Develop A Strategic Project Plan Assessment Answer

Key Topics

• Business Case
• Project Scope
• Risk Identification and Mitigation Plan
• Resource Plan
• Communication Plan
• Project Schedule
• Monitoring and Controlling
• Change Management Details
• References
• Appendix

You are required to develop a strategic project plan in the form of a document. There is considerable freedom of choice for a suitable project scenerio. But, whatever scenerio you choose, assessment is against specific criteria that originate in the module learning outcomes.
The module learning outcomes)1-4) are mapped to the following assessment criteria
1. Assess the business case for a project.
2. Recommend a strategy for reduction of uncertainities and the management of associated risk.
3. Recommend a suitable structure and process for the monitoring and control of a project.
4. Identify and apply appropriate planning and management tools for the project.
5. Formulate a strategy for the implementation of change.

Business Case

The case has been taken from The Public Inquiry into the Piper Alpha Disaster (the Lord Cullen report) that outlines the oilfield disaster that killed 167 workers on July 6 off the coast of Aberdeen (Cullen, 1990). It was considered as the world’s deadliest ever oil rig accident. The accident caused a complete re-base lining of safety management in North Sea oil and gas. The Piper Alpha oil platform was located in the North Sea approx. 110 miles from Aberdeen, Scotland, and had 226 people on board at the time of the event, and 165 of whom died due to the incident. 
The source of fire is attributed to a flammable hydrocarbon cloud that leaked from the pump. The platform was at the hub of a network of platforms interconnected by oil and gas pipelines. The series of explosion took place on the platform and the intense fire weakened the rescue efforts either by chopper or by ships. It was calculated that the rate of burning of oil was equivalent to total UK oil consumption rate.
No organized effort was made to save the people working at the rig even after it became apparent that the conditions in the module were becoming hazardous. Crew waited for the instructions that never came and almost 81 percent of personnel died due to smoke inhalation. Those who survived were due to their own initiatives, as they jumped from the rig and found their way to the shore.

Project Scope

The scope of this paper is limited to understanding the risks that are associated with managing off shore oil rigs and mitigation of those risks. The paper will help in identification of those risks, and then preparation of plans for estimation, resources and communication regarding the implementation of the project plan (Turner, 1988). The paper will use project scheduling methods (such as Gantt chart) to understand the timeline of the implementation the professionals who will be employed to handle each tasks. 
In the end, the report will discuss how to implement the change in the organization that has embraced the conventional methods and might not be ready yet to accept the change. 
The report will include the experimental and theoretical progresses that has been made in the offshore structure over the decade and special focus has been placed on the implementing the new found wisdom in optimizing the design of structures. The report also mentions the improvements in interpretation and tools that has took placed after the Piper Alpha disaster.

