Assignment title: Information
1 | P a g e
Term 1 2016 PPMP20007 Supplementary
Assessment item 2— case study
Due date: Thursday 5:00 pm in term 2 mid-term break (18/8/16)
Introduction and Student Guide
This assessment item is to be completed individually.
The case study simulates a project management scenario where the student takes on the role of
project manager. The case information is not complete so where necessary students will have to
make assumptions and argue the pros and cons for any recommendations they make.
If necessary, students are expected to find relevant information in the academic literature to justify
their answers.
To assist students in their assessment solution development the following information is provided:
• Product/project development case description
• Specific assessment questions that must be answered
• Information regarding the submission of the assessment
• Marking guide
Important notes regarding assignment submissions:
1. You must aim to submit your assignment at least 1 hour before the due date. This will avoid
unnecessary late penalties if you have any technical issues while submitting your
assignment.
2. As this is a supplementary assignment, you are to upload your assignment via the
"supplementary assignment 2" link which has now been added to the assessment block in
the course website.
3. If you have any questions while attempting the assignment, please contact the course
coordinator.2 | P a g e
Case Description
This case study involves a major project of a multi-national company that offers professional services
to manage investments through superannuation, mutual funds and a share portfolio. For the
purposes of this case study, it will be known as 'Retirement Planning'. Note that the organisation is
able to provide financial services irrespective of the age of the client.
In addition to having major offices in the capital cities, Retirement Planning also operates franchises
throughout Australia. The table below shows the number of franchises that are operating within
Australia.
State or Territory Number of franchises
NSW 20
Vic 15
Queensland 10
South Australia 5
Western Australia 5
Northern Territory 2
Australian Capital Territory 5
Tasmania 3
Retirement Planning regularly meets with the franchisees. At the last meeting the franchisees
expressed concern that they felt the current information technology systems used to support the
offering of advice and reporting to clients was increasingly not able to meet their requirements.
Fortunately, Retirement Planning management had heard this rumour before the meeting and
consulted with the Information Technology Manager (Mairi). Mairi said she recognised that not only
was the system probably not able to meet the franchisees' requirements, but that it was getting
more difficult for her staff to maintain as the system had undergone many changes over the years.
Further, the staff who had originally developed the system no longer worked for Retirement
Planning.
As a result of the meeting it was decided to commence a project that would develop a system to
meet the requirements of the franchisees and Retirement Planning. For the purposes of this
assignment, you can assume that all the appropriate approvals were negotiated between
Retirement Planning and the franchisees and that Dennis was appointed as the project manager.
Dennis knew that for any new system to be introduced and be successful there had to be
involvement by the users. However, when giving consideration to this Dennis knew that there would
be two key sets of users. There would be those at Retirement Planning and then the franchisees.
Dennis felt that the best way to identify users from Retirement Planning would be to get the Human
Resources Department to provide an organisation chart so that he could review it. After reviewing it,
Dennis consulted with management to determine the appropriate staff to be involved in the project.
Dennis asked management to inform all staff at Retirement Planning that there was to be a new
investor system to be developed in conjunction with the franchisees. He explained that he would
need some staff to act as representatives from the various stakeholder groups and that some staff
would need to be seconded to work on the project. Following this discussion, it was agreed that
initially one person from marketing, one from the share fund management research team, a
representative from client advisory and a liaison person who was normally in close contact with the3 | P a g e
franchisees would be assigned as advisors to the project. Information Technology staff would be
seconded to work on the project as necessary. Other staff could be added to the project as required.
In addition to the above, Dennis also discussed the involvement of franchisees with management. It
was decided that as well as the company liaison person, it would be best to ask the franchisees to
appoint a couple of representatives.
At the first meeting of the project team (initial project briefing meeting), held 3/10/16, Dennis
outlined his brief from management. He was aware of the reports that the existing system was not
meeting current requirements and that modifying the system was difficult. He explained that this is
quite common in information systems and therefore should not reflect badly on the Information
Technology staff. He stressed that the main objective of the first meeting was to start to "get a feel
for requirements", although it was clear that a more detailed analysis would be required later. For
the purposes of this assignment make your project start date the date for this meeting (3/10/16)
and allow 1 day for this meeting.
