 (100 points)
This link is the submission link for Item #1 above.

Attached is my final paper I wrote. Please use the paper to write a two page summary on what my term focus is going to be on which is entering Saudi Arabia manufacturing industry. Basically summarize the 6 page paper I shared with you to two pages. Make sure the paper starts with “For my term focus”
Class instructions:
FOCUS: The paper should succinctly state your term focus in its opening paragraph. For example, “For my term focus, I am going to study the solar panel manufacturing industry in each country we examine to understand where the best opportunities might exist for a locating a regional startup in this field. As part of this study, I will investigate the state of currently employed technology as well as what is in the commercialization pipeline of local manufacturers; what is currently imported; the size of the current market and future projections of that market; the laws and incentives that support, impede and or encourage that industry and the costs of production and potential sales volume (ie. the business proposition) …”

Topic – Labor Market Trends: Analysis of trends in employment, wages, benefits, and other factors affecting the labor market, including globalization, technological advancements, and demographic shifts.
Instructions:
You may write on any labor relations topic you choose. It can be one that is discussed in the main textbook by Holley et al., or any other labor relations topic you want to research. Your paper must be 3-5 pages, not including the ancillary pages: title page, table of contents, abstract or executive summary (recommended but not required), tables and graphics (if needed), and references. The papers must meet the following conditions: (1) identify the topic, history, development, and/or individuals associated with topic; (2) select at least two current (less than 5 years old) peer-reviewed academic journal articles based on the selected topic, provide a summary of each article and how they relate to the chosen topic; and (3) provide an example of how and where the topic applies to an organization you are familiar with which has a collective bargaining unit (union).
The APA (7th ed.) is the guiding manual for form and style for these papers.
You are expected to find relevant, recent, and credible research, a majority of which is no older than 5 years. Under no circumstances will references from dictionaries or encyclopedias be accepted as references, including online sources such as Wikipedia. No more than 15% of your paper should be from direct quotes. No references can be listed on the reference page that are not cited in the text of your paper. All papers must be double-spaced with 1″ margins, using Times New Roman 12-point font.

Topic – Labor Market Trends: Analysis of trends in employment, wages, benefits, and other factors affecting the labor market, including globalization, technological advancements, and demographic shifts.
Instructions:
You may write on any labor relations topic you choose. It can be one that is discussed in the main textbook by Holley et al., or any other labor relations topic you want to research. Your paper must be 3-5 pages, not including the ancillary pages: title page, table of contents, abstract or executive summary (recommended but not required), tables and graphics (if needed), and references. The papers must meet the following conditions: (1) identify the topic, history, development, and/or individuals associated with topic; (2) select at least two current (less than 5 years old) peer-reviewed academic journal articles based on the selected topic, provide a summary of each article and how they relate to the chosen topic; and (3) provide an example of how and where the topic applies to an organization you are familiar with which has a collective bargaining unit (union).
The APA (7th ed.) is the guiding manual for form and style for these papers.
You are expected to find relevant, recent, and credible research, a majority of which is no older than 5 years. Under no circumstances will references from dictionaries or encyclopedias be accepted as references, including online sources such as Wikipedia. No more than 15% of your paper should be from direct quotes. No references can be listed on the reference page that are not cited in the text of your paper. All papers must be double-spaced with 1″ margins, using Times New Roman 12-point font.

Considering the overarching structure of the project management office (PMO), portfolios, programs, and projects, what are the dynamics of team formation for each of these areas? What external and internal factors would be considered when forming a team within each of these structures?

