Fluent Essays

Analyze an imaginary company Page 1 of 7 [291] PRM7003 Project Analytics Report Date for Submission: Please refer to the timetable on ilearn (The submission portal on ilearn will close at 14:00 UK time on the date of submission) Page 2 of 7 [291] Assignment Brief As part of the formal assessment for the programme you are required to submit a Project Analytics assessment. Please refer to your Student Handbook for full details of the programme assessment scheme and general information on preparing and submitting assignments. Learning Outcomes: After completing the module, you should be able to: 1. Advise an organisation on appropriate strategies to assist their management of projects through the application of analytical techniques. 2. Critically analyse data to support the project management function. 3. Demonstrate critical understanding of metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within a project management context. 4. Critically analyse secondary and primary data to drive project management performance. 5. Apply various metrics in order to best evaluate project and project performance. 6. Use statistical techniques to support the management of projects at different stages of the life cycle. Graduate attributes If applicable Discipline Expertise Knowledge and understanding of chosen field. Possess a range of skills to operate within this sector, have a keen awareness of current developments in working practice, being well positioned to respond to change. Maximum word count: 3,000 words Please note that exceeding the word count by over 10% will result in a reduction in grade by the same percentage that the word count is exceeded. You must not include your name in your submission because Arden University operates anonymous marking, which means that markers should not be aware of the identity of the student. However, please do not forget to include your STU number. Page 3 of 7 [291] Assessment Task (Learning outcomes 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6) This assignment counts for 60% of the total grade for this module. Create a 3,000 word report supporting your presentation on a project of your choice from your organisation, or one you are familiar with. This assignment gives you an opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills in project management analytics. You will be able to apply theories and concepts learnt from this module to measuring project performance and providing recommendations for its improvement. The analysis will be based on the state of the art approaches to business analysis which specifically include: • Stakeholder management • Project value measurement • Efficient dashboard design NB: Organisation name, other business or stakeholder particulars and any personally identifiable information can be fully anonymised. If you are re-sitting this assessment for the first time, you may re-work your original submission if you wish. However, if this is your third attempt at this assessment, you must submit a piece of work which is substantially different from your first two attempts. Your report must communicate project analytics to a company delivering the chosen project. It must include the following elements. Question 1 (Learning outcomes 3 and 6) Develop a hierarchical, but effective and efficient dashboard. This must include: • Identification of each stakeholder’s objectives in this project, as well as consideration of potential conflicts of interests amongst them • Identification of project metrics and KPIs, based on the project value measurements • Explanation of which metrics should be presentable to which specific stakeholders. Note: This should be consistent with element (3) of your presentation focusing one such stakeholder. • A variety of graphs generated using Excel. 33 marks Question 2 (Learning outcomes 3, 5 and 6) Comprehensively analyse the project performance to date based on question 1. 33 marks Question 3 (Learning outcomes 1, 4 and Graduate Attribute) Provide specific recommendations for improvement and lessons learned at both project and organisation’s levels. 34 marks Page 4 of 7 [291] Formative Feedback You have the opportunity to submit an outline and up to 50% of each task to receive formative feedback. The feedback is designed to help you develop areas of your work and it helps you develop your skills as an independent learner. If you are a distance learning student, you should submit your work, by email, to your tutor, no later than 2 weeks before the actual submission deadline. If you are a blended learning student, your tutor will give you a deadline for formative feedback and further details. Formative feedback will not be given to work submitted after the above date or the date specified by your tutor - if a blended learning student Student Guidelines Development of academic skills: You MUST underpin your analysis and evaluation of the key issues with appropriate and wide ranging academic research and ensure this is referenced using the AU Harvard system. The My Study Skills Area contains the following useful resources: Guide to Harvard Referencing http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Harvard_Quick_Ref_Guide.pdf Guide to Harvard Citation http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Guide_to_Harvard_Citation.pdf You must use the AU Harvard Referencing method in your assignment. http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Harvard_Quick_Ref_Guide.pdf http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Harvard_Quick_Ref_Guide.pdf http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Guide_to_Harvard_Citation.pdf Page 5 of 7 [291] Word Count: Students are required to indicate the exact word count on the title page of the assessment. The word count excludes the title page, executive summary, tables, figures, diagrams, footnotes, reference list and appendices. Where assessment questions have been reprinted from the assessment brief these will also be excluded from the word count. ALL other printed words ARE included in the word count. See ‘Word Count Policy’ on the homepage of this module for more information. Submission Guidance: Assignments submitted late will not be accepted and will be marked as a 0% fail. Your assessment should be submitted as a single Word (MS Word) or PDF file. For more information please see the “Guide to Submitting an Assignment” document available on the module page on iLearn. You must ensure that the submitted assignment is all your own work and that all sources used are correctly attributed. Penalties apply to assignments which show evidence of academic unfair practice. (See the Student Handbook which is on the homepage of your module and also in the Induction Area). Page 6 of 7 [291] Assessment Criteria (Learning objectives covered - all) Level 7 is characterised by an expectation of students’ expertise in their specialism. Students are semi-autonomous, demonstrating independence in the negotiation of assessment tasks (including the major project) and the ability to evaluate, challenge, modify and develop theory and practice. Students are expected to demonstrate an ability to isolate and focus on the significant features of problems and to offer synthetic and coherent solutions, with some students producing original or innovative work in their specialism that is potentially worthy of publication by Arden University. A clear appreciation of ethical considerations (as appropriate) is also a prerequisite. Grade Mark Bands Generic Assessment Criteria Distinction 70%+ Excellent analysis of key issues and concepts/. Excellent development of conceptual structures and argument, making consistent use of scholarly conventions. Excellent research skills, independence of thought, an extremely high level of intellectual rigour and consistency, exceptional expressive / professional skills, and substantial creativity and originality. Excellent academic/intellectual skills. Work pushes the boundaries of the discipline and demonstrates an awareness of relevant ethical considerations. Work may be considered for publication by Arden university Merit 60-69% Very good level of competence demonstrated. High level of theory application. Very good analysis of key issues and concepts. Development of conceptual structures and argument making consistent use of scholarly conventions. Some evidence of original thought and a general awareness of relevant ethical considerations Pass 50-59% A satisfactory to good performance. Basic knowledge of key issues and concepts. Generally descriptive, with restricted analysis of existing scholarly material and little argument development. Use of scholarly conventions inconsistent. The work lacks original thought. Some awareness of relevant ethical considerations. Satisfactory professional skills (where appropriate). Marginal Fail 40-49% Limited research skills impede use of learning resources and problem solving. Significant problems with structure/accuracy in expression. Very weak academic / intellectual / professional skills. Limited use of scholarly conventions. Errors in expression and the work may lack structure overall. Page 7 of 7 [291] Fail 39% and below A poor performance in which there are substantial gaps in knowledge and understanding, underpinning theory and ethical considerations. Little evidence of research skills, use of learning resources and problem solving. Major problems with structure/ accuracy in expression. Professional skills not present. Very weak academic / intellectual / professional skills. No evidence of use of scholarly conventions Page 1 of 6 [291] PRM7003 Project Analytics Presentation Date for Submission: Please refer to the timetable on ilearn (The submission portal on ilearn will close at 14:00 UK time on the date of submission) Page 2 of 6 [291] Assignment Brief As part of the formal assessment for the programme you are required to submit a Project Analytics assessment. Please refer to your Student Handbook for full details of the programme assessment scheme and general information on preparing and submitting assignments. Learning Outcomes: After completing the module, you should be able to: 1. Advise an organisation on appropriate strategies to assist their management of projects through the application of analytical techniques. 2. Critically analyse data to support the project management function. 3. Demonstrate critical understanding of metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within a project management context. 4. Critically analyse secondary and primary data to drive project management performance. 5. Apply various metrics in order to best evaluate project and project performance. 6. Use statistical techniques to support the management of projects at different stages of the life cycle. Graduate attributes If applicable Discipline Expertise Knowledge and understanding of chosen field. Possess a range of skills to operate within this sector, have a keen awareness of current developments in working practice, being well positioned to respond to change. Maximum word count: 2,000 words Please note that exceeding the word count by over 10% will result in a reduction in grade by the same percentage that the word count is exceeded. You must not include your name in your submission because Arden University operates anonymous marking, which means that markers should not be aware of the identity of the student. However, please do not forget to include your STU number. Page 3 of 6 [291] Assessment Task (Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5) This assignment counts for 40% of the total grade for this module. Create a 20 minute narrated presentation on a project of your choice from your organisation, or one you are familiar with. This assignment gives you an opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills in project management analytics. You will be able to apply theories and concepts learnt from this module to measuring project performance and providing recommendations for its improvement. The analysis will be based on the state of the art approaches to business analysis which specifically include: • Stakeholder management • Project value measurement • Efficient dashboard design NB: Organisation name, other business or stakeholder particulars and any personally identifiable information can be fully anonymised. If you are re-sitting this assessment for the first time, you may re-work your original submission if you wish. However, if this is your third attempt at this assessment, you must submit a piece of work which is substantially different from your first two attempts. Your presentation must communicate project performance to an external stakeholder of your choice. It should not exceed 20 min in duration. It will include the following elements. Question 1 (Learning outcome 1) Provide a brief description of the company background and project objectives. 