Marketing and Launching the Website - Nigel Longford - Case Study Example

PROJECT MANAGEMENT By Project Management Question -Marketing and Launching the Website Part A This section requires the development of a network diagram for the information provided within the table and calculating the Total Float for every activity. Before proceeding, it is best to understand the requirements of the project. A network diagram is a representation of a project network in a graph or flow chart clearly depicting the sequence in which the terminal elements of the project are o come to a completion, as well as showing the terminal elements with their dependencies. The development of a drawing of a network diagram always occurs from left to right in reflection of the chronology of the project (Schmidt, 2009). The total float is in reference to the amount of time that a scheduled activity may delay from its early start date without necessarily delaying the project finish date, or violating the project constraint. Total float on a critical path is equal to zero, and often referred to as the slack period. calculation of the total float entails subtracting the Early Start date of an activity from the Late Start date of an activity (late Start Date – Early Start Date), or the Early Finish date from its Late Finish date (Late Finish Date – Early Start Date). 10 8 10 6 4 12 14 8 5 12 16 4 6 Total Float for Each Activity A = [10-10] = 0 B = [10-8] = 2 C = [6-6] = 0 D = [4-4] =0 E = [12-4] = 8 Q = [14-12] = 2 F = [8-8] = 0 G = [12-8] = 4 H = [16-12] = 4 J = [16-16] = 0 K = [4-4] = 0 L = [6-4] = 2 M = [5-5] = 0 Part B The success of Nigel Longford’s travel business depends on the efficient management of his project as well as its timely completion. This means that all his project activities should go on and complete on schedule in order to set up a successful travel business. His main project deals with marketing and launching a website for his new company, a travel business company specializing in providing adventure holidays for clienteles over the age of fifty years. He wants to use the online platform to run and operate his business, and as such, conceived the idea a year back when he began to organize and plan the official opening of his business. However, just like any other normal project, his also encounters a few hitches here and there leading to major delays that may compromise the effective implementation of his plans for marketing and opening of his website, as well as the subsequent launch of his business. Activity F in his project schedule has a high probability of delaying for about 24 weeks. This activity entails reception of videos from various holiday hotels and adventure activities he commissioned from a film company specializing in marketing videos. This video would be instrumental in launching his website, as it would allow potential customers to see the various locations and activity holidays (K) once he puts it on the website. Apart from the looming delay in activity F, he also encounters some difficulties in completing brochures on time for (Activity J) and have them ready for distribution to customers in order to save them the hustle of having to download the material from the website. This means that the potential clients will not be able to have a taste of the available locations and activities for holidays from both the website as well as the brochures (Russell, 2007). Delays in activity implementation, especially during a project management, are very disastrous for the effective completion and success of the project. As such, the presumed delay by 24 weeks of activity F will have a grave impact in the actual implementation of the project, and most probably lead to a massive delay in the timed completion schedule of the project. The delay is likely to take six months, which means the overall completion of the project might have to delay by half the year. This means that the company will lose potential clients that it would get had it finished the business on time, as well as have to face stiff competition from similar businesses, which launch their websites and company platforms at a much earlier date. Activity F entails reception of videos from various holiday hotels and adventure activities, which he later has to put on the website to facilitate the effective implementation of activity K, whereby potential customers would be able to view these videos online and see various locations and activity holidays, and even download those activities and locations that they fancy to try. However, due to the delay, these customers will not be able to view such videos from an online platform, and this gravely reduces the market potential of the company. He will not be able to reach out to a wide market sphere, except for those who visit physically his office location for personalised consultations. As such, this delay means that he will lose a great percentage of his potential market clientele, especially for those not satisfied with the online presentation, as well as be very vulnerable for stiff competition from other market players. The best way to escape this gruesome scenario is for Nigel to adopt a one-on-one marketing whereby he uses brochures and other leaflets to market his travel business. This option is however not disposable for him as he also encounters a myriad of difficulties in completing the brochures on time (activity J). A timely completion of these brochures would save the potential customers the troubles of having to download the holiday activities and locations from the company’s website, rather pick them in person from his point of sale or marketing agency. These delays now put his entire project in grave jeopardy a he will not be able to highlight to his potential clients what he has to offer, thereby losing out completely on the available market disposition, he would otherwise enjoy (Project Management Institute, 2013). Therefore, it is imperative for Nigel to ensure effective and timely completion of both activities F and activity J as they play a crucial part in the eventual success of his entire project. One way of avoiding such delays is by bringing forward the start time of both activities. Since the whole project should take a period of one year, 12 months or fifty two weeks, he can try rearranging the chronological implementation of all the thirteen activities in such a way that he caters for the expected delay within the project timeline, and as such, have to complete the project within the expected schedule. Part C Project approach takes a number of alternatives depending on what the owner of the project perceives to be effective, as well as the costs involved. as such, Nigel has about three options in which to approach the implementation of his project, which are develop the project in-house, buy the project off-the-shelf, or contracting a third party. The choice of an approach is entirely upon him, as he will have to settle for what he feels is most suitable for his business, as well as one that is comfortable for his pockets. Furthermore, he will also have to evaluate the workload involved under each approach, as well as the perceived project timelines and schedules that he has to meet in order to launch his business on time (Kloppenberg, 