Renovation Of A House In United Kingdom: Importance Of Proper Project Management Practices

Necessary Sequential Flow of Working Activities

This report depicts the crucial necessity of implementing accurate project management practices for the successful delivery of a project based on “Renovation of a house in United Kingdom”. In order to successfully accomplish the project within estimated time period and budget the proper flow of the working activities are necessary to be sequentially followed by the project manager and the project associates. In order to limit the cost the project manager has decided to allocate one worker for each activity. For some of the project activity simultaneous project commence is not allowed rather after successful completion of one task only the nest task will be started. This is mandatory for the project manager to complete the task within estimated cost and timeline. A network diagram or a PERT chart for the house renovation project is presented below. In addition to this, a clear critical path related to the network diagram is also illustrated in this report. The construction project manager is responsible to complete the project within 6 weeks.  

Task Name	Duration	Start	Finish Save Time On Research and Writing Hire a Pro to Write You a 100% Plagiarism-Free Paper. Get My Paper	Predecessors
Schedule for home renovation	49 days	Tue 8/21/18	Fri 10/26/18
Substantial repairs to the roof	8 days	Tue 8/21/18	Thu 8/30/18
Internal structural work	4 days	Fri 8/31/18	Wed 9/5/18	1
Electrical work	7 days	Thu 9/6/18	Fri 9/14/18	2
Plumbing	6 days	Mon 9/17/18	Mon 9/24/18	3
Installing a new kitchen	3 days	Mon 9/17/18	Wed 9/19/18	3
Installing a new bathroom	4 days	Tue 9/25/18	Fri 9/28/18	4,5
Garden	5 days	Mon 10/1/18	Fri 10/5/18	6
Plastering	4 days	Mon 10/8/18	Thu 10/11/18	7
Internal decoration	5 days	Fri 10/12/18	Thu 10/18/18	8
Fitting carpets	1 day	Fri 10/19/18	Fri 10/19/18	9
Outside paintwork	5 days	Mon 10/22/18	Fri 10/26/18	10

Regardless of the type of the project the project managers use the critical path method for successfully implementing the projects. It is assumed that with the help of the critical path method the issue that may interrupt the project success will be completely minimized accordingly. Critical Path Method (CPM) is used to plan and schedule construction projects.  From the user to user the form of CPM usage varies. With the changing time period, the usability of project management procedure has been improved according to experience. However, specifically for the construction projects the application of Critical path method stands very much helpful. The advantages of critical path method are illustrated in the below section:  

• The logical discipline for the construction project planning, scheduling and controlling are easily done with the help of the Critical Path Method
• Regardless of the type of the project the Critical Path Method serves long ranges as well a detailed planning for the projects.
• With the successful usability of the Critical Path Method, the project managers will be able to let the rest of the project team members become more familiar regarding their project objectives and goals  
• The project stakeholders will get a clear overview of the task from the critical Path Method (CPM) and Gantt chart
• The stakeholders associated to the project will get to know the details of the project including the project requirements and project details.
• The CPM gives a standard method for project documentation as well as communicating project plan, scheduling, time and cost performance also. Overall, it can be said that, the process of project communication and planning become extremely easier with the help of the Critical Path Method (CPM)
• All critical elements associate to project plan, schedule and project constraints become more relevant to the project with the help of the Critical Path Method (CPM)
• For the management, control approach becomes much easier and it also helps to ascertain the project time schedule for different activities those have sequential relationship

In order to accomplish the project within estimated time and budget a detail schedule is being prepared by the project head and the workers associate to the project are responsible to accomplish the project within that frame work. Some of the activities will not progress simultaneously rather with the completion of one activity the very next task will be processed. In order to keep the work on track the project manager has decided to spare two of his project team to work on this project. It means that worker 1 and worker 2 are assigned for the successful accomplishment of the project.  From the realistic point of view it is not ideal to complete any construction project by assigning only two workers to it. The key roles and responsibilities that are to be played by the construction project team include the following:

Project planning: Project planning is the initial phase to be maintained by the project team members. The responsibility of the project team member is not just to develop the project plan rather a lay out of the task as following the project objectives and goals. The other activities requires to be completed in this phase include budget estimation, deliverable schedule, roadmap for the team, project review etc.

Setting project goal: The goal of any project is to deliver the project objectives within allotted time phase and budget. Some software is there that helps to accomplish the job more effectively within estimation. It will make sure that no time over allocation and time allocation are taking place.

