For this assignment, create a responsibility matrix for the WAG expansion

First assignment is:

For this assignment, create a responsibility matrix for the WAG expansion project that you have just been hired as an Assistant Project Manager. You will be using the RACI matrix design that you learned about in this module to assign responsibilities.

As you might remember, the project is for an expansion of the shoe line that WAG has in the United Kingdom, which includes a new factory and artisan workshop. Some of the key stakeholders are:

• Clive Edwards – CEO of WAG, who oversees all of the operations in both the US and the UK and is the project sponsor
• Cecil Moneypenny - Factory Manager in the UK, who will oversee the plant operations in the UK
• Kingston Bryce - Factory Manager in the US, who will oversee the plant operations in the US
• Include yourself as the Assistant Project Manager
• Greg Hasselbach – CFO for WAG
• Kaplan Thunderbird – Commercial Real Estate Agent in the UK

Some of the key tasks of the project include:

• Location selection in the UK
• Equipment selection for the new factory
• Hiring employees in the UK
• Mapping processes from the US factory to the new UK factory
• Mapping all of the tasks for the project

There may be some additional tasks that need to be added. Use your imagination and include them in your matrix.

Understanding how cross functional teams function is the basis for the selection of members. As already noted, to create an efficient and agile team, members should be from diverse areas and backgrounds. Below are examples of potential cross-functional team representation:

Accounting/Finance – a representative from this area should always be involved to ensure that the project stays on budget or in the event that some additional funds need to be allocated.
Customer Support – depending on the nature of the business, someone with knowledge of the end user experience is necessary to ensure that the project will meet customer expectations.
Development Management – this department is typically responsible for new product development and will vary based on the size of the organization doing the project.
Information Technology – this department is necessary to ensure that a new program or process that is the result of a project runs smoothly with the existing technology infrastructure of an organization.
Legal – the legal department is included in the event that intellectual patents or legal issues arise during the project.
Marketing Communications – this department is responsible for internal and external communications about the project.
Project Management – project management is the “tour guide” or host department for any project that an organization is planning or has implemented. The project manager acts as the leader for the project process.
Quality Assurance – depending on the size of the organization, this department is responsible for ensuring that new or existing processes are performing at the optimal desired output.
As you can see from the list above, assembling the right team involves the entire organization. The selected team members will have a dual purpose because they will be the representative of their respective areas and they will provide updates about the project back to their line of business.
You have just been hired as an Assistant Project Manager for WAG Incorporated and have been assigned your first project. The project is for an expansion of the shoe line that WAG has in the United Kingdom, which includes a new factory and artisan workshop. The project is budgeted for just over $3 million US dollars and is planned to take 2 years to complete. As part of your role, you have been given the opportunity to lead the creation of some of the key documents in the project.
How to Create a Responsibility Matrix

Using the RACI format, here are some steps to create a responsibility matrix:

The project manager will:

Meet with all team members and stakeholders (those that have ties to the project) to identify all of the tasks that are needed to carry out the project scope. These actions are to be listed on the left side of the chart in the order that each task is to be completed.
Identify all of the team members and stakeholders for the project and will list them across the top of the chart (not in any particular order).
Fill in the team members in the matrix based on whether they that have responsibility, accountability, for tasks along with those that need to be consulted and informed of the project tasks.
Ensure that each task listed has at least one project sponsor (responsible owner).
Ensure that each task does not have more than one accountable stakeholder.
Share the task breakdowns in the responsibility matrix with the entire group for approval.
Here is an example of what a responsibility matrix looks likes using the RACI model:

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LEGEND:

R – RESPONSIBLE STAKEHOLDER
A – ACCOUNTABLE STAKEHOLDER
C – CONSULTED STAKEHOLDER
I – INFORMED STAKEHOLDER

Assignment 2:

For this assignment, create a project management schedule for the WAG expansion project that you have just been hired for as an Assistant Project Manager. The project is expected to take 2 years to complete, and the major milestones are broken up by quarters. Using the RACI matrix that you created in Module 02, copy the tasks that you have listed into the project schedule that you are creating here. A project management schedule template is linked below.