Posted: June 18th, 2015

project costing

project costing

WRITE A 3-4 PAGES ON YOUR FINDING

The allocation and cost of resources need to be carefully monitored if a project if a project  is to be delivered on-time and on-budget

at a mininum this section will contain:
1. allocation of resources to project tasks(both labor and material)

2 cost estimates for project resources

3.gantt diagram showing duration estimates for all tasks and their sequuency ( including precedence relations) and highlighting any critical paths arising from task dependencies ultimately determining the minimal duration of a project.

in addition summarize any relevant facts about the project duration, number of type of resources, critial task sequencing, or how duration estimates were arrived at and any financial implications (for example, budget, cost reports of the project as well)

– develop a baseline for your project plan so that all future variances are captured..

Introduction
1.1 Document Purpose
The purpose of this document is to describe the business requirements for implementing a helpdesk system for the employees of Learning Team C Industries.  It will discuss the need the tools that will be needed to implement the helpdesk and discuss who will be affected
1.2    Intended Audience
The intended audience is the owner and managers of LTCI. The document will accurately describe the requirements of the new helpdesk system.
1.3 Project Background
Due to the growth of the company an increase in help requests has it made it impossible for the current Information Technology infrastructure to manage and accommodate the requests. This is the reasoning for the implementation of a helpdesk system.
1.4 Business Requirement Purpose
The helpdesk business requirements are as follows:
?    Hardware (Computer)
?    Software (Server and helpdesk)
?    Maintenance agreement
?    Helpdesk crew
?    Proper budget
?    Request for proposal
?    Network setup
1.5 Goals and objectives
The Goal and objective of the new helpdesk system is to:
?    Provide first line support
?    Reduce computer down time
?    Ensure great customer service
?    Provide a team of skilled worker
?    Develop a process for employees/customers
?    Provide training
?    Define the roles and responsibilities
1.6 Benefits
To centralize all IT issues, this will allow employees to get better service. It will also cut back on system downtime which will save time and money.
1.7 Stakeholders
Owner, Managers, Employees
2.    Requirement Scope
?    Implement and setup helpdesk server
?    Provide training
?    Provide link to the service and telephone helpdesk number
?    Provide policies and documentation
?    Determine how many helpdesk personnel will be needed
?    Will not be using Tier I, Tier II method
2.1 Performance Requirements
Helpdesk system will be available during all work hours
2.2 Scalability
The system will be able to accommodate more users than LTCI has, this will account for future growth within the company.
3.    Interface requirements
3.1 Software Interface requirements
?    Computer system
?    Operating system software (server)
?    Access to the web
?    Account
3.2 User Interface requirements
?    Operating system
?    Computer system

