It is essential to practice new skills in order to reinforce the concepts and allow you to build experience in the decision-making process. This case was selected as it is non-technical and is applicable to all students since we all have known someone who has gotten married. While we may not have experienced the complications of planning an actual wedding, this case offers you the ability to employ project management skills outside of a work environment. Project management is a collection of skills and techniques that can be used to manage many elements of life.
This assignment considers the information provided in the Now Wedding case. It can be found at the end of Chapter 9 of your textbook in the case section after the blue pages. Additional questions have been added, so please use the text only for the case material and not the assignment. The text has both parts A and B, but for this assignment you only need to read part A. To complete the assignment do all of the following:
Read the Now Wedding case at the end of Chapter 9.
Create a paper responding to the following questions (ignore the questions in the textbook and only answer these questions):
Using the time estimates offered in the case create a simple timeline/schedule. This need not be detailed, just the basics are sufficient.
Using the estimated costs provided in the case, create a simple budget. Of course, upon review, Dad will comment Oh, boy!
Are the time and cost estimates reasonable, why or why not? (Note: there is no wrong answer to this question, it is simply a gauge for how you assess each of these elements and not a validator on how much planning should go into or how much money should be spent on a wedding.)
Considering the list of items Lauren and Mom plan for the wedding, identify three key items and provide alternatives that would save cost or time in planning this wedding. Include your rationale for the new options and why each is a better choice than the existing idea they presented in the conversation with Dad.
Considering the list of items Lauren and Mom plan for the wedding, identify a contingency plan for three key items essential to the wedding. The list may not include the three original items you suggested alternates for, but it may include the alternates since you may assume that Lauren loved your suggestions. Why are these items essential to the wedding and therefore in need of a contingency plan?
Be sure to validate your suggestions with quality references. The ability to research any topic necessary is an essential skill of project managers.
Keep the following in mind as you write your paper:
Check spelling and grammar.
Do not use first person (I, we, us, etc.) as it is not scholarly, use third person instead.
Use in-text citation to credit the ideas use in your paper to the original authors.
At least 3 quality references should be used (one may be your textbook).
Write a 3-page paper in Word format. Use the American Psychological Association (APA) style (6th edition) for writing your assignment.

Chapter 9