MEM604 Engineering Management Capstone Report 2 Sample
Assignment details
Completion of a work-in-progress report and reflections in 1500 words (+/- 10%) to include the work-in-progress of the research project as planned for in Assessment 1, and reflections on the learnings and experience obtained in doing a research project, as well as the challenges experienced and how these were overcome.
Please refer to the Task Instructions for details on how to complete this task.
Instructions
To complete this assessment, you need to develop a work-in-progress research project proposal by considering, researching, and actioning the following issues:
1. Revisit your research project proposal (Assessment 1) and identify the deliverable that you committed to delivering for Assessment 2 (part of the project plan section).
2. Describe your research to date; ideally this should be organised as progress against each research question.
3. Assess and comment on the progress that you have made in your research against the plan in Assessment 1; identify the research that you still need to do to complete your research project as part of Assessment 3.
4. Reflect on your experience in developing your research project plan and conducting your research to-date. Respond to the following questions:
• What did you learn about developing a research project plan?
• What did you learn about doing research by implementing the research project plan?
• What went well, and what problems and challenges did you face?
5. How did you overcome the problems and challenges?
6. Develop your work-in-progress report and reflections by using the structure provided.
Below is a guide to structuring the report:
1. Student name, student number, academic supervisor
2. Title of the research topic
3. Project purpose and objectives
4. Research questions
5. Methodology
6. Description of the deliverable/s for Assessment 2 from Assessment 1 project plan
7. Summary of research conducted against research questions
8. Discussion on whether or not the deliverable has been met
9. Discussion on the research still required
10. Reflection on the research experience and learning
11. References
12. Attachments
NOTE: Sections 2, 3, 4, 5 are as per Assessment 1.
Referencing
It is essential that you use appropriate APA style for citing and referencing research. Please see more information on referencing here: https://library.torrens.edu.au/academicskills/apa/tool
Solution
Project Purpose and Objectives
The research project focuses on optimising resource allocation in a multi-project engineering environment by identifying different research methods. In this research comprehensive literature review is conducted to understand all the current practices and challenges present in resource management. Synthesising deep insight and recommendations to improve the overall process of understanding the topic is also done in the research. Any existing research gap that can improve the foundation of the final research report is also analysed in this research (Issa & Tu, 2020, p. 120). As a working progress update which showcases the steps taken to achieve the final research object, it is progress to achieve all the processes.
The main objective of the project is detailed documentation of all the progress made in the research project. Conducting a comprehensive literature review to gather information regarding existing strategies and methodologies for resource allocation in a multi-project environment. Understanding all the real-world application practices and challenges that are present in resource management. Understand the challenges that are present in the process and strategies required to overcome the challenges.
Research Questions
Research to date has been organised around the three main research questions present in the research to analyse significant progress regarding the main topic. For the first research question “What are the common challenges associated with resource allocation in multi-project engineering environments?” a comprehensive literature review has been conducted to identify different challenges that are present regarding resource contention in sufficient utilisation and schedule in conflicts. As per the research analysis, the conflicts are initiated due to effective demand and insufficiencies such as mismanagement of different equipment. Some other specific issue is also analysed regarding the common challenges such as the shortage of personnel (Bahroun et al. 2024, p. 121).
For the analysis of the second research question “What strategies and methodologies are currently used to optimize resource allocation in such environments?” different methodology and current strategies that are allowed within the industry is analysed. The extensive review of different academic and industry sources is exploring to understand Different techniques. The critical chain project management and resource levelling with the software tools have been examined (Zohrehvandi & Soltani, 2021, p. 130). Various engineering funds in which the strategies are present are also implemented in the practice to overcome the limitations and achieve success for university assignment help
To analyse the progress of the third research question “How can these strategies be improved to enhance overall project performance and resource utilization?” different information from the literature review and case studies are collected and then the improvement recommendations that can be adopted in advance artificial intelligence-based scheduling tools are analysed (Bahroun et al. 2023, p. 150). Cross-training programs and enhanced communication channels are also implemented in the project to improve the research and enhance the additional innovative approaches.
