Project Management Plan (PMP)

Project management plan (PMP) is a formal document that is approved by various authorities, used for management of project activities. A PMP contains information of the project including the project proponents’ names, planning process, related management plans with the risks and benefits associated to it, procedures, timeframe and the methods necessary to plan and monitor risks of the project (Saladis and Kerzner 2013, p.3). PMP is required at all levels from the organizations to personal standards projects management.

Project management planning of writing a book as equally necessary as planning for large development infrastructures. At personal levels in writing a book, many associated benefits, and risks that may occur due to the combined content in the books. Apart from that, self-publishing of books may involve unplanned budgets when an author is not careful enough to plan for the budget before writing the book. Therefore, it is essential to conduct a PMP before writing. This PMP focuses on a book under the title:  “The Empathic Civilization: The Race of Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis." The author is Jeremy Rifkin, an American economist who is amongst best sellers and has published many other books (Gray 2018, p2).

2.0 Executive summary

Project management plan (PMP) is a formal document that is approved by various authorities, used for management of project activities. A PMP contains information of the project including the project proponents’ names, planning process, related management plans with the risks and benefits associated to it, procedures, timeframe and the methods necessary to plan and monitor risks of the project (Saladis and Kerzner 2013, p.3). Project management planning of writing a book as equally necessary as planning for large developments. This PMP focuses on a book under the title:  “The Empathic Civilization: The Race of Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis." The author is Jeremy Rifkin, an American economist who is amongst best sellers and has published many other books.

2.1 Assumptions and Constraints

This project management plan involves assessment and documentation of detailed issues that may affect the book writing process throughout the writing process. The proposed book contains sensitive matters addressed to have global impacts. Therefore, there writer emphasizes the need of solving problems before they reach adverse levels. The book project proponent extrapolates the observed changes into the future foreseeing that media networks with renewable energy and a deepened global empathy that can solve global problems (Rifkin 2010, p. 11). From the sensitive issue addresses, there is an expectation of acceptance and rejection of content in the book. The society’s opinion will lead to the necessary changes.

3.0 Scope Management

Proper project scope must factor in specific project deliverables, goals, tasks, deadlines and features (Dobson 2015, p. 84). The project exhibits a stakeholder process in the development of the Supplementary Environmental and Social Impact Statement and the relevant Memorandums of Understanding/agreement. After assessing, there is a separation of favorable an unfavorable factors of the project. The process results in a preferred alternative package that further details the project’s scope. The top executive must approve any changes to the project’s scope.  

3.1    Work Breakdown Structure

Work breakdown structures provide work packages that must be performed by the project teams for a projection to reach its completion (Fernando et al. 2018, p. 347). PMP of book writing project involves one author by the name; Jeremy Rifkin in the book “The Empathic Civilization: The Race of Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis." The book writing project involves two main objectives of providing people with knowledge and ringing a bell on the importance of solving global problems related to civilization. The writer project is to write and make the book available in social networks so as to spread the ideas of empathy and civilization in the present world that is in crisis.

3.2 Deployment Plan

Deployments plans provide step-by-step guidelines on actions that need to take in a project’s final stages to move it into production. Rowe further contends that a deployment plan must be highly detailed and include all fact no matter how small (Rowe 2015, p. 109). The deployment plan will involve providing knowledge of civilization and democracy. The author emphasizes on likely changes of the future foreseeing that communication networks relationship with energy production and the deepened empathy which can be a solution to global problems. Therefore, there is need to conduct environmental and social impact assessments associated with the book “The Empathic Civilization: The Race of Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis” before approval for publication and release to the society. All management planning activities include the writing processes. The project owner will be careful about the events that can cause the social impact. Guidelines will be provided on various activities to avoid adverse effects of individual actions.

