Management level case

Transcription

1 Management level case Menteen Possible Issues Project Management Tools LearnCIMA Possible Issues Managerial Case Study February 2017 Page 1

2 PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS PERTS Chart The PERT chart can be used as a project management tool to schedule, organize, and coordinate tasks within the movie making process. PERT stands for Program Evaluation Review Technique and it presents a graphic illustration of the movie production process as a network diagram consisting of numbered nodes (either circles or rectangles) representing events, or milestones in the process linked by labelled vectors (directional lines) representing the specific tasks in the production and distribution process. Advantages of using a PERT chart It clearly illustrates task dependencies, thus is preferred over other project management tools such as the Gantt chart. The producer who is the project manager views information about the likely completion of the movie on time and on budget by viewing PERT activities and events independently and in combination. The project manager can evaluate the time and resources needed for any one of the movie making activities, such as dubbing and adding in special effects. PERT analysis improves planning and decision-making by integrating and presenting data from multiple departments such as screen writing and marketing. PERT chart enable to identify the responsible departments and each person's role in making and distributing the movie. What-if Analysis will enable Menteen to identify possibilities and uncertainties related to project activities such as in creation and distribution of the movie. LearnCIMA Possible Issues Managerial Case Study February 2017 Page 2

3 Draw backs of using a PERT chart as a project management tool It can be difficult to interpret, specifically when dealing with complex projects. Thus, frequently, producers use the two techniques (PERT and Gantt chart) parallel. The data collection and analysis process is subjective in nature when creating a PERT chart. Thus, the PERT chart might not accurately estimate time or cost. The PERT chart is a time network analysis which determines labor, material and capital equipment requirements for individual movies. Hence cost estimates are developed for each activity in the network that is primarily focused on time. However, this means that activities must completed on time to meet the project completion date. WORK BREAK DOWN STRUCTURE (WBS) The WBS enlists the activities required to complete the movie successfully. However, WBS is only a list of activities and is not chronologically ordered as in the case of PERT charts. This process will breakdown the tasks, deliverables and activities that are related to the movie making process into chunks that are manageable. This will also allow the team members to understand what is needed and what must be done to produce and distribute the movie on time. Advantages of using the WBS The structure of work breakdown will boost productivity at Menteen studio as it facilitates the identification of skills which are needed to complete the movie on time. The members of can help one another to become productive as they are all aware of the tasks that due to be completed. The structure of work breakdown will allow the project members to see the description of the steps which are needed in order to deliver the right movie to the customers. The structure of work breakdown will provide a great level of detail which will enable the project manager to understand his team members and hold them responsible for all tasks that have been completed. The work breakdown structure will also allow for allocating cost and time estimates for the movie. LearnCIMA Possible Issues Managerial Case Study February 2017 Page 3

4 Disadvantages of using the WBS Could lead to micromanagement which may not be attractive to some team members as this will negatively impact their creativity. It is not an easy task to find the best and most accurate level of details for the WBS as you must fit in all the process to just one page. It would become extremely difficult to find what exactly the tasks are and what must be the creation of them added to the WBS. The EBS could become outdated quite fast as the schedule of the project will change the execution of such projects but the WBS will remain as it is. The development of work breakdown structure is quite hectic and could take some time and effort. PRINCE2 MODEL This is a process-based approach that focuses on organization and control over the entire film making project, from start to finish. The PRINCE2 method is built on the following principles: Every film making project must have a clear need of defined customers, realistic benefits, and a detailed cost assessment that could justify the project been under taken. The project members should seek to learn from every stage at every process which is used to improve future tasks. The roles and responsibilities of each team members are clearly defined. Thus, all memebrs should know exactly what they re responsible for and what their teammates are responsible for. The movie is broken up into individual work phases, with periodic reviews to record lessons learned and to confirm that the project is still on track for completion. The project manager has the authority to get the project back on track if there are delays or it is going over budget Teams keep a constant focus on quality. The PRINCE 2 approach should be tailored for each project. LearnCIMA Possible Issues Managerial Case Study February 2017 Page 4

5 Steps in following the PRINCE 2 approach Starting-up the project * The potential producers submit a proposal with a very brief, covering only why the project is necessary and what it will ideally accomplish. * If approved by the board, the person who initiated the project then submits a more detailed project brief, which covers the actions, resources, manpower, etc. needed to execute the project. Directing a project * The executive board reviews and evaluates project briefs based on commercial success and viability for another round of approval/disapproval. Initiating a project * The project manager who is the producer of the movie creates Project Initiation Documentation, including a comprehensive project plan and baselines for 6 performance targets: time, cost, quality, scope, risk, and benefits. Controlling a Stage * The producer oversees the progress of work packages during each stage and steps in to help overcome roadblocks or correct any mistakes, if necessary so that the movie will be on track. Managing Product Delivery * The producer checks progress against the project brief and makes sure deliverables meet quality expectations. Closing the Project *When the movie is complete, the project manager wraps up which includes documentation, outcomes, and reporting. Advantages of using PRINCE 2 methodology The PRINCE2 methodology breaks projects down into stages which means the project can be closely monitored using a step-by-step method from the very beginning of the project up to its closure. This, it minimizes the chances of project going out of control and on track. The PRINCE2 methodology standardizes every aspect of the project to ensure that there is no chance of miscommunication or misdirection. Therefore, ensures that everyone involved in the project knows what to do and when it should be done. Time and cost effective as time and money is saved on identifying risks as they will have been outlined at the beginning of the project and, if an unexpected risk arises, it can be dealt with timeously as project stages end and the next begins. LearnCIMA Possible Issues Managerial Case Study February 2017 Page 5

6 Disadvantages of using PRINCE 2 methodology This methodology lacks flexibility as this process involves a lot of documentation which makes ii difficult to manage when some processors change due to the creativity of directors. Furthermore, documenting can become the focus in which can lead the project in major trouble. The movie industry is a dynamic industry with continuous adaptation of new methods and technology. However, PRINCE2 might find difficulties in catering some of the project management needs. Organizing a project using the PRINCE2 methodology requires a strong project board, in this case it is the Menteen executive board, however they might not be qualified enough to make these decisions (refer Deep Dive Doc). As a result, they may ignore some critical issues or avoid taking any key decisions that needs to be made which could result in the whole project been negatively affected as it will not successfully have completed. LearnCIMA Possible Issues Managerial Case Study February 2017 Page 6