Methodology
The Research Onion framework for this study begins with a pragmatic philosophy, integrating both qualitative and quantitative data for a well-rounded understanding of resource allocation issues in multi-project engineering environments. The research follows an inductive approach, starting with a review of existing theories and literature. A mixed-methods strategy is used, combining comprehensive literature review and case study analysis to gather in-depth data on current practices and challenges. The study employs multi-method quantitative and qualitative techniques to ensure a robust analysis. It adopts a cross-sectional time horizon, examining data from multiple projects at a single point in time to identify patterns and trends. Finally, techniques and procedures involve secondary research through literature review and qualitative analysis of case studies, synthesizing information to develop insights and recommendations.
Figure 1: Research Onion framework
Source: Self Prepared
The methodology for this research will be based on secondary research through a comprehensive literature review. This will involve:
1. Identifying and reviewing existing research articles, reports, and case studies relevant to resource allocation in multi-project engineering environments.
2. Analysing the findings from these sources to identify common themes, challenges, and strategies.
3. Synthesizing the information to develop insights and recommendations for optimizing resource allocation.
Limitations
1. The study is limited to secondary data, which may not fully capture the nuances of all multi-project environments.
2. The cross-sectional nature of the research may not account for changes over time in resource allocation practices.
3. Potential biases in the reviewed literature and case studies may affect the findings.
Validity and Reliability
The chosen methodology ensures validity and reliability by:
1. Using a mixed methods approach to provide a balanced perspective.
2. Triangulating data from multiple sources to enhance accuracy.
3. Systematically analysing and synthesizing information to ensure consistency.
Description of the Deliverables
For the research, the deliverables are designed around the research question. Different themes from the secondary data collection are generated to understand the multi-project engineering environment. The structured approach for analysing the issue strategies and improvement of resource allocation strategies is the main delivery of the project. In the common issue challenges regarding resource conflict, time insufficiency, and mismanagement of skilled professionals and equipment are analysed. The resource demand to mitigate delays, increase cost and compromise project quality is also aimed to be researched here. For demonstrating the second research question different current mythology to optimise the resource allocation process is aimed to be conducted.
The competency best allocation resource levelling for community detection and model optimization provides effectiveness in mitigating the limitation of the strategies. At the time the strategies are described and discussed in the research the overall effectivity of the outcome can be improved (Digitemie & Ekemezie, 2024, p. 15). To understand the resource allocation strategies, different recommendations to improve the existing strategies are refined. Adaptation of the management tools developing flexible adaptive resource education models and integrating real-time data analytics provide significant effectiveness and efficiency in strategy development. The findings of the research and effective future planning can be designed to improve the overall resource allocation process.
Summary of Research Conducted Against Research Questions
“Theme 1: Common issues in Resource Allocation”
The research identifies different key issues in resource allocation within multi-project engineering environments. Resource conflicts that arise due to competing for the effective demand and leading to inefficiencies such as time wastage and mismanagement of the skilled personnel and different equipment. The resource allocation strategy in HetNets involves dynamically managing transmit power and cell types (macro cell, microcell, Pico cell, femtocell) to optimize coverage, QoS, and throughput across diverse communication scenarios (Xu et al. 2021, p.4). The overlapping of the resources signifies a strain on the main workforce and increased costs and specific delays, ultimately compromising the project quality and objectives. These issues highlight the main complexity to balance the resource demand across concurrent projects. Common issues in resource allocation include competing priorities, limited resources, and inefficient distribution. In healthcare, funding may be insufficient to cover all the patient needs, leading to prioritisation dilemmas. The resource allocation strategy for vehicular computing systems involves optimizing computational resources, bandwidth, and security across vehicular clouds, fog computing, and vehicle platooning networks, using techniques like semi-Markov decision models, Lagrangian algorithms, and joint optimization (Noor-A-Rahim et al. 2020, p.710). While in project management, inadequate resource planning can result in missed deadlines and budget overruns
“Theme 2: Present Strategies and Methodologies”
Existing methodologies to optimize the resource allocation involve various approaches that include the competency-based allocation, community detection for resource levelling and optimization models. These effective strategies aim to balance the resource distribution, develop scheduling efficiency and reduce conflicts.
The resource allocation strategy prioritizes emergency messages by dynamically assigning channels with maximum bandwidth in vehicular networks, ensuring high-priority, low-latency communication, and optimizing throughput using Vehicular Channel Access Schemes (VCAS) and variable MCS (Noor-A-Rahim et al. 2020, P.706). Moreover, the specific effectiveness of these methodologies varies, with each having its limitations and areas for improvement. The literature reviews factors on reliance on both innovative and traditional techniques resources effectively. Agile methodology in software development signifies the main project progress, work collaboration, and adaptability.
