DISCUSSION

You are ready to move forward with your project, but you realize you have not done a good job in identifying risks for your project. Using information that you learned from both online lectures, describe a key risk (either one that is technical, external, or organizational) that could impact your project. Then, recommend a risk response for it.

EXAMPLE

Risk management is an important aspect of project management. It can be defined as an unforeseen event or activity that can impact the project’s progress, result or outcome in a positive or negative way.  A risk can be assessed using two factors: impact and probability.

For example, if the probability is 1, it is an issue and that risk is already materialized. If the probability is zero, this means that risk will not happen and should be removed from the list of potential risks.

Note: risk management is the identification, assessment, and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities.

DISCUSSION

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PROJECT CHALLENGE

Your business sponsor and customer are impressed with your project schedule, but due to some factors out of your / their control, you’ve been told to deliver your project early. Using the information from the readings, explain how you would go about assessing the possibility of delivering your project early. How will that affect scope, costs, and schedule

ASSIGNMENT

Project Schedule

Due Week 6 and worth 150 points

This assignment consists of two (2) parts: a project schedule, and a written response. You must submit both parts as separate files for the completion of this assignment. Label each file name according to the part of the assignment it is written for.

Part A: Project Schedule

(Submit as one [1] Microsoft Project file)

1. In Assignment 2, you developed a project plan. Now, using the information from your project proposal, create a multi-level work breakdown structure (WBS) and detailed project schedule.

   Your project must include the following criteria:

o    The project must consist of at least twenty-five (25) tasks.

o    Each task must contain a start date, a finish date, and have main staffing and non-staffing resources assigned.

o    Assume that your work activities are completed during normal weekdays (no weekend work) under normal conditions (8 hours per day).

o    In terms of holidays, you can assume no work will be done the following days: New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Good Monday, Friday before Memorial Day, Memorial Day, the business day before Independence Day, Independence Day, the Friday before Labor Day, Labor Day, the day before Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving), the business day before Christmas, Christmas Day, the business day after Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.

Part B: Written Response

(Submit as a Microsoft Word file)

Write a one to two (1-2) page response in which you:

1. Analyze your project in terms of project completion, critical path, and slack / float. Specifically, be sure to answer the following:

o    When will the project be completed?

o    What is the critical path for the project?

o    How much slack / float is in your project? What activities have the greatest slack / float?

2. Summarize the recommendations or improvements you would make to your project schedule. Specifically, be sure to answer the following:

o    Identify the top three (3) activities that you believe could impact the project completion date.

o    What additional activities would you add to this project to make it more complete, from a project management viewpoint?

3. Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:

o    Typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.

o    Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.

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Bottom of Form

BLOG

Living Green with Microsoft

You have been appointed as the new environmental manager for Microsoft. In a blog post to your key stakeholders, discuss using environmental management as a competitive advantage. Additionally, you must comment on at least one of your peers’ blogs. Be sure to use concepts found in Chapter 11 to demonstrate your understanding of information.

It is well known that Apple has consistently been at the forefront of technology, globally. When it pertains to our environment, we have done a solid job at keeping our environment safe and clean. However, there is more that our company can do to make our environment eco-friendly. What do we need to do?  We must be aggressive in our plight to make certain that we are totally green, from our thinking to our products.  All of our products must be 100% recyclable.  It is essential that we use natural resources and design a recycling program to ensure that all of our products are recycled back into the company. We must examine all of the moving parts used to create our products and find eco-friendlier options. If we do not have an option, then we are obligated to create a superior option. Flawless executions in fully going green are required for all of our locations, domestic and international.  All implementations must be measured to determine if we are living up to our environmental responsibilities. Our goal is to do the right thing by creating a clean and safe environment for our customer and our workers.  Setting standards and enforcing stringent guidelines will keep us accountable. Making these changes will propel our company to the next level and provide many benefits. We will have significant cost savings, product differentiation, technological innovation and strategic planning.  Microsoft is focusing on long term health and will see the fruits of our labor though regimented environmental management methods.

DISCUSSION

Technological Advancements and Ch