Clear Critical Path

Risk analysis: A project may fail to meet its objectives due to unresolved dispute. The project manager plays the role of the dispute manager also in any construction project.  A smooth engine is required for smoothly running all related project features.  

Other responsibilities: Some other responsibilities are also there that must be followed by the project associates. It is the role of the construction project manager to plan and arrange visits for the new potential clients by ensuring that all the project clients are getting enough external support and establishes unbreakable relationship as well. In addition to this, the progress documents and status report is also requires to be designed by the project head associated to the construction project.

After considering all the project requirements and objectives it has been found that, these are the details work division must be followed by the project team members. The work pressure will be doubled if less numbers of workers are being allotted to any project. Contract must be developed with the senior project staffs, directors as well. The attitude of the associate project workers towards construction are the most important things. If only two members are allotted to the construction project then it will be their responsibility to accomplish all these job roles, which is not possible in the real work application field.

As per the project requirement it is the responsibility of the construction project team members to accomplish the project within 6 months only. Thus, it is not possible to complete the project by assigning only 2 workers to the project.  Based on the requirement atleast 6 or 7 human resources are required for the successful accomplishment of the construction project within estimated time period. Not only this but also, professional on job training session is also necessary for the project team members so that they can successfully play their job roles.  The workers will become ready to work overtime for the project if they are offered addition fees for their work. However, still within 6 months only 2 workers cannot complete a construction task.  The workers work for Monday to Friday and the work activities on which they need to focus most include internal structural work, plastering and internal decoration.

Plenty of risks are associated to home renovation, especially with the construction projects that are elaborated in details and complex.  Both the time and the cost of the house owner will be saved if the risks are properly understood and mitigated accordingly. The biggest three risks that may interrupt the success of the construction project include extreme work load for the project team members, contract formalization and ensuring that all the parties are properly covered with insurance. The risks and their relevant mitigation strategies are also illustrated in the below section:

Name of the risks	Risk mitigation strategies
Extreme work load In order to legally accomplish any construction work, there are only 27 states which require the contractors to carry out a proper license. The reputable contractor should be appointed to complete the construction project task within estimated budget and time as well. The main aim of the project owner is to complete the project within six months and within a possibly less budget. For a well decorated construction outline the contractor should contact with architect also but in order to keep the cost to a minimum the project manager has appointed only one worker for one activity, which is another risk for this construction project.  Extreme work pressure will generate to the assigned workers associate to the project team if	In order to reduce the risk related to extreme work load based on the project complexity the project manager should assign resources. In order to keep the cost minimum though they have planned to appoint only two workers for each task.  However, this is not at all beneficial from the business end. In order to process the project successfully, at the project initiation   phase, the project manager should develop and design a feasibility study to make sure that the project has commercial benefits.
Contractor formalization: As soon as the contractor selection process completed another risk that may occur include form of the contract.  The project head should make sure that the contracts are tailored to a specific of the home renovation.  If the project contract is not prepared according to the project requirements within the budget and time then that may cause project risk.	In order to resolve this specific risk the project supervisor and the project team members should play their allocated job roles within estimated time period. A standard contract template should be considered for mitigating this specific risk.
Over budget allocation  Due to over running project timing project budget may also exceed. In order to keep the cost minimum for the project the project manager has allotted only 2 workers to this project. Therefore, if the total number of project team members exceeds then the total budget structure that has been prepared for the project will be destructed. It may lead to construction project failure.	In order to avoid overrunning project budget and project cost, it is mandatory or the project manager to allot the resources and the project cost for each and every project phase. The total numbers of phases allowed for the project are subdivided in 11 activities. Again some of these phases’ activities are subdivided into project sub activities. As much division of the activities will be done that mush work pressure will be reduced from the project team members.
Lack of motivation from kevin	As this is a construction project thus on job training program can never be allowed for this project. It is the role of the project head to hire experienced project contractors and architect so that construction become attractive and well decorated as well. The construction contract should be set with well known professional contractors.
Natural disaster	In case of construction project natural disaster is a serious risk that cannot be managed. However, some necessary safety concerns may reduce the rate of risks. The after affect damage can be avoided through quality raw materials.