20 marks Question 2 (Learning outcome 2) Analyse the project value from both the organisational and stakeholder point-of-view. 40 marks Question 3 (Learning outcomes 3, 4 and 5) Discuss the project performance using a dashboard developed specifically for the stakeholder in question. Note: this may not be a generic one-fits-all dashboard. As discussed in the module, a corporate dashboard should have multiple facets each designed for a particular stakeholder or group of stakeholders. 40 marks Page 4 of 6 [291] How to submit your presentation Please read the following instructions very carefully and ask your tutor if you do not fully understand what is required. Your PowerPoint presentation with voice over should be submitted into the ‘upload your Narrated Presentation’ area in iLearn. Your PowerPoint presentation should also be formatted as a Notes Page and then embedded into a single word or pdf file. This can be done as follows: Once you have prepared your PowerPoint, format the slides as notes pages; go to VIEW menu and select ‘Notes Page’. Then, go to the FILE menu, click ‘Save As’ and then select ‘Pictures’; this will save each Notes Page as a separate JPEG or TIFF file. These can then be copied and pasted into your Word file for submission. This file will then be submitted in the normal way into the submission port in iLearn (‘Submit Presentation’). Formative Feedback You have the opportunity to submit an outline and up to 50% of each task to receive formative feedback. The feedback is designed to help you develop areas of your work and it helps you develop your skills as an independent learner. If you are a distance learning student, you should submit your work, by email, to your tutor, no later than 2 weeks before the actual submission deadline. If you are a blended learning student, your tutor will give you a deadline for formative feedback and further details. Formative feedback will not be given to work submitted after the above date or the date specified by your tutor - if a blended learning student Page 5 of 6 [291] Student Guidelines Development of academic skills: You MUST underpin your analysis and evaluation of the key issues with appropriate and wide ranging academic research and ensure this is referenced using the AU Harvard system. The My Study Skills Area contains the following useful resources: Guide to Harvard Referencing http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Harvard_Quick_Ref_Guide.pdf Guide to Harvard Citation http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Guide_to_Harvard_Citation.pdf You must use the AU Harvard Referencing method in your assignment. Word Count: Students are required to indicate the exact word count on the title page of the assessment. The word count excludes the title page, executive summary, tables, figures, diagrams, footnotes, reference list and appendices. Where assessment questions have been reprinted from the assessment brief these will also be excluded from the word count. ALL other printed words ARE included in the word count. See ‘Word Count Policy’ on the homepage of this module for more information. Submission Guidance: Assignments submitted late will not be accepted and will be marked as a 0% fail. Your assessment should be submitted as a single Word (MS Word) or PDF file. For more information please see the “Guide to Submitting an Assignment” document available on the module page on iLearn. You must ensure that the submitted assignment is all your own work and that all sources used are correctly attributed. Penalties apply to assignments which show evidence of academic unfair practice. (See the Student Handbook which is on the homepage of your module. http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Harvard_Quick_Ref_Guide.pdf http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Harvard_Quick_Ref_Guide.pdf http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Guide_to_Harvard_Citation.pdf Page 6 of 6 [291] Assessment Criteria (Learning objectives covered - all) Level 7 is characterised by an expectation of students’ expertise in their specialism. Students are semi-autonomous, demonstrating independence in the negotiation of assessment tasks (including the major project) and the ability to evaluate, challenge, modify and develop theory and practice. Students are expected to demonstrate an ability to isolate and focus on the significant features of problems and to offer synthetic and coherent solutions, with some students producing original or innovative work in their specialism that is potentially worthy of publication by Arden University. A clear appreciation of ethical considerations (as appropriate) is also a prerequisite. Grade Mark Bands Generic Assessment Criteria Distinction 70%+ Excellent analysis of key issues and concepts/. Excellent development of conceptual structures and argument, making consistent use of scholarly conventions. Excellent research skills, independence of thought, an extremely high level of intellectual rigour and consistency, exceptional expressive / professional skills, and substantial creativity and originality. Excellent academic/intellectual skills. Work pushes the boundaries of the discipline and demonstrates an awareness of relevant ethical considerations. Work may be considered for publication by Arden university Merit 60-69% Very good level of competence demonstrated. High level of theory application. Very good analysis of key issues and concepts. Development of conceptual structures and argument making consistent use of scholarly conventions. Some evidence of original thought and a general awareness of relevant ethical considerations Pass 50-59% A satisfactory to good performance. Basic knowledge of key issues and concepts. Generally descriptive, with restricted analysis of existing scholarly material and little argument development. Use of scholarly conventions inconsistent. The work lacks original thought. Some awareness of relevant ethical considerations. Satisfactory professional skills (where appropriate). Marginal Fail 40-49% Limited research skills impede use of learning resources and problem solving. Significant problems with structure/accuracy in expression. Very weak academic / intellectual / professional skills. Limited use of scholarly conventions. Errors in expression and the work may lack structure overall. Fail 39% and below A poor performance in which there are substantial gaps in knowledge and understanding, underpinning theory and ethical considerations. Little evidence of research skills, use of learning resources and problem solving. Major problems with structure/ accuracy in expression. Professional skills not present. Very weak academic / intellectual / professional skills. No evidence of use of scholarly conventions