WEEK 4 ASSIGNMENT

***PLEASE ENSURE YOU USE WEEK 3 ASSIGNMENT AS STATED IN WEEK 4 ASSIGNMENT***

Week 4 Assignment – Activity: Schedule and Budgeting Exercise for Project Scenario

Overview

It is now important to consider how to manage project obstacles and risks. Being able to continue the progression of a project is important in the face of unpredictable conditions in the internal and external environment of an organization. 

Instructions

Write a one-page paper in which you:

1. Outline the process you would use to move to a centralized structure.

. Go back to the Week 3 assignment, Organizing HR Projects, and consider the goal of the project.

. Conduct research on centralized and decentralized organizations and come up with three tasks that you would need to move to a centralized structure. 

. Consider methods for assigning costs to tasks and come up with the process (not the actual budget) that you would use to determine a budget.

. Write a one-page paper outlining the process you would use. 

2. Create a WBS for the project and analyze each task using the 

Project Budget WBS Template [XLSX]

.

.  Review, as needed, the following sites regarding cost estimation:

.

The Ultimate Guide to Project Cost Estimating

.

.

Cost Estimation for Projects: How to Estimate Accurately

.

2

Week Three Assignment

Jeremy Taylor

Strayer University

Managing Human Resources Project

Dr. Sue C. Golabek

22 January 2023

Table of Contents
Strategic Planning 3
Introduction 3
Strategic Planning steps 3
1. Strategic analysis 3
2. Guiding principles 3
3. Strategic objectives 4
4. Flow down objectives 4
5. Portfolio alignment 4
Statement of the overall importance of these steps 4
Vision and Mission Statement 4
 Vision 5
 Mission 5
Project Charter 5
Important Charter Elements 6
1. Scope Overview 6
2. Business case 6
3. Milestone schedule 7
Statement of Emphasis 7
Conclusion 8
References 9

Strategic Planning

Introduction

Strategic planning is essential for organizations to develop and implement a successful approach to achieving their desired outcomes. It involves setting objectives and creating a plan to achieve those objectives. The five steps of strategic planning depicted in Exhibit 2-1 are the guiding principles, strategic objectives, flow-down objectives, portfolio alignment, and the establishment of a vision and mission. These steps provide a framework for organizations to identify their desired outcomes and develop strategies to achieve them. This paper will discuss the importance of these steps, provide a vision and mission statement for the project team, explain the purpose of a project charter, and identify three important charter elements.

Strategic Planning steps

The five steps of strategic planning depicted in Exhibit 2-1 are crucial for the success of any project and are particularly important for the centralization of HR services within your organization. These steps include:

1.

Strategic analysis

The strategic analysis involves analyzing the current situation and identifying key issues and challenges that must be addressed. It includes analyzing internal and external factors, such as the organization’s strengths and weaknesses and the opportunities and threats in the market (Haque et al., 2021). The step is important for understanding the context in which the project will take place and identifying the areas that need to be addressed.

2.

Guiding principles

This step defines the organization’s vision, mission, core values, and beliefs. These guiding principles will serve as a foundation for the project and help ensure that all decisions and actions align with the organization’s overall goals and values.

3.

Strategic objectives

The strategic objectives step involves setting specific, measurable, and achievable objectives that align with the organization’s guiding principles. These objectives should be aligned with the overall goals of the project and should be used to guide decision-making throughout the project.

4.

Flow down objectives

Flow down objectives step is the breaking down of the strategic objectives into specific, actionable tasks and activities. This step is important for ensuring that the project is well-structured and that all team members understand their roles and responsibilities.

5.

Portfolio alignment

Portfolio alignment involves ensuring the project is in line with the organization’s entire portfolio of activities and programs. This step is crucial to ensuring that the project is well-aligned with other projects and the organization’s broader strategy.

Statement of the overall importance of these steps

The five steps of strategic planning are essential for the success of the project to centralize HR services within your organization. By following these steps, the project team will be able to clearly define the project’s scope, understand the project’s business case, and set specific, measurable, and achievable objectives that align with the organization’s overall goals and values. Additionally, by breaking down the objectives into specific tasks and activities and ensuring that the project is well-integrated with the organization’s overall portfolio of initiatives. The project team will also have the ability to effectively manage the project and accomplish its objectives

Vision and Mission Statement

A project’s vision and mission statement clearly outline the overall goals and objectives of moving toward a centralized delivery of HR services. The vision should be a long-term, aspirational statement that inspires and motivates the project team and stakeholders, while the mission should be a more specific and actionable statement that outlines the purpose and objectives of the project.

·

Vision

To create a world-class centralized HR service delivery model that promotes efficiency, consistency, and alignment with the overall goals and objectives of the company.

