Executive Summary
Farmers at the Northern Territory have for many years failed to meet their targets due to the lack of information as pertains innovative agricultural practices backed with scientific knowledge and research. With the population in the region rapidly growing in the past few years, food security remains a critical issue that should be considered in the region. For better crop yield and productivity, the farmers must demonstrate knowledge in current agricultural practices such as farming, pest control, harvesting, and storage of food. In this regard, an information network that links the Northern Territory farmers to the rest of the country is required to ensure that they regularly access knowledge regarding the current practices and scientific discovery. Such a move will be of importance not only to the farmers but also the rest of the Northern Territory population due to the improved food security.
Overview
Purpose of the Proposal
The proposal needs to solve the problem of the farmers’ lack of knowledge regarding the current agricultural practices that guarantee a sense of food security. The farmers have relied continuously on local information despite the continued need for the use of innovative and research-based methods in agriculture and food management. The proposal will highlight the expected benefits, dis-benefits, project requirements, costs, major risks, and the time scale of the project. The project will be conducted by embedding and tailoring PRINCE2 strategy. The PRINCE2 can be described as a methodology for project management that works by dividing the project into several controllable and manageable stages. The method has been adopted in many countries across the world, including Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Western European countries (Cooke, 2016 p. 101). Vaníčková (2017) describes the several stages that a project passes in the PRINCE2 methodology. They include starting up a project, initiating a project, directing a project, controlling a stage, managing product delivery, managing stage boundaries, and closing a project (p. 231).
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Measuring the Success of a Project
Assessing the quality of the project is arguably one of the best ways to measure success. The quality review will be done against the predetermined standards. Some project managers would, however, focus on using timelines to measure success. However, essential to note is that a project can be completed within the required timelines, but the quality measures have not been attained. Emphasis should, therefore, be placed on quality rather than the time. The second fundamental aspect would be stakeholder satisfaction. The stakeholders include a group of people who are directly impacted by the project. It is, therefore, vital to assess how the stakeholders feel about the project. Stakeholder satisfaction is better than methods such as cost assessment because it directly looks at whether the project will serve what it is intended to do.
Expected Benefits and Dis-benefits
Context and Analysis
Camilleri, 2017 asserted that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a term that has widely found its use in the field of business. It seeks to define the importance of corporate citizenship and how business can impact their societies positively (p. 99). Through CSR, firms have the opportunity to demonstrate their essence to society beyond their legal and economic duties (Camilleri, 2017 p. 102). The author further notes that CSR has become a significant determinant for competitiveness in the market today. Therefore, my organization would want to use CSR as a way of promoting its competitive advantage by depicting its corporate citizenship and consciousness to the needs of society. Creating a digital information base for the farmers in the Northern Territory will align with the demands of the needs of the CSR. First, it will be helpful to farmers who are an essential part of society. Secondly, the organization shall have played a critical role in the process of food security and sustainability. Servaes and Tamayo, 2013 asserted that CSR is about showing consciousness to the needs of the communities which surrounds the organization (p. 1045).
The strengths of this project include its ability to enlighten farmers and improve innovation and scientific application in agriculture. Secondly, it is a positive step towards food security in the Northern Territory. However, the weaknesses include the need to train the farmer’s on the use of the digital information database and the lack of education, which might impact their understanding. Some of the opportunities from this endeavor include the appreciation of new farming models and better management of practices. Also, the farmers will receive and share information about their farming experiences with other people in the rest of the country. Threats include security breaches on the information networks and the abandonment of the old practices which have also played a critical role in the agricultural success of the region.
Weighted Score Analysis
| Criterion | Weight | Project |
| Stakeholder satisfaction | 20% | 50 |
| Strategic plan alignment | 25% | 80 |
| CSR Alignment | 50% | 90 |
| Market share effect | 5% | 20 |
| Totals | 100% | 76 |
WSM Rates
Poor/not satisfied-0
Below Average-10
Average-30
Above Average-50
Excellent-70
From the weighted Score Analysis, four factors for success were assessed. The first criteria revolved around how the project would have an impact on stakeholder satisfaction. Based on its significance to the organization, its weight was placed at 20%. The other criteria include the strategic plan alignment, CSR alignment, and market share effect, which were weighed at 25%, 50%, and 5% respectively. Based on the analysis, each criterion has a particular score based on how the project impacts it. From the weighted score calculations, the cumulative score is 76%, which shows that the project has an excellent opportunity for meeting all the criteria identified. The criteria developed all align with the primary aim of the project. The highest scorer from the calculation is the CSR alignment. It shows that the project has a higher chance of meeting the CSR obligations due to its direct impact on society. The second scorer was the strategic plan alignment. It also shows that the organization has a significant opportunity to achieve its strategic plans by pursuing the project. Also, based on the other criteria, the stakeholder will be satisfied, and the organization has the opportunity to bolster its market share.
Expected Benefits and Dis-Benefits
The creation of a digital information network for the farmers in the Northern Territory will come with a host of benefits as far as CSR is concerned. First, it will highlight the organization’s commitment towards empowering the members of the society, especially the farmers who are an integral part of the community. Secondly, it will assert the organization’s sense of consciousness to their clients by their noble gesture in promoting food security and sustainability. The company will also underscore its commitment to enhancing innovation in society. However, some few dis-benefits will also be realized as the project continues to take shape. It should be noted that this is a long-term project that will require annual budgeting by the organization. In most companies, CSR is a continuous endeavor that calls on the company to set a budget for it (Cheng, Ioannou, and Serafeim 2014, p. 67). Therefore, the organization will have additional budgetary allocations for their project in the coming years.
