Project Management (Buse3030 - 3031) – Assignment Topic
Online learning is becoming a norm with many universities offering it as
one of their mainstream learning options. This option has the potential to
increase the volume of students and extend the reach of universities. The
University of the Witwatersrand has embraced online learning. The
university plans to provide a full package where classes, assessments and
support activities will be delivered online. There are concerns, however,
that the digital curtain that physically removes students from instructors
and supervisors and invigilators may encourage cheating. As a matter of
fact, some students have been found to have done exactly that. The
university will not let this get in the way of implementing a totally online
offering and they have decided to develop and deploy an online teaching
integrity system. The system should eliminate integrity issues.
You have been appointed as a consultancy to assist in the
implementation of the integrity system project. In this assignment, you
are required to develop a plan for this project to enable its
implementation in an innovative and cost-effective way. Your project plan
should comprise 15 typed A4 pages, 1, 5 line spacing, in 12pt Arial font,
in which you provide the following (recommend page lengths for each
section in brackets);
Project Definition, consisting of:
A background description to your project of between 2 and 3
pages in which you clearly set out how the project contributes to
the overall vision and mission of the University. Here, you need
to demonstrate this through background research into the
significance of similar projects (5 pages).
A scope statement which clearly highlights the project objective
(including overall cost and duration), deliverables, milestones,
technical requirements, limitations and exclusions, priority
matrix as well as project review (3 pages).
A work breakdown structure for the project. This should
comprise five major deliverables, with at least one level of sub-
tasks. Aim around 10-15 work packages (1-2 pages).
Detailed estimation of durations and costs for the project using
the rollup technique – in determining your costs for each work
package, describe a) the nature and level of resources required
for each work package and b) the estimated duration of each
work package based on the resources required (1-2 pages).
A stakeholder analysis using the salience model (be sure to
discuss your rationale for the categorisation of each stakeholder)
(2 pages).
A communication plan detailing the nature and frequency of
communication in relation to different stakeholders (1 page).
Baseline Project Plan, consisting of:
A network plan for the project (with forward and backward
passes) – ensure that you relate your network diagram to your
Work Breakdown Structure and your critical path is clearly
highlighted (1 page).
Risk Assessment, consisting of:
A list of 10 major risks, with each risk linked to the overall
project objective, and prioritised using asymmetric scales (2
pages).
Detailed contingency plans for the top 5 risks (2 pages).
And all other relevant information.
Assessment criteria:
Indication of research into the nature of the problem confronted
by the client.
Application of the theory and concepts addressed in class
Professionalism of presentation
Weighting: 20% of the final mark.
Distributed: 31 March 2026
Submission deadline: 19 May 2026. All assignments must be
submitted by 5:30pm on Ulwazi. Late submissions (anything from
5:31pm onwards is considered late) will incur a penalty of 10%
for every day (or part thereof) over the deadline.
Appearance: The assignment should be typewritten, in
1.5 spacing and a 12-point Arial font. No typographical errors are
permitted.
Plagiarism: Any plagiarism will be dealt with severely,
and individual guilty of plagiarising will achieve a mark of 0%. In order to
avoid this, ensure that a) you reference all sources carefully using the
preferred style; b) you do not cut and paste and c) you do not submit a
past assignment.
Please ensure that you attach a) a turninit report and b) a
plagiarism declaration (see below) to the front of your
assignment. Assignments without a turnitin report or
declaration will not be marked. Moreover, note that if your
turnitin similarity index exceeds 20%, your assignment will not
be marked.
Sources: Any good post-2018 textbook, as well as
journal articles and reputable websites (i.e. government-linked,
university, and international organisation websites). Wikipedia IS NOT a
reputable site and MUST BE AVOIDED at all costs!!
Mark allocation: Marks will be allocated as follows:
Mark
Criterion Allocation
(%)
Project description – background description of the project
relating it to a particular social problem that is being addressed, 20
together with the identified solution.
Scope statement – development of scope, detailing the project
objective, project deliverables, project milestones, technical
10
requirements, limitations, exclusions and constraints, priority
matrix, as well customer review
Stakeholder analysis – description and categorisation of
10
different stakeholders using the salience model
Communication plan – description of nature and frequency of
10
communication in relation to different stakeholders
Work Breakdown Structure – graphical representation of
different deliverables and activities/work packages including five
10
major deliverables, with at least one level of sub-tasks and 10-15
work packages
Project estimation – detailed consideration of project costs
using rollup technique with reference to level of resources, as 10
well as associated estimated duration for each work package
Network diagram – network diagram reflecting forward and
backward passes, as well as the critical path using AON/PDM with
10
reference to work packages and estimated durations from the
WBS
Formulation of risk plan – detailing 10 major risks impacting 10
the successful completion of the project, together with an
assessment of their likely impact and probability, as well as
appropriate contingencies for top 5 risks
Technical aspects – overall attention paid to structure, layout,
grammar and spelling, as well as referencing (appropriate use of
10
the APA reference style as evidenced by in-text referencing as
well as the reference list.
TOTAL 100
DECLARATION BY STUDENTS
I (Name & Student Number):
__________________________________
__________________________________
registered for ___________________________________ in the year
____________ hereby declare the following:
I am aware that plagiarism (the use of someone else’s
work without their permission and/or without
acknowledging the original source) is wrong.
I confirm that the work submitted for assessment for the
above course is my own unaided work except where I
have explicitly indicated otherwise.
This work has not been handed in for any other assignment
I have followed the required conventions in referencing
the thoughts and ideas of others.
I understand that I may receive 0% for this assignment if
found to be guilty of plagiarism and that I will be dealt with
in accordance with the university's disciplinary procedures.
Signature: _________________________
_________________________
Date: ________________________