Order ID:89JHGSJE83839 | Style:APA/MLA/Harvard/Chicago | Pages:5-10 |
Instructions:
Project Management in the Information Age
MASY1-GC1250 – Project Management in the Information Age – Sp2022
Team Simulation Project – Project Business Case
For the second phase of the team simulation project, your team will be expected to create and submit a business case for your proposed project. This exercise builds from the project proposal created in the first phase and should address any feedback requested by your instructor in his comments regarding your team’s project proposal.
A template has been provided for the business case. It is included along with the assignment content in the designated assignment page in NYU Classes, as well as in the Templates folder in the Resources area. For your convenience, an example of a business case created by a team from a former course will also be provided.
The business case template incorporates aspects of your project proposal and specifically addresses the reasons why the project is being proposed. Most importantly, it includes details about the cost and benefits of the project and lists key factors affecting its success. Your business case should include each of the sections listed below. Detailed explanations of each section are included in the business case template. Please contact your instructor if any additional explanations or clarifications are needed:
Executive Summary
The purpose of this project is enhance California’s economy by way of a high-speed rail line between
Los Angeles and San Francisco, in keeping with RapidTrak’s mission to expand high-speed rail service
across the country. Our project will catalyze environmental and economic benefits in the state and
greatly reduce the time necessary to travel between its two biggest cities. Total costs for the entire
endeavor are projected at $50 billion, for an estimated completion by the end of 2029.
Current Situation
Compared to systems in Japan, China and Europe, inter-city rail service in the United States is
undeveloped. The main national carrier, Amtrak, is only profitable in its Northeast Corridor line (serving
Boston to Washington, D.C.), and even the “high-speed” Acela trains that operate on this line are very
slow compared to state-of-the-art high-speed rail abroad. However, American public interest in high-
speed rail is markedly on the rise, especially in the wealthier, more densely-populated coastal states.
This comes at a time when interest in revitalizing America’s transportation infrastructure to be more
environmentally friendly is also reaching a peak.
The domestic railway industry is generally stagnant or in decline, with a lack of appropriate investment
in new technology and expert personnel leaving the workforce. Throughout the country, Amtrak
operates slow, outdated trains, mostly on tracks that are actually owned by major freight rail lines,
meaning that passenger traffic must yield to freight at all times. Domestic expertise in high-speed rail is
limited, so any attempt to implement a high-speed system here will have to import and adapt
technologies pertaining to the design and control of the trains themselves, techniques in track
construction and more.
Recommendation
Given these challenges, our attention turns to California, which has made it a priority to improve its
environment and transportation in tandem. The state’s roadways are among the most-used (and most-
congested) in the nation, with drivers wasting over $18 billion annually in lost productivity and wasted
fuel. Moreover, the air travel routes between Los Angeles and San Francisco serve over five million
passengers annually but regular delays significantly erode the time saved by flying. As passenger
volumes increase and climate and pollution become more of a concern, it becomes clear that the state is
in serious need of additional transportation options.
Therefore, California is a perfect candidate for RapidTrak’s inaugural high-speed project. Our
recommendation is to construct and operate a high-speed rail line between Los Angeles and San
Francisco, in the style of Japan’s “Shinkansen” railroad, connecting the cities of Bakersfield, Fresno and
San Jose along the way. Planning and executing the project within a single state exposes us to fewer
political and regulatory challenges. Plus, California’s government is receptive to the idea of high-speed
rail, so we expect it to be a cooperative partner.
We expect such a rail line to achieve a range of economic and environmental effects for the state,
summarized here and further elaborated throughout this document:
.
3
Options Considered
Because RapidTrack has a nation-wide mission, we chose between three potential routes for a new high-
speed line:
Within this scope, however, and because domestic expertise in high-speed rail is limited, we have to
choose whether to model RapidTraks’ line on Chinese, Japanese or European technology. Ultimately we
are attracted to Japan’s “Shinkansen” system for its excellent safety ratings and overall high quality.
