MGT8022 PROJECT-BASED MANAGEMENT ASSIGNMENT MARK SHEET Student name (insert your full name) Student number (00) (insert your student ID) It is recommended that you start writing your assignment on the last page of this document. Alternatively, you can attach your assignment to this mark sheet but be careful that formatting is the same for both documents before doing so. Assignments submitted without this mark sheet will lose marks. This mark sheet: • provides students with details of the marking criteria for this assignment including penalties for non-compliance with specific requirements, • acts as a checklist to ensure that students have addressed all requirements, and • is used by markers for providing feedback and marks for the assignment. FORMATTING You may have to adjust the page formatting before attaching your assignment. It is suggested that you use the following formatting for your assignment before pasting it onto the last page of this mark sheet: TOP MARGIN – 2.5 cm BOTTOM MARGIN – 2.5 cm SIDE MARGINS – 2.5 cm FILE NAMING / RENAMING GUIDELINES Your assignment file name should be MGT8022_2017_S1 IMPORTANT NOTE Remember to submit a copy of your assignment (without this mark sheet and appendices) to Turnitin and to obtain an Originality Report for submission through EASE www.turnitin.com See the Introductory Materials for more information THIS ASSIGNMENT REQUIRES MAJOR CASE STUDY REPORT obtain sufficient information on a project of their choice to carry out a critical analysis of nominated aspects of that project. Students should choose a project as early as possible after reading the requirements of assignment TOPIC: Critical analysis of a Project Management Plan (PMP) WORD LENGHTH 2000 words approximately, exclusive of the executive summary ,table of contents, introduction ,tables, figures, appendices, etc. and excluding all appendices. Software requirement to complete assignment Software requirements for this assignment will include word processing. If you need to produce a project schedule, a copy of MS Project may be used (and may be obtained from USQ at no cost – see instructions). Assignment structure -You HAVE TO discuss the 'why' of the project and not just describe 'what' happened. You must find the original source of the document and cite it correctly in your assignment otherwise it may constitute breach of intellectual property rights. Remember to integrate academic theory into your assignment to support your arguments and proposals. . To carry out this assignment, it will be necessary for you to read other texts and journal articles on PM Plans to gain an understanding of their role. It is recommended that you use the e-Books and electronic journals available from the USQ Library website. By now, you should have chosen a project for which a project management plan (PMP) (sometimes described as a Project Plan or a Project Implementation Plan) is available. The PMP is a document that should adequately define what is to be done, who is to do it, when they are to do it, etc. If you are working on a very large project, use one of its sub-projects for your assignment. If the project is too large, it may increase your workload significantly and it is not recommended. Your PMP may be a single document or it may be a compilation of several documents prepared for the project. The PMP might be a plan that you produce yourself for this assignment, or it might be a plan that you import from your workplace, or from an external source. Note carefully that a project schedule or a Gantt chart by itself is NOT a PMP. Your submission should have TWO PARTS. • The first part is the body of the assignment and is a ‘critical analysis’ of your chosen PMP. It will contain a description of the project and a critical analysis of the structure and content of the PMP, fully supported by reference to relevant project management theory. It is not a critical analysis of the project itself, nor how it was managed. The focus should be on the PMP. Read the study materials and a wide range of other reference materials (including the PMBOK® Guide and the set text) to be clear on the purpose and content of a PMP as this topic is not widely covered in the literature. You will have to research relevant literature to complete this assignment, using the e-Books in the USQ Library. • The second part is Appendix 1 which should be the ‘Project Management Plan’ (sometimes described as a Project Plan) for your chosen project. The PMP might be a plan that you produce yourself for this assignment, or it might be a plan that you import from your workplace, or from an external source. You must state clearly the source of the plan. NOTE: no marks are allocated for the actual PMP as it may not be original work in many instances. Any other attachments would become Appendix 2, 3, etc. If you produce your own project management plan, it is strongly recommended that you use project management software for development of the project schedule and network. You may also use it to develop the project budget, but a spreadsheet can be equally useful. It is essential that you become familiar with the software at the earliest opportunity as it can be time-consuming to learn how to use it effectively. The course leader is not available to provide guidance on the use of the software, although other students may help through exchanges on the Discussion Board. PART 1: CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN Executive Summary (200–250 words but this does not form part of the assignment word count). The executive summary comes before the table of contents. Read the guidelines and provide a formal Executive Summary with details of why the report was prepared, how it is structured, and what the important findings, conclusions and recommendations are. The Executive Summary relates to the analysis only. (SUGGESTION: this should be written last after you have finished the report.) Table of contents: This should be a full listing with respective page numbers of executive summary, introduction, main sections, references, individual appendices, and full listing of all figures and tables. 