The meeting agreed that all current inputs and outputs would be incorporated in one way or
another in the new system. Dennis was happy as this left open how things were to be done. This
provided the opportunity for new efficiencies even for current functions. At the same time, Dennis
asked those in attendance to start thinking about new functions that could prove of benefit to the
running of the operations within Retirement Planning and also at the respective franchise offices.
The meeting also agreed that it would be best to look at what was required at Retirement Planning
in more detail first and then at a later stage to investigate the requirements of the franchisees
further. At the same time, the Retirement Planning staff were to make suggestions on what they
thought might help the franchisees and the franchisee representatives were to comment on what
they believed the franchisees would require.
After the meeting Dennis quietly thought to himself that the project was off to a good start. The
team had outlined the general requirements in a manner that prevented the old system simply being
reinvented.
Dennis recognised that it was now time for the Information Technology staff to get to work to refine
the requirements. He was pleased that Gary had been released to the project. Gary had a reputation
for being a good analyst who could work with users to sort out requirements and then express them
in technical terms to his Information technology colleagues.
Dennis met with Gary the next day. Gary had been present at the initial project briefing meeting, so
Dennis and Gary talked about the general outcome of the meeting to ensure that Gary was clear on
the overall requirements.
Two days after the initial project briefing meeting Gary met with the staff from marketing, the
person from the share fund management research team, the person from client advisory, the liaison
person, William (a database expert from ITD), 3 programmers seconded to the project and the two
representatives of the franchisees who had attended Dennis's first project briefing meeting. Call this
the "initial requirements analysis meeting". Gary stressed it was their responsibility to document
detailed requirements. However, he wanted them to concentrate on the fundamentals in the first
phase. During the analysis phase there was a lot of rigorous discussion within the group. Also, on
some occasions staff felt it necessary to seek clarification from others who had not been assigned to
the project and also to double check they had not overlooked any fundamental requirements.4 | P a g e
The following requirements were initially identified. For the purposes of this assignment, assume
that the initial requirements analysis meeting to produce this table of requirements was held over 3
days.
Program Estimate for
detailed analysis
(for one
analyst/designer
Estimate for
design
(for one
analyst/designer)
Comment
Daily Update of mutual fund
prices,
superannuation fund prices,
share prices
2wks 2wks Obtained from an
industry supplier daily
Quarterly investor reports 1wk 2wks For every client
Retirement plans 3wks 3 wks For each client as
required; takes into
account anticipated
dividends, taxation and
financial requirements
of the investor
Investment plans 2 wks 3 wks For each client as
required; takes into
account anticipated
dividends, taxation and
financial requirements
of the investor
Client profile 1 wk 1 wk Necessary for every
client before any other
processing can be done;
includes details
such as name and
contact details
Financial adviser reports 2 wks 2 wks To be produced
quarterly in conjunction
with Quarterly Investor
report but providing
more detailed
information than the
Client Investor Report
For the purposes of this assignment, assume that detailed analysis of requirements is a
predecessor of the design task for each program. Similarly, assume that design is a predecessor of
development. You should also assume that the "initial requirements analysis meeting" is the
predecessor for all the "detailed analysis of requirements" tasks.
Gary was happy that a list of broad requirements for the first phase had been established. He was
able to report the details in the table above to Dennis after his meeting. He felt fortunate that5 | P a g e
Dennis had been able to arrange for two other analyst /designers (Patricia and Grace) to join the
project team. He also received approval to commence the detailed analysis for the above.
At the beginning of the project it was also clear to Dennis that a database expert would be required
for the project. He therefore arranged for William to join the team. William also attended Gary's
initial meeting. After hearing the overview of the requirements, William told Dennis 'You can expect
the Database design to take about five weeks, followed by about 6 weeks to make the changes.
However, I would not like to start the design until the detailed analysis of all the new programs is
completed.' Dennis agreed that this was reasonable and therefore asked Gary to keep William
briefed on requirements.
