Questions and Topics We Can Help to Answer
Paper Instructions;

Specific Assignment Requirements

Read the following attached documents:

•    A guide to the project management body of knowledge, 5th ed (2013). Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.(PMI)  (eReserves)  - the "Bible" if one subscribes to the PMI approach to PM

•    Martin, P. K., & Tate, K. (2001, May).  Not everything is a project. PM Network, 15(5). (eReserves) - helps us to understand the difference between a (repeating) process and a (unique, one-time) project

•    Schwalbe, K. (2015). An introduction to project management (5th ed.). Boston: Course Technology. Chapter 1 (eReserves) - Kathy Schwalbe, who answers emails from students, overviews PM

•    Singer, C. A. (2001, April).  Leveraging a worldwide project team. PM Network, 15(4). (eReserves) - includes dealing with cultural and time zone differences

•    The Orion Shield Project document

Use this table of contents:

Executive Summary    
Introduction    
    Ethical Issues    
    Legal and Contractual Issues
    Technical Issues    
    Project Management Issues    
    Recommendations    
Conclusion    

Please have a minimum of 10 references.

After studying reading The Orion Shield Project document address the following questions in a succinct and thoughtful report on 'Project Management Principles in the Orion Shield Case."


1.    Applying the required readings, what Project Management principles, if any, were violated in this case:

•    By Project Manager Gary Allison,
•    By Henry Larsen, Director of Engineering
•    By Elliott Grey, Director of Program Management 
•    By Paula Arnold, Project Engineer

2.    What structural and cultural characteristics of SEC allowed each of these individuals to behave as they did? Be specific in defining the behavior you feel was a violation or failure, and the organizational characteristic(s ) that supported that behavior.

•    How does the Project Management Body Knowledge address the effects of organizational structure and culture on successful project management?
•    What principles of project and general management can a project manager rely upon to positively influence these organizational characteristics?

3.    What guidance do project management principles give for creating effective communication, and what do you think Gary would have done differently if he had been well versed in those principles?

4.    Henry Larsen gave Gary three requirements for good project management. How do those compare with the project management body of knowledge? Should Gary have been given different advice?

•    If so, what would have been better advice?
•    If this was good advice, how did Gary fall short on those three criteria?

5.    How many departments were involved in this project, and what guidance do project management principles give for coordinating functional departments?

•    Citing relevant principles, explain what Gary could have done differently to avoid Larsen’s perception that Gary had failed as a project manager.

•    Finally, did Gary fail? If SEC was awarded a sole source contract for production of the new material, why was his project perceived as a failure?

•    Do you agree or disagree? Explain your rationale, citing relevant project management literature for how success is defined for a project. 

Remember to include a meaningful, results-filled executive summary at the beginning of your report.