Case Study of the Navy Marine Corps Intranet project (NMCI) project Essay

Case Study of the Navy Marine Corps Intranet project (NMCI) project Management - Essay Example The case study analysis of the NMCI project shows that if the above measures are not put in place, there are likely chances of the project failing to meet its set goals and objectives. Introduction The term project is used to describe a set of linked activities or it can be precisely defined as a onetime activity with a well defined set of desired results (Hellriegel 2001). Some of the major features of a project include a definite start and finish, a time frame for completion, uniqueness as well as involvement of people on a temporary basis. Thus, for any project to be a success, project management plays a pivotal role in the implementation of the whole project. Against this background, this case study based essay seeks to critically analyse the project management practices and outcomes in the Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) project being executed by Electronic Data Systems (EDS). The essay is divided into three phases and it will be structured as follows: Phase one deals with a p reliminary scope statement, phase two deals with presentation of an analysis, critique and recommendations regarding the project management areas of estimating, quality and communication as they apply to NMCI’s performance and the third phase will deal with presentation of an analysis, critique and recommendations regarding the project management areas of risk management, scheduling and budgeting and project execution as they apply to the case of NMCI. An assessment of whether the project was a success from the stakeholders’ perspective will be given at the end of the essay. Phase 1 The Preliminary Project Scope Statement is a framework or guideline that spells the main ideas and decisions to be made in the project and can be constantly reviewed to ensure compliance with the project goals set (Yeates & Cadle 1996). It documents all the requirements of the project as well as the boundaries within which the project will be implemented whereby there is a common understand ing between the project management team and the stakeholders involved. Thus, â€Å"the preliminary Project Scope Statement defines the project and establishes what must be accomplished at a high level,† (Elyse, PMP & CPHIMS 2006). The project objective in this case of NMCI is to build a single and seamless network. Against this background, EDS has managed to get a contract worth up to $9 billion to supply the US Navy and Marine Corps with a single, seamless network. Indeed, this is seen as the biggest government contract in the US. The other objective is that The Navy contract is being regarded as a pilot project for the way the military as a whole will run its IT in the future. In other words, this project seeks to create a situation whereby the Navy will be given the autonomy to manage its affairs with regards to its information and technology (IT) needs in the future. The project requirements include IT infrastructure in the form of computers, hardware as well as software that is required in executing this project. The project boundary is limited to EDS, the contractors, NMCI and the government of the US which is also a sponsor of the project. The project also assumes that EDS systems are intended to be fully operational by June 2003 which entails that the Navy will be ruled by the PC business in the years to come. Within the scope of this project, the major constraint likely to be encountered is related to cultural factors in the