Dennis had also arranged for the secondment of programming staff. Three programming staff were
seconded to the project after the Dennis's initial meeting. They were Elizabeth, Belinda and David.
They were all capable programmers with considerable experience. (They also attended Gary's
meeting.) They told Dennis that based on their experience they felt the following estimates would be
a good guide. They also indicated that Dennis should allow 1 week at the end of all the software
development and database changes to do the final integration and testing of the new software
with the database. This task would require two of the programmers and William. Note that this task
(as well as the delivery of the SOEs which will be discussed shortly) is a predecessor for the
integration and testing of the software with the SOEs.
Program Estimated Programming time (for one
programmer)
Daily Update of mutual fund prices,
superannuation fund prices, share prices
3 weeks
Quarterly investor reports 2 weeks
Retirement plans 5 weeks
Investment plans 6 weeks
Client profile 2 weeks
Financial adviser reports 2 week
From the initial conversation that Dennis had with the two franchisee representatives at the initial
project briefing meeting, Dennis became aware that each franchise seemed to have different brands
of computer equipment and also different versions of the Operating system. Dennis mentioned to
them that for the new system to work properly, it would be necessary for each franchisee to be at
an agreed minimum level. He told them he would get Jason to talk to them. Jason was a network
support analyst who was also seconded to the project. Jason met with the franchisee
representatives the day after Gary's initial project team meeting. Jason explained that to achieve
efficiencies for Retirement Planning and the franchises, it was highly desirable that the franchises all
used a SOE. 'What on earth is that?' the representatives quizzed. 'It stands for Standard Operating
Environment. In simple terms' Jason told them 'it means you would all have the same hardware and
software.' He explained to them that this would allow network staff at Retirement Planning to
provide support by allowing them to access the systems remotely and fix any problems for them.
They were very pleased, as they had not expected this level of support. 'But how do we do it?' they
queried. 'Well it seems to me' Jason replied 'that it would be best for me to prepare a specification
of hardware and software requirements. I also recommend that we source the equipment from the
same supplier. That way, with so much equipment to be purchased we will get a discount for the
purchase. Also, I can arrange for it to be delivered with the software installed on each computer. The6 | P a g e
representatives thought that this was a sensible way to progress, but decided that since it would
involve each franchise acquiring new equipment, they would need to consult with the other
franchisees. They agreed to get back to Jason with a final decision in 2 weeks. This decision is a
predecessor for the task to carry out the analysis and development of the requirements
documentation for the SOE shown in the table below. For the purposes of this assignment, assume
that the 2 week task to "consult with franchisees regarding the SOE" follows the "initial project
briefing meeting" (i.e. the initial project briefing meeting is its predecessor).
Jason also informed Dennis that with regard to the Standard Operating Environment the following
activities would be required:
Activity Estimated duration (for one network support
analyst)
Analysis and documenting SOE requirements 8 weeks
Preparation of SOE tender specification 8 weeks
Period SOE Tender left open 4 weeks ( no resource to be assigned)
Acceptance of SOE Tender 2 weeks
Assume that analysis and documentation of the SOE requirements is a predecessor of tender
specification preparation, the tender must be prepared before it can be "open" and that the
processes that lead to a decision and acceptance of a tender will take 2 weeks after the 4 week
period that the tender is open.
Assuming that 5 ITD support staff are available for transferring franchisees to the new system the
planned sequence is:
State or Territory Sequence
NSW First
Vic Second
Queensland Third
South Australia Fourth
Western Australia Fifth
Northern Territory seventh
Australian Capital Territory sixth
Tasmania seventh
Note that some of the staff are to be sent to the NT and some to Tasmania to complete the final
transfers in the same time period.
For the purposes of this assignment, you can assume that the franchisees all agree to the change to
the SOE and to the planned sequence for transferring to the new system.
A condition of the specification was that the Servers and Personal Computers were to be delivered
to the franchisees complete with the software installed. The equipment was therefore to be
delivered to the ITD department at head office 4 weeks after the acceptance of the tender where
staff from the ITD department would then install and test the new software on the new
equipment ready for shipment to the franchisees.
