D157 CPE E-Portfolio Schedule and Team Roles Overview
The D157 CPE E-Portfolio project required clear team assignments, a structured schedule, defined deliverables, and careful budget management. A RACI matrix helped clarify who was responsible, accountable, consulted, or informed for each major task, while the project schedule and operating budget provided a framework for completing the work efficiently and controlling project costs.
Project Team Roles and Responsibilities
Who were the key members of the project team?
The project team included a project manager, stakeholders, and several team members with specialized responsibilities. Each person contributed to a different aspect of the project, allowing the team to divide the workload and maintain progress toward the required outcomes.
The Project Manager provided overall leadership and coordinated the project from planning through completion. Key responsibilities included managing resources, coordinating team activities, monitoring progress, and maintaining communication with stakeholders. Effective project management helps ensure that project objectives, resources, timelines, and responsibilities remain aligned throughout the project lifecycle.
The Stakeholder served in a project sponsor-type capacity by providing organizational support and oversight. This role helped ensure that project activities remained connected to broader organizational priorities and objectives.
Other team members were assigned specific functions. Research and data-gathering responsibilities supported evidence-based decision-making, while report preparation and documentation helped maintain accurate project records and communicate project information clearly.
Project RACI Chart and Task Assignments
A RACI matrix is a Responsibility Assignment Matrix used to clarify individual responsibilities for project activities. RACI stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed. Using this framework can reduce confusion, improve communication, and make it easier for team members to understand their expected contributions.
The D157 project used the following RACI assignments:
| Task or Deliverable | Lead Charge Nurse & Project Manager (L.K.) | Nurse Manager (J.M.) | RN Care Manager (J.H.) | Lead Charge Nurse (M.M.) | Team Member #1 | Team Member #2 | Team Member #3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budgeting | R | A | A | A | — | — | — |
| Creating Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) | A | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Writing Report | C | I | I | I | R | R | R |
| Communication | C | I | I | I | I | I | R |
| Research & Data Gathering | C | I | I | I | I | I | R |
R = Responsible: Performs the assigned work.
A = Accountable: Ultimately answerable for the task or outcome.
C = Consulted: Provides input or expertise before a decision or task is completed.
I = Informed: Receives updates about the task or its progress.
This structure established clear lines of responsibility and helped prevent overlapping duties. It also provided the team with a consistent communication framework for completing project activities.
Phase Two Project Deliverables and Schedule
Phase Two included several deliverables that were organized according to estimated completion times and target dates. Establishing a schedule allowed the team to monitor progress and identify tasks that required additional attention.
| Deliverable | Due Date | Estimated Time | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 2 | 02/08/2024 | 20 minutes | 02/06/2024 |
| Pro Forma Operating Budget | 02/08/2024 | 1 hour | 02/10/2024 |
| HIP Charter | 02/08/2024 | 2 hours | — |
| Go-React | — | 45 minutes | 02/18/2024 |
| Reflection | — | 30 minutes | 02/18/2024 |
The schedule provided a practical framework for organizing the team’s workload. Tracking estimated and actual completion dates also made it possible to identify whether activities were completed early, on time, or after the planned deadline.
Personnel Costs for the Project
Personnel expenses represented the labor costs associated with completing the project. The hourly rates were based on the team members’ annual salaries, while projected hours represented the estimated amount of time each person would spend on project activities.
| Team Member | Number of Personnel | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Projected Hours | Individual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Manager (AM) | 1 | $93,600 ($45 × 40 × 52) | $45 | 12 | $540 |
| Stakeholder (JM) | 1 | $83,200 ($40 × 40 × 52) | $40 | 11 | $440 |
| Stakeholder (JH) | 1 | $70,720 | $34 | 10 | $340 |
| Stakeholder (MM) | 1 | $70,720 | $34 | 10 | $340 |
| Team Member 1 | 1 | $70,720 | $34 | 4 | $136 |
| Team Member 2 | 1 | $70,720 | $34 | 5 | $170 |
| Team Member 3 | 1 | $70,720 | $34 | 4 | $136 |
| Total | 7 | — | — | 56 | $2,102 |
Calculating personnel costs in advance gave the project manager a clearer understanding of the labor investment required to complete the project. It also established a baseline that could be compared with actual project expenses.
D157 Pro Forma Operating Budget
The pro forma operating budget estimated the expenses needed to support the project. In addition to personnel costs, the budget included supplies, protective equipment, insurance, transportation, and refreshments.
| Budget Item | Budget Amount | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Personnel Costs | $2,102 | Salaries allocated for the project team |
| Stationery | $100 | Supplies for documentation |
| Protective Gear | $500 | Equipment for workplace safety |
| Insurance | $4,000 | Coverage for project-related risks |
| Transport | $200 | Fuel and transportation expenses |
| Snacks | $100 | Refreshments for team support |
| Total | $7,002 | — |
The budget established an overall projected cost of $7,002. Separating expenses into individual categories made it easier to identify where project funds were expected to be spent and provided a basis for monitoring financial performance.
Budget Management and Cost Control
What was the primary project expense?
During stakeholder discussions, nurse training was identified as the primary expense. Training represented an important investment because personnel needed the appropriate knowledge and skills to perform their project-related responsibilities effectively.
The project manager developed the budget by estimating the cost of individual activities and deliverables. Personnel salaries and applicable market rates were used as reference points when estimating expenses. Cost estimation is an important component of project planning because it helps organizations determine the resources required to complete planned activities.
How was the project budget monitored?
Budget monitoring involved comparing planned expenses with actual spending. The project manager used regular reviews to identify differences between the projected and actual budget.
Reviews were conducted on a:
Daily basis when close monitoring was necessary
Weekly basis to evaluate ongoing spending
Monthly basis to assess broader financial performance
Regular monitoring allowed potential budget variances to be identified earlier. When differences occurred, the project manager could review the cause and determine whether adjustments were needed.
Using Excel for Project Budget Management
Microsoft Excel was used to organize and monitor budget information. A spreadsheet can provide a practical way to record projected costs, actual expenses, personnel hours, and remaining funds.
Using a structured spreadsheet also makes it easier to update financial information as project circumstances change. When combined with regular budget reviews, this approach supports greater visibility into project costs and helps maintain financial control.
Key Takeaways for D157 CPE E-Portfolio Project Management
The D157 project demonstrates how project management principles can be applied to organize people, tasks, schedules, and financial resources. The RACI matrix established clear ownership of project activities, while the Phase Two schedule provided specific milestones for monitoring progress.
The personnel-cost analysis and pro forma budget further supported financial planning by identifying projected labor and operating expenses. Regular budget reviews and Excel-based tracking provided additional mechanisms for monitoring costs and responding to potential variances.
Together, these elements created a structured approach to project planning, communication, accountability, scheduling, and cost control.
References
Bredillet, C. N. (2018). Project management roles and responsibilities. Project Management Journal.
Curlee, W. C. (2018). Cost estimation and budgeting in project management. International Journal of Project Management.
D157 CPE E-Portfolio Schedule & Team Roles Overview
Project Management Institute. (2021). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® guide) and The standard for project management (7th ed.). Project Management Institute. https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards
National Institute of Standards and Technology. (n.d.). Project management. https://www.nist.gov/