	Name of the risks	Negligible (1)	Marginal  (2)	Critical (3)	Catastrophic (4)
Certain (5)	Over budget allocation	5	10	15	20
Likely (4)	Extreme work load	4	8	12	16
Possible (3)	Natural disaster	3	6	9	12
Unlikely (2)	Lack of motivation from kevin	2	4	6	8
Rare (1)	Contractor formalization	1	2	3	4

The risks identified for the construction project has different impact and probability. Based on the probability and impact of the risks the colour divisions are generated. The potential consequences are given in the x axis and the probabilities are plotted in the Y axis. The risks which score less than 5 shows lower risk, the risk score between 6 and 9 are medium risks. On the other hand, the risks which scores between 10 and 12 are significant risk are definitely requires to be mitigated or the successful implementation of the construction project. The rest of the risks which shows risk score more than 13 and 13 also are specified as high risks.  

Key Roles and Responsibilities of the Construction Project Team

Different business level strategies are there that are needed to be successfully followed by the construction project head for the home renovation project to mitigate the risks. Not only this but also it will help the project head to gain competitive advantage and commercial success as well. t the project initiation phase the project manager may realize that project management takes similar type of skill sets like any other project career but it is always not the same. For this project also the traditional five phases should be followed by the project manager including project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling and project closure. If these aspects are properly followed by the project team then the project will surely meet the objectives and goals as well. The strategies are being categorized in the following manner:

Create a communication flow: Communication is referred to as one of the most important elements in constriction project management. It is crucial for the project management team to communicate with each other accurately to avoid inter organizational and intra organizational risks. In each and every phase of the construction project communication play vital role. An accurate flow of communication should be established by the project manager to make sure that all the information is reaching the project associates. The stakeholders and the raw material suppliers should also follow communication standard. The project process will become much smoother with the help of this transparency.

Continuous project planning: Though, the outline of the project plan should be established at the project initiation phase but still within the flowing time the project manager should keep on incorporate continuous project construction level changes to it. Before the actual starting of the home renovation project, the project manager should start details project planning long before the actual construction. Extensive project planning is required for the design, pre constriction, procurements and construction projects. In order to unfold the next phase associate to the construction project, each project phases are to be revised by the project manager and the project team members. If this role is accurately played by the project manager then the project will reach the objectives within estimated time and budget as well.  

Usage of cost monitoring and budget monitoring tools: Suitable tools for the cost monitoring and budget monitoring are needed to be followed by the project manager so that the project can successfully reach the project aims and preliminarily set project goals.  The professional usability of the cost and budget monitoring tool will surely give high opportunities to the constriction project managers who are associate to the home renovation project.

Leadership is referred to as a role which is very important for any project for keeping the project team members engaged to their job roles. There are different leadership theories available that are to be followed by the project team members and project managers to accomplish the construction project and motivate the project team members. The details theories are as follows:

Maslow’s Hierarchy theory: This Theory is comprises of five different human needs such as physical needs, insurance planning, and safety needs, esteem needs,  self actualization,. It is determined that if these specific factors are hierarchically followed by the project manager and project team members then the project will surely meet the project objectives and goal as well.

Alderfer’s ERG theory: This leadership theory is consists of growth needs, relatedness needs and existence needs.  In order to satisfy the material substances, communication as well as personal involvement theses particular nee are to be followed by the project team members.

McClelland’s Theory of Leadership: This is another leadership and motivation theory which holds needs for achievements, needs for affiliation, need of power. It is defined that if all these needs are properly organized then the leader will act professionally and his or her motivational speech will surely motivate the project team members.

• Feeling of business accomplishment
• Being well recognized as a valuable company resource
• Enjoyment and satisfaction while doing any activity
• Desire for being remembered as a innovator rather project leader
• Enjoyment for effortless project thinking

Conclusion on ways to motivate Kevin 

The construction team has hired Kevin who is an ex lecturer of project management. He was a extremely experienced technical problem solver thus he was mainly hired for motivating the rest of the construction project team members,. It is the responsibility of the project manager to motivate them so that they can feel engaged to their job roles.  It is mandatory for the construction team to work as a team to meet the objectives within budget and time as well. However, with the changing time it is found that he is failing to motivate the rest of the project team members. Certain following suggestions are elaborated in the below section that may motivate Kevin to motivate others for doing their job roles ethically. The recommendations are as follows:

• Developing reward and incentive programs for Kevin who is being hired for the construction project
• Setting realistic project goals and to show a proper direction to the hired person
• A review session must be conducted in a monthly or weekly basis
• All the small victories are to be praised by the project team members professionally
• Sharing project related feedback from the very staring of the project
• He must give proper opportunities and space as well to shine
• He should be allowed to organize and give the lecture the way he wish to

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