When all the systems for a particular state or territory are ready for shipment, they are to be sent
to the franchisees in that state. Allow one week for delivery after the systems are sent to the
franchisees. Once the franchisees in a particular state or territory have received their systems, a7 | P a g e
member of staff from ITD support will travel to each site to help with the installation and transfer
to the new system. The ITD staff member will also provide onsite training for the staff. It was
estimated that it would take 1 ITD support staff member 1 week (5 days) for this process. Five ITD
staff were to be allocated for this, so that transfer and training activities would be able to take place
at five different sites at one time. Earlier, we stated that for the purposes of this assignment that you
should only allocate one of each of the types of resource required for a task, unless otherwise
stated. This is one of the places where you should allocate more than one resource to an activity.
For example, "delivery and training for the NSW systems" should be one task with 5 ITD support
staff allocated. This will allow the 5 ITD support staff to carry out "transfer and training" at 5
different sites in NSW simultaneously, i.e. it will take 4 weeks for the 5 staff to complete the
"transfer and training" at the 20 sites in NSW.
From the organisation chart supplied by the Human Resource Department, Dennis knew that within
the Information Technology department, there are security and privacy staff. From his experience,
Dennis knew that it was very difficult to retrofit security and privacy. Dennis therefore decided to
talk to Peter about possible requirements for the new system. Peter was pleased that at last
someone understood the importance of security and privacy being considered at the start of a
system.
Peter explained to Dennis that the franchisees and investors would not necessarily be aware of some
of the measures being employed. He said, 'There will need to be an identification number and
password which we will need to authenticate. Every user will be assigned one of these and will use
them to log on.' Peter also went on to explain to Dennis that he would take care of some other
security and privacy measures that franchisees, investors and users would not necessarily consider.
He told Dennis about the functions within an Operating System, Database Manager, Network
Management software, Virus Checkers and Firewall technology that would also need to be
incorporated. Dennis told Peter he was pleased to see he was giving thought to such matters.
Peter was tasked to develop the security requirements document and to be involved in the final
configuration, installation and testing of the final system to ensure that all the security requirements
were correctly implemented. It was estimated that it would take Peter 3 weeks to develop the
security requirements document, followed by a further 3 weeks to complete the security
development tasks. For the purposes of this assignment, assume that Peter began his task to
develop the security requirements document after the "initial project briefing meeting". The
completion of the security development tasks is also a predecessor to the "integration and testing
with the SOE" tasks. Peter is also to supervise the configuration and testing of the systems ready for
shipment. The installation of the new software and configuration and testing of the software and
security measures on each new system would require the involvement of both Peter and 1
programmer. It was estimated that this would take 1 day per system with both Peter and the
programmer working together on the tasks.8 | P a g e
Summary of resources involved in the project:
In summary, the staff that are to be allocated to specific tasks in the schedule are:
Resource Staff allocated $/hour Number Available
Analysts/Designers Gary, Patricia, Grace $95.00 3
Programmers Elizabeth, Belinda, David $80.00 3
Database Specialist William $90.00 1
Network support analyst Jason $95.00 1
ITD support staff $70.00 5
Security expert Peter $100 1
Do not include specific names such as Gary in your resource sheet. Use the role name when you enter
the resources in the resource sheet. For example, you would enter analyst/designer, 300%, $95.00 per
hour.
Assume that the costs for the involvement of the various representatives (franchisee representatives,
franchisee liaison person, client advisory staff member, marketing staff etc.) are not direct costs
associated with your budget for the project. You do not need to add them (or Dennis) as resources to
your resource sheet.
Note: For the purposes of this assignment, unless otherwise specified, you should only allocate one
of the required resources to each task.
