BUS353: Project Management

Objectives of the TMA

To provide an opportunity for students to apply the concepts learnt in the course by analysing a business case. Students need to compose an individual written report to demonstrate the necessary technical skills and knowledge of project management.

Please note that:

• The details and the names in this TMA case are fictional and any resemblance to any real-life situation is purely coincidental.
• Students who simply reproduce the course materials without relating to the TMA case will be given low or no marks.
• An ability to (i) conduct proper research, provide the appropriate reference of sources. Students must provide proper in-text citations and an end-text reference list, and (ii) demonstrate critical thinking and creativity are all essential skills that our students must develop. Hence, marks will also be awarded for good research effort and proper referencing.
• Students should not include the TMA questions in the report.

Background

Mr Tang, CEO of an electronics manufacturing business, expanded his firm’s business into the retail industry some years ago and set up a supermarket chain called, ‘Good Value’ Mart. The supermarket chain’s mission is to provide ease of service offering and convenience to customers shopping for daily groceries, freshly produce products and household items. The strategic objectives are to achieve sustainable stakeholder values, provide affordable products and be a well-recognised brand.

This business segment has been delivering strong results for the group, following aggressive expansion to 48 outlets with an increased in headcounts in three distinct retail formats, including supermarkets, minimarts and halal hub outlets catering to the Muslim community on a brick-and-mortar business model. Hence, there are challenges in prioritising the projects and resources are thinly spread in the multiproject environment. However, the profit of the supermarket business has declined in recent years based on a reduction of 20 outlets due to raising operating cost, intense competition and increasing customer shopping preference for new products and platforms.

Question 1

(a) Organisational strategy must be given careful consideration during project selection.

Given the limited resources ‘Good Value’ Mart has for new and existing projects, propose the concept of project governance by explaining this concept and providing a list of important information needed by ‘Good Value’ Mart’s senior management to properly assess the viability of the projects. Explain why project governance is important to ‘Good Value’ Mart.

Note: The maximum word count for Question 1(a) is 300 words, which should be indicated at the end of the answer. (21 marks)

(b) As the Project Director, you need to prioritise the projects effectively.

Describe the Project Priority System and discuss three (3) possible problems faced by ‘Good Value’ Mart that may affect its survival. For each problem, recommend how the system can help to eliminate or minimise its impact.

Note: The maximum word count for Question 1(b) is 450 words, which should be indicated at the end of the answer. (31 marks)

Question 2

Mr Tang needs to improve the business performance of ‘Good Value’ Mart to achieve their strategic objectives in providing sustainable stakeholder values, affordable products and be a well-recognised brand. Hence, he has developed a list of potential projects to embark on. As the Project Director, classify each project, Project A to Project F below, into one of Compliance, Strategic or Operational categories. Evaluate how each project can help ‘Good Value’ Mart improve its business performance.

• Project A: Implement an online platform/apps to cater to online buyers.
• Project B: Expand the main store into a full-fledged shopping mall experience.
• Project C: Develop direct supply chain to reduce reliance on other organisations as an intermediary (e.g., middleman).
• Project D: Develop the current labour-intensive warehouse into a bigger warehouse that is fully automated.
• Project E: Create a new, unmanned, mini-mart shopping experience.
• Project F: Install a fire extinguisher system and exit signages for all outlets.

Note:

• You are advised to analyse the nature of the projects and explore their applications.
• The maximum word count for Question 2 is 500 words, which should be indicated at the end of the answer. (48 marks)