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Café Garden Developing E-commerce Platform MS Project
Student Name + Number
Course Affiliation
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Date
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Café Garden Developing E-commerce Platform MS Project
Café Garden is a boutique café seeking to expand its customer base and increase sales through
digital transformation. The project aims to develop an e-commerce platform under a budget of
$800,000 and within 12 months. This platform will enable customers to order food and
beverages online, either for home delivery or “buy online, pick up in-store” (BOPIS).
Objective
i. Develop a user-friendly e-commerce website that reflects the brand identity and values of
Café Garden.
ii. Implement secure payment methods and robust backend systems to ensure a seamless and
secure online shopping experience for customers.
iii. Integrate digital marketing strategies to drive traffic to the e-commerce platform, increase
brand visibility, and boost sales through Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
iv. Provide flexible ordering methods like food delivery and buy online pick-up in-store
(BOPIS) services to meet the needs of customers.
v. Promote customer engagement and loyalty through e-mail promotions and digital rewards
programs (point system).
2. Project Scope Management
Scope Statement
The project covers the design, development, testing, and launch of a web-based e-commerce
platform with secure payments, product catalog management, delivery integration, and
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marketing campaigns. Out of scope are mobile app development and international market
expansion.
Scope Validation & Change Control:
Deliverables will be validated through stakeholder sign-off at each milestone (design, testing,
and launch). Any scope change requests will be submitted in writing, assessed for cost/schedule
impact, and reviewed by the Project Manager and Sponsor before approval.
WBS Dictionary (3 sample entries):
3.1.1 Prototype Design: Deliver wireframes of homepage, product pages, and checkout
within 2 weeks; reviewed by stakeholders for usability.
3.3 Backend Integration: Implement payment gateway, secure user authentication, and
product database; estimated cost $120,000; duration 6 weeks.
5.3 Analytics & Optimization: Integrate Google Analytics, set up KPIs for traffic and
conversions; ongoing task, cost $15,000.
Cost Control Accounts:
Design: $150,000
Development: $350,000
Marketing: $200,000
Testing & QA: $50,000
Training & Support: $50,000
Total = $800,000
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4. Schedule Management
Network Diagram: Will be created in MS Project, showing dependencies (e.g., design before
development, testing before launch).
Gantt Chart: Detailed tasks scheduled across 12 months, milestones at initiation, design
approval, testing completion, and launch.
Critical Path:
Requirements → Design → Development → Testing → Launch.
Estimated critical duration: 42 weeks.
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PERT Analysis:
Optimistic: 36 weeks
Most likely: 42 weeks
Pessimistic: 48 weeks
Expected duration (TE) = (36 + 4*42 + 48) / 6 = 42 weeks
Probability of Early Completion (10% before CPM):
Target = 38 weeks
With σ ≈ 2 weeks, Z = (42–38)/2 = 2 → Probability = 97.7%
5. Cost Management
Estimated Activity Costs (sample)
Market research: $30,000
Platform design: $120,000
Backend system: $200,000
QA & testing: $50,000
Marketing campaigns: $150,000
Launch & training: $50,000
Time-Phased Budget:
Q1: Initiation & research → $80,000
Q2: Design & early development → $220,000
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Q3: Development & testing → $300,000
Q4: Launch & marketing → $200,000
Figure 1: Cost Overview
Earned Value Analysis (EVA)
At mid-project (week 24):
PV = $400,000
EV = $380,000
AC = $420,000
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EVA Results
CV = EV – AC = -$40,000 (over budget)
SV = EV – PV = -$20,000 (behind schedule)
CPI = EV/AC = 0.90
SPI = EV/PV = 0.95
BAC = $800,000
ETC = (BAC – EV)/CPI = ($800,000 – 380,000)/0.9 ≈ $466,667
EAC = AC + ETC = $886,667
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Figure 2: Cost Breakdown
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Project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Below is a Detailed WBS.