Assumptions
As you develop your schedule and answer the questions below, there may be assumptions that you
need to make about the case study. If that is the case, make sure that you list all your assumptions at
the beginning of the document. Assumptions should not contradict information given in the
specification and must be reflected in your solution. Each assumption must be justified and stated
clearly. Marks will be deducted for any unreasonable assumption or for stating an assumption and
then ignoring it in your assignment.9 | P a g e
Part A: Developing the schedule
For part A of the assessment you must complete the following tasks and questions. Read all the
questions before you commence the tasks. The schedule is to be developed in a Microsoft Project
2013 file named as specified below. The questions are to be answered in a Word document. As
stated above, any assumptions must also be listed at the beginning of the Word document.
Questions
1. Use Microsoft Project to develop the project schedule. Note that have been asked to include
the following in your schedule:
a) The project title as the overall project summary (as task 0 and WBS number 0). All
other tasks should be "indented" according to the WBS structure shown below:
Initial Meetings and consultations
Initial Project Briefing Meeting
Consultation with franchisees
Initial requirements analysis meeting
New Programs / Changes
Update of prices – Analysis
…. etc.
Database Changes
Design DB changes
Modify DB
Integration and testing with s/w
Security
Security requirements document
… etc.
SOE
Analysis and documentation of requirements
… etc.
Integration and testing with SOE
NSW
… etc.
Delivery and Training
NSW
… etc.10 | P a g e
b) A WBS column before the "Task Name" column and a WBS Predecessors column
after the "Task Name" column as shown below:
(task
number
– no
column
title)
Task
Mode
WBS Task
Name
Duration Start Finish Predecessors Resource
Names
c) Resource allocation details. To simplify resource allocation for this assignment, there
is no need to assign resources to the initial meeting and consultation tasks. However,
the tasks must be included in the schedule. All other tasks should have the correct
resources assigned as specified in the case description.
d) Holidays. Assume that for this project you must include the following holidays:
Annual holiday: Monday 26th December 2016 – Friday 6th January 2017
e) The critical path(s) automatically displayed in red on the bars of the Gantt chart view
of your schedule.
At this point there may be resource over allocation issues. Do not attempt to resolve these
before answering question 2. Save this version of your schedule in RP_PartAQ1.mpp. You
will be required to submit this file as part of your assignment submission.
2. At this point ignore any resource over allocations. Save a copy of your RP_PartAQ1 file in
RP_PartAQ2.mpp. For the purposes of this question only you can assume that there would
be no resource constraints. You therefore ignore any resource over-allocation. Do not attempt
to resolve any resource over allocation (if any exists) at this point. Using your
RP_PartAQ2.mpp schedule:
a. Use the "view tab" filter to display only the critical tasks. Provide a screenshot showing
the task names and the Gantt chart of all the tasks on the critical path(s).
b. If you were asked to reduce the overall duration of the project by reducing the duration of
some of the tasks in the project, what tasks would you target for reduction and why?
c. In your RP_PartAQ2.mpp file, reduce the duration of the tasks as outlined in your part b
answer. Highlight the changes you have made in the file. Make sure that your changes
have reduced the project duration by 3 weeks compared to the RP_PartAQ1.mpp file.
Call this file RP_PartAQ2.mpp. You will be required to submit this file as part of your
assignment submission. This file is not to be modified/developed further.11 | P a g e
3. This question relates to resource allocation and requires you to make another copy of your
original RP_PartAQ1.mpp in a file called RP_PartAQ3.mpp .
a. How can you tell if there are any resource over-allocation issues?
b. Use the software to check for any resource over-allocation in your project. Did you have
any resource over-allocation issues in your schedule? If so, describe where they
occurred. (Note that it is possible that there are no issues in your project schedule.)
c. If there was any resource over-allocation in your project, resolve it now.
d. Did this have any impact on your overall project duration? Explain. (Be specific – if there
is a change how much of a change. Explain why you do or don't see a change iin the
overall duration.)
Continue working with this RP_PartAQ3.mpp file for the remainder of the questions in
Part A.
4. Write a memo to Mairi describing the length of the project, the expected completion date of
the project, together with an explanation of the factors that cause the project to require
that length of time. The completion date is to be the date when all franchisees will have had
the new system installed and have completed their training.