1.1. Work breakdown structure
1.1.1. Project deliverables
A weekly meeting would be held to discuss whether or not the process is moving as expected. Each deliverable should have a time stamp so as to ensure that each task is done within a stipulated time frame so as to ensure that the project stays on track.
1.1.2. Activity groups for each deliverable
All team members ought to be present during the weekly meetings. Task lists would also be given to each member to aid in ensuring that they stay within the constraints of the task in question.
1.1.3. Specific tasks for each activity group
The Personnel department would be under Charles Irwin. LaReshe Sandy would supervise Information. Processes would be controlled by Michael Locke while Mildred Potash would take charge of Technology.
1.1.4. Submit WBS to project sponsor
The LTCI Company is the chief sponsor of the project.  The project stakeholders are all that have an interest in the project. These include Charles Irwin, LaReshe Sandy, Michael Locke and Mildred Potash. The entire helpdesk personnel as well as the customers that need help also fall under the sponsors’ category.
1.2. Network diagram
1.2.1. Organizing WBS into a logical sequence
The WBS should be organized in such a way that its objectives can be met and implemented within the company.
1.2.1.1. Work packages (Deliverables)
Each deliverable should have a time stamp so as to ensure that each task is done within a stipulated time frame so as to ensure that the project stays on track. Task lists would also be given to each member to aid in ensuring that they stay within the constraints of the task in question.
1.2.1.2. Establish dependencies (Predecessors & Successors)
The team members include both those that would be in charge of different departments and the helpdesk personnel. The predecessors are the four that are in charge of the departments while the helpdesk personnel make up the successors.
1.2.1.3.  Major Milestones
In order for this project to be successful, the company must take the certain perspectives into consideration. First, the company should implement the helpdesk server and ensure that it has been setup. It must also provide the necessary training to its entire helpdesk staff. Thirdly, the company should provide its customers and users with the link to the company’s service and helpdesk telephone number. It is also vital for the company to determine the number of personnel that they would require at the helpdesk. Finally, LTCI must make it known to the helpdesk personnel that it would not be using either Tier I or Tier II method.
1.2.1.4.  Start-to-finish relationships
Sponsors and project managers ought to have an understanding on each other’s time commitment to the project, the types and frequency of reports from the project manager, how often the sponsor will meet with the project manager, how the sponsor expects the project manager to deal with issues, and when the project sponsor should escalate an issue to the sponsor.
1.3.  Determining resource requirements
1.3.1. Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM)
Charles Irwin is the project manager. Together with his co-founders, they will oversee the four major components of the helpdesk. Charles Irwin would take lead on Personnel. LaReshe Sandy would supervise Information. Processes would be controlled by Michael Locke while Mildred Potash would take charge of Technology.
1.3.1.1. Major project activities
The major activities of this project are to create the company’s IT. This should be done through resources through the establishment of an IT helpdesk. In order for this project to be successful, the company must take the certain perspectives into consideration. First, the company should implement the helpdesk server and ensure that it has been setup. It must also provide the necessary training to its entire helpdesk staff. Thirdly, the company should provide its customers and users with the link to the company’s service and helpdesk telephone number. It is also vital for the company to determine the number of personnel that they would require at the helpdesk. Finally, LTCI must make it known to the helpdesk personnel that it would not be using either Tier I or Tier II method.
1.3.1.2. Project team members & key stakeholders
The team members of this project include the helpdesk personnel and the customers and users seeking service from the company. The key stakeholders of this project include Charles Irwin, LaReshe Sandy, Michael Locke, and Mildred Potash.
1.3.1.3. Level of participation by resource
The project requires a lot of resources for it to be in place. However, the level of participation is not based on the availability of resources as the projects main sponsor is the LTCI. The key stakeholders are only present to aid in the establishment of the project.
1.3.1.4. RAM delivery to project sponsor
The project managers should deliver the RAM to the project’s sponsor so as to allow the company to know how the project would be implemented and who would oversee its implementation.
1.3.1.5.  RAM approved and finalized
Learning Team C Industries, Inc. should approve the RAM in order to allow for the onset of the project at hand.
1.4.  Project budget
1.4.1. Resource loaded schedule for work package
The budget for each helpdesk personnel has been estimated at seventy five thousand dollars a year. This is inclusive of their yearly salary and benefits.
1.4.2. Bottom-up estimate for each work package
The work package is estimated at around five helpdesk personnel. If estimated at seventy five thousand dollars a year, the entire package would cost the company three hundred and seventy five thousand dollars a year.
1.4.3. Assumptions for each estimate
When making this estimate, it is assumed that the company would only hire five helpdesk personnel, in our estimates  should be enough to man the IT helpdesk and handle the projected call volume from our customers.
1.4.4. Direct costs
It would the company seventy five thousand dollars to carry out conclusive interviews to pick the best helpdesk personnel. This amount would also cater for the training of these individuals.
1.4.5. Budget summary
Two hundred thousand dollars has been set aside as the startup capital towards this project. This is inclusive of seventy five thousand dollars that would be used in interviewing and training of personnel. A further seventy five thousand dollars would be required for the yearly maintenance and upgrade of the helpdesk. Each personnel would also be expected to receive seventy five thousand dollars per year as salary and worker benefits from the company.
1.4.6. Submit to project sponsor
1.4.7. Finalize budget as “Cost Baseline”
1.5. Project organization
The project has been organized into six main steps that are disguised as goals and objectives. These include reducing computer down time, improving customer service, provision of skilled technicians and developing a helpdesk process for all the company’s customers among others.
1.6. Change Control methodology
The project has been organized in such a way that its control is not under one individual or one department. Instead, control has been distributed into four departments that are headed by capable individuals that would see to the implementation of the project.
1.7. Project constrains, assumptions and risks
Lack of resources to facilitate this project is the major constrain facing the project. The budget is made on the assumption that only five personnel would be enough to take control of the IT helpdesk. Since the company has not used this process before and its database is not well established to take in and save customer data, it would prove to be risky to start asking for information from its users and customers seeking service. It is to be assumed that beyond project completion there would be small changes to the helpdesk to fully integrate it into our company.
1.8. Communications plan
An effective communication plan should be out in place to ensure that there is constant and open communication between the project sponsors, stakeholders and project managers. This would help to see to the flow transition of the project as it would allow all these groups to know what to do in the case of any problem arising during the establishment of the project.
1.9.  Quality management plan
In order to ensure that the company has the best IT helpdesk personnel, it should carry out conclusive interviews through which they should seek for the very best individuals that boast of the skills that the company desires its personnel to have. The must be knowledgeable and have a basic understanding of our products and are teachable. They must have a eagerness to help and outstanding communication skills.
1.10. Procurement plan
Any procurement to be done towards this project should be done within the allocated budget. All this should be accounted for and made known during the weekly progress meetings. Anything to be procured also has to be discussed and agreed upon by the sponsors as well as the stakeholders.