Subject Code : BT7073
Assignment Task:

Assessment Brief:

Case Study:

Assessment Brief:
The Fundamentals of Project Management course has TWO separate deliverables to be submitted as a single document:

Part A

Project Management Consultancy Report:
This should be structured in four sections based on the Case Study

Part B

Reflective Essay:
Prepare an analysis of the challenges encountered throughout the Module and the difficulties producing the assessment. Identify clear personal development goals. Briefly from your research highlight the characteristics of a Good Project Manager.

Background

Automation Futures (AF) PLC which is shown in Fig.1 is a technology contracting, consulting and product/software development company with extensive experience in the design, manufacture, commissioning and delivery of a range of Electronic/Technology projects but specialising in Automation and New products for a range of clients including Bespoke Automation Factories. It operates out of a large Consultancy Practice in The Thames Valley (UK) and a Product Development factory in Ireland (ROI) which develops and manufactures automation plant and Prefabricated Factories for various clients largely in Europe.

The company’s facilities and expertise allow them to offer tailor-made solutions that are highly competitive with other companies in this market. Margins on projects are good given the innovative nature of the business but clients are demanding and require competitive responses in a fast-changing world.

AF PLC has won a major contract to design and build a new engineering Automation plant for a major Train manufacturing client, TTF PLC, based in Germany which will deliver Electronic Component parts including a to be designed Inverter Product specifically aimed at Power Saving for new train fleets. TTF is itself a major supplier to various governments and train operating companies throughout the world. The contract is structured on a risk and reward basis with a target price of £58.5m with a shared bonus if finished early and a shared penalty if finished late.  The target price is extremely competitive and reflects the belief that they have the capacity to improve on the delivery date and thereby earn the bonus. The AF PLC bid was based on a conceptual design provided to them setting out the outputs in terms of product attributes including power-saving targets and product availability. AF Plc will have to complete the detailed design of the Inverter product from outline designs prepared by TTF along with the automated production line as part of the Contract and organise installation of the equipment in the New factory in Germany which they will also have to commission and Construct. 

TTF will manufacture the Inverter Product from the production line as part of its Train Manufacturing Process.

TTF has acquired the site for the New Factory but AF will have to:

1. Design and Construct of the new Factory to fit the automation equipment;
2. Design and Develop the Automation plant including the production line software;
3. Design the Inverter product including the control software.

The project was programmed to start on 8th July 2019.

The terms of the contract are as follows:

1. The target price for the delivery of the Automation Plant is £58.50m.
2. If the cost of the delivery of the Automation Plant is less than the target price, then AF PLC will be entitled to the first 50% of the surplus anything greater than 50% of the surplus will be split 50:50 with the client.
3. If the cost of the delivery of the Automation Plant is Greater than 5% of the target price, then AF PLC will be required to bear the first 5% of this excess cost but anything greater than 5% of the excess will be split 50:50 with the client.
4. Delivery of the completed Automation Plant must take place no later than 18th September 2020.
5. There is a penalty clause inserted into the contract.  For, every day (or part day) that the project is late, that is, beyond the completion date of 25th September 2020 (including weekends), AF PLC must pay TTF liquidated damages of £100k per working day.
6. However, if they achieve an early completion then they will be able to receive a bonus of £50k per working day.

There is also a standard retention clause inserted into the contract. In effect, 10% of the contract value would be retained by TTF for a period of ten weeks after the delivery and installation of the module.  If TTF’s operations team detected any faults or problems with specifically the Automation Plant in the ten weeks after completion, then any additional costs incurred to rectify faults would be deductible from these retained funds.

The Factory Design will be Completed by AF and then the Pre-Fabricated parts will be manufactured in house and shipped to Germany for Construction on TTF’s site. It is important that this links to the design, installation and Layout of the Automation Equipment.

AF PLC is currently very busy with work for other clients, but this contract represents a significant opportunity as it will enable it to showpiece its competences in a major growth area.

The Automation equipment is to be installed in modular units built in their factory in the ROI and then assembled at the new factory in Germany. The factory in Germany will need to be completed in time for the Automation Equipment to be installed.

You have been appointed as the AF PLC Project Manager.

Questions.

Part A.

1. Project Definition/Parameters and Risks

(a) Discuss the relative importance of the various iron triangle parameters in setting the Overall Project objectives that will need to be managed by you like the AF PLC project manager over the course of the project, and how they may inter-relate to each other. (10 marks)

(b) Use the template provided to create a risk register, identifying a maximum of ten risks that AF PLC are likely to face with a construction project of this nature.


2. Earned Value Analysis and Acceleration

Earned Value.

(a) Create an Earned Value Analysis table showing ACWP, BCWP and BCWS values for every project task.  Show all workings in a neat and professional layout. 

(b) Create a projected completion date for the entire project using the Estimate at Completion (schedule) method derived from the Earned Value Analysis. 

Create a projected final spend for the entire project using the Estimate at Completion (cost) method derived from the Earned Value Analysis. Show your calculations clearly

Compare these values with the original contract value to determine the likely profitability of the contract as it now stands.

 

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  • Posted on : January 30th, 2019

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