You must also include a summary of the direct labour costs for each of the resource types
working on the project. Present the costs in a table similar to the following:
Resource Name Cost
Analysts/designers
Programmers
Database Specialists
Network Support Analysts
ITD Support Staff
Security Expert
Total direct labour costs:
Assume that you will send the project schedule as an attachment to the memo. You should
therefore refer to the attachment in your memo.
Note: there are some notes about memos provided on the course website underneath this
assignment specification.
5. Identify at least two tasks and/or costs that might have been overlooked in this project.
This requires you to think specifically about what is being accomplished in this project and
what may have been missed.12 | P a g e
Part B Modifying the schedule
Now assume that in addition to discussing the SOE with the franchisees, the franchisee
representatives were also asked to consult with the franchisees about any additional requirements
from their point of view.
From that consultation, additional new functions were identified. The table below lists the additional
functions and the time estimates for each of the extra features. Most of these were to allow clients
of Retirement Planning to obtain details for themselves from the system rather than have to work
through the franchises, although the financial advisers could also provide these details. It was agreed
that the additional tasks should also be included in the schedule.
For the purposes of this assignment, make the "consultation with franchisees" task the predecessor
for the detailed analysis task for each of the additional programs in the table below.
Program Analysis (time for
one anlayst)
Design (time for
one
analyst/designer)
Programming
(time for one
programmer)
Comment
Client report A 2 weeks 2 weeks 2 weeks Display, store in
PDF format and
then
client or financial
adviser to print
Client report B 2 weeks 2 weeks 2 weeks To allow client or
financial adviser
to
download
investments in
spreadsheet
Note that this means that the detailed analysis for each of the programs it the table above will also
be predecessors for the database "design changes" task. The development of these programs must
also be included in the predecessor list for integration and testing of the database and new software
task.
Questions
1. Copy RP_PartAQ3.mpp to RP_PartB.mpp. In RP_PartB.mpp, amend the project schedule to
provide for the additional programs. Highlight the additional tasks in your RP_PartB mpp file. If
the addition of the extra tasks result in any resource over-allocation issues, resolve these issues
now.
2. What (if any) is the impact of adding the additional tasks to develop the additional programs to
satisfy the franchisee requirements on
a. The overall duration of the project? Explain why/why not.
b. The total direct cost of the project? Explain why/why not.
In your answers to (a) and (b) above, be very specific about the actual amounts that the duration
or costs change.
3. Given the additional requirements from the franchisees, William advises you that the design of
the database changes will require 6 weeks and it will now take 8 weeks to implement the
changes. Make these modifications to your schedule13 | P a g e
4. What (if any) is the impact of the additional time required for the database tasks on
a. The overall duration of the project? Explain why/why not.
b. The total direct cost of the project? Explain why/why not.
In your answers to (a) and (b) above, be very specific about the actual amounts that the duration
or costs change.
5. Jason also advises that the delivery of the SOEs is only going to take 1 week, not 4. Make this
change to your schedule. Highlight the change in your solutions
6. What (if any) is the impact of the additional time required for the database tasks on
a. The overall duration of the project? Explain why/why not.
b. The total direct cost of the project? Explain why/why not.
In your answers to (a) and (b) above, be very specific about the actual amounts that the duration
or costs change.
Part C Tracking Progress
In this part of the assignment you are to imagine that your project is underway and that it is time to
produce one of your regular status reports.
1. Copy RP_PartB.mpp to RP_PartC.mpp. Save the baseline for this version of your project.
2. Assume that you are now at the end of the fourth week of your project and that you have data
about when tasks actually started, their duration (which must be consistent with the start date
and the status date) and the estimated remaining duration. If the task has been 100%
completed assume that you know the actual start date and actual finish date. You are required
to produce a status report for the project every two weeks, so this will be your second status
report. In your RP_PartC.mpp file
a. Set the status date to the end of the fourth week and include a solid, purple status
date gridline in your project to ensure that the status date is clearly visible in your
Gantt Charts.
b. Enter some status data. For the purposes of this assignment you are to invent your
own data about the status of the various tasks that you would expect to have started at
this point in the project. You are required to enter status data with some variation
compared to the baseline so that you can demonstrate an understanding of the earned
value data in your status report.