The resource allocation strategy involves careful interpretation of cost-benefit analyses in engineering services, ensuring that estimated economic benefits are not misinterpreted as real financial gains, while addressing equity, distribution, and fixed budget constraints (Turner et al. 2021, P.8). Another example is the use of the data-driven marketing strategies, where businesses analyse customer data to tailor personalised marketing campaigns, enhancing engagement and conversion rates.
“Theme 3: Improvement of Resource Allocation strategies”
The research suggests that refined present strategies can significantly develop project performance and resource utilisation. The resource allocation strategy in engineering services involves using cost-benefit analyses to compare interventions, optimizing resource distribution by evaluating net economic benefits, benefit-cost ratios, and allocative efficiency across sectors (Turner et al. 2021, P.4). The recommendations basically include to adopt more advanced project management tools and technologies, integrating real-time data analytics for better decision-making and developing more flexible data analytics for better decision-making to develop more flexible adaptive resource allocation models.
Figure 1: Resource allocation strategy
(Source: Liu, et al. 2023, p.4)
These improvements aim to address existing gaps to decrease bottlenecks to optimise resource deployment across multiple projects, analysing the overall efficiency and effectiveness in engineering environments. These strategies involve optimising the distribution of resources such as time, money, and labour to develop work efficiency and outcomes.
The resource allocation strategy in health systems uses engineering principles to screen cross-boundary flows, optimize geographical factors, population composition, socio-economic indicators, and donor contributions for equitable service distribution (Radinmanesh et al. 2021, p.8). As an example a company might use data analytics to allocate marketing budgets more effectively, or a hospital might adopt a new scheduling system to reduce patient wait times and maximise the staff productivity.
Discussion on Whether or Not the Deliverable has Been Met
The deliverables are properly utilized for this research project that focus on producing a detailed understanding of the basic challenges. Present strategies and methodologies for the entire resource allocation in the multi-project environments to propose improvements. After analysing assessment 1, identifying the specific issues such as resource conflicts, suboptimal utilization, and delays and summarizing findings on present strategies. It examined the successful approaches and addressed issues in the data collection and analysis. The final reports properly compiled these insights effectively. Represent findings on the resource allocation issues and effectiveness of the existing strategies. Moreover it basically offered potential improvements and it properly discussed their implications for engineering for management practices (Radinmanesh et al. 2021. P.5). The entire deliverables have been met as it aligns with the project objectives to provide actionable insights and recommend to develop resource management in multi-project engineering environments.
Discussion on the Research Still Required
Analysing all issues rearing resource allocation in the multi-project engineering environments, further research is necessary. The current literature provides effective insights into the existing methodologies and their shortcomings, the basic need for the more empirical studies to focus on real-world applications and case studies in different industries (Kube et al. 2022, p.1190). Moreover, the exploration of advanced project management tools and technologies such as machine learning and AI that can offer innovative solutions to optimize resource allocation. Invest the impact of the organizational culture and leadership aspect on resource management practices that can evaluate valuable insights. Moreover longitudinal studies help to understand the evolution of the resource allocation that provide a more dynamic view of work effectiveness.
Reflection on the Research Experience and Learning
Reflection Using Driscoll's Model of Reflection
What?
I learned that creating a research project plan requires a potential approach to ensure that all aspects of this research are well-structured and the feasible aspect. The process basically involves clearly defining the research problem, questions and objectives. Using frameworks such as Research onion that helped in systematically organizing the research philosophy, strategy, approach, time horizon and data collection methods (Radinmanesh et al. 2021, p.7). Moreover, planning necessitates the basic aspects to anticipate the potential limitations and other issues to ensure that ethical considerations are signified well-integrated from the start point.
Figure 2: Driscoll's Model of Reflection
(Source: Boyle et al. 2011)
So What?
Executing a research plan that emphasized the importance of adaptability and flexibility. Gathering secondary data that provide value insights into the present state of knowledge and practice regarding resource allocation in the multi-project environments. The mixed methods approach basically enriched the analysis that allowed for both quantitative and qualitative perspectives to offer a more comprehensive understanding of the entire issue.