Risk Identification and Mitigation Plan

As per the case, there are various risks that are associated with operating an off shore oil rig. The risks and their mitigation are mentioned in the following paragraphs:
Explosion Loading
There has been serious study into the risk related to explosion at the Piper Alpha and the central problem that came out was in making the projections about the nature of combustion waves that are associated with large structures. It has been found that different scale parameters require different orientation in understanding the physics and chemistry associated with it. The studies conducted at smaller scale based on the designs that were used with limited understanding of the explosion nature were found less significant (Attetkov et al., 1988). If the tests are conducted on the large scale that mimic the phenomenology of real life conditions, then it might lead to some significant results that will hold some importance. 
To understand the large scale explosion issues, new study plans came out that were more realistic in nature. It deals with the questions on how does leaks happen in offshore module of such an extensive size and what would be the conditions if explosions takes place in such module and the extent of mitigation that can be taken into account.
However, Taylor and Hirst (1989), suggested the procedure that showed that how the small scale experiments can be used to understand the limitations of the large scale rigs in terms of explosion flames. It advocated on the use of more reactive gas at the small scale – for example methane – and relating it to the full scale nature of the impact. The method designed by them focused on creating a Troll platform which was used by Samuel demonstrating the impact at the scale of 1/12 of the original size. 
Mentioned below are the various mitigations that can be applied in such explosion cases that came out of the result of the experiments mentioned above:
(i) Mitigation by design: According to Bakke, the best method to mitigate the risk of explosion can be done from the initial by designing the rig which will be the more cost-effective way to reduce the explosion that takes place due to pressure. Paterson et al., suggested the method in which optimizing the design with pig launchers could reduce the CFD overpressure from on average 4 bar to 0.5 bar. The paper seems to be the perfect example of how optimizing the design related to mitigating the explosion at an early stage could lead to results with low or almost zero cost of optimization and can also protect staffers from implementation of optimization at later stage that would be more time consuming and costly affair. Paterson et al., has also suggested that focusing on the detailed implementation is the key to keep things safe from future explosion, which might include every single detail such skids or racks that are used for cable. 
(ii) Water Sprays: The studies have suggested that use of water sprays that have the ability to deliver water drops in the fine mist form can be used to protect from fire. The devices that deliver fine mist have yet not developed in its full capacity and there are still some improvements that have to be made, but if it is achieved, then the safety process can be useful. There are various testing that has been conducted in the past decade, for example, one device used thermal energy that was contained in superheated water at 180 degree Celsius. After the discharge, immediate flashes could occur and droplets that came out were of the size of 10 micron range. The recent testing was done with one of the Micromist (the device explained above), in a small size model of off shore module. The experiment was conducted by Tam et al, and they used four devices for the purpose, where the two of them were placed on the roof that led the water to discharge downward and the other two was placed in such a way that the water was discharged in horizontal pattern. They used various ignition level and discharge time to read the success of the experiment. The result of the experiment was path breaking and it showed that spray of mist can prevent flame from propagation and can suppress the flame and its explosion within. The result also showed that the effectiveness of the Micromist lies between the use of a good diluents and perfect suppressant. 
(iii) Barrier Mitigation Methods: Though this method has been focused less from the side of experimenters, it seems successful if one of the Tam’s experiment is taken into consideration. Tam took the experiment using the barrier methods for controlling the explosion. The result of the experiments were consoling, it showed that the barrier can control the impact of the explosion from the gas. The experimentation was done by separating one section from another. This way, one section where explosion has not taken place can be protected from the exploded section. According to Tam, there are various methods that can be used such as, using hard barriers or say blast walls for the protection, and other can be the use of membranes or the soft and suppressive barriers.
(iv) Statistical Treatments: It has been previously understood that there exists major difference between what the statistics show about the probability of explosion and what actually happens. However, some of the current development suggests that the use of proper data can help in understanding and forecasting the occurrence of explosion. The statistical method employ almost similar approach to that of employed in mechanical engineering for example understanding the wind load, size of the gas cloud and the place where the offshore module is located.
The above mitigation plans can be used to prevent the impact of gas explosion that haunts the offshore modules in their operation.

Resource Plan

The project will focus on implementation of these mitigation methods on the offshore modules, and for the purpose, it will require few of the resources (Knutson and Biltz, 1991). The resources those are required for the purposes are: 
(i) Human Resource: Right personnel will be chosen from within and outside the organization to facilitate the management of the project. The researches have shown that if the project are not handled by the competent managers, then the project can lose its momentum and various user requirements can be ignored. The implementation of the project requires motivated people who can adapt according to the changing environment. They should be able to help project managers and the management team play an effective leadership role. On the other hand, the project managers should be able to help his people identify the various project stages and activities that are required for the project completion. They can help build phase-wise plans that ensure that the people working on the project has the required skills and they are motivated enough to meet the project demand. People on the project should share common vision and facilitate workshops and required changes. Demonstration of personal adaptability will be the key to choose the required personnel. The managers should be able to provide proper training and key knowledge to the workers who will be employed on the project which will in ensuring their proper safety at the offshore module development.
(ii) Material Suppliers: Development of offshore module risk mitigation elements will require various materials that will be procured from right suppliers. Only those suppliers will be chosen those have the reputation of supplying quality products to the users in the past decade. 
(iii) Technology: The project development will require some improved technology to implement all the necessary elements at the offshore module. These will be procured from reputed technology companies. They will come with experts who will be able to handle the machines effectively. If necessary, they will provide required training to the workers before the initalisation of the project. 

