Table of Content
ASSIGNMENT DETAILS ............................................................................................................................. 2
LEARNING OBJECTIVES............................................................................................................................ 2
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 2
PART A PROJECT PRESENTATION (TEAM - 40 MARKS) ........................................................... 2
COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT PLAN PRESENTATION .............................................................................................. 3
1. Proposal and feasibility................................................................................................................................................. 3
2. Project organisation ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
3. Management issues ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
4. Effectiveness ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
5. Planning ............................................................................................................................................................................... 4
6. Cost ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
7. Risk.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
8. Quality ................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
PART A DELIVERABLES ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Notes ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
PART B - REFLECTION (INDIVIDUAL - 10 MARKS) ........................................................................ 6
YOUR JOURNAL ................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Further references on experimental learning ......................................................................................................... 7
PART B DELIVERABLES ................................................................................................................................................... 8
WHERE CAN I FIND MATERIAL? ........................................................................................................... 8
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................................................................. 9
FOR PART A ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9
FOR PART B ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9
NOTES ................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
MARKING GUIDE ...................................................................................................................................... 10
MARKING CRITERIA ...................................................................................................................................................... 10
Project presentation (40 marks in total) ................................................................................................................ 10
Learning journal (10 marks in total) ....................................................................................................................... 10
ALTERNATIVE TO REAL PROJECT...................................................................................................... 11
CASE SCENARIO ............................................................................................................................................................. 11
A BRIEF SKETCH OF PROPOSED EVENTS .................................................................................................................... 11
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Assignment details
Submission: 26 January 2014 (11.59pm)
Marks: 50 (Part A 40 marks, Part B 10 marks)
Learning objectives
Explain the current project management environment;
Identify and apply the conceptual skills to successfully solve complex project management problems;
Recognise the principles and practices of effective project management in the current context;
Demonstrate knowledge about a selection of relevant tools and techniques which can be used to solve
project management problems; and
Apply the key learning as a team by solving a project management problem based on a case scenario or
industry problem.
Introduction
Assignment Part A is to be conducted with four to six team members. Part B is to be completed individually.
Part A is a consultancy style project plan delivered as a 45 minute team presentation based on a real
organisation or project scenario (see final section below). The components are listed below along with sample
deliverables. Part A is a project plan which has multiple sections of analysis. Your team needs to demonstrate
the learning in this unit (topics 1 to 8), i.e. tools and techniques, use appropriate templates and apply learning
to prepare a feasible project plan and presentation which the organisation would accept. Below is a possible
structure to complete the assignment.
Part B is a reflection based your team experiences to be completed individually by each team member.
PART A Project presentation (team - 40 marks)
Your team should approach a real organisation as a project client and prepare a project plan based on their
requirements. This can be any type of project, a small project (e.g. the acquisition of a new computer system
for a SME) or a subproject of a larger project (e.g. the relocation of staff as part of a construction project). If
unsure, email [Link]@[Link] with details of your proposed project for feedback on
suitability. Keep in mind the available time when selecting your project.
You need to demonstrate your learning in this unit (topics 1 to 8), i.e. tools and techniques, use appropriate
templates and apply learning to prepare a feasible project presentation which the organisation would accept.
Use the Components of the project presentation below as a guide.
Discuss possible projects in your team and plan for the staffing of your project team. Normally only one team
member would have access to the organisation, providing the project background and therefore this team
member is required as liaison-officer for the project. Other roles could be project manager, budget manager,
risk manager etc. Assign roles as you see fit and prepare a project presentation.
2
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Components of the project plan presentation
The components below should only be used as a suggestion and not all aspects will be relevant for every
project. Choose the most appropriate structure to best present your project plan as appropriate for your
project and your clients requirements.
1. Proposal and feasibility
Working as a project team needs to be planned carefully. Prepare a SWOT analysis based on any available
information, assumptions and research. Prepare a macro environmental analysis keeping in mind the
relationships with potential third parties or external entities.
Present this section with an analytical review that addresses the following question, supported by your
analyses: Is the project decision of the organisation feasible and suitable for the organisation.
2. Project organisation
Organisational Structures: Consider a suitable project based organisational structure. Examine a
matrix structure, and consider if matrix layering will be relevant? Remember that an organisation can
have a mixture of formal and informal matrices aimed at workflows and information flows. Matrices can
coexist depending on time or geographic distances. Consider the relevance of interdependencies,
economies of scale, organisation size etc. in selecting the suitable mixture.
Recruitment/PMO: Analyse how many locations are required by the proposed project. Research location
specific factors in recruiting personnel. Determine what typical outsourcing processes can be
considered. Based on these, analyse how the recruiting process can occur. Will each location need
project managers or program managers? What skills would be sought for in each case?
Determine if there is a need for a Project Management Office? If so, why, where or why not? Who will be
responsible? Why?
Present with an analytical summary of the overall corporate requirements in the project organisation with
justifications for your choices.
3. Management issues
Teams will likely be culturally diverse, often headed by teams from different geographic locations. Consider
the various schools of management thought, i.e. traditional, empirical, behavioural, decision theorist, and
management systems. In your viewpoint, which of these would apply to this joint venture? There may be a
need for a particular management style, based on locations and the people in the team. Analyse and justify
this view in a summary.
