Checklist model project selection

A project manager is often tasked with reviewing different projects and with choosing which project is best to pursue. To accomplish this task, a project manager would use different methods for project selection. This assignment allows you to work through a few of these methods using Microsoft Excel.

Click here to download the Microsoft Excel template to use for this assignment.

Checklist. Review the information provided in the Excel spreadsheet for choosing among the four project alternatives (labeled A, B, C, and D). Each has been assessed according to four criteria:
Payoff potential
Lack of risk
Safety
Competitive advantage
Construct a project checklist model, using the Excel template, for screening these four alternatives. Based on your model, which project is the best choice for selection? Why? Which is the worst? Why?

Scoring Model #1. Suppose the same information from the checklist in the first problem was supplemented by importance weights for each of the four assessment criteria, where 1 = low importance and 4 = high importance (see weights in the template). Assume, too, that evaluations of high received a score of 3, medium 2, and low 1. Create a scoring model (using the Excel template) and reassess the four project choices (A, B, C, and D). Now which project alternative is the best? Why?
Scoring Model #2. Now assume that for Problem 3, the importance weight is altered (see weights in the template). How does this new information alter your decision? Which project now looks most attractive? Why? Base your response by filling in the graph within the Excel template.
Discount Payback. Your company is seriously considering investing in a new project opportunity, but cash flow is tight. Top management is concerned about how long it will take for this new project to pay back the initial investment of $50,000. You have determined that the project should generate inflows of $30,000, $30,000, $40,000, $25,000, and $15,000 for the next five years. Your firm’s required rate of return (or discount rate) is 15%. In what year are we able to pay back the initial investment? Respond based on filling in the graph within the Excel template.