1. Introduction : Briefly state why your report has been prepared, what project is being analysed, and how the report is structured 2. Project background : Your project description should describe the project and its context – what organisation is the project owner/sponsor, what this organisation does, why the project is being done, where it is located, etc. The description should contain enough detail for the reader to understand the reason behind each of the components of the plan – why it is included and its content and format. 3. Audience and structure of the Project Management Plan • o 3.1 Provide a critical analysis of who is intended to be the main audience of the PM plan? What do they need to know? How will they use the plan? What information needs to be provided? o 3.2 What alternatives exist for the structure of a PM plan (examine and compare a range of theories and opinions here)? How should that information be provided? In what sequence? What does the theory say? 4. Contents of the Project Management Plan Provide a critical analysis of the major sections of the plan and provide some theoretical framework for what is included in each section (e.g. Why has a project schedule been included, is it a meaningful document, was it prepared by the right people, does it contain the right information, etc.?) This explanation will be drawn from the study modules, text book, selected readings, and other sources. This discussion will probably cover most, if not all, knowledge areas covered under the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (PMI 2013) in one form or another. It does not have to be under those headings but should clearly indicate that it covers all recognised areas covered by the various Project Management Bodies of Knowledge. 5. Conclusions : Summarise your findings from the analysis of your project management plan. What did you find out about the project plan? Does it conform to the recognised theory? What aspects are important and are of significance to project outcomes? What are its strengths and its weaknesses? (Focus here on the project plan and not on the theory). 6. Recommendations : What are your recommendations flowing from this analysis with regard to your chosen PMP? What changes should be made to your PMP for this project (or similar future projects)? Address the shortcomings identified in the conclusions. Again, focus on recommendations related to your PMP and not on the project itself. List of references: Provide a complete list of references providing full details of all citations used in the body of the assignment. Appendices: The PMP you have analysed will be attached as Appendix 1 (see below). Attach any additional appendices that relate specifically to the analysis following appendix 1. They should be numbered sequentially in the order in which they appear (Appendix 2, etc.). PART 2: APPENDIX 1 – THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN (required) Appendix 1 should ideally be an actual project management plan for your chosen project and would be the sort of document that would be handed to a client/manager to illustrate how it is intended to manage the project through to completion. A project plan is often used to gain sponsor/client commitment, and should contain sufficient information to allow such a decision to be made with confidence. Make sure you understand what a project management plan is before you select a document for analysis. It might be a document that you create yourself for this assignment or it might be an existing plan from your place of work or from another source if you don’t have access to one from your workplace. Either way, the source should be clearly indicated. Appendices in addition to the PM plan may be attached to the report. If so, they should be numbered sequentially, e.g. Appendix 2, Appendix 3, etc. Turnitin Originality Report Remember to submit a shortened version of your assignment (remove the mark sheet and all appendices) to Turnitin for checking and to submit a copy of the Turnitin Originality Report with your assignment through EASE. See above for more detailed instructions. NOTE: No marks are allocated for appendix 1 of the assignment (the PMP to be analysed). MGT8022 ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS AND MARKING CRITERIA – PROJECT-BASED MANAGEMENT (Note to markers – indicate level of achievement for each row by highlighting relevant text or cell - do not provide a numerical score for each row) Excellent Mark ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS (out of 60) 51 to 60 /60 Executive