Assignment Sample on BUSI 1623 Project Management
1. Introduction
Project management of managing supply chains delivers a special value through dealing with different challenges by investigating sustainable Biofuel. The aim of this study is to identify current supply chain or logistics problems for combined Heat and Power (CHP). This project promotes the use of glycerol as an innovative bio fuel by creating a risk management strategy within the University of Greenwich Medway campus. Cogeneration from heat and power from bio fuel or biomass seeks to improve efficiency through involving different partners from the UK and France. This study sheds its light on the challenges in managing the Glycerol supply chain and its solutions, a detailed project plan, and a project risk management plan.
2. Challenges in developing/managing the Glycerol supply chain
The development of glycerol (C3H8O3) as a fuel for power generation is essential and it combusts more efficiently and cleanly than any other bio fuel. In managing this supply chain to create a sustainable environment, the project management of the University of Greenwich Medway campus has faced different challenges. According to the view of Bataglin et al. (2020), bio fuel manufacture, halophytic microalgae, and algal cultivation are the key sources of Glycerol and it is used as an engine-driven power generation fuel. As a project manager, it has extremely has hard for developing and manufacturing the Glycerol supply chain. The main reason behind the difficulty is non-toxic and biodegradable energy, which comes through the sea in single-hull vessels, this organization is facing several difficulties (Sahrawi et al. 2020). As a result, procurement of energy has become highly challenging for the project management.
Another major challenge faced by the project manager of Glycerol purification project is associated with hydrogen formation. A defines that from one mole of glycerol, the hydrogen formation should be 7 moles. In the words of Fabro et al. (2020), in the practical operations of utilizing glycerol as a fuel for power generation, it is observed that the minimum production of hydrogen obtained is 4 moles and limits to 5.8 to 6 moles. Minimum hydrogen production is one of the most crucial challenges of managing glycerol as a bio fuel to create sustainable energy. This endothermic reaction further requires a high temperature and this control of high temperature is a difficult task for the project manager. In the project management procedure, this has added to the operational cost of the project manager. In managing the glycerol supply chain, high temperature increases the capital cost of these reactors in terms of material construction (Gemünden et al. 2018). This high temperature of the steam reforming process is 800K-100K which is somewhat uncontrollable and increases operational cost.
Usage of crude glycerol contains ash, methanol, water, and a few fatty materials and it eliminates the refining stage. According to the view of Ahmed (2018), it further serves the lower quality of production due to financial shortages and limited time of sustainable energy production. In certain cases, effective utilization of carbon dioxide is not observed in this steam reforming princess of glycerol. These are the crucial challenges of the formation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide to create effective bio fuel energy for the University of Greenwich Medway campus. Glycerol has a high boiling point (290C) is another problem to control and create the effect in the overall production process to create more sustainability. As influenced by Daniel, and Daniel (2018), utilization of glycerol for firing CHP is high and it is considered as not feasible to create sustainable production. The fear of toxic emissions of acrolein from burning glycerol is another most crucial problem for which the steam reforming process is ignored.
The steam reforming process is an extremely difficult technique and in controlling the balance between water, crude materials, and high temperature, this organization is facing several challenges. As opined by Ogunde et al. (2017), one of the significant challenges is the investment issues as no investors are willing to invest in the necessary infrastructure for this refining process. Therefore, in managing glycerol as fuel, high temperature, crude materials, and high cost are the main challenges that this organization is facing. These critical problems have created a significant impact in managing this glycerol supply chain management and jeopardize the production of bio fuel energy. As influenced by Demirkesen, and Ozorhon (2017), shortages of crude glycerol’s, expensive rates, and high costs in production houses are the key issues in managing the glycerol supply chain. In terms of ability, cost, reliability, and security, these challenges become crucial and reflect a devastating impact on bio fuel energy production.
3. Solutions of identified challenges
In creating sustainable energy, these potential issues should be resolved by taking different necessary steps for the effective implementation of glycerol for power generation. University of Greenwich Medway campus is highly concerned about these mitigation steps and solutions to improve operations and effectiveness. As stated by Lee et al. (2018), it further offers different advantages for delivering CHP as it is biodegradable, water-soluble, non-volatile, non-odorous, and has low in flammability. Therefore, mitigation steps should be implemented to improve bio fuel production from glycerol for creating a sustainable environment.
Correction of density: The density of glycerol is relatively high which stands approximately 1.26kg per litter and to maximize the production of hydrogen and carbon dioxide, proper calculation of density is significant (Cicmil, and Gaggiotti, 2018). This correction and proper measurement of density are critical to maximizing hydrogen production by minimizing waste and increasing profit. [Referred to Appendix 1]
Maintenance of sustainability: The purification process is extremely necessary to reduce the toxic emission of acrolein and the organization should focus on maintaining different laws and regulations. As stated by Davies et al. (2018), proper measurement of glycerol is highly required to mitigate different risks and issues for the effective implementation of successful bio fuel energy. The use of crude materials and reduction of this toxic emission of acrolein is essential to solve sustainability issues and assist in creating proper supply chain management.
