Assignment Brief

Faculty of Business and Law

Level: 6

Module name: Managing Projects

Assignment Code: SIM335

Contribution to module assessment:100% Module Leader:

This is an individual assignment - complete both tasks 1 and 2

Background: The assignment is intended to bring out the benefits and limitations of different approaches to project planning and control by relating these to the circumstances in the case outlined. It is also intended to allow students to demonstrate their learning and competence in respect of the management of resources generally, but in particular elements of scope, schedule, quality, and cost.

Task 1 (40% marks) 700 words (+/- 10%) each short answer question requires a response in a few sentences for the questions awarded up to 6 marks and a paragraph for questions awarded up to 8 marks.

1. Define the key characteristics of any project. (4marks).

   1. b. Briefly explain the reasons why many projects fail and runs over budget. (4marks).

2. Briefly describe each of the Five Stages in Project Management and discuss in few words the benefits of managing projects in a well-structured manner (6marks).

3. Briefly discuss the impact a good and a bad Team may have in terms of achieving and managing project goals. (6marks)

4. List the nine (9) knowledge areas in Project Management and briefly explain the importance of any two of them. (4marks).

5. List five attributes or characteristics of a project Manager and briefly discuss any two of the attributes and give reasons why each is important (6marks).

6. What are some of the benefits of using a network diagram Briefly discuss two and draw the network diagram below show and calculate the critical path. (10 marks)

Task 2: (60% marks) Case Study:

A new Conference Centre, "The Pandemic Centre", is to be constructed in the Docklands area of London. As part of the specification of the construction Docklands Communications Ltd. (DCL) has been given the contract to install, test and commission the IT and communication infrastructure for " The Pandemic Centre".

Specific aspects of the remit include the provision of IT facilities for marketing and booking, TV and telephone provision for Conference and activity Halls, CCTV, and appropriate IT facilities in meeting rooms and in a conference centre. Docklands Communications Ltd (DCL) has a long history of supplying IT infrastructure to the hospitality sector. However, their experience has mainly been at the lower end of the market and this is the first time they have been commissioned to work at a high end Building project.

Senior management is particularly keen that the fulfilment of this contract is a success since they hope that this sector of the market would be a significant source of business growth for the company in the future.

You have been headhunted from a rival IT company to act as the Project Manager for HCL. You have a long record of success in providing bespoke IT facilities for a number of blue-chip companies. Senior management would like you to write a report (2,300 words +/- 10%). for the proposed project to give them a snapshot and the enormity of the proposed project before committing resources to it. From a project management perspective outline the activities required to successfully manage this new initiative, ensuring that it is on time, and within budget.

The analysis should include the detailed actions, systems that should be in place and professional actions taken by you the Project Manager, along with any recommended project management processes that would ensure successful completion and timely delivery of the proposed project.

Use examples of the concerns, Project Life Cycle stages, elements and processes within the nine knowledge areas, leadership, and administration and control problems associated with managing the life cycle of the project.

Assumption:

There is a budget of £1,500,000.00 maximum

Expected duration of project is 20 months’ maximum

Assignment presentation and assessment

The answers to both tasks are independent and should be addressed separately.

Task 1 answers to six questions – (700 words +/- 10%) – completed as an individual task

Task 2 a report that is produced for task two (2300 words +/- 10%) – completed as an individual task

For your convenience both tasks should be submitted as one document, which contains both individual tasks.

The criteria for assessing the task two report will be:

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? Does it have a clear introduction, explaining how it answers the questions? Do the sections of the report develop ideas in a logical sequence? Are diagrams or other subsidiary information shown in appendices?

Spelling and grammar: Are all words spelled correctly and is the meaning of sentences clear?

Referencing: Have appropriate references been included in the report. Has a recognised referencing system been used for notation? (See relevant section in the Guide to Basic Study Skills)

Use of relevant theory (40%) (24 marks)

Has the right theoretical content been chosen as the basis for answering the questions? Is there evidence of the use of course notes and books? Is the theory that is selected significant to the questions?

Analysis (40%) (24 marks)

This measures the extent to which students develop a structured argument for the points they make, by combining relevant theory with the information provided in the questions.

Any work submitted is subject to the University`s 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 ability to perceive the relationship of theory and practice. Limited reading.