3.3 Change Control Management

 Usually, execution of projects sometimes gets disrupted due to improper planning and underestimation of project activities. Like concrete plans get terminated, authors draft books and are unable to finish their publication. Personal capability and availability of resources, and funds to complete a project is essential in project management. The society also matters in the completion of projects. The readiness of the writer to make changes are necessary in case the writer cannot self-publish the book (Irvine 2016, p. 27). Apart from that rejection of information on empathy and civilization by the society is a change factor worth consideration. Writing revisions will depend on the truth of the content and in the book and acceptance of information before publication.

4.0 Schedule/Time Management

While schedules are essential in outlining the specific timeframes for a given objective, they also ensure that all significant purposes of the project covered (Ravinder and Kollikkathara 2017, p. 319). The updated project schedule reflective of the project’s activities is found later in this chapter.

4.1 Milestones

Table 1: shows information on the list of milestones with estimated completion time.

Milestone

Estimated Completion Period

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Phase

August 2009 – January 2010

Writing and revision of book’s content

February 2010 – August 2014

Publication an release of the book

August 2014 – September 2015

4.2 Project Schedule

The project schedule is tabulated in the table below

Phase

Description

Timeline

Project team stage

Observation of global democratic capitalism problems that need to be addressed

Preparation of a draft of the book

Preparation of documents on the team that will be involved in the writing project

Year 2007-2008

August 2008 – July 2009

August 2009

Environmental and social impact assessment

Observation of the environmental impact of address global problems associated to communication and energy regimes

Taking note of people’s suggestions on the impacts of the book

Quality planning process

August and September 2009

October and November 2009

December 2009

Mitigation consent

Considering public opinions and looking for solutions to problems related with content of the book

January 2010

Mitigation phase

Revising the book for acceptance of the book by society

February 2010 – August 2014

Finalizing the project

Editing, proofreading, formatting and publishing the book

August 2014 – September 2015

4.2.1 Dependencies

Dependencies, whether external or internal, are the existing relations between a preceding and a succeeding task (Pūlmanis 2014, p. 193). Internally, the project will rely on the availability of quality output from the project implementation teams. The positive impact of addressing global issues in the book is a fundamental internal factor (Abraham 2014, p. 27). Also, the truth of information on the changing situations in the civilized world that is in crisis is essential for effective communication to the society on global problems and solutions applicable. Externally, the project base on the availability of project funds and variety of issues to be addressed on democratic capitalism of the relationship between energy and the recent phase of power. The opinion of the society on the book content is the primary external factor likely to affect the project.

5.0 Project Cost and Budget Management

The budget of any project is essential for proper planning and completion of the project without further expenses being incurred. For effective control of the operation of projects in business, it is necessary to plan for the budget and acquire funds before starting the process. According to Teller and Gemünden (2014, p. 75), budget overruns serve as the litmus test for a project to be deemed a success or failure. Thus, it is crucial for the management team to pay full attention to the practical utility of the budget to meet the entire project’s scope. The total project cost and budget is approximately 2,550 US dollars. This total cost generated from the estimates of the expected value of running all the proposed book writing requirements. The estimated cost is tabulated below.

Item NO.

Description

Estimated Cost ($)

1

Editing and Proof Reading

2,129.00

2

Formatting

116.00

3

Cover Design

232.00

4

Publishing

22.00

5

Upgrading

44.80

6

Miscellaneous

6.20

TOTAL

2,250

6.0 Quality Management

For Quality Management (QM) to be achieved in a project, all the relevant implementation teams have to be involved (Steen et al. 2018, p. 4). Consequently, all teams will play a role in QM. The project manager will be responsible for ensuring all processes and documents conform to the plan. Besides, quality specialists and the rest of the project team will work in hand with the project manager to develop QM plans and establishment of quality standards. Quality assurance will ensure all the processes used in the project meet the established criteria. The book writing project involves cooperation and full support of other team members with the author of the book. The team includes; editors, proofreading participants and the publisher.

7.0 Human Resource Management

Even though other variables in a project like risks may be properly factored in, failure to properly manage the project personnel could spell failure (Pūlmanis 2014, p. 183). The project implementation team comprises the executive committee, oversight team, coordination team (delivery, financial, environmental and legal teams), public affairs team, and mitigation compliance team. The author, Jeremy Rifkin is the head of human resource management in the detailed project and is bound to control all writing operations for the book writing project to be successful and complete.