Communication Plan

The communication within a project has greater importance in terms of project success. The project communication plans level the standards and place the policies that are required to answer the question of how and when the communication will happen (Campbell, 2009). In communication plan, it is maintained that all the stakeholders are getting required information about the project growth. This also requires setting the standards on methods that will be used by the participants to communicate with each other via walkie-talkie or phone calls. Specific meetings are set for regular meetings that will be done to discuss over the progress of the project. This will help the team understand where they are standing in terms of project completion and how much is to be done.
An effective and efficient communication plan will help in keeping the project requirement and progress consistent with the actual demand of the project. It is ensured that all the stakeholders are getting same information about the project improvements. This will prevent any confusion among them and thus the project will progress without any reputation of the tasks.
The communication plan in the offshore module development will take place in various modes. First will be through the use of local radio transmitters, which will be used by workers on the offshore module to communicate with each other for any certain discussion, instruction or information; second will be through emails, which will be used to communicate with higher authority that are overlooking the project. And the third will be through regular meeting between project staffs and the manager. 
The regular communication in the offshore development will help the workers and engineers to remain productive by staying in the loop about the project development and daily improvements. This will help them in staying comfortable with what they are doing is contributing to the success of the overall project. Also, proper communication will allow the workers and engineers to work in coordination and collaboration which impacts the effectiveness of the project performance (Heerkens, 2002).
Moreover, an effective communication helps the project manager to direct the focus of the team to the required project outcome. It is evident that if there is the lack of proper communication with the various stakeholders, the project manager might fail to deliver the project as per requirement. The communication will help the project manager to gain step by step instruction from the higher authority and in figuring out what exactly is required to be delivered at each phase and at the end of the project combined.

Project Schedule

Project Scheduling is important for any project management as it helps in organizing and completing the project on time with required quality and efficiency. Also, to achieve the project in financially sustainable way the project schedule becomes imperative to understand and formulate. Every project comes with some time constraints, and that is also associated with the expense it incurs (Thomset, 2002). Therefore, it becomes necessary to complete the project within the certain time limit to prevent any costly affairs, particularly for such projects that require resources that have to be highly specialized and skilled, for instance, this project of offshore module development.
The project schedule requires proper documentation of the project, which should be broken down in every piece (Clark, 1952). It also allows assigning resources effectively, being it human, or material. This project has used Gantt chart showcase the project schedule that is shown in the images at the end of the project in Appendix A. Gantt chart has been prepared using MS Project. Given below is the project breakdown that has been done to facilitate the proper conduct of the offshore module project development:
The project will begin from January 4, 2016 and will end on April 4, 2016. Mentioned below are the personnel who will handle the tasks at different project development phase.
(i) Determining Project Scope: Analyst
(ii) Secure Project Sponsorship: Project Manager and Analyst
(iii) Define Preliminary Resources: Analyst
(iv) Secure Core Resources: Resource Manager
(v) Conduct Need Analysis: Analyst, Business Analyst
(vi) Draft Preliminary Material Requirement: User, Project Manager, Management
(vii) Review Material Specifications/Budget with team: Project Manager/Management
(viii) Incorporate feedback on material specifications: Project Manager
(ix) Develop delivery timeline: Project Manager Technical Advisor
(x) Obtain approval to proceed: Project Manager
(xi) Secure Required Resource: Resource Manager
(xii) Review Preliminary Design Specification: Analyst
(xiii) Develop Functional Specification: Project Analyst
(xiv) Develop Prototype based on functional Specification: Engineers
(xv) Review functional specification: Engineers and Project Analyst
(xvi) Incorporate feedback on functional specification: Engineers
(xvii) Obtain approvals to proceed: Project Manager
(xviii) Review functional Specification: Senior Engineer
(xix) Identify modular/tiered design parameters: Analyst
(xx) Assign development engineers: Project Manager
(xxi) Develop the Project: Engineers
(xxii) Develop unit test plans using product specification: Analyst