1. Project Initiation
1.1 Define Project Objectives and Scope
o 1.1.1 Conduct Stakeholder Interviews
o 1.1.2 Analyze Business Needs
1.2 Identify Stakeholders
1.3 Secure Funding and Approval
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1.4 Assemble Project Team
o 1.4.1 Identified Required Team Members
o 1.4.2 Recruit Project Team
o 1.4.3 Assign Roles & Responsibilities
2. Requirements Gathering
2.1 Conduct Stakeholder Meetings
o 2.1.1 Schedule Stakeholder Meetings
o 2.1.2 Facilitate Requirements Workshops
2.2 Document Business Requirements
o 2.2.1 Gather Business Requirement Documents
o 2.2.2 Analyze and Prioritize Requirements
2.3 Define Working Requirements
o 2.3.1 Find Business Requirements
o 2.3.2 Review Working Requirements with Stakeholders
2.4 Acquire Stakeholder Sign-off
2.5 Do a Budget Review
o 2.5.1 Provide Enhanced Expense Report
o 2.5.2 Communicate with Owner and Financial Analyst
3. Market Research and Analysis
3.1 Research Industry Trends
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o 3.1.1 Analyze Market Trends and Patterns
3.2 Analyze Competitors
o 3.2.1 Conduct Competitor SWOT Analysis
3.3 Identify Target Audience
3.4 Determine Market Opportunities
o 3.4.1 Conduct Market Segmentation Analysis
4. Platform Selection and Setup
4.1 Evaluate E-commerce Platforms
o 4.1.1 Research Available Platforms Vendors
o 4.1.2 Compare Features & Pricing
4.2 Select Platform
o 4.2.1 Finalize Options (ex. Shopify)
o 4.2.2 Negotiate Pricing and Contracts
o 4.2.3 Setup Domain for Website
4.3 Setup Platform Settings
o 4.3.1 Setup Admin User Accounts
o 4.3.2 Customize Theme and Website Design
5. Design and Development
5.1 Design User Interface (UI)
o 5.1.1 Create Prototype
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o 5.1.2 Design Product Page
5.2 Develop Frontend Functionality
o 5.2.1 Develop Homepage Features
o 5.2.2 Include Secure Payment System
5.3 Implement Backend Functionality
o 5.3.1 Setup Database System
o 5.3.2 Develop Admin Dashboard
o 5.3.3 Create User Authorization Key
5.4 Test Website Design
o 5.4.1 Gather User Feedback
o 5.4.2 Implement Feedback
6. Content Creation and Product Catalog
6.1 Develop Branding Elements
o 6.1.1 Design Logo and Brand
o 6.1.2 Design Website Theme
6.2 Create Product Features
o 6.2.1 Optimize SEO for Website
6.3 Populate Product Catalogue
o 6.3.1 Upload Product Information to E-commerce Platform
o 6.3.2 Develop Categories
o 6.3.3 Consistency in Product Listings
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7. Integration and Customization
7.1 Integrate Third-Party Services
o 7.1.1 Setup Payment System
o 7.1.2 Configure Shipping Providers
7.2 Implement Additional Features
o 7.2.1 Add Shopping Cart and Favorites
o 7.2.2 Develop Reviews and Ratings
o 7.2.3 Integrate Social Media to Website
8. Quality Assurance and Testing
8.1 Conduct Functional Testing
o 8.1.1 Test E-Commerce Platform
o 8.1.2 Verify User Logins
o 8.1.3 Validate Ordering Process
8.2 Perform Usability Tests
o 8.2.1 Run Simulation Test
o 8.2.2 Collect & Analyze Test Data
8.3 Check Compatibility across Devices
o 8.3.1 Test Website & App on iOS/Android
8.4 Address Test Issues & Bugs
o 8.4.1 Document Test Issues
o 8.4.2 Assign Bug Fixes
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o 8.4.3 Verify Bug Resolutions
9. Training and Documentation
9.1 Provide Training to Staff Members on Platform
o 9.1.1 Develop Training Modules
o 9.1.2 Conduct Training Sessions
9.2 Develop User Guides and Documentation
o 9.2.1 Create User Manual
o 9.2.2 Prepare Video Tutorials
o 9.2.3 Provide FAQ Guides
9.3 Create Troubleshooting Resources
o 9.3.1 Provide Help-Desk System
o 9.3.2 Document Common Issues and Solutions
o 9.3.3 Train Staff on Troubleshooting
10. Launch and Marketing
10.1 Develop Launch Plan
o 10.1.1 Identify Objectives and Goals
10.2 Develop Promotional Campaign
o 10.2.1 Launch Email Marketing Campaigns
o 10.2.2 Create Social Media Content
10.3 Publish Website
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o 10.3.1 Share Launch Updates on Social Media
o 10.3.2 Monitor Website Performance Post-Launch
o 10.3.3 Track Website Traffic and User Engagement
o 10.3.4 Gather Customer Feedback and Reviews
11. Customer Support and Maintenance
11.1 Establish Client Support
o 11.1.1 Setup Helpdesk System
o 11.1.2 Train Support Staff
11.2 Client Feedback
o 11.2.1 Address Client Inquiries
o 11.2.2 Respond to Customer Reviews and Feedback
11.3 Provide Technical Assistance
o 11.3.1 Provide Step-by-Step Technical Support
o 11.3.2 Perform Regular Maintenance Updates
o 11.3.3 Perform Software Updates
o 11.3.4 Conduct Website Maintenance Checks
o 11.3.5 Backup Website Data
12. Performance Monitoring and Optimization
12.1 Monitor Website Analytics
o 12.1.1 Setup Google Analytics Automation
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o 12.1.2 Track KPIs
o 12.1.3 Analyze Conversion Metrics
o 12.1.4 Identify Bottlenecks
12.2 Implement Optimization Strategies
o 12.2.1 Improve Website Performance
o 12.2.2 Enhance User Experience based on Analytics Insights
