Part 4: Stakeholder Plan For the project selected in Unit III, create an abbreviated stakeholder management plan. Your plan should follow the guidance in the PMBOK Guide for the plan stakeholder manag

Automated Car Wash Project

Columbia Southern University

January 9, 2024

Stakeholder Identification and Stakeholder Analysis

The selected project is an automated car wash with multiple self-serve vacuum stations. The project involves designing, constructing, and operating automated systems to clean cars and offer convenient and efficient solutions to car owners. Projects have many interested stakeholders with varying levels of influence on the project. Identification and analysis of stakeholders is essential for successful execution of the project as it allows the project manager to recognize the most significant stakeholders and allocate resources more strategically to satisfy and fulfill their interests (Riahi, 2017). A thorough analysis of the identified stakeholders helps the project manager to understand the influence and impact of each stakeholder on the project.

Stakeholders can be either internal or external to the project. Internal stakeholders may include the project manager and project team, the governance committee, and management, while external stakeholders include customers, vendors, community, investors, and the local government.

Stakeholders’ analysis matrix indicate the level of interest and power of stakeholders in the project (Singh, 2015). High power, high interest stakeholders include the project governance committee and investors who should be managed closely since they oversee the progress and direction of the project. High power, low interest stakeholders include vendors and the local government who have a lot of influence over the project but may not be directly involved. Low power, high interest stakeholders include customers and the community. They should be informed about the progress of the project since they are involved in the project but have no control over it. Low power, low interest stakeholders include team members, consultants, and advisers who need constant monitoring.

Resource Management Plan and RACI Chart

Resource management plan outlines the strategy for acquiring and managing resources required for automated car wash project. It helps the project team to establish a good estimate of both human and physical resources that are required, means of acquisition, and efficient allocation of resources (PMI, 2021). Resource management plan is essential for successful planning and execution of the project. It helps to determine the personnel who are required to plan and execute the project (Singh, 2015). The plan also highlights the equipment, materials, supplies, and funding for the project, including where the project team and physical resources will come from. Lastly, the plan provides the basic approach for teambuilding, team development, and team motivation.

The human resources required to construct and complete the project include an architect to design the car wash, a contractor to construct, and a manager to oversee the project. It is important to analyze and assess the local demographics to determine the environmental impact of the project to the local population. Other personnel will include a legal counsel, an accountant, and employees. The contractor and architect determine the equipment and materials required to complete the project.

Physical resources are purchased from approved competent vendors who can ensure timely delivery of procured materials. The equipment will be procured from the approved vendor who will put together the systems including multiple self-serve vacuum stations and install computer programs to run the systems including the cashiers. The legal counsel and environmental expert will obtain the necessary permits to ensure compliance with local authorities. The funding of the project will be secured through internal financing or external borrowing. The owners of the project can use their money as capital to fund the project or secure funding from external investors or bank loans.

Building a cohesive team is an integral process for successful opening and operation of the car wash (Singh, 2015). The vetting process for the project team should ensure that the team comprises of qualified and motivated personnel. The project manager, who is in charge of the project, should work hard to ensure the project team is highly motivated to drive the project to a successful completion, where stakeholders’ interests are fully satisfied. Encouraging open communication and flexibility within the project team, boosting morale, and transformative leadership are effective tools for team building, development, and motivation (PMI, 2021). Recognizing and rewarding team members for their contributions creates a motivating working environment that encourages the team members to participate in making decision.

The RACI chart is very useful in project management where different team members execute various responsibilities in the project. It is a breakdown of the project team and tasks, showing whom will be responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed (Singh, 2015). The chart outlines various project tasks and provides a list of team members and stakeholders on a project, indicating the level of involvement in each task.

In conclusion, designing, constructing, and operating an automated car wash system is a complex project that requires highly trained personnel, materials, and specialized equipment. The success of the project highly depends on how successful the project team is in terms of teamwork, communication, and motivation. It is the responsibility of the project manager to make the right decision on personnel selection and resource utilization. Past data from similar projects can help the project manager estimate the personnel, materials, and cost needed to complete the project.

Communication Management Plan

A communication plan is a document that outlines all types of communication that should be used in the project and stakeholders who will receive different types of communication. It is a strategic tool that helps project managers to ensure timely and effective communication to keep all stakeholders informed throughout the project lifecycle (Singh, 2015). A good, strong communication plan is the blueprint to success for any project as it allows for streamlined communication between the project manager and stakeholders, which ensures that stakeholder expectations are proactively managed with adherence to timelines (Singh, 2015). The plan identifies not only the communication needs of each stakeholder but also the frequency and type of the message and is updated to include more communication as the project progresses.

While communication is an integral part in project management, not every information needs to be communicated to everyone. Different teams will update each stakeholder with different information that they need. The project manager and team need a communication plan that will serve all stakeholders to ensure all stakeholders are updated with the necessary information to make the project a success. Effective communication will not only keep all stakeholders informed but also reduce delays in making important decisions, which will ensure the project stays on track and on budget.

The information for the automated car wash project will be passed using different communication methods including physical meetings, emails, and video teleconferencing. The designed communication plan will not only give stakeholders the opportunity to attend meetings and address their concerns but also acquire desired information.

The primary focus of the contractor is resource requirements and construction progress, while the project governance committee requires information for decision-making. Hands-on stakeholders who are directly involved with the project will be part of daily meetings. Other stakeholders will receive weekly updates through email or virtual meetings to inform them about project progress. Local government official will be informed upon their request and will be supplied only with the information that they request.

The distinct expectations of each stakeholder are clearly outlined in the communication plan. The project manager as the leader, requires regular communication, and updates regarding budgetary insights and key milestones. The owners of the projects require updates on strategic alignment and the progress of the project, while investors are highly interested in financial updates and return on investment.

References

Project Management Institute (PMI). (2021). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® guide) – and the standard for project management (7th ed.). Project Management Institute.

Riahi, Y. (2017). Project Stakeholders: Analysis and Management Processes. International Journal of Economics and Management Studies, 4(3), 39–45. ResearchGate. https://doi.org/10.14445/23939125/ijems-v4i3p108

Singh, H. (2015). Mastering Project Human Resource Management: Effectively Organize and Communicate with All Project Stakeholders. Pearson Education Ltd.