Monitoring and Controlling

Monitoring and control of the project goes hand in hand with the project with the project activities. It is imperative for the successful project completion. As it is obvious that coming to the know-how of any mis-happening early on is far important than realizing the issues at the end of the project which will be fatal for projects that are done on substantial scale.
The project management of offshore modular modification will be using various monitoring and control methods. They are mentioned below:
(i) The monitoring and control will include collection of performance information and assessing the measures and trends to forecast the impact of such actions and then suggesting the corrective actions for the same. It also helps in informing the project team about the preventive actions they can take to mitigate the forecasted risks based on their current actions. It can recommended repairs for the defected modules and request various changes as required.
(ii) The next is the use of integrated control processes which will ensure that project corrective actions are taken across the project knowledge areas. This includes approval of the change requests, updating the project plan as per new requirements that has arise suddenly, and approval of any corrective and preventive actions required to conduct the project successfully.
(iii) Monitoring and Controlling also requires verifying the scope of the project and ensure that the project performance does not deviate from its required deliverables. Its various outputs include the acceptance of deliverables, requests to change if needed and the recommendation of corrective measures as per requirement.
These are the various monitoring and control measures that will be taken by the concerned staff during the project development.

Change Management Details

Implementation of the project at the offshore module will require some changes in the current working procedures and technical specifications. The studies have shown that when a change is implemented, special care should be taken while implementing it as there are various things attached to it and the major ones are the people and technical side associated with the change. The technical side ensures that whatever is being implemented, it should be well structured and focused. The people side ensures that the changes being made is accepted by the people who will be the user of the implemented change.
The first step to ensure the better change implementation is to communicate properly to the people who will be affected by the change. However, in the case of offshore module development, there is rare chance that people will not embrace the change as it is for their safety and protection from any miss-happenings. Protection of their lives is important from the management perspectives and from their side also. Therefore, the only thing that should be in the purview of the project manager would be the proper implementation of the technical side.

References

Attetkov, A. V. et al. "Explosion Loading Of A Medium Under Conditions Of Undercompressed Detonation". Combust Explos Shock Waves 24.1 (1988): 77-82. Web.
Bakke, J.R. and van Wingerden, K. “Guidance for designing offshore modules evolving from gas explosion research” SPE paper 24617 763- 770 (1992) 
Campbell, G. Michael. Communications Skills For Project Managers. New York: AMACOM, 2009. Print.
Clark, Wallace. The Gantt Chart ... Third Edition. Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons: London, 1952. Print.
Cullen, W. Douglas. The Public Inquiry Into The Piper Alpha Disaster. London: H.M.S.O., 1990. Print.
Heerkens, Gary. Project Management. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002. Print.
Knutson, Joan, and Ira Bitz. Project Management. New York, NY: AMACOM, 1991. Print.
Paterson, K. , Tam, V.H.Y., Moros, T. and Ward-Gittos, D. “The design of BP ETAP platform against gas explosions” Jnl Loss Prevn Proc Ind 13, 73 – 79 (2000) 

Tam, V., O’Connell, M.,Pedersen, G. and Renwick, P. “Testing of the Micromist device: An active soft barrier for explosion control”, ERA Conference Major Hazards Offshore 4.4.1 – 
4.4.11 (2000) 

Taylor, P.H. and Hirst W.J.S. 22nd Symp Int Comb (1989) 
Thomsett, Michael C. The Little Black Book Of Project Management. New York: AMACOM, 2002. Print.
Turner, EK. "Scope Definition For Bidding Project-Control Services". International Journal of Project Management 6.1 (1988): 39-44. Web.

Appendix