Each year at the end of summer, Outdoor Recreation Unlimited puts on a major sales event that includes live music, displays of discounted outdoor clothing and gear, food vendors and fun outdoor activities in order to sell their remaining retail and have a great time in the process. This year, your boss has given you the task of being the project manager for this event. The event will take place in three months and you’ll be managing a team of five interns to help plan the event.
It is your first time in a project management role and you want to prove to him that you are knowledgeable and well-equipped to take on these type of duties. He prefers to not micromanage you, but would like he and his team of executives to be aware of your plans before you start the project. To do this, he has asked that you put together a 10-15-slide PowerPoint presentation for the company’s board of directors that answers the following questions:
What are your cost estimates for the project? (You have an unlimited budget, but in past years, costs for this event have not surpassed $30,000.)
What major milestones and timeline will you adhere to?
How will you ensure quality and prepare for risks along the way?
How will you manage your team assigned to this project?
How you will report the status of the project?
How you will measure the success of the project at its close?
Sample Solution
What team roles and responsibilities will be assigned?
How will you measure the success of the event?
To create your presentation, it’s important to break down each question into its component parts. For example:
Question 1: What are your Cost Estimates for the Project?
1a. Event Venue/Rental Costs – You’ll need to consider things like cost per square foot, length of time needed, parking fees, etc.
1b. Food Vendor Costs – Determine what type of food vendors you’d like to invite and how much they charge for their services.
1c. Music & Entertainment Costs – Decide if you want a live band or DJ and how much that might cost for the amount of time needed.
1d. Promotional Materials & Advertising Costs – Estimate advertising costs on radio, internet, print media and promotional items such as t-shirts or flyers that may need to be purchased or printed in bulk quantities.
Sample Solution
What team roles and responsibilities will be assigned?
How will you measure the success of the event?
To create your presentation, it’s important to break down each question into its component parts. For example:
Question 1: What are your Cost Estimates for the Project?
1a. Event Venue/Rental Costs – You’ll need to consider things like cost per square foot, length of time needed, parking fees, etc.
1b. Food Vendor Costs – Determine what type of food vendors you’d like to invite and how much they charge for their services.
1c. Music & Entertainment Costs – Decide if you want a live band or DJ and how much that might cost for the amount of time needed.
1d. Promotional Materials & Advertising Costs – Estimate advertising costs on radio, internet, print media and promotional items such as t-shirts or flyers that may need to be purchased or printed in bulk quantities.
