Current Issues and Impact on UNICEF Child Care
The purpose of the project is development of a new system in UNICEF child care. The child care facility has been facing issues in managing their donations and maintaining stock of their products. UNICEF child care takes care of children ageing between 6 weeks up to 13years of age and has grown popular due to their contribution to the society. The new system will help them manage their organizations in a better way.
The UNICEF child care takes care of children by providing them with babysitters, food, nannies and teachers. The organization has flourished over the time and they serve more than 2500 people on a daily basis. However, the payment and ordering processes are still manual which is problematic for the parents to pay and for the centre head to order required inventory. The parents have to go to the firm’s website to get the bank details and make a transfer of funds to the respective account. This process is time consuming and cumbersome for the parents. Moreover, the organization does not have automated system for ordering and inventory management which causes wastage of resources.
As opined by ul Hassan, Ahmad and Zuhaira, (2018), project statement is developed to outline the project deliverables, requirements, constraints and assumptions. The key success factors are also defined within the project so that it can be followed to attain the desired result. The current project will consist of developing a new information system which will facilitate in online transaction of funds and management of inventory in a better way so that resource wastage can be reduced.
As stated by Alias et al., (2014), project objectives are the direct and intended outcomes which are derived based on the scope statement. This will be developed according to the requirements of the stakeholders. In this current project, the objectives are as follows:
- To investigate the current issues and identify the requirements of the new system
- To communicate and discuss with the team members about the project objectives to distinguish between their job roles
- To spot the hardware and software required for the new system
- To develop the new system for facilitate the online transaction and inventory management
- To incorporate the system within the organization model
- Testing of the new developed system for required modifications
- Reshaping and launching of the new system
Project requirements are tasks or conditions that will have to be fulfilled in order to complete the project. The requirements in a project will provide a clear picture of the things that will have to be done (Haron et al., 2017). These will be used to align the resources along with the objectives of the project. There are major benefits in effectively defining the requirements of the project are cost reduction, effective change management, increase in success rate of the project and improvement in communication among the stakeholders. The requirements of the current project are as follows:
- To identify the requirements for the change management initiative
- Developing a system that can auto generate response when payment has been made
- To develop systems that keep records of all the clients
- To develop inventory management system to avoid wastage of resources
Project Statement
The restrictions put on the action of the project team are known as project context. There are mainly six project constraints that they will have to deal with and they are quality, time, resources, risk, cost and scope (Shiohama et al., 2016). The constraint triangle shows that scope, time and cost are the three primary factors affecting the quality of the project. The project constraints are interrelated and impact of one factor will have a significant influence on the other factors in the project. The constraints in the project are time, resource and budget. The time span is fixed and cannot be changed so the project will have to manage risk factors and uncertainties in a better way. The resources are limited due to the budget constraints so over allocation of resources will have to be avoided. The project team will have to develop an effective communication plan so that role of every member is well defined. Therefore, the project manager will have to monitor and control each process on a regular process which will be essential for maintaining the integrity of the project.
In every project there are certain predefined assumptions which have to be taken into consideration before executing the project (Kerzner, 2017). The assumptions of the project are as follows:
- The internal stakeholders, departments and sponsors of the project have fully supported the project that has been undertaken
- The headquarters will fulfil the additional requirements for the successful execution of the project.
- The project purpose and objective have been communicated to all the departments
As stated by Muriana and Vizzini (2017), risk management plays a vital role in success of the project and it consists of identification of risk factors, evaluation of the risk factors and mitigation of the risk factors based on their priority. The risk factors can be categorized into three categories such as external risk, internal risk and technical risk. The risk factors are mitigated according to level of damage they can have on the project. The probability of occurrence of each of the risk factors is the measure of risk priority.
