WGU C 783 Merrilton Robotics Data Migration Project Management Plan Latest Update with Complete Solution

Introduction You are a project manager at Merrilton Robotics, a manufacturing company. The IT infrastructure and data center are currently housed at the company’s facility in Houston, Texas. You are tasked with managing a project to migrate the company’s data infrastructure to cloud computing. You will outsource this process to a third-party cloud computing provider to ensure the necessary expertise and data storage, as well as the highest standards in processing and safekeeping of the company’s data. All data residing in local, company-owned servers will be transferred to the cloud managed service provider (MSP). You will not buy equipment or build new facilities to accommodate this project. To avoid potential compliance issues and to reduce risk exposure, the company requires the vendor to store its data domestically rather than offshore. You aim to ensure a smooth transition that adequately addresses risks and meets regulatory standards. Problem Statement The current capacity of the infrastructure cannot be increased, which is needed to keep up with the organization's intended growth. Over time, more government regulations regarding data security have been mandated. The IT department does not have the IT expertise, resources, or capacities to properly address these mandates or to respond to cyber security threats or internal auditing requirements. Current industry regulators dictate that customer data must be protected, used, transferred, and maintained to ensure the highest data security standards. The company wants to provide a robust, scalable solution that will meet its current and future objectives to prevent potential service disruptions and regulatory fines that can affect profitability and long-term growth. Project Environment Merrilton Robotics has a strong project management office (PMO), which is responsible for establishing project guidelines, standards, resource planning, tools, strategic alignment, and the prioritization of projects. Functional managers and project managers support project management efforts. Functional managers provide funds and resources, approve projects, and decide on premature project closures. Both functional managers and project managers control spending. The project manager is responsible for all aspects of the project, including developing a full-scale project management plan. The project manager is responsible for developing a time-phased, detailed budget that includes direct and indirect costs broken down into components. A project manager is a full-time employee, whereas the project management supporting staff are engaged in projects part-time. Risk management is a critical component of this project. The risk management plan needs to include specific risks grouped into broader categories, such as technology, compliance, finance, human resources, regulatory, organizational, project management, etc. Risk management must address uncertain events that present threats and opportunities to the company. The data migration project must be completed within six months and cannot exceed $2,000,000. The project sponsor is committed to providing funds for internal and external resources that will be assigned to various departments, such as IT, finance, human resources (HR), legal, PMO, and others, if necessary. For managing projects of this nature, the Merrilton Robotics PMO uses a project management life cycle (PMLC), with a predictive methodology. In addition to project management activities that are typical for all PMLC projects, the project team will complete analytical, data migration, system integration testing, regression testing, performance testing, and user acceptance testing activities. When hiring a managed services provider, the company will use the "Request for Proposal" process to select the best vendor based on a mix of criteria that will ensure the highest quality service. Once the vendor is selected, the project team will only accept a contract type with minimal or neutral risk for the company (buyer). Contract types that promote favorable terms and conditions for the vendor (seller) will not be accepted by the legal department. With this in mind, the below has been established: A. The Initiating Process A1 – Discuss the Purpose of a Project Charter The project charter serves as a foundational document that formally authorizes a project and assigns the project manager the authority to apply resources to project activities. It aligns stakeholders, provides high-level guidance, and sets the boundaries for the project. According to the PMBOK Guide, the charter defines project objectives, constraints, assumptions, and stakeholder requirements while also serving as a reference for decision-making throughout the project lifecycle (Project Management Institute [PMI], 2017). A2 – Develop a Project Charter Project Charter for Merrilton Robotics Data Migration Project Project Purpose To migrate Merrilton Robotics’ data infrastructure to a domestic, third-party-managed cloud provider to resolve capacity issues, enhance scalability and security, and ensure regulatory compliance. Measurable Project Objectives and Related Success Criteria 1. Complete the migration within six months. 2. Stay within the $2,000,000 budget. 3. Achieve 100% compliance with domestic data storage regulations. 4. Ensure zero critical service disruptions during migration. High-Level Requirements 1. Vendor must provide domestic data storage services. 2. Full system validation and testing post-migration. 3. Training for key personnel to manage the new cloud environment. High-Level Project Description, Boundaries, and Key Deliverables • Description: Transition the company’s data from local servers to a cloud-based infrastructure. • Boundaries: o In Scope: Data migration, testing, validation, and training. o Out of Scope: Physical hardware procurement and infrastructure upgrades. • Key Deliverables: 1. Approved migration plan. 2. Migrated and validated cloud infrastructure. 3. Testing and training documentation. Overall Project Risk Moderate risk level due to potential vendor delays, data loss, and regulatory non-compliance. Summary Milestone Schedule 1. Month 1: Vendor selection and contract finalization. 2. Month 2: Migration planning and risk assessment. 3. Month 3-4: Data migration and system testing. 4. Month 5: Validation and user training. 5. Month 6: Final compliance review and project closure. Preapproved Financial Resources The project is allocated a budget of $2,000,000, including direct and indirect costs. Key Stakeholder List 1. Executive Team. 2. IT Department. 3. PMO. 4. Legal Team. 5. Finance Team. Project Approval Requirements • Criteria for Success: Completion within scope, budget, and timeline while achieving compliance and validation requirements. • Approval Authority: Executive Team and project sponsor sign-off required for project closure. Project Exit Criteria • All deliverables completed and validated. • Compliance and training goals met. • Formal project review and approval from stakeholders. Assigned Project Manager, Responsibility, and Authority Level Cody Walker is the assigned project manager with full authority to allocate resources, manage risks, and oversee the project lifecycle. Name and Authority of the Sponsor The project sponsor is the Merrilton Robotics Executive Team, with full authority to approve the project charter and allocate funding.