For tasks that should have been started by the status date you are to enter reasonable
data about their start date, actual duration (up to the status date), estimated duration
remaining (or completion date). Do not have all tasks starting and finishing exactly
according to your original estimates and make sure that your changes do not
violate any predecessor constraints. You are free to enter data to make tasks finish
early or late or enter data about the remaining duration that means a task is expected
to take either more or less time than originally estimated. It is also acceptable to have
some tasks that are tracking according to their original duration estimates, just not all
tasks. Save your changes in RP_PartC.mpp and use this file to answer parts c, d
and e below.14 | P a g e
c. Include a screenshot of the top of your tracking Gantt chart showing the tracking
table and the Tracking Gantt Chart for some of your tasks. For example, if asked to
do this for the Microsoft Project practical 4 schedule, you would have included a
screenshot similar to the following:
d. Include a screenshot of the top of the earned value table for your GD_PartC.mpp file.
You will probably have to add the additional CPI and SPI columns. For example, if
asked to do this for the Microsoft Project practical 4 schedule, you would have
included a screenshot similar to the following:
e. Based on the current status of your project, you are to produce a status report with a
similar format to "exhibit 13.1" in the textbook (the actual template you are to use for
the status report is provided as Appendix 1). Detailed explanations for why tasks are
not tracking according to their original estimates are not required for this assignment
as the data you entered is "fictitious". However, you can suggest reasons for tasks to
be tracking better or worse to make your report more realistic if you wish. Even if
you do not give specific reasons, you must still flag which tasks are responsible for
your project status being better or worse than planned.
Submission of Assessment
The assignment is to be submitted as five separate files using the electronic assignment submission
system that can be accessed from the supplementary assignment 2 link on the course website. The
following five files should be submitted:
1. The Word document with the assumptions and answers to the questions for Part A, Part B and
Part C.
2. The five Microsoft project files created for Part A and Part B named according to the
specifications: RP_PartAQ1.mpp, RP_PartAQ2.mpp, RP_PartAQ3.mpp, RP_PartB.mpp and
RP_PartC.mpp.15 | P a g e
Marking Guide
Assignment
Question
Criteria Marks
available
Marks
awarded
Part A
Assumptions Listed, justified and stated clearly at the start of the Word
document (if any )
Q1 The adequacy of the Project Schedule 7
Q2 a) CPs; b) choice of tasks and reasons; c) shortened mpp file 3
Q3 Dealing with resource issues 3
Q4 Appropriateness of the written memo with all the information
included and corresponding to the schedule.
3
Q5 Missing tasks and/or costs 2
Sub Total Part A 18
Part B
Q1 The adequacy of the amended Project Plan with additional tasks 2
Q2 Description of Impact on cost and duration (must explain) 2
Q3 Change to duration of database tasks 1
Q4 Description of impact on cost and duration (must explain) 2
Q5 Change to delivery time for SOE 1
Q6 Description of impact on cost and duration (must explain) 2
Sub Total Part B 10
Part C
Q1 Save baseline 0.5
Q2 a) Status date set + gridline
b) Screenshot of Tracking Gantt with updated status
information
c) Screenshot of earned value table + CPI & SPI
2.5
d) Completed status report 4
Sub Total Part C 716 | P a g e
TOTAL 3517 | P a g e
Appendix 1: Status Report Template
This is the status report template that is to be used for Part C, question 2 part (e).
The information to be entered in the status report is shown in italics.
Project Name: Status Report
<# >
Project Manager: (for this assessment item, enter
the names of all members of the group>
Status as of: End of Week: <#>
Earned Value Figures
PV EV AC SV SPI CV CPI BAC EAC VAC
Project Description
Status summary (schedule and budget)
Schedule
Planned finish date:
Current estimated finish date:
Summary:
18 | P a g e
Budget
The actual cost to date:
The planned cost to date:
Summary:
Explanations
Major changes or issues since last report
Risk watch: