Learning Activity 11-7: Case Study Introduction - Beginning the Project Charter

Learning Activity 11-7: Case Study Introduction ‚ Beginning the Project Charter

GOALS

The goal of this activity is to introduce the workshop ‚ s case study and to begin work in completing the project charter, writing a preliminary mission statement for the project.

MATERIALS

• Handout 11-5: Project Case Study

• Training Instrument 12-4: Project Charter Worksheet

• PowerPoint slide 8-21 for the one-day workshop

• PowerPoint slide 9-45 for the two-day workshop

• flipchart paper.

TIME

• approximately 15 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS

Display slide 9-45. Distribute Handout 11-5 and Training Instrument 12-4 to each participant, and ask participants to take a few minutes to read the case study. Ask for questions and comments about the case, clarifying any items that are unclear to participants .

Indicate that for the time being they will only need to complete the first item on the training instrument: the project mission. Ask each participant to write his or her own mission statement of 50 words or less. Then ask each team to create a composite version on which they agree. Have them write their final version of the mission statement on the flipchart.

Handout 11.5: Project Case Study

Video Universe (VU) is a small chain of five video stores that rents and sells videos (VHS and DVD). VU caters to movie buffs who want to be able to request films by title, cast members , or directors, as well as look up Academy Award-winning films by category and year of award. Customers pay for rentals by cash or credit card. They may reserve a title up to five days in advance of the date on which they wish to rent. As a service, VU ‚ s main store has a conference room that it makes available to a local group of film buffs, who meet each week to discuss classic films available on video as well as notable new video releases.

VU ‚ s current file card-based system is inadequate for its needs and must be replaced . You are charged with analyzing the requirements, determining the scope of the system, and developing and implementing a plan to deliver the required system. Managers determine rental pricing and acquisition information for new video purchases for inventory, which is purchased from one of several vendors . Data on films ‚ such as cast and Oscar winners ‚ comes from a subscription service, which provides the information monthly on CD-ROM. Cash receipts and credit card information are to be forwarded to the accounting group, which logs accounting information and handles collection of credit card transaction purchases. HR wants to receive reports on individual sales clerks for sales and rentals.

VU ‚ s owner is Sarah Sinema, who has indicated that she will make staff available to you and your project team if questions arise. Her staff of part-time sales clerks at the main store includes Sam Surly, Becky Belligerent, and Henry Helpful. Sarah has indicated that you may consult with any of them throughout the project. The main store also houses her accountant , Debbie Debit, and her HR director, John Hiram. Sarah has also suggested that you might want to meet with the weekly film group for ideas about how VU ‚ s new system might best serve their needs.