Analysing the structured literature review that revealed common themes and issues in the resource management, identifying effective strategies that are presently in use. Moreover, issues that arise to ensure breadth and depth of the data that were sufficient to draw robust conclusions.
Now What?
Examining all of these issues, I employed a potential review process to ensure the inclusion of the relevant and high-quality sources. Analysing the data from the multiple studies that helped develop the reliability and validity of the findings (Kube et al. 2022, p.1200). The continuous reflection and adjustment of the entire research approach is vital to measure issues and ensure the research is set on track and it is aligned with the initial objectives.
References
Bahroun, Z., As’ad, R., Tanash, M., & Athamneh, R. (2024). The Multi-Skilled Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem: A Systematic Review and an Exploration of Future Landscapes. Management Systems in Production Engineering, 32(1), 108-132. https://sciendo.com/pdf/10.2478/mspe-2024-0012
Bahroun, Z., Tanash, M., As’ad, R., & Alnajar, M. (2023). Artificial intelligence applications in project scheduling: a systematic review, bibliometric analysis, and prospects for future research. Management Systems in Production Engineering, 31(2), 144-161.https://sciendo.com/pdf/10.2478/mspe-2023-0017
Boyle, E., Connolly, T. M., & Hainey, T. (2011). The role of psychology in understanding the impact of computer games. Entertainment computing, 2(2), 69-74. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875952110000200
Digitemie, W. N., & Ekemezie, I. O. (2024). A review of sustainable project management practices in modern LNG industry initiatives. World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences, 11(2), 009-018. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjaets.2024.11.2.0075
Issa, S., & Tu, Y. (2020). A survey in the resource-constrained project and multi-project scheduling problems. Journal of Project Management, 5(2), 117-138. http://growingscience.com/jpm/Vol5/jpm_2019_26.pdf
Kube, A., Das, S., Fowler, P. J., & Vorobeychik, Y. (2022, July). Just resource allocation? How algorithmic predictions and human notions of justice interact. In Proceedings of the 23rd ACM Conference on Economics and Computation (pp. 1184-1242). https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3490486.3538305
Liu, Z., Jiang, Y., & Rong, J. (2023). Resource Allocation Strategy for Satellite Edge Computing Based on Task Dependency. Applied Sciences, 13(18), 10027. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/18/10027
Noor-A-Rahim, M., Liu, Z., Lee, H., Ali, G. M. N., Pesch, D., & Xiao, P. (2020). A survey on resource allocation in vehicular networks. IEEE transactions on intelligent transportation systems, 23(2), 701-721. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel7/6979/9701814/09186820.pdf
Radinmanesh, M., Ebadifard Azar, F., Aghaei Hashjin, A., Najafi, B., & Majdzadeh, R. (2021). A review of appropriate indicators for need-based financial resource allocation in health systems. BMC health services research, 21, 1-12. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-021-06522-0
Turner, H. C., Archer, R. A., Downey, L. E., Isaranuwatchai, W., Chalkidou, K., Jit, M., & Teerawattananon, Y. (2021). An introduction to the main types of economic evaluations used for informing priority setting and resource allocation in healthcare: key features, uses, and limitations. Frontiers in public health, 9, 722927. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.722927/pdf
Xu, Y., Gui, G., Gacanin, H., & Adachi, F. (2021). A survey on resource allocation for 5G heterogeneous networks: Current research, future trends, and challenges. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 23(2), 668-695. https://www.techrxiv.org/doi/pdf/10.36227/techrxiv.11954790.v1
Zohrehvandi, S., & Soltani, R. (2022). Project scheduling and buffer management: A comprehensive review and future directions. Journal of Project Management, 7(2), 121-132. http://growingscience.com/jpm/Vol7/jpm_2021_20.pdf
Fill the form to continue reading
Would you like to schedule a callback?
Send us a message and we will get back to you
Highlights
Earn While You Learn With Us
Confidentiality Agreement
Money Back Guarantee
Live Expert Sessions
550+ Ph.D Experts
21 Step Quality Check
100% Quality
24*7 Live Help
On Time Delivery
Plagiarism-Free
81 Isla Avenue Glenroy, Mel, VIC, 3046 AU
