LO1: Evaluate and explain the major factors and performance requirements of project management
Assignment Brief
Academic Year 2024-25
BM522 – Project Management
Module code and title:
BM522 – Project management
Module leader:
Assignment No. and type:
CW1 – Project Report
Assessment weighting:
50%
Submission time and date:
Target feedback time and date:
3 weeks after submission deadline.
Assignment task
Horizon Labs , a market leader in technology solutions, has maintained its position at the forefront of the tech industry for over a decade. With a workforce of 2,000 employees, the company has long been synonymous with innovation and excellence.
Despite its market success, Horizon Labs faces a critical internal challenge i.e. rising employee attrition rates. An in-depth analysis revealed that unaddressed mental health issues were the primary driver behind this concerning trend. The situation threatens not only the company`s productivity but also its long-standing reputation as an employer of choice.
To address this pressing issue, Horizon Labs has initiated a groundbreaking project that is development and implementation of an AI-powered system designed to detect early signs of mental health concerns among its employees. The primary objectives of this initiative are to significantly reduce turnover rates, enhance employee wellbeing and restore and improve overall productivity
As a specialist in AI-driven solutions, you have been appointed as the project manager for this critical initiative. Your task is to develop a comprehensive project management plan that covers both the development and company-wide deployment of this innovative AI technology.
You are to assume that it is 1st October 2024, the Tuesday of the first week of the project. While the project team is being formed, the management has asked to prepare a 1500 (+/- 10%) word report. to be with him on 30th November 2024 and which can be presented to the client. The title of the report is "The Horizon Labs - AI Tech for Mental Health”.
In order to help you prepare this report the following activity scheduling information has been provided below:
Activity ID
Activity Name
Duration (days)
Predecessors
1
Project Initiation & Stakeholder Meetings
5
-
2
Requirement Gathering & Analysis
7
1
3
Feasibility Study
5
1
4
System Architecture Design
10
2, 3
5
AI Algorithm Selection & Customization
12
4
6
Database Design & Setup
8
4
7
Data Collection & Preparation
14
5, 6
8
AI Model Development
15
7
9
Model Testing & Validation
10
8
10
User Interface Design
7
4
11
System Integration
12
9, 10
12
Internal Review & Adjustments
6
11
13
Security & Compliance Testing
8
9, 10, 12
14
User Training Module Development
9
11, 12
15
Pilot Deployment
10
13, 14
16
Pilot Feedback & System Refinement
8
15
17
Full System Deployment Planning
5
13, 15, 16
18
Company-Wide User Training
10
17
19
Full System Deployment
7
17
20
Project Closure & Final Reporting
5
18, 19
Task 1 [15 marks]
The project management plan must begin by providing a justification for the project, specifically a compelling business case that outlines the project objectives and deliverables . Next, compare various project methodologies , followed by a critical analysis of which methodology would be most appropriate for this project and why. This analysis should be supported with justification and examples of where the selected methodology has been successfully used in the past, as well as the benefits of using this methodology for your project.
Task 2 [25 marks]
(i) Develop a network diagram in MS excel or MS word or manually on paper as taught (activities on arrows) clearly showing the relationship between all the activities listed above, the dependencies, the likely duration for each activity, the likely completion date (expected total project time). Calculate the earliest starting time, the latest starting time (EST, LST) and the earliest finishing time and latest finishing time (EFT, LFT) for each activity including an outline description of the critical path, highlighting the critical activities and the shortest possible time in days in which the project can be completed as scoped above. (Give reasons for your choice).
(ii) Using Microsoft project i.e. MS Project, represent the activity list above in a Gantt Chart.
Task 3 [20 Marks]
Undertake a stakeholder analysis for this project. This analysis should clearly identify at least five internal and external stakeholders and group them according to their interest and power using a stakeholder management matrix. Additionally, develop communication strategies for each stakeholder group.
Task 4 [10 Marks]
Using the activity list above, develop a clearly numbered Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for this project.
Task 5 [15 Marks]
You are required to prepare a Risk Analysis for at least 15 different risks that could affect your project. Analyse the risks involved and develop strategies for dealing with them in detail. Present your Risk Analysis and Risk Management strategies/mitigations in the form of a table, as taught in class.