Overview and Rationale
In order to demonstrate proficiency with the content in this course we will complete a number of different assignments to validate your learning – and allow you to implement relevant practices a real-world setting.
Program Level – Student Learning Outcomes:
Describe the importance of the monitoring and controlling process group through incorporation of key tools, techniques, and processes
Explain the change control process and necessary activities associated with project integration
Summarize the processes to monitor project performance using Earned Value Management and other analytics
Use performance reporting to update project progress
Identify techniques associated with managing changes to the project schedule and cost performance baselines
Module 2 Learning Objectives
Establish a process and documentation for integrated change control
Lead the integrated change process
Evaluate and recommend actions to manage project change, using the integrated change control process
Establish a process and documentation for issue management
Refine the project communication plan for Project Monitoring and Controlling
Communicate project issues and changes, their impact, variance, changes, and proposed solutions to stakeholders
Essential Components
This assignment provides the opportunity to test out your Project Control Plan
Change Control Process
Here is the opportunity to “test” your change control process. Using the change management process you created in Module 2 – Individual Assignment – Part 1
Identify a change that might occur during your project’s execution. As an example, provide a statement like: “The sponsor has clarified that the project must include the work to migrate all existing project plans to the new tool. This has not been included in the work identified. However, it was also not stated as out of scope.”
Using your change management process and documentation, work through this change.
As a result, how did the process work? What might you refine based on this?
Issue Management Process
Here is an opportunity to “test” your issue management process. Using the issue management process you created in Module 2 – Individual Assignment – Part 1
Identify an issue that might occur during your project’s execution. As an example, provide a statement like: “A functional manager has just reached out to let you know they need to reduce the availability of a resource – who is on the current critical path work for the next 3 weeks – by 50%.”
Use your issue management process and documentation to resolve the issue.
As a result, how did the process work? What might you refine based on this?
Communication Plan Integration
Using your Communication Management Plan from PJM 1100, what changes should be made to integrate your change and issue management work as defined in your Module 2 – Individual Assignment – Part 1 and as revised from Part 2 above – to the communication management plan? What stakeholders need to know about issues/ changes? How will they get this information? And, what actions do they need to take? Submit using the attached Communication Management Plan template. Only the communication matrix needs to be completed for this part of the assignment.. Be sure to consider all stakeholders who would need this information.
Communication Template.docxDownload Communication Template.docx
Please connect if I can help you!
The format for this assignment is free choice except for the Communication Plan Integration– you may use Word, PowerPoint (if you use PowerPoint, be sure to add the detail for what you are doing in the notes section below the slide), Excel. If you use a Visio or another graphics tool, be sure to submit your work as a pdf so that I may easily review it. Cite any sources using APA format. The writing style should be concise and straightforward. Please use a 12 point font.
This assignment is due end of Sunday, Module 2.

Overview and Rationale
In order to demonstrate proficiency with the content in this course we will complete a number of different assignments to validate your learning – and allow you to implement relevant practices a real-world setting.
Program Level – Student Learning Outcomes:
Describe the importance of the monitoring and controlling process group through incorporation of key tools, techniques, and processes
Explain the change control process and necessary activities associated with project integration
Summarize the processes to monitor project performance using Earned Value Management and other analytics
Use performance reporting to update project progress
Identify techniques associated with managing changes to the project schedule and cost performance baselines
Module 2 Learning Objectives
Establish a process and documentation for integrated change control
Lead the integrated change process
Evaluate and recommend actions to manage project change, using the integrated change control process
Establish a process and documentation for issue management
Refine the project communication plan for Project Monitoring and Controlling
Communicate project issues and changes, their impact, variance, changes, and proposed solutions to stakeholders
Essential Components
This assignment provides the opportunity to build the Project Control Plan. For this assignment, use your project from PJM 1400 or a project you are currently leading at work. Be sure to note the project your work is based on – and provide a short paragraph summary of the project, its success criteria and challenges.
Baseline Change Control process
Create your project’s process for identifying, analyzing, recommending, approving, implementing and communicating changes – What information is necessary and what decision points need to be included in the process? Be sure to consider communication as well.
Consider the roles/responsibilities in each step of the process (did you find additional stakeholders?).
A flow chart/swim lane diagram is a good way to lay out this process.
Include the templates for documentation that is completed through the process – if you build from another template, be sure to cite it. Include a brief overview of how the template is completed (for example, where parts are done in the process, who completes each section and what information goes in each section).
Issue Management process:
Create your project’s process for identifying, analyzing, recommending, approving, implementing and communicating issues- What information is necessary and what decision points need to be included in the process? Be sure to consider communication as well.
Consider the roles/responsibilities in each step of the process (did you find additional stakeholders?).
A flow chart/swim lane diagram is a good way to lay out this process.
Include the templates for documentation that is completed through the process – if you build from another template, be sure to cite it. Include a brief overview of how the template is completed (for example, where parts are done in the process, who completes each section and what information goes in each section).
Please connect if I can help you!
This work will be used in your Module 2 – Individual Assignment – Part 2 – the Project Control Plan in Action.
The format for this assignment is free choice – you may use Word, PowerPoint (if you use PowerPoint, be sure to add the detail for what you are doing in the notes section below the slide), Excel. If you use a Visio or another graphics tool, be sure to submit your work as a pdf so that I may easily review it. Cite any sources using APA format. The writing style should be concise and straightforward. Please use a 12 point font.
This assignment is due end of Sunday, Module 2.

The Module 4 SLP requires that you run a simulation titled: “The Platform Wars: Simulating the Battle for Video Game Supremacy.” Visit the Forio site and access the simulation.
As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), it is your task to make decisions one year at a time. As you do so, note how key data are changing, and take note of how your pricing, changes made to royalties, and new game subsidies change your profits and your market share. You may need to go through at least one practice run of the simulation in order to become familiar with it.
At the start of the simulation, your market share is 50%. The price of your video game console is $250. Note that your competitor’s market share is 50%, but your competitor’s console price is $261.00 (hint: you are vastly underpriced to begin the simulation).
One way of becoming familiar with the simulation is to change only the value, leaving the others constant. This will isolate the impact of one variable and will give you a sense of how the change in a single variable impacts revenue, market share, etc. (use the Dashboard and the financial statements to determine this).
For example, if you leave all variables unchanged in Year 1 (price = $240; Game titles to subsidize = 3, and Royalties = 15%), your market share becomes 69% at the end of Year 1 (and my net profit is $48.0M).
In contrast, if you reduce the console price to $230, your market share will become 71% at the end of Year 1 (net profit will be $33.6M). Importantly, if you increase the console price to $330, your market share at the end of Year 1 is 58%; however, your net profit is $140.8M.
As the CEO, your task is to find the best combination of changes in the three variables that both increase your market share and earn a maximum net profit. Remember that the changes are relative; there are no right or wrong answers.
Be sure to take note of how the statements may be used to “control” your strategy. Remember that you need to cover your costs while simultaneously turning a profit and increasing your market share. For this SLP assignment, follow the assignment steps below for your three full-page paper with two scholarly sources.
Go to Platform Wars: Simulating the Battle for Video Game Supremacy https://forio.com/simulate/mit/video-game/simulation/
Click on “Play as an individual.”
Enter your first name as the “Screen ID,” then click “Login.”
In this web-based simulation, run the simulation a minimum of three times, noting the changes made each year, as well as your final results. Each year, you have three decisions to make:
Determine the selling price of the video game console.
Determine the number of video games that your company will subsidize to enhance the development of new video games (and that can be played on your company’s video game console); be sure to note that the subsidy of each new game costs you $16.2M each year; and
Determine the royalty percentage you will require game makers to pay you (the higher the royalties, the more revenue you earn on new games, but the less inclined game makers are to develop new games).
Develop and discuss in your paper a table that shows the results from each simulation.

SLP Assignment Expectations
The minimum length requirement for this SLP Assignment is 3 full pages (excluding Title and Reference pages) to include 2 scholarly sources.
Provide an APA-formatted title page. Use the APA 7 Template.
The 3 full pages will include an introduction, body of work with 2 scholarly sources cited to support your work, and a conclusion (that aligns with your purpose statement, summarizes each section, and then wraps up into a final thought).

Recently, Macy’s announced the combined closing of over 125 stores and the layoff of approximately 2,000 workers nationwide.
Do some research on Macy’s. Visit IBISWorld and research the U.S. Department Store Industry, then address the following:
Describe the specific strategies that you believe Macy’s has followed in the past 3 years.
Discuss why the strategies of this company appear to be failing (why are they now needing to close so many stores?).
Are the strategies of the company you selected flawed? If so, why? If not, what else is the cause of the multiple store closures on the part of both companies?
MGT499 Module 3 Discussion

For purposes of the Module 3 SLP, you are a Strategic Management consultant. Your client is a major competitor in the Amusement Park industry and CEO of Sea World Parks and Entertainment, Incorporated.
Your client has an extensive number of strengths, a solid image, an emerging market share in the industry, excellent cash flow, and a very low long-term debt-to-equity ratio. Because your client’s company is renowned in the industry, the organization has also managed to attract and retain the most talented people working in the industry. Finally, the company’s approach to marketing is second to none.
While your client is clearly aware of its internal strengths, the organization is still unclear relative to whether the company should pursue a “Grow” (a more aggressive) strategy or a “Hold” (a more passive) strategy.
Your client has engaged you to do some research on the industry (use IBISWorld and other current publications in the library). In IBISWorld: Amusement Parks in the U.S. (713110, be sure to review the sections: “Industry Questions” and “Industry Issues” in addition to other key information and industry data.
Perform a SWOT Analysis for the company and determine the relative attractiveness of the industry as a whole.
Using the G.E./McKinsey Matrix, decide whether your client should pursue a “Grow” or a “Hold” strategy and discuss recommendations for action.
Finally, use the Model of Grand Strategy Clusters to recommend a grand strategy that your client should pursue. Be sure to justify your choice.  
SLP Assignment Expectations
The minimum length requirement for this Module SLP Assignment is 3 full pages (excluding Title and Reference pages), to include 2 scholarly sources.
Provide an APA-formatted title page. Use the APA 7 Template.
The 3 full pages will include an introduction, body of work with 2 scholarly sources cited to support your work, and a conclusion (that aligns with your purpose statement, summarizes each section, and then wraps up into a final thought).
Provide an APA7-formatted References Page (See APA 7 “References” section at https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/ ).