Project Management

December 2023 Examination

Ans 1.

Introduction

It will be overwhelming to our company if we get the contract to build the Goa airport. It’s a
matter of pride and we will put our all experiences and effort into building a beautiful airport.
It will be essential to build a good airport as it will be a significant for the development of the
region. There will be different stages for building any project.

In general, any project includes major steps as listed below:

 Planning:
 Design
 Construction
 Testing and commissioning
 Handover

Discussion:
The airport design will require specific planning. Design steps specific to airport
planning may include below steps:
1. Determining the sponsoring authority of funds
2. Feasibility study
3. Government approvals
4. Airport site selection and preliminary environmental planning
5. Facility planning
6. Local government planning
7. Environmental impact analysis
8. Airport construction
9. Testing and commissioning
10. Handover

Let us discuss these design steps in brief detail:

1. Determining the sponsoring authority of funds: When there is such a big project
like the: airport is assigned then it is important to determine the sponsoring authority
for the adequate supply of funds. As it's an expensive affair to build an airport there
must not be a shortage of funds.

2. Feasibility study: The feasibility of the airport for the proposed location must be
done before building the airport. Surrounding building heights and plans of expansion
must be kept in mind. It is also very important to consider the safety of nearby
residents and the connectivity with the other part of the state is very important for the
smooth journey of the passengers.
 3. Government approvals: Checking the documents for the proper government
approvals to carry out the construction of the airport.

4. Airport site selection and preliminary environmental planning: after the above
clearance, the site selection and the planning have to be done for the construction of
the airport.

5. Facility planning: In the airport, there will be multiple facilities such as a waiting
area, lounges, restaurants, refreshment counters, parking area, passenger waiting area,
terminal, runway, and other essential facilities.
6. Local government planning: Local government planning also impacts airport
construction. Local clearances are mandatory.

7. Environmental impact analysis: It is important to analyze the environmental impact

of the airport construction in those areas. It is important to keep the sustainability in
mind while designing the airport.

8. Airport construction: After the above factor is taken care of the actual construction
of the airport begins. It is important to review the construction from time to time for
the quality and deadline in check.

9. Testing and commissioning: Once the construction is over the airport and its
facilities get tested for the correct functioning.

10. Handover: Finally, the airport is handed over to the concerned authorities.

Conclusion:

Hence throughout the construction of the airport project, I would focus on quality control,
environmental safety, risk management, budget management, and time scheduling. I would
incorporate local authorities and communities into the project for the smooth completion and
operation of the projects.

Ans 2.
Introduction
Technical constraints are such that they show the basic relationship that exists between a task.
It shows that a task can only be started after the completion of a specific task. The technical
constraint has to be followed to complete a task in a particular sequence. The tasks connected
by a technical constraint generally create a critical path for the project.

The critical path may be determined as below:

TOTAL
Time No. of TIME
Jo Precedence
Men TAKEN requirements
b
required
(weeks)
A 5 1 5 -
 B 10 1 10 A
C 8 2 16 A
D 6 3 18 B, C
E 7 1 7 B, C
F 4 2 8 E
G 4 2 8 D, F
H 2 1 2 G

Here calculating the TOTAL TIME TAKEN BY MULTIPLYIONG TIME WITH NO

OF MEN taken for the diagram.
The diagram may be created as below:

a. Critical path may be defined as the longest path for the work completion as per the
above diagram the path (1-2-3-6-7-8) is the longest and hence the critical path.
b. If there are 3 men available at any point in time, then a minimum of 13 days will be
required to complete the task.
c. If there are no restrictions on the amount of labor available, then the maximum labor
would be deployed, and the task must be finished within 4 days. I would deploy all
the labor in total 13 and would like to complete the task as soon as possible.

Conclusion:
Hence the different paths for the completion of the task may be defined as the diagram above
and the longest path may be taken as the critical patch.
Ans 3a.

Introduction

Project termination is an important task in the project lifecycle, it is only required when the
project has served its purpose, or the project fails. In our context, the project has failed and
this needs to be terminated. As the setup is important similarly smooth termination of the
project is also important. The common reasons for the failure of the project which lead to the
termination may include failure to complete on time, change in requirement, cost increase
significantly, lack of resources, and ineffective planning. etc.