Risk management: Effective risk management is a potential solution for controlling the high temperature in the streaming process for hydrogen and oxygen production. Waste, treatment, heat, and electricity are several factors and in this case, managing risks are crucial for eliminating other issues (Papke-Shields, and Boyer-Wright, 2017). In this high degree of uncertainty, risk management is crucial for executing proper results.
Cost and budget management: Budget management from the planning stage is critical to increasing efficiency and profit through proper cost structure. As opined by Cicmil, and Gaggiotti (2018), budget and cost management further assist in the purification process and managing raw materials and this can assist the organization in mitigating several budget issues within this project life cycle. In managing different expensive processes and materials, this cost and budget management is crucial and assists in reducing environmental impact.
Implementation of technology: In solving different identified problems, this implementation of technology is highly required to maximize effectiveness and eliminate different risks. This technical implementation is crucial and it assists in operating different operations more quickly and smoothly (Chawla et al. 2018). Therefore, technology improves the steam reforming process in managing glycerol purification and production for further improvement in bio fuel production.
Therefore, these solutions are critical in increasing efficiency and managing sustainable bio fuel production in the University of Greenwich Medway campus. Increasing the use of crude glycerol are also important to reduce cost and minimizing the way of transportation is beneficial. These strategies significantly assist in the research of new technologies and reducing pollution to create more sustainability.
4. A detailed Project Plan (including WBS, Gantt chart, and Network Diagram)
Project scope
In this specific project, the University of Greenwich Medway campus aims to create sustainable energy production through utilizing glycerol as a non-biodegradable resource. This project is conducted through the “Initiation, Planning, Execution, Control and Closure” procedure through developing sustainable energy in a step-by-step and organized way (Xia et al. 2018). In this university campus, the scope of this project is to create a sustainable supply chain to deliver full grade glycerol to the CHP plant taking into account its technological partner, Aquafuel. The university expected to use 18000 tonnes per year through the current amount of glycerol by maintaining its correct deliverables. As stated by Chofreh et al. (2018), the milestones are typically observed on a monthly basis to improve procurement management, and transportation management, and this assists in monitoring change, performance, production, control management, and proper evaluation.
The technical requirement presents glycerol quality for maintaining CHP plants and improves their purification process. According to the view of Varajão et al. (2017), in managing these project performances, and executing this project within a limited time frame, proper management of different activities and proper monitoring is highly required. In developing sustainable energy, this organization is engaged with its different stakeholders and it enables the project to execute within a limited time frame. Proper use of resources, proper planning, risk management, and budget management assist in maintaining different activities for strengthening supply chain management systems.
The University of Greenwich Medway campus is highly concerned about these strategies and takes necessary steps to improve different areas. As influenced by Nusari et al. (2018), effective purification process, use of crude glycerol, measuring density, and implementation of advanced technologies are important to improve this project. The project manager has taken entire responsibilities to manage these raw materials through a cost-efficient strategy for managing time and budget. As stated by Prończuk (2018), proper project planning through measuring budget and time is extremely needed to reduce cost and increase efficiency. Risk identification is another critical stage that promotes change and assists the project manager to ion trap induces new ideas for delivering proper performance by successful project delivery process.
WBS
Figure 1: WBS
(Source: Rashid Issa, 2019)
The WBS in this above section clearly presents the project through a hierarchical framework to establish relationships between different steps. As opined by Sanchez, and Terlizzi (2017), effective creation of supply chain management is an important area and this project is accomplished through different stages and steps through strong supervision of the project manager. “Initiation, Planning, Execution, and Control and Closure” are the four critical steps that assist this project manager in managing activities in an organized way. At the initial stage, the project scope is identified to understand key aims and the project manager is highly concerned about maintaining these steps. In the words of Rashid Issa (2019), brainstorming and identification of stakeholders and partners are the main operations of this scope or initial phase. Defining executions and limitations and taking the agreement of different parties, the University of Greenwich Medway campus has set its scope to create sustainable energy production by effective utilization of glycerol.
Quality development is an important part and in this scenario, the organization identifies its different stakeholders where Aquafuel is their technical partner. In the next phase or “designing’ step, budget, resources, transportation of risk management are the main areas that are properly managed by the project manager (Gruden, and Stare, 2018). In selecting the proper supplier, the organization can collect its grade materials and it further reduces in collecting proper raw materials with reducing cost. Selection of suppliers, transpiration route, staff allocating, and risk development are several areas that are effectively identified and controlled in this designing phase. As opined by Zaman et al. (2019), project managers take necessary steps by identifying these risks and challenges for taking necessary steps and changes. Full implementation and the trial period are covered in this phase and this assists the project manager in reviewing different programs through close analysis.