Task 6 [15 Marks]
You are required to determine at least 5 quality expectations, acceptance criteria, quality specifications, and the measures to control the event. This information should be organized in a table with the following four headings: Quality Expectation, Acceptance Criteria, Quality Specification, and Control Measures.
If you are registered with the Disability and Inclusion Services or have a disability, please contact your course coordinator to discuss how your reasonable adjustments will be applied to this assignment.
This assignment has been designed to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your achievement of the following module learning outcomes:
LO1: Evaluate and explain the major factors and performance requirements of project management
LO2: Plan projects using appropriate project management software.
LO3: Analyse and critically evaluate projects using an appropriate industry standard methodology.
Practicalities: Referencing, presenting and submitting your work
Please see your programme handbook for information on the required referencing style, any presentational requirements and the process for submitting your work.
Please reference your work using the Harvard style as defined in Cite Them Right Online (http://www.citethemrightonline.com).
Follow the course guidelines regarding submitting work, as below (e.g. electronic or paper copies).
Pages should be numbered.
All work to be submitted as Arial 11 font with line and a half spacing.
All writing should be in the third person passive.
Front cover, executive summaries, if used, contents pages, reference lists, all words in tables charts and diagrams are not included in the word count.
Written work must be word-processed.
The module title and code number must be clearly marked on the report.
Please reference your work using the Harvard system used to support your argument.
The report should be professionally formatted and presentable to a business manager.
Work you submit for assessment must be properly referenced – a guide to the Harvard system of referencing can be found on the Bucks website at bucks.ac.uk/referencing.
You may seek clarification from the module tutor at any time.
There is no excuse for failing to submit your work in accordance with the guidance, work that does not meet the necessary standards in that respect will be marked accordingly.
No collaboration is allowed.
The work should be submitted electronically on LSST Connect using the submission point found under the ‘Upload My Assignment’ link in the relevant module folder.
Confidentiality
You should maintain and respect confidentiality in relation to the protection of personal, technical and/or commercial information of a sensitive nature in your assessed work.
For further information and guidance, please see your programme handbook.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity means taking responsibility for your own work.
When you submit an assignment, you are making a declaration that it is your own work and that you have acknowledged the contribution of others and their ideas in its development (for example, by referencing them appropriately).
For further information and guidance, please see the University website: https://www.bnu.ac.uk/current-students/registry-helpdesk-and-academic-advice/academic-integrity-and- misconduct
Assessment Criteria
Academic Year 2024-25
Assessment Criteria Academic Year 2024-25
Parameters
0-34 (F) –
Fail
Not successful
35-39 E –
Marginal fail Below required standard
40-49 (D)
Pass Satisfactory
50-59 (C)
Pass Good
60-69 (B)
Pass Very Good
70-79 (A)
Pass Excellent
80-100 (A+)
Pass Outstanding
Activity List, Network diagram, and Critical Path; and Gantt chart (25%)
Network Diagram (created using MS excel or MS word or manually on paper) not completed or incorrect; no critical path identified; no calculation of Activity EST & LST;
No Gantt chart.
Network Diagram (created using MS excel or MS word or manually on paper) illogical or incorrect; critical path not identified; Gantt chart drawn with MS Project present but highly inaccurate; poor understanding of concepts.
Network Diagram (created using MS excel or MS word or manually on paper) contains several errors; critical path mostly correct;
Gantt chart drawn with MS Project satisfactory but with errors; basic understanding of concepts.
Network Diagram (created using MS excel or MS word or manually on paper) mostly correct; critical path identified; largely correct some calculations.
Gantt chart drawn with MS Project good with some significant errors; good understanding of concepts.
Network Diagram (created using MS excel or MS word or manually on paper) correct with minor errors; critical path clear; some errors in calculation on EST & LST as well as EFT & LFT.
Gantt chart drawn with MS Project very good with minor errors; very good understanding of concepts.
Network Diagram (created using MS excel or MS word or manually on paper) neat and correct; critical path clear and correct; Calculation with no error of Activity EST & LST as well as EFT & LFT for each activity.
Gantt chart drawn with MS Project excellent with very few errors; excellent understanding of concepts.
Network Diagram (created using MS excel or MS word or manually on paper) perfect; critical path clear and correct; calculation of Activity EST & LST as well as EFT & LFT for each activity & their interpretations.
Gantt chart drawn with MS Project outstanding and accurate; outstanding understanding of concepts.