summary (ES) to indicate the nature of the assignment, background details, research findings and recommendations where appropriate, and to function as a stand-alone document Comprehensive ES providing the required information in a clear and concise manner, and able to function as a stand-alone document and/or presentation to a CEO 1. Introduction – why your report has been prepared, what project is being analysed, and how your assignment is structured Clear, concise and comprehensive introduction providing essential details 2. Background and environment of project – enough detail for the reader to understand the nature and objectives of the project and its sponsor Clear, concise and comprehensive background providing essential details 3. Audience and structure of the PMP • Audience of PMP – who is the intended audience for this PMP? Why? What do they need? In what way do they need it? Etc. Clear, concise and comprehensive discussion on the topic, supported by appropriate theory, figures and tables. • Structure of the PMP - Discuss how the PMP has been structured, and why the respective sections have been included Clear, concise and comprehensive discussion on the topic, supported by appropriate theory, figures and tables. 4. Contents of the PMP sections • Discuss each of the major sections of the PMP and provide some theoretical framework for what is included Clear, concise and comprehensive discussion on the topic, supported by appropriate theory, figures and tables. 4. Conclusions – Summarise this discussion of the PMP in relation to your project. What did you find out about the PMP? Does it conform to the recognised theory? What aspects are important and are of significance to the management of this, and similar, projects? Clear, concise and comprehensive conclusions derived from, and justifiably supported by, the preceding analysis 7. Recommendations – What are your recommendations flowing from this analysis? What changes could or should be made for management of this, or similar, projects. Clear, concise and comprehensive recommendations, addressing the conclusions. RESEARCH & ACADEMIC THEORY (out of 30) 26 to 30 /30 Critical analysis uses appropriate theoretical principles as a framework for analysis Extensive use of theoretical principles and appropriate application to the project and its environment Argument is well structured, logical, and well reasoned (compelling) Well structured, logical, and well reasoned Figures and tables are effectively used and adapted in the analysis to clearly illustrate/compare/contrast theoretical principles with project practices. Excellent usage and adaptation of figures and tables Evidence of research is provided to support the analysis and argument. Evidence of extensive research beyond the study materials and set text to support the analysis and argument Evidence of knowledge of study materials and general knowledge of the project management domain is provided Evidence of extensive knowledge of study materials and of PM domain Quality of resources – evidence of use of research resources from quality sources (e.g. journal articles, texts, conference papers, etc) Excellent sources of research resources, including journals, texts, conference papers, etc. Citations are effectively and appropriately provided (and consistent with the Harvard referencing system) Extensive and appropriate use of citations to reflect use of theory in analysis and argument List of references is provided and shows quality sources Comprehensive list of relevant references Harvard referencing system is used and conforms to Harvard style as defined on USQ Library website (e.g. alphabetical order) Comprehensive use of Harvard system in accordance with conventions of AGPS 6 style PRESENTATION OF REPORT (out of 10) 8 to 10 /10 Section Numbering - section and sub-section numbering to comply with normal conventions (e.g. set text by Summers & Smith - Communications Skills Handbook) Excellent usage section numbering Page Numbering - page numbering to comply with normal conventions (e.g. set text by Summers & Smith - Communications Skills Handbook) Correct use of page numbering Table of contents – includes executive summary and all sections and subsections, list of references, list of appendices, list of figures and list of tables, all with page numbering Correct use of table of contents Language Skills - grammar, spelling, clear and concise writing style, correct punctuation Excellent language skills Word count Within word count margins * Total Assessment Mark (out of 100) /100 Penalties applied to... Marks to be deducted for... Maximum penalty Actual penalty Mark sheet – to be attached to front of assignment No mark sheet 10 Turnitin Report – to be submitted with assignment No Turnitin originality report (mark of 1/100 allocated until report submitted) 10 ** Total Deducted Mark (TDM) Overall Results * Total Assessment Mark (TAM) ** Total Deducted Mark (TDM) Final Assignment Mark = TAM – TDM (capped at 1/100 until Turnitin originality report received) Comments and feedback from Marker: Ways to improve: The balance of this page should be left blank. Please start or attach your assignment on the following page (which has been separated by a Section Break) Make sure your formatting matches the formatting of the mark sheet (please start typing or attach your assignment here)