Earned Value Management started back in the early sixties when the Air force started using the program. In recent years, the program has become a part of the federal project risk management system and is mandatory tool used for US government contracts. Earned Value Management helps to analyze many parts of a project such as the cost variance, schedule variance, cost performance, and schedule performance. Earned Value management measures the performance of a project by finding variances between the works being completed. This paper will discuss how project scope relates to Earned Value Management.
Scope of the Project
Project scope is the most important part of the planning process of any project. Early in the planning process, one has to
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Earned Value management Analysis
The Work Breakdown Structure
The work break down structure of the project shows a breakdown of the project in parts. This facilitates efficient planning and execution of a project as well as exercise project cost control (Gray & Larson, 2008 p314). With the work break down structure, the project can avoid delays, technical issues and defect in production. WSB allows managers to divide the work and responsibilities among each employee, and allocate the budget and finances for the project.
Foundation for Earned Value Management
The foundation for every organization establishes a process for project management has an opportunity to add value to the organization and project. Building a Earned Value Management foundation for an organization will help align the process for maximum value creation. The foundation for EVM starts at the core of the company. Financial data, program management should be considered part of the foundation building for EVM and Program Management.
Planning the Project
The first step in planning process is the development of the work breakdown structure, organization breakdown structure, and the combination of the two to create the responsibility assignment matrix (Meredith & Mantel, 2008 p235).
Project planning involves the creation of the project management plan as well as Earned value
The concept of project scope may be one of the most ample in project management. It involves objectives, limits and intentions. Every requirement in a project as well as its characteristics must be dealt with when planning the scope. Even though it 's reasonable to say that every project is unique, the causes for which it fails are generally the same. And if you already know what these causes are, you can minimize the likelihood of problems being repeated and thus increase the chance of success.
The paper is divided into three sections, the first of which will establish a timeline of events. This project background will serve as a case study for the analysis in the following section that will be structured such that each of the previously mentioned facets will be independently analyzed and contrasted with project management principles. Finally the paper will conclude with a summary of the analysis and recommendations based on
Inspection will verify that the scope of the project is the intended result of the collection of requirements and the work necessary to complete the project. Once the project scope is approved by the GenRays project sponsor and project execution is underway, inspecting the scope often to produce updates, change requests, or deliverable acceptance will be important.
With the exceptional growth in technology, the present day projects are often large and complex involving a significant risk. So, a Project Management Methodology enables the delivery organization to handle these projects comprehensively, systematically and in an integrated manner, which results in strategic, tactical and operational benefits.
In the current business environment, the demand for project managers is ever growing. In short, project management is a provisional project constrained by time, cost and scope (A guide to the project management body of knowledge, 2013). Between the immense organization, optimization, and communication assets skilled project management brings to a project, it is easy to see why project management is a booming field of study. Furthermore, project management can be both financially and personally rewarding when long term milestones and goals come to fruition.
Project Management Institute. (2000). _A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (4th ed.)._
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a tool that is used to define the work elements of a project and identify its entire scope. It is the map of the project which identifies all elements of the project and allows managers to keep track and control of it. It is made of a hierarchy which facilitates the evaluation of cost, time and performance at all levels of the project life-cycle and organization. The structure illustrates the smaller units and allows for adaptation and quick communication if there a problems which need to be addressed. Definitions of each task should be clear and avoid overlapping in
Spokane Industries has contracted Franklin Electronics for an 18 month product development contract. Franklin Electronics is new to using project management methodologies and have not been exposed to earned value management methodologies. Even though Franklin and Spokane have worked together in the past, they have mainly used fixed price contracts with little to no stipulations. For this project Spokane Industries is requiring Franklin Electronics to use formalized project management methodologies, earned value cost schedules, and schedules for reports and meetings. Since Franklin Electronics had had no experience with earned value management, the cost accounting group was trained in the methodology in order to bid for the
The nature and scope of a project is determined at the initiation stage. This involves analyzing the business needs, developing goals, budgets, tasks, deliverables, and the stakeholder analysis. The project planning stage determines the planning team, develops the scope, and identifies work breakdown structure and activities that will be needed to complete deliverables. The planning stage also estimates time and cost activities, develop schedule and risk plan, and gain formal approval for work to begin. The executing stage involves all processes used to meet the project requirement and involves managing people and resources. The process that entails the identification of potential problems and
During the project planning phase, I can work effectively towards the development of project management subsidiary plans to execute, monitor and control and close projects. I will contribute towards the planning of the scope in assuring that the project includes all the work required and only the work required. I will do this by conducing interviews, focus group, facilitated workshops etc., I can clearly define and document stakeholder needs to meet project objectives that will be
In order to achieve their business objective, project management and the used methodology are key factor which will be responsible for the success or failure of this project.
Prior to the onset of modern project management, the success criteria of a project lay solely on the technical success, or scope of the resulting product or service. Today, adherence to budget and schedule form a triangle of success factors alongside scope, with client satisfaction also developing as a key determinant of project success (Kerzner, 2004). However, the delivery of project scope will always take precedence over all other project factors, because if a project fails to deliver on its original intention, need or functionality, the project will always be considered as a failure. This essay will analyse the adequacy of the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge’s (PMBOK) definition of Project Scope Management in relation
A comprehensive project scope analysis serves several benefits that permit a company to guide the dream of a project to a successful completion. One benefit is transforming the idea of the project into a working concept. Once the concept is developed, project details can be mapped out. Scope analysis outlines each step of the project in a detailed manner. The primary benefit to this is it aligns the project so that the final product will be consisted with the original goals/objectives. By outlining each step, scope analysis increases the likelihood that the project will stay within budget and time constraints as well as meet predetermined specifications and quality parameters.
The Project Management Plan (PMP) provides the general overview and establishes specific strategies and milestones for the preparation of study notes and delivery of presentation on the topic “Developing the Project Team “. The PMP will define the project 's requirements and expectations. This document will be updated as required, if there is any change in the subsidiary management plans.
Project management is a series of steps taken in sequence to manage a project through all phases from conception to completion. The steps are documented in a strategic plan. The plan is used to ensure that all parties are working towards a common goal. Project management requires applying knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to specific activities in accordance with established standards and guidelines. There are five basic functions of project management: planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling. Basic activities of project management include: identifying project requirements to define the outcomes; addressing various needs, concerns and expectations of others; setting up, maintaining and carrying out communications; managing others; creating project deliverables; and balancing competing project constraints.