Different Areas of Project Management

The small-scale project at hand involves few project team members and a small budget. Mostly, the project team members comprises of individuals with little experience or those that have mostly worked on small-scale projects for some years. The small-scale project does involve large budget since its deliverables are not complicated and thus requires minimal funding. An example of a small-scale project is the development of a Point of Sale (POS) system. The project does not require a lot of funds and experience among the project team members as well as the project manager. Additionally, the resources required for the project are limited (Meredith, Shafer & Mantel, 2019). For example, the project team can work with just computing devices such as computers, internet connection devices, and barcode readers and develop the POS system. What is more a team of just five project team members can complete the project within a short period of time.

Large-scale projects cover a wide scope and require many resources. These projects require a highly-skilled and experienced project team. The project manager should have many years of experience in project management to manage such projects since they are complex and require effective resource management. This includes competency in managing project team effectively to ensure that the project is completed in time and within the stipulated budget. An example of a large-scale project the development of a social networking website and its mobile applications. In such projects, the project manager should spur the project team to be innovative. The success of a large-scale project depends on the innovativeness of the project team. On the other hand, the project manager plays a vital role in the project by demonstrating leadership and management skills in the project (Meredith, Shafer & Mantel, 2019). He or she is responsible for facilitating effective communication between the project team and others stakeholders.

Part II

Knowledge Area 1: Integration Management

This is the only are of the PMI knowledge areas that covers all the parts of project management. It acts as the umbrella that covers and knits all the other areas together to form the process of the project management and hence determine the deliverables of the project. It is the same for large and small projects (Project Management Institute, 2018). In the POS system project (small-scale project), integration management will involve planning, executing and implementing the POS systems as per the requirements of retailers. This includes developing the software, testing it, and selling it to retailers. The POS system sold to retailers will comprise of software and bar code readers. The retailers will be expected to have their own computers. As for the social network project (large-scale project), integration management will include all activities starting from the development of the project to setting up the live social network. The project can be divided into modules that are assigned to different teams. These modules will then be integrated into the final system. For instance, some project team members will be required to develop Android application of the system while others will be developing the iOS version of the system.

 Knowledge Area 2: Scope Management

The scope management area defines the boundaries of the project hence determining the limits and requirements of the project. The scope of the project is defined prior to the commencement of the project. The social network project will have wider scopes as compared to the POS system that has a narrow scope. In that regard, the social network project can go further beyond boundaries increasing budget and time resources significantly. For example, developments in the changing social network prism may force the project team to include latest technology hence widening the project scope. The POS system is not likely to change in terms of scope.

Knowledge Area 3: Time/Schedule Management

The time or schedule management knowledge area covers the plan defined to manage time of project completion. The schedule involves dividing the project into milestones that have time scales. Gantt charts are used to manage time by creating visual schedules. Time management is similar in large-scale and small-scale projects (Project Management Institute, 2018). For both the social network and the POS system, time is a factor and is considered during formulation of the plan. Starting this project on a small scale term will require less time compared to beginning it in the large scale. Assembling of materials may be easy in the small scale as it is done manually and only involves paper forms. In the social network project, it might take longer to initiate such project as it involves programming in line with securing the project.

 
Knowledge Area 4: Cost Management

Project cost management is a critical aspect of project management since it could lead to project delays or even failure of the project if it is not handled carefully. Cost management requires effective planning that include estimation techniques (Project Management Institute, 2016). This knowledge area is also dependent on time schedule since delays increases project costs. Cost management is complex and demanding in large-scale projects as compared to small-scale projects. For instance, the social network project might cost 100 times the amount the POS system would cost. For this reason, there is the need to ensure that large-scale projects finances are effectively estimated because their budget can bulge enormously.

Knowledge Area 5: Quality Management

Quality management determines the quality of the deliverables of the project. This knowledge area requires external consultants who are tasked with the responsibility of evaluating the quality of project. The social network project may require intensive and extensive quality management as compared to small-scale projects. This is due to the fact that large scale projects often has high delivery quality as a result of their complex organization. The POS system quality can be tested by comparing its functionality to the existing POS systems.

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Both the social network project (large-scale) and the POS system project (small-scale) require effective requirement specification to meet high quality standards. The process is known as quality assurance and is clearly set by authorities such as ISO. Moreover, system/software testing against quality standards is crucial in quality management. This is include in quality management plan that is prepared before the commencement of the project.

Knowledge Area 6: Human Resource Management

Human resource management is an area that affects both small-scale and large-scale projects. However, large-scale projects comprise of diverse project teams with highly-skilled individuals. The social network project will require a lot of human resource management tools and personnel since it comprises of a large pool of stakeholders. On the other hand, the POS system does not need intensive human resource management since the project team may comprise of less than ten people. Human resource management is mostly influenced by the leadership and management skills of the project manager.
Knowledge Area 7: Communications Management

Communication management involves how information is disseminated to all the stakeholders of the project. The project manager defines communication strategies prior to the commencement of the project. Usually, communication involves updating external stakeholders on the milestones of the project as well as ensuring effective collaboration of the project team (Project Management Institute, 2016). The social network project will require extremely structured communication channels since they involve many stakeholders. For POS system project, a developer can use the social media platforms most preferably WhatsApp to channel important notice to his or her clients. The large scale version would have message pop ups in the portal or apps.

Knowledge Area 8: Risk Management

Risk management defines methods of preventing, managing and mitigating risks that are expected in the course of the project. Usually, a risk register is used in the management and assessment of risks. The register is larger and complex in the social network project. Both small and large scale projects such as the POS system project and the social network project face risks of defaulting but the small scale version may be at a higher risk of this menace. For example, the social network project could be challenged by new innovations by social network companies such as Facebook.

The major risks that face large-scale such as the social network project projects are cost and schedule risks. The project is at risk of failing to be completed within stipulated budget and within the scheduled time because of common challenges internally and externally. On the other hand the POS system like other small-scale projects is likely to face performance risks due to limited budget and probably an inexperienced project team. Both projects face market risks due to competition, strategic risks due to errors and technological changes, and legal risks due to changes in legal systems.

Knowledge Area 9: Procurement Management

Procurement management determines the quality of the deliverables as well as the success of the project. This is in light of the fact that the quality of the resources used for the project will have a direct impact on the project deliverables. The social network project will involve acquisition of many and expensive resources hence requires a procurement team (Project Management Institute, 2018). The POS system project does not a procurement team since the project manager can handle the procurement process by consulting the project team on what is needed for the project. For both projects, the procurement project is transparent since it is conducted through contractual agreements. However, there is the need to conduct cost benefit analysis, risk analysis, and cost utility analysis before procuring project resources.

Knowledge Area 10: Stakeholder Management

Stakeholder management is conducted by the top management of an organization in collaboration with the program manager and the project manager for large-scale projects. For small-scale projects, it is conducted by the project manager. Stakeholders must be satisfied with the project direction. For this reason, they must be actively managed like other parts of the project. For example, the POS system project requires management of project team members, the sponsor and the client. For the social network project, stakeholder management should be strategic and must be conducted collaboratively by the organization CIO, program manager, and the project manager.  

Social Network System Work Break Down Structure

POS System Work Break Down Structure

References

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• Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., & Mantel, S. J. (2019). Project management: A managerial approach.
  Milton Qld: John Wiley and Son Australia, Ltd.
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• Top of Form
• Project Management Institute. (2018). A guide to the project management body of knowledge: (PMBOK® guide). Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA: Project Management Institute.
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• Top of Form
• Project Management Institute. (2016). Getting it done: Project management in action. Newtown Square, Pennsylvania: Project Management Institute, Inc.