External risk
Risk Description |
Delay in delivery of the hardware components |
External issues that it unexpected |
Priority |
Low |
Medium |
Summary |
New hardware components are required to effective develop the new automated system. The delay in delivery of the components is totally dependent on the vendor. This will have an impact on the overall project. |
In a project scenario there are large numbers of uncertainties which may occur due to irregularities. |
Affected Area |
It will affect the implementation phase of the project. This will increase the time frame for this phase. |
As the risk is unexpected it may affect all the phases or any particular phase. |
Mitigation Plan |
This can be mitigated by developing components internally or by order the supply with a considerable buffer period. |
Therefore, development of risk register effectively can be used to identify the unexpected risk factors. |
Internal risk
Risk |
Delay in approval of the design for the new system |
Customization failure in the implementation phase |
Sudden requirement changes |
Priority |
Medium |
High |
High |
Summary |
Approval of the new design system is crucial as it covers the first phase of the project so without the approval the project cannot proceed further. |
The new development system will have to suit the needs of the organization and if it is unable to do so then the overall project is a failure. Therefore, effective customization is essential for organizational success. |
Scope creep is a common phenomenon in the project. However, changes in requirement after a certain phase will increase the cost and time span of the project. |
Affected Area |
The time span of the project is affected. |
This will affect the implementation and closure phase and increase the time span in the later part of the project. |
The scope creep affects the overall projects as it leads to the change in the project deliverables. |
Mitigation Plan |
Effective development of a communication plan will be able to mitigate this risk factor |
The initiation phase will have to be executed effectively to identify the customization requirements. |
It has to be clearly defined that all the changes within the project will be accepted within the first two phases otherwise the project cost and timeframe will be heavily affected. |
Chow, Woodford and Lambe, (2014), states the input processes within the project required for achieving the desired goals of the stakeholders. The inputs in a project will depend on the project processes and they can be like documents, equipment, information, software, plan and money. However, the outputs in the projects are mainly recognized as deliverables in the project. This will consist of components like software, hardware, contracts, applications and assessment results. In this present project, the deliverables of the projects are as follows:
Task Name |
Duration |
Start |
Finish |
Online ordering and deposit system |
173 days |
Fri 4/6/18 |
Tue 12/4/18 |
1.0 Initiation phase |
40 days |
Fri 4/6/18 |
Thu 5/31/18 |
2.0 Planning phase |
25 days |
Fri 6/1/18 |
Thu 7/5/18 |
3.0 Execution phase |
105 days |
Fri 7/6/18 |
Thu 11/29/18 |
4.0 Closure phase |
3 days |
Fri 11/30/18 |
Tue 12/4/18 |
As put forward by Montoya and Persson, (2017), the achievements in different phases of the task are known as the project milestone. These are tasks within the project schedule having duration of zero days and they do not have any influence on the overall timeframe of the project. However, these are important tasks as it signifies completion of important phases within a project. However, this will change depending upon the project approach taken by the organizations.
Task Name |
Duration |
Start |
Finish |
Online ordering and deposit system |
173 days |
Fri 4/6/18 |
Tue 12/4/18 |
Milestone 1: Project charter developed |
0 days |
Thu 5/31/18 |
Thu 5/31/18 |
Milestone 2: System and network requirements developed |