Project Requirements
Requirements
The first essential requirement is a spacious room. After securing a room, the next requirement would be a set of computer desktops, tables where they would rest, and chairs. A stable internet connection will be required. Security features against bugler proofing will need to be installed. A software developer, security, and a computer assistant will also be required. The room will be required to house the computers and to act as the headquarters for the digital information network for the farmers. The computers will enable the farmers to access information from databases nationally and internationally in various fields. The furniture will hold the computers and allow the users to rest will access the databases. Security features such as grills and biometric identification tools will be put in place to limit unauthorized entry. A software developer will be required to install and maintain programs that enhance the said accessibility. The computer assistant will perform the day to day roles of cleaning the machines and helping the farmers who might have problems with the use of the computers. A security guard will be protecting the premise.
Assumptions
The project assumes that there is a national information grid for which the farmers will be connected to. It also assumes that the farmers do not have access to current information as regards the scientific and innovative means of crop production. Thirdly, it assumes that the project will appeal to every farmer working in the Northern Region, and each would like to be a part of it.
Constraints
Finding a spacious place to rent or lease would be a significant problem for the project. Finding a stable interconnect connection will also be a major constraint in the area. Financial constraints will also emanate given that the security officer, computer assistant, electricity, and rent require recurrent expenditure from the organization.
Cost
Estimation
Rent @ $500 per month for 12 months-$6,000
50 computers @ $300-$15,000
Furniture- $6,000
Internet Connection @ $50 for 12 months-$6,000
Security Features Installation-$1,000
Hiring a software Developer-$1,000
Salary for computer assistant @ $500 for 12 months-$6,000
Salary for security guard @400 for 12 months-$4,800
Miscellaneous-$1,000
Grand Total Budget- $46,800
Method for Estimation
The method used here is known as a three-point estimation. The method is primarily used in information system applications to determine the outcome of future events. The outcome is generated based on best guesses or prior experiences. As the name suggests, it has three important parts denoted by a, m, and b, each standing for the best-case estimate, the most likely estimate, and the worst-case estimate respectively. As such, it utilizes a formula known as E = (a + 4m + b) / 6. For instance, while estimating the price of furniture, the best case estimate is $3000, the most likely case estimate is $7000, and the worst-case estimate is at $9,000. Therefore, using the formula, the estimate would be $6666.66, which is truncated to $6000.
Major Risks
Buglary-25% likelihood
Fire-2% likelihood
Legal challenges-15% likelihood
Vandalism-25% likelihood
Security breach-30% likelihood
Each of these risks has a significant severity. Burglary would lead to loss of property. The best way to manage it is through mitigation. Mitigation of the risk means that the project managers work to limit the chances that the risk will occur (Hull, 2012 p. 23). Fire is another likelihood whose severity could lead to damage of property, injuries, and even death on the people. The risk can also be managed by mitigation, such as installing fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. Legal challenges would derail the project from attaining its objectives. It could also derail it from achieving short-term goals. However, management can be done by accepting them as part and parcel of the project. Accepting is about embracing the risk (Aebi, Sabato, and Schmid 2012, p. 3213). Vandalism can also be managed by avoiding the risk. Avoiding the risk is particularly fundamental if the problem has fatal risks on the project. A security breach could potentially expose the project to foreigners who might corrupt the files. Transferring the risk to capable software protectors would be essential for this project.
Timeline
The project will take approximately nine months to complete.
1 st -3 rd month- Secure the premise and install internet
4 th month-Acquire the furniture
5 th -6 th months- Recruit the employees
7 th -8 th months-Develop and orient software
9 th month-Start project
Conclusion
The creation of a digital information platform for the farmers will help the organization meet its CSR needs. In this regard, an information network that links the Northern Territory farmers to the rest of the country is required to ensure that they constantly access knowledge regarding the current practices and scientific discovery. Such a move will be of importance not only to the farmers but also the rest of the Northern Territory population due to the improved food security.
References
Aebi, V., Sabato, G., and Schmid, M., 2012. Risk management, corporate governance, and bank performance in the financial crisis. Journal of Banking & Finance, 36(12), pp.3213-3226.
Camilleri, M.A., 2017. Corporate social responsibility: Theoretical underpinnings and conceptual developments. In Stages of Corporate Social Responsibility (pp. 99-120). Springer, Cham.
Cheng, B., Ioannou, I., and Serafeim, G., 2014. Corporate social responsibility and access to finance. Strategic management journal, 35(1), pp.1-23.
Cooke, J. L. (2016) PRINCE2 Agile : An Implementation Pocket Guide: Step-by-step Advice for Every Project Type. Ely, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom: IT Governance Publishing. Available at: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1232537&site=eds-live
Hull, J., 2012. Risk management and financial institutions,+ Web Site (Vol. 733). John Wiley & Sons.
Servaes, H., and Tamayo, A., 2013. The impact of corporate social responsibility on firm value: The role of customer awareness. Management Science, 59(5), pp.1045-1061.
Vaníčková, R. 2017. Application of PRINCE2 Project Management Methodology. Studia Commercialia Bratislavensia, 10(38), 227–238. https://doi.org/10.1515/stcb-2017-0021