8.0 Communication Management

Communications in a project context serve the purposes of conveying the project objectives from the executive to the implementation teams alongside the new changes (Fernando et al. 2018, p. 333). The projects will have both internal and external communication processes. In the domestic context, biweekly conferences, weekly project meetings, and quarterly updates will be the source of communicating project progress. Besides, external communications will be coordinated by the Public Affairs Team and press releases. The project owner will ensure active communication channels with other team members for the success of the project.

8.1 Communication Matrix

Communication matrix is in the table below

Communication Type

Messages

Frequency

Communicators

Feedback Mechanisms

Biweekly review of information

Draft of the book

Weekly

Author

Internet search

Book writing team

Review of necessary book editions 

When need be

Coordinating Team

Oversight team

Meetings and emails

Publication and book release

Communicating book progress to the public

After completion of revision

Public Affairs Team

Internet book site

9.0 Risk Management

While risk management plays an essential role in identifying potential risks to a project, its effectiveness is only measured by establishing effective control to mitigate such risks (Mohammad 2018, p. 120). A methodical strategy that identifies and ranks risk will be adopted by the project team. High impact risks will be mitigated first and status updates provided to all implementation teams. Upon project completion, a review of the risk management process will be done to determine necessary improvements for future book writing.

The risk log is in the appendices. Appendix D.

10.0 Issue Management

Issues can have negative impacts on the general success of a project unless adequately resolved on time (Cagliano et al. 2015, p. 234). Through the book review period, the author will observe the issue’s that are accepted by the society. Non-fiction information will not be revised. Instead, the writer will make clarifications on rejected problems. The author in consultation with editing and formatting team issues that deserve attention for publication of the book. 

The issue log is provided in the appendices. Appendix E.

11.0 Procurement Management

Procurement Management Plans must be well defined to identify the necessary procedures and responsibility for procurement during the project (Atan and Eren 2018, p. 508). The procurement management process for the book “The Empathic Civilization: The Race of Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis will involve various planning details. The type of information and global issues of the world will be used to measure the impact of the book information to the society. The planned dates for drafting and releasing the book. The standard and quality of the book is essential. The number of contractors for editing, formatting, cover design and publishing the book will be managed. Availability of the book for purchase and pre-identification of a proper selling website all over the world is necessary.

12.0 Compliance Related Planning

Compliance is not only vital in providing project oversights but provides guidance on conforming to laws, policies, standards, regulations and requirements (Atan and Eren 2018, p. 515). Though there are limited policies and rules regarding writing, compliance of laws necessary in book writing is essential. For successful completion of the book project, it is crucial for the author to involve mutual agreement writing of the book. The author should ensure originality of the book content. Also, the writer should understand the accepted and forbidden activities in book writing. Jeremy Rifkin should ensure adoption of the most appropriate marketing strategies in the sale of the proposed book. Apart from that Jeremy should avoid fraud information that would create conflict between the content of the book and the society.

References

Abraham, A 2014, Project Planning And Management: An Aspect Of Development, Hamburg, Germany: Anchor, eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost, viewed 14 June 2018.

Atan, T, & Eren, E 2018, 'Optimal project duration for resource leveling', European Journal Of Operational Research, 266, 2, pp. 508-520, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 14 June 2018.

Cagliano, AC, Grimaldi, S, & Rafele, C 2015, 'Choosing project risk management techniques. A theoretical framework', Journal of Risk Research, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 232-248. Available from: 10.1080/13669877.2014.896398. [14 June 2018].

Dobson, MS 2015, Successful Project Management : How To Complete Projects On Time, On Budget, And On Target, AMA Self-Study, eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost, viewed 13 June 2018.