0 days |
Thu 7/5/18 |
Thu 7/5/18 |
Milestone 3: New system launched |
0 days |
Thu 11/29/18 |
Thu 11/29/18 |
Milestone 4: Project completed |
0 days |
Tue 12/4/18 |
Tue 12/4/18 |
Project Objectives
The summary schedule shows that different phases and tasks that have to be performed in each of the phases (Kerzner & Kerzner, 2017). The project schedule shows that the overall estimated time for project is 173 days and the project will commence from 6th April, 2018 and the finish date of the project is 4th December, 2018. However, there may be changes in the schedule depending upon the risk factors and changes in the deliverables of the project. Even though the buffer time has been allocated to each of the tasks there are certain uncertainties which can affect the project time span. The schedule shows the allotted time for each of the tasks and the schedule for the current project are as follows:
Task Name |
Duration |
Start |
Finish |
Online ordering and deposit system |
173 days |
Fri 4/6/18 |
Tue 12/4/18 |
1.0 Initiation phase |
40 days |
Fri 4/6/18 |
Thu 5/31/18 |
1.1 New system requirement identification |
10 days |
Fri 4/6/18 |
Thu 4/19/18 |
1.2 functional requirement mapping |
15 days |
Fri 4/20/18 |
Thu 5/10/18 |
1.3 user requirement mapping |
8 days |
Fri 4/20/18 |
Tue 5/1/18 |
1.4 Develop initial project charter draft |
7 days |
Fri 5/11/18 |
Mon 5/21/18 |
1.5 Conduct meetings with authorities and team members |
3 days |
Tue 5/22/18 |
Thu 5/24/18 |
1.6 Final project charter development |
4 days |
Fri 5/25/18 |
Wed 5/30/18 |
1.7 Deploy project charter |
1 day |
Thu 5/31/18 |
Thu 5/31/18 |
Milestone 1: Project charter developed |
0 days |
Thu 5/31/18 |
Thu 5/31/18 |
2.0 Planning phase |
25 days |
Fri 6/1/18 |
Thu 7/5/18 |
2.1 Identification of the hardware requirements |
10 days |
Fri 6/1/18 |
Thu 6/14/18 |
2.2 Identification of the software requirements |
6 days |
Fri 6/1/18 |
Fri 6/8/18 |
2.3 Identification of the network development requirements |
10 days |
Fri 6/1/18 |
Thu 6/14/18 |
2.4 Regulate the Database management requirements |
15 days |
Fri 6/15/18 |
Thu 7/5/18 |
Milestone 2: System and network requirements developed |
0 days |
Thu 7/5/18 |
Thu 7/5/18 |
3.0 Execution phase |
105 days |
Fri 7/6/18 |
Thu 11/29/18 |
3.1 Existing hardware and software Upgradation |
35 days |
Fri 7/6/18 |
Thu 8/23/18 |
3.2 Appropriate Database developed |
25 days |
Fri 7/6/18 |
Thu 8/9/18 |
3.3 New system incorporation |
20 days |
Fri 8/24/18 |
Thu 9/20/18 |
3.4 Testing the new system |
30 days |
Fri 9/21/18 |
Thu 11/1/18 |
3.5 Identification of the required modification |
5 days |
Fri 11/2/18 |
Thu 11/8/18 |
3.6 Incorporating the changes |
10 days |
Fri 11/9/18 |
Thu 11/22/18 |
3.7 New system launch |
5 days |
Fri 11/23/18 |
Thu 11/29/18 |
Milestone 3: New system launched |
0 days |
Thu 11/29/18 |
Thu 11/29/18 |
4.0 Closure phase |
3 days |
Fri 11/30/18 |
Tue 12/4/18 |
4.1 Reviewing the overall project and processes |
1 day |
Fri 11/30/18 |
Fri 11/30/18 |
4.2 Project Document |
2 days |
Mon 12/3/18 |
Tue 12/4/18 |
4.3 Signing off of the project members |
1 day |
Mon 12/3/18 |
Mon 12/3/18 |
Milestone 4: Project completed |
0 days |
Tue 12/4/18 |
Tue 12/4/18 |
The summary budget shows the estimated budget of the overall project along with the budget for each of the tasks (Abran, 2015). However, the budget will change if there is change in resource allocation and deliverables. Moreover, the risk factors may affect the time span of the project which in turn will have an impact on the budget. The budget of the current project has been described in detail in the table below:
Task Name |
Resource Names |
Cost |
Online ordering and deposit system |
$42,784.00 |
|
1.0 Initiation phase |
$12,488.00 |
|
1.1 New system requirement identification |
Project Manager, Public officer, Software Developer, System Engineer |
$4,080.00 |
1.2 functional requirement mapping |
