EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (ABSTRACT)
The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is the largest reef in the northern hemisphere providing a habitat for numerous endangered species as well as contributing significantly to Belize’s Gross Domestic Product via its fishing and ecotourism industries.
In fact, in recent years, the communities on Ambergris Caye have come to rely on the reef system as their main source of economic development.
It is evident that the tourism industry is thriving and with that comes an increased awareness and call to action for controlled environmental business practices and conservation of the marine ecosystem.
The San Pedro TourOperators Association (SPTOA), pioneers in the tourism sector, have made significant contributions in the promotion of sustainable marine recreation through
collaborative projects with governmental and non-governmental agencies.
The project “Improving Environmental Business Practices of Marine Recreation Providers Within The Northern Coastal Complex” is a project concept developed by the SPTOA to equip tour operators with the right skills to engage in safe and sustainable marine recreation practices and to promote enhanced accessibility and safety of the marine recreational destinations. The Association is a membership organization comprised of tour operators who advocate for responsible tourism through projects.
They, however, lack the institutional capacity to properly plan and adequately manage projects. The Final Graduation Project (FGP) provides the technical assistance needed by developing a project management plan for the SPTOA project at hand.
The project management plan investigated the ten knowledge areas of project management and outlined the adequate tools and techniques to properly administer a project. This project management plan marks the start of a new approach for the SPTOA in carrying out projects and further building the credibility of the Association.
Additionally, the project management plan employed a dedicated approach utilizing strategic, focused and sustainableproject activities predicting success of this and future projects.
The general objective was to develop a comprehensive Project Management Plan for the project titled “Improving Environmental Business Practices of Marine Recreation Providers Within The Northern Coastal Complex” in San Pedro Town, Belize.
The specific objectives were: to develop the integration management plan that will unify and coordinate the processes and project management activities, to create a scope management plan to define all the project work required to successfully complete the project, to create a schedule management plan that will define the approach for creating and monitoring a project schedule that will effectively manage the timely completion of the project, to develop a cost management plan that focuses on key processes necessary for establishing a project budget and ensuring the project is completed within the approved budget,to develop a quality management plan that defines the project’s quality policies, procedures and requirements in order to effectively manage project and product
quality from planning to final delivery, to create a resource management plan to identify, acquire and manage all resources needed in order to successfully complete the project, to create a communications management plan that details the communication needs and expectations for the project with timely and effective communication strategies to disseminate key information, to develop a risk management plan that outlines the project risk management approach from identifying to categorizing and effectively responding to project risks, to develop a procurement plan that identifies the processes necessary to purchase or acquire goods, services or results needed for the project, and to create a stakeholder engagement plan that ensures the proper identification and categorization of
stakeholders with appropriate engagement strategies throughout the project.
The research methodology for the Final Graduation Project was based on theory, method, and analysis. Both primary and secondary information sources were utilized for data collection and analysis. The project utilized a general classification of research methods: qualitative and quantitative research, as well as research methods according to nature of study: descriptive and analytical research.
Qualitative research was performed for the development of areas such as resource, communications and, stakeholder management by using key informant interviews and indirect observations, and review of secondary data and case studies.
Other areas of the project such as schedule, cost and procurement management were developed by using some level of quantitative research to categorize, rank, measure and define the data collected. Descriptive and analytical research were used to make classifications, comparisons and focus on factual and readily available information for analysis and critical evaluation in key project areas.
The Project Management Plan development process concluded that there is much value in the Project Charter and a well-defined Project Management Plan.
Key findings showed that there must be strict adherence to schedule, resources and cost if the seven deliverables are to be met within the project duration of 251 days and project funding of US$194,000 as provided by COMPACT/GEF.
The project is ranked a medium-risk venture and consequently, there must be clear and open communication between the project team and all relevant stakeholders, with careful consideration of the two high-risk events in project management and financing conditions, and sound procurement practices if deliverables are to be met in accordance with the acceptance criteria for quality and completion.
The SPTOA is embarking on a new journey in the project management arena. It is the hope that the Project Management Plan developed under this project will be utilized for management of the SPTOA’s first comprehensive project.
Keen attention should be paid to project details such as project slippage, cost tracking, the quality acceptance criteria, resource development, risk minimization, efficient and transparent procurement methods, and finally, active and proactive stakeholder engagement.
By following the guidelines presented in this plan, it is expected that the proposed SPTOA project, will result in the substantially augmented capacity and technical abilities of SPTOA Executive thus improving their overall status and credibility as an executing agency for projects.
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