Procure management, transport management fall under this category for proper monitoring and reviewing of different functions. According to the view of Sanchez, and Terlizzi (2017), these particular categories assist in measuring the quality of a project through engaging with different internal and external stakeholders. In creating a sustainable supply chain, risk management and procurement management play a significant role and assist this project for proper execution. In the designing phase, the budget is distinguished by different suppliers, resources, and transportation through proper utilization of glycerol. As stated by Prończuk (2018), these different stages are significant for the proper execution of a project with adequate planning and designing. The trial period contains different stages and this further promotes the execution of different functions for improving this supply chain management system.
Gantt chart and Network Diagram
Figure 2: Gantt chart
(Source: Project Libre)
Figure 3: Network Diagram
(Source: Project Libre)
The development of a project network is important through proper planning, scheduling, monitoring of different activities for improving supply chain management. The design is based on WBS information that is focused on a logical sequence of activities for completing the entire project. The main tasks are depicted in a Gantt chart and the network diagram comes from the WBS definition after reviewing different tasks (Varajão et al. 2017). Gantt chart and network diagram assist in understanding different activities and create a timeframe for organizing different areas.
5. Project Risk Management Plan
The risk management plan is another crucial step that mitigates different potential issues and assists in improving different areas through proper dealing with different activities. Following are the major risks that are associated with the project management:
Risk of fuel supply
The major risk associated with the project of CHP plant is the abundance of fuel supply. The quality of Glycerol fuel and price volatility in the market is the major reason behind the occurrence of the challenge. It is important for a project manager to consider the project economics considering specific amount of energy produced. According to the studies of Chofreh et al. (2018), there is a majority of chance that a project of CHP plant will fail, when issues of fuel supply is prevalent. According to the view of Chawla et al. (2018), in the purification process, this glycerol is used for creating bio fuel in different sectors and creates biodegradable energy. This glycerol supply is highly influenced by biodiesel manufacturing and politics, and the risk is mitigated through the strong attachment of different suppliers (Xia et al. 2018). Therefore, it is important that identification of proper risk management is necessary for maintaining price through engaging different suppliers and proper usage of glycerol.
Revenue Risk
In case of selling power in CHP plant, a long term purchase agreement with suppliers is highly essential. As cited by Varajão et al. (2017), the agreement must be bounded with suppliers based on specific volume of kilowatt-hours. As a project manager, it can be understood that short term purchase agreements with suppliers would be less financeable unless having a strong grantor that agrees to pay. The agreement must be developed regardless sales and purchase of energy supply (Davies et al. 2018). However, emerging challenges of price management can create significant revenue risk for the project manager. This is particularly due to high expense and low returns of the project. In reducing cost, the University of Greenwich Medway campus can maximize the use of crude glycerol, and this assists in improving the project performance (Chofreh et al. 2018). This maintenance of price and managing risk is critical to improving this project’s performance and effective utilization of glycerol.
Operational Risk
The performance of biodiesel energy generating project is entirely dependent upon the ongoing support, which it receives from project management process. As cited by Prończuk (2018), operational risk mainly occurs due to the poor practices of operation management within and outside the team. It is essential for the project managers to provide equipment suppliers an opportunity to develop a strong infrastructure within campus. This operational risk further caused by improper management of remote monitoring and diagnostic process. A technical support is further crucial for project manager to deal with the existing operational risk.
In this project of the University of Greenwich Medway campus, Aquafuel along with Greenery is working as a technological partner, and this assists this project in improving different activities. This technological partner of this organization allows the use of crude glycerol after going through several processes. As influenced by Gruden, and Stare (2018), risk management in technology is an important issue that further assists this organization to improve different activities and smooth the working process. Proper implementation of technology is required to improve the operation process and make this project successful by improving the supply chain management system (Fabro et al. 2020).
It is considered to allow the use of crude glycerol as a bio fuel to maintain good qualities of the engine and for this process, it could develop continuous improvement and in which technology can be implemented. As opined by Nusari et al. (2018) in an effort to be secure it can create an effective risk management plan in which it ensures critical systems and processes. It has been found from the analysis of the risk that operational risk, revenue risk and fuel supply risks are major challenges that are associated with the project of Glycerol development project. It is essential for the project manager to address the emerging risk for the smooth flow of project management process. Failure in addressing the risk would create huge barriers to the successful completion or timely competition of the project.
6. Conclusions
Based on the above study it can be concluded that the University of Greenwich Medway campus plans to create a sustainable supply chain through installing bio-fuel energy production. The study has identified several challenges in implementing bio fuel energy through proper utilization of glycerol. Several recommendations are further observed to improve different areas for the proper execution of this project. Risk management, procurement management, implementation of technology, and maintenance of sustainability are critical to improving different areas for proper functioning. Measuring a particular proportion of glycerol, risk management, budget planning and maintenance of sustainability are critical concerns that assist this project for the proper execution of the supply chain. Gantt chart and Network diagram assist in identifying project activities within a limited time frame by organizing in an effective way. Project plan and scope assist in identifying different issues and main aims and this makes the project manager reach its ultimate aim.
7. References
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8. Appendix
