Cmgt410 - Xyz Acquisition of Abc

Running Head: XYZ ACQUISITION OF ABC

XYZ Acquisition of ABC

Abstract

The merger of two companies requires the creation of a standardized environment. The migration of all servers and workstations to a standard hardware and network operating system configuration is the objective of the project. The front office created by the project was a standardized workstation, Windows XP Professional operating system configured with a specific set of core applications that exist on every computer. The back office will consist of the integration and upgrade of all ABC's Windows servers to a consistent Windows 2003 Active Directory Domain. Standardization results in a lower total cost of ownership for the company. The project manager will apply project management techniques throughout the project.

CONTENTS

Abstract 2

Table of Figures 4

List of Tables 5

XYZ ACQUISITION OF ABC 6

Background and Statement of Need 6

Project Objectives 7

Mission and Goals of Project 11

Project Approach 14

Project Organization 14

Task/Responsibility Matrix 16

Work Breakdown Structure 17

Task Flow Network/Critical Path 19

Project Schedule 22

Project Reporting 24

Cost Plan 26

Project Baseline 30

Performance Measurement 31

Project Evaluation and Reporting 33

Project Termination 38

Conclusion 40

References 42

Table of Figures

Figure 1 Project Organization 16

Figure 2 Tracking Gantt Chart 19

Figure 3 Task-Flow Network Diagram 21

Figure 4 Level-One Tasks Dependencies 22

Figure 5 Level-Three Task Dependencies 23

Figure 6 Gantt Chart Snapshot 24

Figure 7 ABC's Network Upgrade Task Status 26

Figure 8 Project Statistics 30

Figure 9 Milestones Realignment Document 35

Figure 10 Variance Request Form 36

Figure 11 Risk Management Log 37

List of Tables

TABLE 1 PROJECT BUDGET 9

TABLE 2 RISK ASSESSMENT 10

TABLE 3 TASK LIST 13

TABLE 4 TASK/RESPONSIBILITY MATRIX 17

TABLE 5 EXAMPLE CRITICAL PATH CALCULATION 21

TABLE 6 HARDWARE COST 27

TABLE 7 HUMAN AND CONTINGENCY RESOURCES 28

TABLE 8 PROJECT COSTS 28

TABLE 9 BUDGET BY PROJECT PHASE 29

XYZ ACQUISITION OF ABC

Companies today must view any large change to systems with both caution and apprehension. "This is particularly pertinent when one considers the poor success rate of IT projects; ...only 28% of IT projects are viewed as successful, with about half of all projects coming in over budget, late or missing some intended functions." (Ellen & West, 2003) For this reason, companies must design and implement projects with a complete project management methodology to increase the likelihood that the project will be successful. The XYZ Company is a midsize company that is growing quickly. XYZ Company, established in 1995, is a privately held company that has enjoyed growth and success by creating a niche serving the restaurant and foodservice industries. XYZ acquired ABC, Incorporated. ABC did not have a standardized IT environment, which made communication between the divisions difficult; therefore, XYZ decided that it was best for the company as a whole to change ABC's current IT infrastructure to the corporate IT standard environment.

Background and Statement of Need

The XYZ Company is a paper manufacturing company that creates paper products for the food industry. Today, XYZ is recognized as one of the leading suppliers of nested paperboard cartons in North America. XYZ sells products into many foodservice market segments including fast-food restaurants, schools, convenience stores, and institutional markets. The main types of products that XYZ manufactures include food trays, fry cartons, and various hinged clamshells for sandwiches, hotdogs, pizzas, breadsticks, and carryout dinners. As part of the strategic growth plan, XYZ has just purchased a smaller competitor, ABC, Inc. The merger was to acquire a competitor located in a different geographical area. This acquisition will also enable the company to acquire expertise in several areas it currently lacks. The resulting merger will require the merger of the two company networks; the conversion of ABC's network to XYZ's current configuration is to be undertaken. ABC, Inc. did not have a standardized network operating system; each of its three locations had a different system. The company has decided that the new acquisition will have XYZ's standard office automation environment installed; this includes both the front office and back office. Due to the numerous configurations previously found in the new acquisition, the project team will define the back office for this project as all Windows-based servers. The project team will define the front office for this project as any Windows workstation. The migration of all servers and workstations to a standard hardware and network operating system configuration is the objective of the project. The project will take nine months. The project budget will be approximately $145,000.

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