Fernando, Y, Walters, T, Ismail, M, Seo, Y, & Kaimasu, M 2018, 'Managing project success using project risk and green supply chain management', International Journal Of Managing Projects In Business, 11, 2, pp. 332-365, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 14 June 2018.

Gray, J. (2018). The Empathic Civilization: The Race to Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis by Jeremy Rifkin | Book review. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/mar/13/empathetic-civilization-jeremy-rifkin-climate [Accessed 19 Jun. 2018].

Irvine, I. (2016). The Truth About Publishing - Ian Irvine. [online] Ian Irvine. Available at: http://www.ian-irvine.com/on-writing/the-truth-about-publishing/ [Accessed 18 Jun. 2018].

Mohammad Reza, G 2018, 'The advantage of project risk management tools', Journal Of Project Management, Vol 3, Iss 2, Pp 121-124 (2018), 2, p. 121, Directory of Open Access Journals, EBSCOhost, viewed 14 June 2018.

Pūlmanis, E 2014, 'Public Sector Project Management Planning and Efficiency Problems', Project Management Development - Practice & Perspectives, pp. 183-198, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 14 June 2018.

Ravinder, H, & Kollikkathara, N 2017, 'Project Management in Operations Management Textbooks: Closing the Gap', Journal Of The Academy Of Business Education,

18, pp. 307-324, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 13 June 2018

Rifkin, J. (2010). The empathic civilization. Cambridge: Polity.

Rowe, SF 2015, Project Management For Small Projects, Second Edition, Tysons Corner, Virginia: Management Concepts, Inc, eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost, viewed 13 June 2018

Teller, J, Kock, A, & Gemünden, H 2014, 'Risk Management in Project Portfolios Is More Than Managing Project Risks: A Contingency Perspective on Risk Management', Project Management Journal, 45, 4, pp. 67-80, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 14 June 2018

Saladis, F., Learning, I. and Kerzner, H. (2013). What executives need to know about project management. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley.

Steen, J, DeFillippi, R, Sydow, J, Pryke, S, & Michelfelder, I 2018, 'Projects and Networks: Understanding Resource Flows and Governance of Temporary Organizations with Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods', Project Management Journal, 49, 2, pp. 3-17, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 14 June 2018

Appendices

Appendix A: Project Management Plan Approval

The undersigned acknowledge review of the book “The Empathic Civilization: The Race of Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis” by Jeremy Rifkin. The write has approved book writing project management plan and agree with the approach it presents in educating the world.  The changes of this project management plan will be coordinated with and monitored by the book writer.

Signature                                                        Date

Print

Name Jeremy Rifkin

Title Author of the book

Role Project Proponent

Appendix B: References

The following table summarizes the documents referenced in this document.

Document Name and Version

Description

Location

Book review

The book review outlines problems addressed by Jeremy Rifkin

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/mar/13/empathetic-civilization-jeremy-rifkin-climate

Appendix C: Key Terms

The following table provides definitions for terms relevant to this document.

Term

Definition

Project Management Plan

A document that defines the path a project takes in relation to execution, monitoring and control.

Project Risk Management

The process of outlining project risks that must be exhaustively analyzed, hence the implementation of required strategies to respond to those risks throughout a project’s lifespan and in the best interests of its objectives

Risk

Likelihood of occurrence of an event or outcome

Appendix D: Risk Log

Risk Id

Risk Area

Likelihood

Description

Project impact mitigation Plan

1

Failure to reach the written global solutions

High

Misunderstanding of project impacts by the society

Clarifying and emphasizing on empathy and civilization the a world that is in crisis

2

Change management overload

Medium

Slowed project work time

Overstretched schedules for book editing

Frequent communication of changes. Immediate implementation of changes

Appendix E: Issue Log

Issue Id

Date

Priority

Owner

Description

Status and Resolution

1

August 2010 – February 2014

High

Non-fiction information

Frequent communication of changes. Immediate implementation of changes during the editing and proofreading period.

2

September 2009 – January 2010

High

Misunderstandings of information by the society

Clarifying and emphasizing on empathy and civilization the a world that is in crisis