Discussion:
Transition Plan for the Project and Factors Affecting Smooth Termination
A transition plan is crucial for the smooth termination of a project like the closure of the
Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISP). Here is a suggested transition plan along with
factors that might affect its smooth execution:
1. Communication and Stakeholder Management: It is important to inform all
stakeholders, employees, unions, local bodies, and suppliers about the closure of the
project.

2. Employee Transition: It is important to develop an employee transition plan to

relocate them to another package by retaining or severance packages.

3. Financial Planning: It is also important to estimate the side effects of closure, the
cost for the relocation of employees, equipment, and disposal of waste.

4. Environmental Considerations: It is also important to study the environmental

impact of the closure of the project. So, the compliance with the regulation is most
important.

5. Supply Chain and Inventory Management: The existing inventory needs to be

utilized or disposed of proper planning needs to be done for that. It is also important
to maintain the supply chain and keep all parties involved.

Factors that might affect the smooth termination of the project include:
1. Resistance from the union, employees, and their families along with the local
communities.
2. Intervention of government or local authorities for the legal and regulatory
obligations.
3. The financial issues and the target budget for the project which may lead to losses to
the stakeholders.
4. The closure of the project may cause hazards to the environment and may create
challenges to the disposal of residuals.
5. Above all the damage to the brand value of the organization may lead to long-term
damage and may create distrust among the stakeholders.
 6. The Political or social pressures to stop the termination of the project may also be a
big hurdle.

Conclusion:

The smooth closure of the project is a crucial decision that needs to be supported by the
stakeholders and sponsors so that the trust may be unharmed for future associations.
However, in our case, the project needs to be terminated due to the lack of desired
outcomes. Also, we have to keep in mind the challenges of the project termination. So
proper closing may leave lasting impressions to the stakeholders and chances of getting the
project in the future are likely more. So, the closing is as important as the beginning.

Ans 3b.

Introduction

Project closure reports of a big unit like Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISP) may
require a detailed closure report. It’s an important document that should capture the entire
termination process with key decisions, outcomes, reason for closure, steps followed, and
outcomes.

Discussion:

The major contents of a closure report may include the following:

1. The original set of guidelines when the project was created with the stakeholder's
comments, assigned budgets, and the timeline of the completion.
2. With the documentary proof that the clients invested in the project received their part of
compensation and deliverables in case of the failure of the project.
3. The invoices from the suppliers, stakeholders, or other sources need to be addressed
before shutting down any project to avoid significant losses to them.
4. The information should be released to the stakeholders and records should be transferred
to the concerned authorities.
5. A detailed performance review should be done at a deeper level and identify the root
causes of the failure of the project.
6. The feedback from the expert committee the senior management team members and the
concerned stakeholders over the project to utilize these in future projects and the factor
failing must be kept in mind again.
7. A separate data folder to maintain every detail and communication for the archives to
access these data as or when required.
8. The request from the authorities to provide the approval for the closure project.

Once the project has been closed certain post-closure activities need to be followed. These
activities may be listed as the following.

Post Closure activities:

 1. It is important to schedule a meeting as soon as possible post-closure of a project as
the team is shifted to the next projects and the memory fades over time. So, to keep
the facts in check it should be done on priority.
2. A printed agenda of the meeting is a must to keep the records and stick to the main
points. The team will discuss this in the air, and this will turn into a blame game
meeting.
3. In the meeting stay positive and the meeting should be constructive and focussed on
the agenda. Avoid any personal attacks. Laptop mobiles should be avoided during the
meeting.
4. The list of actionable should be developed as per the project. And how the project can
be successful in the future while keeping these in mind.
5. After the meeting the MOM should be shared with the other team members also who
would benefit from these.

Post-closure activities are the part of part of the project management process and all projects
despite the success or failure of the projects.

Conclusion:

A detailed and covering all aspects of the closure report can be a valuable tool for the
stakeholders as well as the project managers' current as well as future. By understanding the
report, the learning can be taken, and this can be employed in the future.