PJM400 MOD8 Peer Discussion Responses

please reply to both POST1: and POST2: in at least 250 words. POST1: is a question from the professor regarding my post. I have included the original post and my post as reference for a reply.

Original Post:

Review the PMBOK® Guide (PMI, 2017), Part 1, Section 12.3.3.1 regarding the Close Procurement process and answer the following:

1. How change requests can influence the Close Procurement process?
2. Is it important for project managers to resist changes to the project baseline? - Why or Why not?
3. Explain the implications of multiple change requests to the project baseline and Close Procurement process
4. Under what conditions should changes to the baseline be allowed and not be allowed?

My Post:

Close Procurement Process

1. How change requests can influence the Close Procurement process?

Close procurement means the completion of each procurement. Change order documents, including other details, must be delivered concerning the final product. In case of termination, it would be as a result of an agreement among all parties. Improper change request management may result in an incomplete scope, incompliant products or practices, and incomplete contract payments (Project Management Institute, 2017).

1. Is it important for project managers to resist changesto the project baseline? - Why or Why not?

Project managers should resist project baseline changes because if alterations are implemented during the action’s course, it could result in chaos, confusion and create a stumbling block to the general project flow. Material changes would have to be involved, including communication with the project team concerning the budget, schedule, and scope of the project (Larson & Gray, 2017).

1. Explain the implications of multiple change requeststo the project baseline and Close Procurement process
2. Scope Creep- A project always has a project change management process. Allowing stakeholders to add deliverables, change deliverables specifications, or team assignments lead to a change of project plans without approval, analysis, or control.
3. Jeopardize relationships- going through the project change management process is a better way of doing things because by encouraging requests- good communication- a good relationship among stakeholders is maintained (Zakaria, Ismail & Yusof, 2013).
4. Over-budget and longer schedule- unexpected changes may result in both the sponsor and the project manager not considering the subsequent consequences on the duration, scope, and budget.
5. Under what conditions should changes to the baseline be allowed and not be allowed?

An organization’s process of change control is what defines authorities in charge of approving changes, change documentation, and change communication (Project Management Institute, 2017). Some conditions trigger changes typically to the budget, schedule, and scope. However, things like schedule and budget overruns are not catered for and plan deviations that were not intended. Therefore, if a task impacts the schedule, budget, and scope, then approval from the sponsors would be sought and hence re-baseline. If the changes do not affect the three, then re-baseline of the new tasks is the only thing to be done.

References

Larson, E. W., & Gray, C. F. (2017). Project management: The managerial process (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Project Management Institute (PMI). (2017). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.). Newton Square, PA: PMI Publications.

Zakaria, Z., Ismail, S., & Yusof, A. M. (2013). Buildability and maintainability in final account closing: The greatest challenge for construction industry. Proceedings from International Symposium on Business and Social Sciences (March 15-17, 2013). Tokyo, Japan.

POST1: (please reply)

Many great points, Darby and one, in particular, seems to resonate very well with me. That is your #5 point regarding relationships.

Changing without an approved process and without tracking those changes either from a planned vs actual report or through a revised baseline can leave a feeling of distrust. I have seen this on a couple of projects in the past where the changes were intentionally NOT communicated with the appropriate folks - on either side.

Do you have any thoughts on what level e.g. % budget change, or #days, etc. schedule change would be an appropriate trigger in which a new baseline be established?

Thanks for jumping in first this week and sharing your thoughts.

Dr. Achée

POST2: (please reply)

Change is inevitable, therefore change within a project will happen. Change requests can influence the close procurement process by impacting the project scope, project plan and project documentation. Due to the fact that change can take place at any time throughout the project life cycle, it is important to remember that these changes further force modifications to the contract to include the statement of work (SOW), pricing, and the products, services, or project results (Project Management Institute, 2017).

How project managers manage project changes can affect the whole project. Project managers should work to resist changes to the project baseline, as it is an important tool for evaluating and measuring the performance of the project. Therefore, any change should be fully investigated before any change takes place and all stakeholders should be involved in the assessment of the changes and involved in any action taken to change the baseline.

Multiple change requests within a project can have detrimental effects on the project, as changes to the project baseline usually have an impact on time, cost, resources or risks. It is essential that stakeholders understand and support the project baseline (Elenbaas, 2000). All change requests should be fully vetted by the project team and if possible alternatives discussed and proposed. All stakeholders should receive communication of the change.

The Project Management Institute (PMI, 2017) refers to a project baseline as the “touchstone of a project.” The project baseline should be well documented and controlled, as lack of a clear project baseline is one of the causes of project failure (Discenza & Forman, 2007). No change should be made without following the formal process set early in the planning process. Changes to the project baseline can become necessary if there is failure in achieving overall project goals, the project baseline has changed so much that the project is stopped and new planning must take place and furthermore, if there is mismanagement at any level within the project.

Discenza, R. & Forman, J. B. (2007). Seven causes of project failure: how to recognize them and how to initiate project recovery. Paper presented at PMI® Global Congress 2007—North America, Atlanta, GA. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.

Elenbaas, B. (2000). Staging a project—are you setting your project up for success? Paper presented at Project Management Institute Annual Seminars & Symposium, Houston, TX. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.

Project Management Institute (PMI). (2017). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.). Newton Square, PA: PMI Publications.