Assessment Criteria
Academic Year 2024-25
Parameters
0-34 (F) –
Fail
Not successful
35-39 E –
Marginal fail Below required standard
40-49 (D)
Pass Satisfactory
50-59 (C)
Pass Good
60-69 (B)
Pass Very Good
70-79 (A)
Pass Excellent
80-100 (A+)
Pass Outstanding
Stakeholder Analysis and communication plan (20%)
Fails to complete at least 2 of: identifying stakeholders, grouping into internal & external, their interest and power, establishing communication plan.
Fails to complete at least 3 of: identifying stakeholders, grouping into internal & external, their interest and power, establishing communication plan.
Completes at least 3 of : identifying stakeholders, grouping into internal & external, their interest and power, establishing communication plan.
Completes stakeholder analysis with at least 5 internal & external stakeholders, their interest and power; satisfactory communication plan.
Good stakeholder analysis with at least 5 internal & external stakeholders, their interest and power; communication plan lacking detail.
Comprehensive stakeholder analysis with more than 5 internal & external stakeholders, their interest and power; good communication plan.
Exceptional stakeholder analysis with more than 5 internal & external stakeholders, their interest and power; detailed and effective communication plan.
WBS (10%)
No WBS or very poor attempt; significant errors in hierarchical structure and content.
Poor WBS with major errors; lacks detail and correctness.
A cceptable WBS but incomplete; correct hierarchical structure but lacks detail.
Good WBS; complete but some logical errors; hierarchical structure mostly correct.
Complete and correct WBS; minor errors in numbering; hierarchical structure clear.
Highly detailed and correct WBS; clearly numbered; minor errors only; well-structured.
Outstanding, detailed, and correct WBS; clearly numbered and fully detailed; perfectly structured.
Risk Analysis (15%)
No attempt at identifying or managing risks.
Identifies at least 10 risks but no management plan; poor understanding of risk management
Identifies at least 15 risks with basic analysis; questionable responses; basic understanding of risk management.
Identifies at least 15 risks ; good analysis; some response planning; good understanding of risk management.
Identifies at least 15 risks with very good analysis; response plans present but not detailed; very good understanding of risk management.
Innovative identification and analysis of more than 15 risks ; detailed and effective response plans; excellent understanding of risk management.
Exceptionally innovative identification and analysis of more than 15 risks ; highly detailed and effective response plans; outstanding understanding of risk management.
Assessment Criteria
Academic Year 2024-25
Parameters
0-34 (F) –
Fail
Not successful
35-39 E –
Marginal fail Below required standard
40-49 (D)
Pass Satisfactory
50-59 (C)
Pass Good
60-69 (B)
Pass Very Good
70-79 (A)
Pass Excellent
80-100 (A+)
Pass Outstanding
Quality Assurance and
Control (15%)
Attempts made at identifying and classifying at least 3 stakeholders’ quality expectations, acceptance criteria, and quality specifications; control measures unclear.
Acceptable identification and classification of at least 3 stakeholders’ quality expectations, acceptance criteria, and quality specifications; control measures weak.
Satisfactory identification and classification of at least 3 stakeholders’ quality expectations, acceptance criteria, and quality specifications; control measures basic.
Good identification and classification of at least 5 stakeholders’ quality expectations, acceptance criteria, and quality specifications; control measures detailed but not thorough.
Very good identification and classification of at least 5 stakeholders’ quality expectations, acceptance criteria, and quality specifications; control measures present but not detailed.
Excellent identification and classification of more than 5 stakeholders’ quality expectations, acceptance criteria, and quality specifications; highly detailed control measures.
Outstanding identification and classification of more than 5 stakeholders’ quality expectations, acceptance criteria, and quality specifications; exceptionally detailed and effective control measures.
About BM522 – Project Management
The BM522 Project Management assignment focuses on the essential principles and practices involved in managing projects effectively within various organisational contexts. It requires students to demonstrate a clear understanding of key project management methodologies, such as Agile, PRINCE2, or Waterfall, and their application in real-world scenarios. The assignment explores critical elements, including project planning, risk management, resource allocation, and stakeholder communication, ensuring a comprehensive approach to achieving project goals. By integrating theoretical knowledge with practical case studies, the task enables students to evaluate and propose solutions to common challenges faced in project execution while aligning with organisational objectives and constraints.
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