2011). i. Buy off-the-shelf Buying a complete project off-the-shelf is the fastest approach that Nigel can opt for in order to complete his project on time. As such, this means that he will go to a project development shop that specialises in developing websites for travel agencies and adventure. In this shop, Nigel will have to look for a complete project, or website that fits his business specifications completely, especially in the incorporation of all the features he wants to appear in his website. After selecting the desired program or website that best fits his requirements, he takes its home and customises it to appear as his own after paying for it at the shop. On the other hand, Nigel can have the developers of the website customise or personalize the website for him to fit all his specifications before taking it home and using it to launch his travel business. This is the best approach for Nigel to use, especially with the perceived delays in implementation of a number of activities, which are crucial within the project schedule, such as activity F and activity J. He can have the complete website in less than a day, as the customization part is not as cumbersome as fixing the required details in the website. Furthermore, he can even get a better deal from the developers such as after sale services incorporating periodic maintenance and updating of the website, as well as web hosting. However, this approach is very expensive and most costly of the three project approaches identified. This is because he has to purchase a custom-made product, complete and ready for use. This is because the developers do all the dirty work and research, compile it and set up a website, and later sell it at the best market price, which includes the service fee such as that of site customisation, operational costs incurred during its development, as well as a substantial acceptable profit for the product (Kliem, 2007). In choosing this approach for his project implementation, Nigel will save greatly on time and as such, have his business up and running within the expected timeline. This will put him in a strategic position for business whereby he can take advantage of all emerging marketing opportunities. However, he will have o part with a great fee before he secures the program. ii. Develop in-house Developing a project in-house is the second approach that Nigel can select in implementing his project. This would mean that he develops the entire website on his own, using the resources at his disposal, both human and physical, without consulting outsiders. Furthermore, it also means that he will have to finance the development of the entire project from start to finish personally. As such, he would have to assemble an in-house team within the company that would dedicate all their work and efforts towards the development of the project, assigning each team to an activity and have these teams work diligently and fast to meet the proposed schedule of the project. The benefits of having an in-house development of the website are personalised control of each activity within the project (Harrison & Lock, 2004) This means that Nigel will have the opportunity to craft and design how to undertake each activity within the project in a way that best suits his interests for the company. In addition, he can control the timeline of the project, especially if he has, or can process easily, whatever he needs to develop the project in a timely manner. He also has the authority to control the costs of the project, and as such determine the budget, which each activity within the project will incur in its expenses. However, the demerits of developing an in-house project is that sometimes one might not possess all the skills necessary to undertake such a calibre of a project. This lack of professionalism and expertise may bear grave consequences to the outcome of the project, especially in the event an individual who lacks knowledge completely in a given field is tasked with undertaking an activity in that area, such as assigning an accountant to develop a marketing program for the website. This can lead to a total failure, both on the project, as well as on the company, despite the benefits that accrue from cutting costs, as well as keeping on the schedule (Chin, 2004) iii. Contract to 3rd party This is the third approach that Nigel can use in order to have his project done and complete within the time he requires. In this approach, Nigel has to state categorically everything he needs done on his website, how he wants it developed, as well as what he expects it to appear like once he completes its design. The next step is to advertise this tender on his intention to outsource the development of his project, as well as the marketing of his business to an expert company that specialises in marketing and website development. The outsourced company, which is now the third party in this case, has to follow all the requirements set forth by Nigel, as well as stick to the timelines of delivery and completion. On the other hand, they will have to offer periodic reports to him on the status and progress of the project. The benefits of this option are that Nigel will get the best experts in the market to develop his project and have his business up and running as expected, and keep in check the budgetary constraints. However, the demerits of this option are that the company loses control in running and managing the project. This may lead to delays in developing certain activities within the project, such as the case experienced in activity F whereby Nigel contracted another company to collect videos of suitable holiday destinations and hotels. Conclusion In conclusion, the best choice of an approach for Nigel is one that will not cost him a whooping sum of money, as well as that, which ensures the timely completion of his project. Furthermore, the approach selected must meet his desired tastes and preferences in such a way that they will promote his business and incorporate convenience in his customer service delivery. As such, the best approach to take in this case is the “buy-off-the-shelf” approach whereby he purchases a complete package that is ready for use. He can recover the extra costs incurred after operationalizing the project (Berkun, 2005). Reference List Berkun, S. (2005) The Art of Project Management. Oreilly Publishers. Chin, G. (2004) Agile Project Management: How to Succeed In The Face Of Changing Project Requirements. New York: AMACOM DIV American Mgmt Assn. Harrison, F. & Lock, D. (2004) Advanced Project Management: A Structured Approach. New York: Gower Publishing, Ltd. Kliem, R. (2007) Effective Communications for Project Management. Boca Raton: CRC Press. Kloppenberg, T. (2011) Contemporary Project Management. Stamford, Connecticut: Cengage Learning. Project Management Institute. (2013) A Guide To The Project Management Body Of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). Project Management Institute, Incorporated. Russell, L. (2007) 10 Steps To Successful Project Management. New York: American Society for Training and Development. Schmidt, T. (2009) Strategic Project Management Made Simple Practical Tools for Leaders and Teams. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. Read More