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UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE OF SINGAPORE _______________________________________________________________ Course : Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Business and Marketing BMTD5 2123A- Module : SIM335 Managing Projects MDIS Module Tutor : Dr Ong Chee Ming Charles Assessment : Individual Assignment Due Date : 22 Oct 2021 Duration / Word Length : 3,000 words +/- 10\% Please refer to AQH-F15 Guidance for Students on the Penalty for Exceeding Word Limit for Assessed Work. Weighting within Module : 100\% _____________________________________________________________________ Assignment Submission Students are required to submit their coursework through JIRA. Only assessments submitted through JIRA will be marked. Any other submission including submission to your study centre in hard copy will be treated as a non-submission. If your centre supports Turnitin©, a copy of your Turnitin© originality report must be submitted in conjunction with your assignment. PLAGIARISM/INFRINGEMENT STATEMENT All Assessments are subject to the University’s Policy on Cheating, Collusion and Plagiarism. Students found guilty of this are subject to severe penalties. This is an INDIVIDUAL piece of work - If there is evidence that the work is not wholly attributable to you, the Universitys policy on Cheating, Collusion and Plagiarism will be applied Link to University Academic Integrity and Misconduct Policy • https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-8155 https://docushare.sunderland.ac.uk/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-8155 BMTD5 2123A T3 SIM335 Managing Projects, Individual Assignment – August 2021 Intake This is an individual assignment - complete both tasks 1 and 2 For your convenience, both tasks should be submitted as one document, which contains both individual tasks. Background: The assignment is intended to bring out the benefits and limitations of different approaches to project management (throughout the project life cycle) by relating these to the circumstances listed. It is also intended to allow students to demonstrate their learning and competence in respect of the effective project management with focus on resources, trade-offs among scope, cost and time, as well as key elements of the project life cycle. Task 1 (40 marks) each short answer question requires a response in a few sentences for the questions awarded up to 4 – 6 marks and a paragraph for questions awarded up to 8 – 10 marks. Citation(s) is/are essential for each question to demonstrate students’ ability to fulfill academic writing style in accordance to Harvard referencing. Answer without citation(s) will result in a fail grade for the corresponding question. Minimum of FIVE (5) references is required and references to be listed at the end of Task 1. 1) There are numerous literatures that identify different models for Project Life Cycle (PLC). Write short notes to discuss the role of the Project Life Cycle in Project Management. (8 marks) 2) Organisations typically identify THREE (3) types of project in their portfolio. Write short notes to describe the classification of project portfolio by type and provide an example for each. (6 marks) 3) Clear VisionPte Ltd – a market leader that manufactures high-end optical scope fitted on hunting rifles for the past 30 years. Recently the top management has decided to diversify the business by applying its proprietary technology to develop a top-quality binocular. Which project structure would you recommend for your organisation? Together with a diagram, write short notes to describe the proposed structure and provide appropriate justifications to support your recommendation. (6 marks) 4) What is the purpose of establishing project priorities? And what would normally be considered when setting project priorities. (4 marks) 5) Project Control Systems are often used to ensure the quality of project outcomes. Identify and briefly discuss TWO (2) tools commonly used in project control process. (6 marks) BMTD5 2123A T3 SIM335 Managing Projects, Individual Assignment – August 2021 Intake 6) Your organisation intends to roll out a series of new products. As the project manager, you have been tasked to conduct a market research on whether these new products will be well received by potential customers. You have mapped out the activities and durations in the table below: Activity ID Description Preceding Activity Activity Duration A Contract Signed None 3 B Survey Designed A 2 C Target Market ID A 3 D Data Collection B & C 7 E Develop Presentation B 2 F Analysis of Results D 2 G Demographics C 2 H Presentation E, F & G 1 i. The project network is a tool used for planning, scheduling, and monitoring of project progress. Discuss the concept of critical path and its significance to the project schedule. ii. Based on the data provided above, develop an AON project network (with calculations of forward pass, backward pass and slack). iii. Identify the critical path of this project. iv. Develop the gantt chart of this project. (10 marks) Task 2: (60 marks) Case Study: Your faculty is planning to have a graduation ceremony for cohorts that are completing the undergraduate progamme. As the Project Manager appointed by your faculty, you are in- charge to organise this event. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic; and local government advisory to avoid large-scale physical event, the graduation ceremony will be delivered virtually. As the project is currently at the feasibility stage, you are required to prepare a proposal report for faculty dean’s approval. From a project management perspective, outline the key areas required to successfully manage this project – e.g. Project Scope (covering all mandatory items), Project Priorities (with appropriate justification and a balanced trade- off), Work Breakdown Structure (with relevant work packages) and Cost Estimation (with time-phase budget). Additionally, include considerations for managing the project risks by identifying and describing THREE (3) negative risks (i.e. what can go wrong during the project) and provide justification for EACH risk – why is the identified aspect a risk in this project? The report should demonstrate the skills and competencies required by the Project Manager, along with relevant project management perspectives. Minimum of FIVE (5) references is required. References to be listed at the end of Task 2. BMTD5 2123A T3 SIM335 Managing Projects, Individual Assignment – August 2021 Intake Assignment presentation and assessment: The answers to both tasks are independent and should be addressed separately. Task 1 answer to six questions (800 - 1,000 words) – completed as an individual task References for Task 1 to be listed after last question. Task 2 presented in a report (2,000 - 2,200 words) – completed as an individual task