Question 1
The biggest challenge for the project manager is to develop an integrated planning and control tool. Critically discuss this statement with the aid of practical examples.
To develop an integrated planning and control tool is the biggest challenge for a Project Manager because of many uncertainties in any project. One of the most vital issues is ensuring that all the planning steps are adhered to, namely, the Project Charter; Feasibility Study; Scope Management; Build Method; Execution Strategy; Work Breakdown Structure; Organisational Breakdown Structure; Critical Path Method; Schedule Barchart; Procurement Schedule; Resource Histogram; Budgets and Cash flow; Communication, Project Quality, Risk Management and Baseline Plan. Failure to do this could have a detrimental effect on the other role players of the project team and this could upset the course of action in the control phase of the project. The Project Manager has his hands full and has a major responsibility to ensure the project is a success, otherwise failure is eminent.
Due to the limited answering space available, I will concentrate on the Baseline Plan because according to Rory Burke, “it may be considered as a portfolio of documents which outline how to achieve the project objectives... and guide the project through the execution and project control phase.” and according to Michele McDonough , “scheduling a baseline plan is something project managers should have in place before a project goes forward from the "drawing board". The baseline plan is a projection that will set the course of a project and provides estimates of project factors that any changes can be measured against, before the final deadlines are met and the project is completed.”
Clearly defining the project objectives is vital because your project's success will be determined by how strictly you meet them. A clear project