Software Developer, System Engineer |
$2,280.00 |
1.3 user requirement mapping |
Project Manager |
$1,280.00 |
1.4 Develop initial project charter draft |
Project Manager |
$1,120.00 |
1.5 Conduct meetings with authorities and team members |
Chairman, Project Manager, Public officer, Software Developer, System Engineer, Treasurer, Vice Chairman |
$2,928.00 |
1.6 Final project charter development |
Project Manager |
$640.00 |
1.7 Deploy project charter |
Project Manager |
$160.00 |
Milestone 1: Project charter developed |
$0.00 |
|
2.0 Planning phase |
$5,032.00 |
|
2.1 Identification of the hardware requirements |
System Engineer |
$800.00 |
2.2 Identification of the software requirements |
Software Developer |
$432.00 |
2.3 Identification of the network development requirements |
Software Developer, System Engineer |
$1,520.00 |
2.4 Regulate the Database management requirements |
Software Developer, System Engineer |
$2,280.00 |
Milestone 2: System and network requirements developed |
$0.00 |
|
3.0 Execution phase |
$21,360.00 |
|
3.1 Existing hardware and software Upgradation |
Software Developer, System Engineer |
$5,320.00 |
3.2 Appropriate Database developed |
Software Developer, System Engineer |
$3,800.00 |
3.3 New system incorporation |
Software Developer, System Engineer |
$3,040.00 |
3.4 Testing the new system |
Software Developer, System Engineer |
$4,560.00 |
3.5 Identification of the required modification |
Project Manager, Software Developer, System Engineer |
$1,560.00 |
3.6 Incorporating the changes |
Software Developer, System Engineer |
$1,520.00 |
3.7 New system launch |
Project Manager, Software Developer, System Engineer |
$1,560.00 |
Milestone 3: New system launched |
$0.00 |
|
4.0 Closure phase |
$3,904.00 |
|
4.1 Reviewing the overall project and processes |
Chairman, Project Manager, Public officer, Software Developer, System Engineer, Treasurer, Vice Chairman |
$976.00 |
4.2 Project Document |
Project Manager, Public officer, Software Developer, System Engineer, Chairman, Treasurer, Vice Chairman |
$1,952.00 |
4.3 Signing off of the project members |
Chairman, Project Manager, Public officer, Software Developer, System Engineer, Treasurer, Vice Chairman |
$976.00 |
Milestone 4: Project completed |
$0.00 |
Name |
Start |
Finish |
Remaining Work |
Cost |
Project Manager |
Fri 4/6/18 |
Tue 12/4/18 |
376 hrs |
$7,520.00 |
System Engineer |
Fri 4/6/18 |
Tue 12/4/18 |
1,576 hrs |
$15,760.00 |
Software Developer |
Fri 4/6/18 |
Tue 12/4/18 |
1,544 hrs |
$13,896.00 |
Public officer |
Fri 4/6/18 |
Tue 12/4/18 |
136 hrs |
$1,632.00 |
Chairman |
Tue 5/22/18 |
Tue 12/4/18 |
56 hrs |
$1,680.00 |
Vice Chairman |
Tue 5/22/18 |
Tue 12/4/18 |
56 hrs |
$1,400.00 |
Treasurer |
Tue 5/22/18 |
Tue 12/4/18 |
56 hrs |
$896.00 |
Conclusion
Thus, it can be concluded from the project charter that an effective plan has been developed for developing a new system for the UNICEF child care service. However, the implementation and the success of the project will depend on the mitigation of the risk factor, development of an effective communication plan and identifying the project requirements in a correct way.
References
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Chow, A. F., Woodford, K. C., & Lambe, N. (2014). Using project deliverables and project management for timely completion of student projects. Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences, 5(3), 323.
Haron, A., Sahibuddin, S., Yusoff, H., & Osman, M. H. (2017, May). Systematic Approach Based on Best Practices to Develop Requirements Engineering (RE) Guideline in an Organization. In Information and Communication Technology (PICICT), 2017 Palestinian International Conference on (pp. 126-131). IEEE.
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ul Hassan, I., Ahmad, N., & Zuhaira, B. (2018). Calculating completeness of software project scope definition. Information and Software Technology, 94, 208-233.