References for Task 2 to be listed after last section of task. For your convenience, both tasks should be submitted as one document, which contains both individual tasks. The criteria for assessing each question in Task 1 will be: Use of relevant theory (50\%) Has the right theoretical content been chosen as the basis for answering the questions? Is the theory selected significant to the questions? Is there evidence on the use of course notes and books? Is/are the concept(s) aligned with those covered in the syllabus? Critical Analysis (50\%) This measures the extent to which students develop a structured argument for the points they make. The criteria for assessing Task 2 will be: Use of relevant theory (40\%) (24 marks) Has the right theoretical content been chosen as the basis for answering the questions? Is there evidence on the use of course notes and books? Are the concepts aligned with those covered in the syllabus? Is the theory selected significant to the questions? Analysis/Application (40\%) (24 marks) This measures the extent to which students develop a structured flow of key points relating to concepts in project management that are appropriate to the context of chosen project. Report presentation (20\%) (12 marks) The extent to which the assignment represents an effective report. This will be judged on: • Appearance: Is a word count included at the end of the report? Is it within the specified amount? Is the text double-spaced? • Structure: Does the report follow the conventions of the format required? Does it have a clear introduction, providing an overview to the project? Does each section have a clear structure using sub-headings (where appropriate)? Do the sections of the report develop ideas in a logical sequence? Are diagrams or other subsidiary information shown to support the key ideas (where appropriate)? • Spelling and grammar: Are all words spelled correctly and is the meaning of sentences clear? BMTD5 2123A T3 SIM335 Managing Projects, Individual Assignment – August 2021 Intake • Referencing: Have appropriate references (minimum of 5) been included in the report? Has a recognized referencing system been used for notation? Any work submitted is subject to the Universitys rules and procedures governing infringement of assessment regulations. Grading Criteria SIM335 Managing Projects Individual Assignment First Class (70 – 100\%) A creative and original response to the question. Critically reflecting on perceived theory and experiences. Wide and appropriate use of sources (theory and practice) based on reading and experiences. Answer written fluently, with evidence of a highly developed capacity to structure work systematically and argue logically. Upper Second Class (60 – 69\%) Comprehensive knowledge of concepts and theories. Appropriate application of theory and experience to the question answered. Ability to inter-relate concepts and ideas. Some originality in approach and awareness of scope and limitations. Answer systematically structured and coherent. Lower Second Class (50-59\%) Evidence of knowledge of concepts and theories. Attempts to relate and balance theory and practice. Main issues addressed appropriately. Mainstream texts and lecture notes used. Work presented in a structured form but arguments weak in places. Third Class (40-49\%) Evidence of uncritical knowledge of main concepts and theories. Limited attempts to relate theory and practice relaying on personal opinion or assertions. Limited evidence of reading. Presentation and structure weak in several places. Fail (0 – 39\%) Some knowledge of main concepts and theory but major omissions and / or misunderstandings. Style and structure weak and overly descriptive. Considerable limitations in the ability to perceive the relationship between theory and practice. Limited reading. BMTD5 2123A T3 SIM335 Managing Projects, Individual Assignment – August 2021 Intake SIM335: Management of Projects (Academic Year 2020/2021) Task 1 Criteria 70\% + 60-69\% 50-59\% 40-49\% <40\% Use of relevant theory Indicative weighting = 50\% of marks allocated for each questions The report identifies all the relevant theories to answer to complete the task. The theories used are described in detail. There is clear evidence that course notes, books and other sources are used. Theories used are significant in listing the activities required to successfully plan and manage a major project. The report identifies most of the relevant theories to answer to complete the task. On the whole, the theories used are described in detail. There is clear evidence that course notes and books are used. Theories used are largely significant in listing the activities required to successfully plan and manage a major project. On the whole, the report identifies the relevant theories required to answer to complete the task. The theories used are sometimes described in detail. Overall, there is clear evidence that course notes and books are used. Theories used are significant in listing the activities required to successfully plan and manage a major project. The report identifies some of the relevant theories to answer to complete the task. The theories used are partly described. There is some evidence that course notes, and books are used. Theories used are sometimes significant in listing the activities required to successfully plan and manage a major project. The report fails to identify the relevant theories to answer to complete the task. The theories used are not described. There is no evidence that course notes, books or other sources are used. Theories used are not significant in listing the activities required to successfully plan and manage a major project. Critical Analysis Indicative weighting = 50\% of marks allocated for each questions A structured argument is taken for the points made by combining relevant theories with information researched or provided in the task. A structured argument is taken for the points made, often by combining relevant theories with information researched or provided in the task. There is some structured argument taken for the points made. The relevant theories are not always combined with information researched or provided in the task. There is limited structured argument taken for the points made. There are only limited combinations of the relevant theories with information researched or provided in the task. There is no structured argument taken for the points made. The relevant theories are not combined with information researched or provided in the task. Total: 40 marks Answer without citation(s) will result in a fail grade for the corresponding question. BMTD5 2123A T3 SIM335 Managing Projects, Individual Assignment – August 2021 Intake Task 2 Criteria 70\% + 60-69\% 50-59\% 40-49\% <40\% Use of relevant theory Indicative weighting = 40\% of 60 mark (24 marks) The report identifies all the relevant theories to answer to complete