Project Management Leadership and Skill: Planning and Control Assignment Sample
Introduction
This assignment is based on the company “Enterprise Rent-A-Car (ERAC)”. The company was founded in 1957 by Jack C. Taylor. The company is based in the United States but the company is having branches in many countries like “Canada, Germany, France, Spain and franchise locations throughout Europe”. The company is holding 33% of the share market of the United State. Due to the tremendous leadership and the enterprise spirit of the employees the company has been able to build a large car rental brand in Northern America. In Northern America, the company is known for its exceptionally low rates and also because of its outstanding customer service of the company. The company contributes more than $200 million to Non-Profit organizations the main motto of the company is to improve the “community, education and environmental stewardship”. The company is having more than 80,000 employees and the annual revenue of the company is $17 billion.
Planning and Control
A1. Mission and objectives of project
The mission of the company “Enterprise Rent-A-Car” is “The company is required to expand its business in the future in Greece and the Greek Island”.
The objectives of the company are:
| Specific | The company wants to make Autokinito self-sufficient within 12 months and the company also want to expand its business in Greece and the Greek Island |
| Measurable | Autokinito currently has a fleet of 4,500 vehicles and 80 vans, something that Enterprise wishes to grow by at least 10% year on year |
| Achievable | Autokinito is going to become the franchise of the company ERAC for which the company will get the 10% from the annual income of the Autokinito |
| Realistic or Relevant | For these projects, the company ERAC is ready to invest £500k which is the initial setup cost of the project it also includes the salary of the project manager and the cost of the training if any provided to the staff of Autokinito. The further fund will be decided on the basis of the end figures of the financial year (and of march 2023) |
| Time-bound | The target of the company is to complete these projects within 12 months |
(Source: self-made)
A2. Stakeholder’s management plan
Identification of the stakeholders
The stakeholder can be defined as the party who is having an interest in the company. The stakeholder of the company makes the investment in the company for which they receive the interest.
In these case study, the stakeholder of the company Autokinito is “ERAC, employees, customers and suppliers”.
Importance of the stakeholders
The stakeholder is important for the company because without the stakeholder the company will not have any projects. According to the research of Buenoet al. (2020), Due to the engagement of the stakeholders the company will be able to conduct many benefits within the project. The company can involve the stakeholders in making the decisions it will help the company in making the important decisions related to the project. The stakeholders can influence the actions of the company in such a way that it would be helpful for the “project management team” of the company. The stakeholders of the company also help in making understanding where the company is required to invest their available resources.
Purpose of the stakeholder’s management
stakeholder management is important for the company because it helps the leaders of the company in identifying, assessing and also manage the interest and expectations of the groups and the individuals or the companies who have invested their funds in the project or the company (Derakhshanet al. (2019).
Stakeholders’ management cycle
Shareholders management is one of the most important sociocultural activities in PM
The main process of the stakeholders includes:
Figure No 1: Stakeholders management cycle
(Source:Ndombi, 2021)
| Identifying stakeholders | Brainstorming activity is used by the company Autokinito for the identification of the stakeholders which includes both “brainstorming and brainwriting”. The stakeholder of the company Autokinito is “ERAC, employees, customers and suppliers”. |
| Classify stakeholders | ERAC is playing the role of the beneficiary because the company will charge 10% of the annual profit of Autokinito. According to the research of Ndombi, (2021), The company ERAC makes internal involvement in the project because the company is associated with the process of the project. ERAC is maintaining its interest in the project as the beneficiary because the company gets the amount from Autokinito. After all, it becomes the franchise of the company.
Employees play the role of the actor they are having the responsibility to undertake the activities so that the project plan can change into progress. The employees make the external involvement because the company is paying the fees to the employees for converting the project plan into progress. Employees is maintaining their interest in the project as the cost because the company will pay the amount to the employees for the process of the project. Customers is playing the role of the beneficiaries because the customers will be able to get benefit from the outcome of the project of Autokinito. The customers make external involvement in the project because the customers are outside of the project team and the organization. Customers maintain their interest in the project as the beneficiaries because they will able to get the services from the company. Suppliers play the role of the actor because they are having the responsibility of providing the raw materials to undertake the activities so that the project plan can change into progress. The suppliers make the external involvement because the company is paying the cost of buying the raw materials to the suppliers so that they can convert the project plan into progress. Suppliers is maintaining their interest in the project as the cost the company will pay the amount to the suppliers for providing the raw materials for the project. |
| Understand stakeholder impact | The impact of the ERAC is to manage closely because it is the highest priority group for the PM. the PM is required to manage ERAC through active engagement.
The impact on the Employees is to keep them satisfied because they are having the responsibility that they need to involve the groups which are related to the project sufficiently. The impact of the Customers is the consult they get the lowest priority from the PM. they don’t overload them with communication but need to be consulted. The impact of the Suppliers is to keep informed. The main objective is to sustain their interest and leverage when useful to projects |
| Control stakeholder engagement | For effective control of the stakeholder’s engagement the company is required to make the identification of the stakeholders, make the plan for the stakeholder’s engagement, continue the interaction with the stakeholders and also the company is required to report back to its stakeholders. |
Table 2: Stakeholders management plan
(Source: self-made)
A3. Project activity Plan
Figure No 2: Project Activity Plan
(Source: Self-created)
A4. resource allocation and utilisation plan
Resource allocation matrix is defined as the tool which has been used by the company Autokinito for the identification of the skills or the roles which are required to deliver “the activity and considering” when it has been required by the company most. It is used by the company to make guidance in a conversation which is need to be done with the resource manager when the company is trying to secure their resources.
Figure No 3: Allocation of the resources
(Source: Self-created)
A5. cost estimation
Cost estimation of the project is the work of project management in which the manager is required to estimate the cost which is required to be incurred by the company for completing the project. There are different types of techniques for the estimation of the cost. According to the research of Matelet al. (2022), The company Autokinito uses these techniques for the process of cost estimation. These techniques are:
With the help of “Analogous estimating” the project manager will ankle to calculate the cost of the project by using the values of a similar project which has been done by the company in the past.
“Parametric estimating” can be defined as the “statistical and accuracy-based technique” which helps the project manager calculate the “time, cost and the resources” which is required by the company for making the project successful.
In these case studies, the company ERAC is required to follow the technique of “Analogous estimating” because it will help the company in the allocation of resources according to its past projects.
A6. Timeline schedule
A timeline schedule of the project contains detailed information regarding the schedule of the project. The timeline schedule contains information regarding all the steps with their deadlines which are involved in the process of the project. It helps the different teams of the project in knowing when their task will take place and when the whole project is going to be wrapped up.
Figure 4: Gantt chart
(Source: self-made)
A7. Risk Management Assessment
| Risk description | Impact | Mitigation process |
| Economic risk | Changes in the economy of the company can make a negative impact on the“sales, revenues and profit” of the company. | The company is required to effectively monitor its economy and also identify the minimised risks and also required to make a plan so that the company will able to minimize the damage. |
| Financial risk | Financial risk can be defined as the internal and external activities of the company which directly affect the profitability of the company | The company is required to make adjustment to the existing business plan of the company so that they will be able to maintain the proper cash flow and also minimizes the debtor’s profitability. |
| Reputational risk | “Unsatisfied customers, product failure or lawsuit” is having the ability that can affect the image of the company | The company is required to have a reputation management strategy inside the company so that the company will be able to effectively monitor and also able to respond the reviews of the customers. |
| Operational risk | Operational risk involves different types of factors both internal and external which can make an impact on the processes of the company. | The management of the company is required to effectively address the risks which are associated with the operation of the company and able to develop a strategy for risk management. |
| Competitive risk | Competitive risk can be defined as the possibility of the company falling behind in the completion after getting the footholds | The company is required to have “strategic risk management” which helps the company in improving its services of the company so that it will be able to meet the needs of the customers. |
Table 3: Risk assessment plan
(Source: Self-made)
B. People management
It mainly refers to recruiting, engaging, training, and also retaining employees in optimising their talent and also maximising their productivity. The “Human Resource Management (HRM)” people management adds with the development and training. As per the view of Cappelli (2020), people management assists in the process related to leading, hiring, and also developing the team members. It also gives support to the organisation’s mission. The managers assist in handling tasks participating in career development, new talent, and also employee alignment.
B1. Conflict areas in project
Conflict in project management can be able to obtain many divergent forms. In the fighting between the team members who did not agree on the generative vision, arguments with the upper management related to the timelines and also expectations. “Enterprise Rent-A-Car (ERAC)” franchise in Greece is “Autokinito rent-a-car”. It has been permitted by the green family to own the “Autokinito rent-a-car” to be a franchisee and also lead under the ERAC. Autokinito does not direct or monitor the growth strategy as an enterprise and does not have any kind of plan for opening new branches. Most of the current 49 branches are available in Greece. They are happy with its current size of fleet and also have no wish to enlarge or also increase locally. However, the staff does not have the incentive for enhancing its business. However, the company needs to follow the below-mentioned 5 strategies for developing the growth of the organisation’s business.
Market development: The strategies of market penetration are referring to the strategies of business growth. It is mainly attempting to sell existing products into the “Untapped markets”. It takes participation in recognising the new markets which would be given well fit for the current line of products (Blštákováet al. 2020). The development of the market is the general for the growth strategies due to permit the individual in moving beyond the existing consumers.
Market disruption: It mainly takes participants into the coming set of the industry. It is generally dominated by the lower legacy brands and also proceeds with completing things. It differently refers to everyone that are ways numbers which can potentially disrupt markets by utilising completely divergent business models as many brands of DTC have done. Along with that, it uses innovation like the sales force offered with totally “Cloud-based CRM”.
Figure 1: Growth Strategies
(Source: Self-developed)
Product diversification or expansion: It has been developing by adding new products to existing ones (Knieset al. 2020). It has also shown a slightly more effective “Business growth strategy”. The development of products opens with a new consumer who gets interested in Autokinito’s service.
Strategic partnerships: It is the strategic partnership available with the brands which can create growth and also it would not be possible. For example, if the organisation partners with an organisation that mainly offers products or services that complement Autokinito. It gets access to its audiences and also vice versa (Priyandita, 2019). It receives referrals from strategic partners and also gets benefits from the build goodwill all over its brand. Therefore, with the effect of that, the organisation is able to sell its service in a better way by satisfying its wants.
Conducting market research: it does not matter if the growth of strategies applied by the organisation is going to be successful. However, it is required to conduct market research to determine the competitive research. Therefore, with the help of conducting market research, the manager is able to gather relevant and accurate information about Autokinito. These steps show the growth opportunities, trends, and also potential fences in entering the business. It could be shown more success in the new market trends and also the audience’s research assists in tapping into the current market areas. Along with that, the new consumer segments can give benefits to its consumers by offering a better quality of service. Thus, with the effect that Autokinitois able to enhance its Autokinito growth.
B2. The necessity of sponsorship
The cooperation between the project sponsor and manager can directly encourage the project’s success. However, the sponsorships permit the organisation in perceiving as supporting with contributing and supporting to its generating and developing goodwill.
Fund projects: Autokinito gets benefits from sponsoring other organisations. Therefore, they assist the organisation in the way of making decisions and also direct in the critical situation (Changming, 2020). The sponsors also help them by giving monetary help to the organisation in managing the expenses.
Risk planning: Sponsoring the organisation is assisting in the way of reducing the risk. The sponsors also assist the organisation in reducing the risk and also assist in the way of making decisions (Listianiet al. 2019). The decision has been made on the basis of the organisation’s position and also the development of the business.
Figure 2: Sponsor’s importance
(Source: Self-developed)
Business case: The official sponsor of the company role starts with the process at the time of the “Project initiation phase”. It is also required in putting the business case together and authorising the project. It has been done by carrying out an examination related to more likely failure and success project rates and also justifying the project undertaking reasons. Therefore, with the effect that the project sponsors, Autokinito is able to maintain its source of finance and also maintain the organisation’s needs (Henderson et al. 2019). This should be shown with elements like costs, benefits, and also the risk which show options undertaken.
Progress reporting: The sponsor should expect a regular timely mention in the project status reports from the manager of the product. It must be shown critiqued not brushed in all over the process of the project really doing with the RAG KPIs showing green. The Autokinito’s manager should see the support of sponsors and also react to the ambers and also red in the way of assisting the manager in serving better service. The mange recognises the path to achieve the green with KPIs (Yaariet al. 2020). It plays a major role in Autokinito’s management and also requires making sure to accept discussions on the agreement on the process of working together. It has been also making in achieving the project success in delivering well-defined benefits.
B3. Appropriate management style
The management style is the way Autokinito’s manager works to fulfil its goals. It adds with managing the manager plans, organises, delegates, managers, and making decisions with its staff. As per the view of Johnsson (2018), leaders with a better transformational style of management are more able to show original concern. The styles of transformational employees have feeling motivated and also improved the performance of the team. It can highly depend on the organisation’s management level, country, culture, and also an industry with adding people themselves. It is an effective manager who can adjust their management style in response to divergent factors. It has kept its aim of successfully getting the targets.
The management style has been given the impact on the organisation’s both factors such as internal and external. Internal factors add them all over the company such as all over the corporate culture, employee engagement, priorities, staff levels of skills, and priorities. In normal, the higher-skilled staff does not require as much supervision as the lower-skilled staff (Breese et al. 2020). Along with that, it has needed more direction to frequently get its objectives.
External factors add to the laws of employees, consumers, suppliers, competitors, and also the economy. These are the factors which are referring to the outside organisation’s control. However, it will have an impact and effect on both employees and managers. “Autocratic management styles (AMS)” and “Persuasive management style (PMS)” are the best appropriate management styles for managing projects.
AMS: The managers dictated exactly what their subordinates were and also punished them for complying. Employees have been expected to follow orders in not question management authority (Gresham et al. 2020). Along with that, it has also been performed with its tasks the same each way time. However, the managers direct the employees more closely and also micromanage their performance without placing confidence or trust. Its employees can get their goals without adding constant and direct supervision. This kind of manager mainly believes without adding the employees, supervision will not direct more success.
PMS: This style assists the manager to utilize their skills of persuasive to convince employees. The unilateral decision of the managers in implementing is good and related to the organization, team, and also department (Noermijatiet al. 2019). It assists the employee to feel more valued and trusted by staff part and participated in the business decision and also directs the resentment lower level.
Discussion and Conclusion
It can be concluded that the 5 strategies of growth assist the organization in the way of enlarging the business. However, the mentioned strategies have been given as per the basis of the case study. In the business case, the plan of stakeholder management gives a detailed overview of the organization’s stakeholders. The timeline gives depth detail of project timing and also costs estimation to assist in maintaining the project duration and budgets. The preseason of sponsor gives benefit and importance to the organization. It assists the organization in the way of making accurate and suitable decisions on the basis of current performance. The two management styles such as AMS and PMS need to follow as the management style for the project manager.
Reference list
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