EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (ABSTRACT)
For any company to succeed within the construction industry there needs to be a solid adherence to proper company structure and project management principles. The ultimate goal of this research is to create the proper company image for TFL Construction and Design that will successfully allow it to emerge above its competitors.
TFL has been in existence for approximately six years and has played a small but vital role within the construction industry with key roles such as small-scale construction, quantity surveying and property valuation services, electrical installations, and drafting and designing services. TFL has great potential for growth and expansion.
Presently on the island of Dominica, most small-scale construction companies like TFL do not operate using standard project management principles. Incorporating project management practices within the organization will allow the company to remain competitive, enhance its customer care, maximize quality assurance, and in return create a profit generating potential for the organization.
Therefore, a project management plan for a typical construction project will allow the company to integrate and explore all the knowledge areas of project management according to the standards set by PMI, which will, in turn, minimize company losses and boost company profits. This project management plan can also serve as a template for other construction projects and allow TFL to grow in line with modern project management standards within the construction industry.
Therefore, a project management plan for a typical construction project will allow the company to integrate and explore all the knowledge areas of project management according to the standards set by PMI, which will, in turn, minimize company losses and boost company profits. This project management plan can also serve as a template for other construction projects and allow TFL to grow in line with modern project management standards within the construction industry.
The general objective of the Final Graduation Project was to produce a project management plan for a Four-Apartment Unit. The specific objectives were:
1. To create the project charter in order to communicate the essence of the project to all stakeholders and sponsors with a shared understanding of the project.
2. To create a scope management plan in order to describe how the scope of the project will be defined, developed, monitored, controlled and verified.
3. To create a schedule management plan that exercises conscious control of time spent on specific activities of the project.
4. To create a cost management plan in order to plan and control the budget of the business.
5. To create a quality management plan that defines the quality policies and procedures relevant to the project.
6. To create a resource management plan in order to manage the most important resources of the project.
7. To create a communications management plan in order to provide accurate and timely information to all stakeholders.
8. To create a risk management plan in order to document the foreseen risks, estimate impacts and define responses to risks of the project.
9. To create a procurement management plan in order to describe how project items are procured and how vendors will be managed within the procurement process.
10. To create a stakeholder management plan to demonstrate how stakeholders will be engaged throughout the project.
The methodologies used in this research were analytical, inductive-deductive, and observation methods. Similar research conclusions were also studied in order to exercise proper navigation through the method techniques.
A thorough analysis of the current structure of the organization was made, and then the observational method was applied to assess and record results. Tools such as interviews, meetings, analytical techniques were used to develop the needed templates for project management.
A thorough analysis of the current structure of the organization was made, and then the observational method was applied to assess and record results. Tools such as interviews, meetings, analytical techniques were used to develop the needed templates for project management.
The main sources used to gather information included interviews, internet-based articles and templates, and the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK ® Guide) Six Edition. The methodology used for the research was analytical. The information gathered was used to develop each section of the secondary plans (around each knowledge area) in order to create the Project Management Plan for the Four-Apartment Unit.
The Project Management Plan developed for the Four-Apartment Unit will serve as a guide to managing other projects at TFL Construction and Design. This will expose the staff to project management principles and to drastically improve the way projects are managed at this organization.
It is recommended that management at TFL Construction & Design contemplate the use of the planning process and documents developed during the development of the Project Management Plan for the Building of the Four-Apartment Unit as a foundation for implementing an approach for similar projects in the future. The implementation of project management methodologies like the one set out in the PMBOK ® Guide will enhance the development of project scope, creating project schedules, costs, stakeholder communications, procurement principles, risk assessment, among other things at TFL Construction and Design.