the task. The theories used are described in detail. There is clear evidence that course notes, books and other sources are used. Theories used are significant in listing the activities required to successfully plan and manage a major project. The report identifies most of the relevant theories to answer to complete the task. On the whole, the theories used are described in detail. There is clear evidence that course notes and books are used. Theories used are largely significant in listing the activities required to successfully plan and manage a major project. On the whole, the report identifies the relevant theories required to answer to complete the task. The theories used are sometimes described in detail. Overall, there is clear evidence that course notes and books are used. Theories used are significant in listing the activities required to successfully plan and manage a major project. The report identifies some of the relevant theories to answer to complete the task. The theories used are partly described. There is some evidence that course notes, and books are used. Theories used are sometimes significant in listing the activities required to successfully plan and manage a major project. The report fails to identify the relevant theories to answer to complete the task. The theories used are not described. There is no evidence that course notes, books or other sources are used. Theories used are not significant in listing the activities required to successfully plan and manage a major project. Analysis/ Application Indicative weighting = 40\% of 60 mark (24 marks) There is evidence of extensive research from a variety of sources to provide better understanding to the background of the task. A structured argument is taken for the points made by combining relevant theories with information researched or provided in the task. The conclusions are clear and link into the requirements of the task. There is evidence of some extensive research from a variety of sources to provide better understanding to the background of the task. A structured argument is taken for the points made, often by combining relevant theories with information researched or provided in the task. The conclusions on the whole are clear and link into the requirements of the task. There is evidence of some research to provide better understanding to the background of the task but sources are not extensive. There is some structured argument taken for the points made. The relevant theories are not always combined with information researched or provided in the task. The conclusions are not clear and have only limited linkages into the requirements of the task. There is evidence of limited research being conducted to provide better understanding to the background of the task but sources are not extensive. There is limited structured argument taken for the points made. There are only limited combinations of the relevant theories with information researched or provided in the task. The conclusions are descriptive and do not link into the requirements of the task. There is no evidence of research from a variety of sources to provide better understanding to the background of the task. There is no structured argument taken for the points made. The relevant theories are not combined with information researched or provided in the task. The conclusions are unclear and only descriptive. Conclusions also do not link into the requirements of the task. Presentation and Structure Indicative weighting = 20\% of 60 mark (12 marks) The presentation is clear. There are no or few spelling or grammatical errors. The report has been referenced correctly, using the Harvard style of referencing. A word count is provided at the end of the report and is within the limit of 2000 words. The report is text double- spaced. The structure of the project is clear, cohesive and logical. Each section has been clearly structured using sub- headings (signposts) and these follow a logical order. Additional diagrams and other subsidiary information are shown in the appendices and properly referenced. Appendices are relevant and are able to provide a better understanding to the report. The presentation is on the whole clear, there are no or few spelling or grammatical errors. The project has been referenced correctly, using the Harvard style of referencing. A word count is provided at the end of the report and is within the limit of 2000 words. The report is text double- spaced. The structure of the project is on the whole clear, cohesive and logical. Each section has been clearly structured using sub -headings (signposts) and these on the whole follow a logical order. Additional diagrams and other subsidiary information are shown in the appendices and properly referenced. Appendices are mostly relevant and are able to provide a better understanding to the report. The presentation is partially clear. There are occasional spelling and or grammatical errors. The project has not always been referenced correctly, using the Harvard style of referencing. A word count is provided at the end of the report but is not within the limit of 2000 words. The report is text double-spaced. The structure of the project is not entirely clear, cohesive or logical. Each section has partially been clearly structured using some sub- headings (signposts) but it is difficult to follow. Additional diagrams and other subsidiary information are sometimes shown in the appendices but not always properly referenced. Appendices are occasionally relevant and are at times able to provide a better understanding to the report. The clarity of the presentation of the project is limited. There are spelling and or grammatical errors. The project has not been referenced correctly, using the Harvard style of referencing. The layout is loose and was difficult to follow. The structure of the project is not clear, cohesive or logical. Each section has been limited structured using some or no sub-headings (signposts), which made it very difficult to follow. Additional diagrams and other subsidiary information are not shown in the appendices and not properly referenced. Appendices are irrelevant and are not able to provide a better understanding to the report. The presentation is unclear. There numerous spelling or grammatical errors. The report has not been referenced correctly, using the Harvard style of referencing. A word count is not provided at the end of the report and is not within the limit of 2000 words. The report is not text double-spaced. The structure of the project is unclear, inconsistent and illogical. Sections are not clearly structured using sub- headings (signposts) and do not follow a logical order. Additional diagrams and other subsidiary information are not shown in the appendices and not properly referenced. Appendices are irrelevant and are not able to provide a better understanding to the report. Total: 60 marks