·

Mission

To design, implement and sustain a centralized HR service delivery model that streamlines and standardizes HR processes, improves communication and collaboration between HR and business units, and ensures compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

Project Charter

A project charter is a written document that describes the goals, stakeholders, and scope of a project. It serves as a legal contract between the project team and the project sponsor and outlines everyone’s obligations and tasks within the project (McEnery, 2021). The charter also outlines the project’s goals and objectives, including specific deliverables, milestones, and timelines for completion.

One of the main reasons for using a project charter is to establish a clear understanding of the project’s scope and objectives. It ensures that everyone involved in the project is working towards the same goals and that there is a shared understanding of the project’s purpose. The charter serves as a reference point throughout the project, guiding the project team and stakeholders. The charter also helps to identify and manage risks and assumptions, which are important for project success. It also outlines the resources required for the project, including budget, personnel, and equipment, as well as the stakeholders impacted by the project. The project team can therefore be certain that they have access to all they need to see the project through to a successful conclusion.

A project charter includes the project’s milestone schedule, success criteria, and the names and signatures of the project team and the project sponsor, Indicating their commitment to the project. A milestone schedule outlines the key milestones that must be achieved to ensure that the project is completed on time. Success criteria are the specific measures used to determine whether the project has been successful. It also includes any lessons learned from previous projects, which can be used to improve the current project.

Important Charter Elements

When moving to a centralized model of delivering HR services, several key elements should be considered to ensure a smooth transition and successful implementation. Three of the textbook’s most important elements from Exhibit 3.3 are scope overview, business case, and milestone schedule.

1.

Scope Overview

The project’s particular aims and objectives, as well as its borders and restrictions, are all outlined in the scope overview, which is very important. The project’s scope should be precisely defined so that all parties involved know what is expected of them and what is not. It helps to set realistic expectations and avoid misunderstandings later on.

2.

Business case

The business case is a critical element that outlines the reasoning behind the project and explains why it is necessary. It should include a thorough analysis of the current state of the HR function, the challenges and opportunities, and the project’s potential benefits and costs. This information is important for securing buy-in from key stakeholders and getting the support and funding for the project.

3.

Milestone schedule

The milestone schedule is a crucial component that specifies the particular tasks and activities that must be carried out in order to meet the project’s objectives. It should include a detailed timeline and a clear outline of the dependencies and interrelationships between different tasks (Ulusoy & Hazır, 2021). It aids in ensuring that the project stays on track and that development can be routinely tracked and reported.

In addition to these three elements, it is also important to consider the risks, assumptions, and constraints that may impact the project and the resources and stakeholders involved. By considering these elements, the project team can develop a comprehensive plan and strategy for transitioning to a centralized HR model aligned with the organization’s goals and objectives.

Statement of Emphasis

The success of this project depends on the team’s ability to follow the five steps of strategic planning, establish a clear vision and mission statement, and create a project charter that aligns with the company’s overall goals and objectives. Understanding the components helps ensuring that the project is in line with the broader strategy of the company and that all choices and actions are consistent with the project’s goals.

The strategic planning process is the foundation for any project, and it is essential that the project team understands the five steps of this process and how they will be used to achieve the project’s goals. The vision and mission statement should serve as a source of motivation and inspiration for the project team. The project charter defines the project’s scope, objectives, and stakeholders and outlines the project’s timeline and success criteria. The key elements should be considered to ensure that the project is well-structured and that all stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities. The project team will be better able to detect risks and assumptions, manage resources, and guarantee that the project is finished on time and within budget by fully comprehending the information.

Conclusion

In conclusion, strategic planning is key to achieving a successful project. By following the five steps of strategic planning, the project team can develop a plan aligned with the organization’s overall strategy and includes specific objectives, tasks, and activities. It is also important to establish a vision and mission statement that clearly outlines the project’s purpose and objectives and to create a project charter that outlines the scope, timeline, and success criteria. Additionally, it is important to consider the risks, assumptions, and constraints that may impact the project and the resources and stakeholders involved. By considering these elements, the project team can develop a comprehensive plan and strategy for transitioning to a centralized HR model aligned with the organization’s goals and objectives.

References

Haque, M. G., Nurjaya, N., Affandi, A., Erlangga, H., & Sunarsi, D. (2021). Micro Financial Sharia Non-bank Strategic Analysis: a Study at BMT Beringharjo, Yogyakarta.
Budapest International Research and Critics Institute (BIRCI-Journal): Humanities and Social Sciences,
4(2), 1677–1686. https://doi.org/10.33258/birci.v4i2.1829

McEnery, K. W. (2021). Imaging Program Management.
Practical Imaging Informatics, 609–631. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1756-4_34

Ulusoy, G., & Hazır, Ö. (2021). Introduction to Project Modeling and Planning.
Springer Texts in Business and Economics, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61423-2_1