Goals & Objectives
RapidTrack’s goal is to improve California’s transportation infrastructure, ease environmental pressure,
and create economic opportunity in the region. To that end, the objective of this project is to build a
high-speed rail line connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco, the state’s two most important cities.
Providing a reliable rail network can help serve the needs of national and regional area by offering
convenient access to economic centers. We hope to achieve the following objectives by way of our high-
speed line.
hour, the total length of a journey between Los Angeles and San Francisco should be little more
than two hours. Currently, flying between each city takes at least two and a half hours,
accounting for time spent getting to or from each airport in California’s bad traffic.
carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the first year of operation, equivalent to 53,000 personal
vehicles taken off the road. By 2040, the system is estimated to reduce vehicles miles of travel in
the state by almost 10 million miles of travel every day.
accidents in line with a general reduction in auto traffic between both termini.
centers, extending the geographic range in which they can spend money and work. We expect
the project to add at least 100,000 jobs to the California economy, accounting for temporary
work attached to the project itself and permanent job growth resulting from the train’s presence
in the region.
4
Assumptions
The project makes a set of assumptions about the logistics and nature of the proposed high-speed line:
we assume that state and local governments will be cooperative, at least enough as to not impede
the project.
necessary for tracks and stations along our idealized route. We assume that it will sometimes be
necessary to deviate from the planned route in order to avoid insurmountable costs or
inconvenience, even though doing so will require changes to scheduling and budget.
Past rail projects in other countries do point to promising results, however.
in high-speed rail to use our line in such high numbers as to achieve the desired economic benefit
for the region.
Constraints
We also have to acknowledge the challenges and constraints that will likely affect our work.
RapidTrak can secure land for building the tracks.
constraints to arise every year, especially during times of turnover in political leadership as the
government re-calibrates its priorities for infrastructure spending.
spread across a wide geographical area. It could be challenge to have as many appropriately
skilled workers as are needed at all active job sites at all times.
Critical Success Factors
In order for this project to be successful, we see five factors that deserve our close attention moving
forward.
able to account for the possibility of contingency spending, crashing, re-scheduling and more
whenever necessary.
aspects of the project are making the most efficient use of time and money, and be ready to re-
plan or re-allocate those resources within the project portfolio as becomes necessary.
out its welcome in the state, our project will be doomed.
RUBRIC |
||||||
Excellent Quality 95-100%
|
Introduction
45-41 points The background and significance of the problem and a clear statement of the research purpose is provided. The search history is mentioned. |
Literature Support 91-84 points The background and significance of the problem and a clear statement of the research purpose is provided. The search history is mentioned. |
Methodology 58-53 points Content is well-organized with headings for each slide and bulleted lists to group related material as needed. Use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance readability and presentation content is excellent. Length requirements of 10 slides/pages or less is met. |
|||
Average Score 50-85% |
40-38 points More depth/detail for the background and significance is needed, or the research detail is not clear. No search history information is provided. |
83-76 points Review of relevant theoretical literature is evident, but there is little integration of studies into concepts related to problem. Review is partially focused and organized. Supporting and opposing research are included. Summary of information presented is included. Conclusion may not contain a biblical integration. |
52-49 points Content is somewhat organized, but no structure is apparent. The use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. is occasionally detracting to the presentation content. Length requirements may not be met. |
|||
Poor Quality 0-45% |
37-1 points The background and/or significance are missing. No search history information is provided. |
75-1 points Review of relevant theoretical literature is evident, but there is no integration of studies into concepts related to problem. Review is partially focused and organized. Supporting and opposing research are not included in the summary of information presented. Conclusion does not contain a biblical integration. |
48-1 points There is no clear or logical organizational structure. No logical sequence is apparent. The use of font, color, graphics, effects etc. is often detracting to the presentation content. Length requirements may not be met |
|||
You Can Also Place the Order at www.collegepaper.us/orders/ordernow or www.crucialessay.com/orders/ordernow
Project Management in the Information Age |
Project Management in the Information Age