When people or teams come together, conflict is likely. Consider the various approaches such as
Confrontation or collaboration, compromise, smoothing, avoiding/withdrawing and negotiation. Subsequently,
(1) Identify possible conflicts may arise within locations (culture specific) and if the conflict occurs, which
approach would be appropriate? (2) Could there be an overarching corporate policy, based on these
approaches? Or will there be a need for multiple approaches? Justify your stance in an analytical summary.
Consider a procurement strategy. What types of contracts are relevant for the project?
Present this section by justifying your viewpoints regarding management styles and conflict management
approaches as well as providing recommendations.
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4. Effectiveness
Consider performance measures that can apply. E.g. consider the relevance of a 360-degree appraisal, a
common code of ethics. Provide an analytical summary with justifications. If outsourcing project components
is an option, how is this controlled?
What are the variables for success of this project? Consider five types of best practices; prepare a table
showing expected advantages and potential disadvantages. Identify levels of best practices and illustrate with
a diagram. Provide a typical classification system for the final set of best practices presented in the diagram.
Where can you identify the potential for scope creep in the project? What would be the way of handling such
a situation? Prepare a brief summary of suggestions.
Present effectiveness by providing relevant summaries of suggestions, best practices justifying them and
supported by tables.
5. Planning
Prepare a Statement of Work; specifications for the project; and work break down structure (level 3 is
sufficient). Identify mandatory dependencies, discretionary dependencies and external dependencies. Using
the activity based scheduling techniques, identify slack time, earliest start times and latest finishing
times for (each) project. Illustrate the use of tracking Gantt to the stakeholders. Prepare a project charter.
Use any tool you see fit (MS Project 60 day trial, EXCEL, Smartsheet, ProjectLibre, OpenProj, [Link],
etc.) to present most of the tasks above.
Present only a summary and submit your full plan as a separate file.
6. Cost
What types of estimates are relevant for this project? Prepare relevant pricing estimates. Allocate cost
against WBS for the project(s). Consider the risks that would affect costing and schedules. Defend your
viewpoint. Subsequently, revise the budget allocation against WBS for the entire project(s). Explain how you
use schedule and cost variances.
Allocate resources and discuss smoothing out for manpower.
Present this section by assimilating the above and summarising them.
Most of this can be done using project management software (see above). Include high-level pricing and
resource allocation into the file created for section 5.
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7. Risk
Select the criteria as applicable for an appropriate risk approach. Select from Hurwicz, Wald, Savage or
Laplace criterion. Remember there can be a combination of strategies as well as only one, depending on
your team decision.
Prepare an exemplary high-level decision tree based on a single key event planned for the project. Conduct
an impact analysis. Present a summary.
Identify and classify the project risks associated with the project. Recommend methods for risk response
under the assumption no project management methodology is in place.
Present this section by addressing the above questions with appropriate summaries and chart.
8. Quality
Which quality standards will apply to the project? Justify your view in a summary. List the possible
requirements for the project to meet the proposed quality standard. Prepare another list with possible
strategies for the project to excel, rather than just meeting the requirements. Prepare an analytical summary
and recommendations based on this to the stakeholders.
Prepare a short exemplary quality plan providing policies, objectives, assurance, control methods and audit
methods.
Apprise the stakeholders of the relevance of Six Sigma, JIT or TQM in a short summary.
Present this section with a summary of the above documents
Part A deliverables
Prepare a consultancy format 45 min. presentation of your project plan, a schedule and relevant supporting
documents, with relevant and concise information based on detailed analysis and research. Your presentation
only presents the outcomes of your work but requires detailed background work and preparation to identify
and develop all required outcomes. Ensure your presentation strongly and convincingly relates to the
project in an applied fashion and does not reiterate any theory. Your audience knows the relevant theory.
Your submission is a summary of your solutions/proposals/recommendations guided by the components
above. In addition to your presentation document you must include any attachments as relevant including
cost analysis sheets, your project schedule, WBS etc. to demonstrate your background work. Also include
any supporting documents such as recordings, scripts you wish to include.
Students can choose (1) to record the presentation, (2) script the presentation, (3) schedule a Lync session
or (4) make a live presentation etc. I have reserved 28/29 January 2014 for Lync/live presentations. Contact
[Link]@[Link] with your teams 60 min time preference (allocated on first in basis).
Each member of the team is expected to participate equally; students are required to participate in
CloudDeakin group discussions to show their contribution. The expected minimum are weekly posts
with individual work showing research and contribution. Use your CloudDeakin group folder as a document
repository. If students do not participate in the group discussions they are deemed not to have participated.
Notify the unit chair of any problems in the team before they negatively impact the team performance.
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Notes
1. You are not expected to provide technical background on the domain of your project (e.g. drone
technology or cost). Focus on the project management aspect of the assignment only.
2. Make assumptions as necessary, the focus is on the demonstration of knowledge
in Project Management.
3. You are expected to supplement the theoretical concepts learnt in the topics via wider research into
current trends and apply these to the project context.
4. The team has to work together to develop the project plan presentation. Do not split parts, not
knowing other parts as parts relate to each other.
5. All charts or documents you rely on for your presentation must be included in the submission.
6. This assignment does not require a set number of references. However if you rely on work from
others, ensure your sources are referenced. Ensure that you have read/understood all related
information regarding Plagiarism/Collusion/Citation. A guideline for referencing and research is
provided on CloudDeakin.
7. Focused research is required for e.g. location specific issues, regulations, scenario specific issues
before you prepare the project plan. You are expected to do this via every available means possible.
8. In addition to the learning from the unit, you are expected to supplement your knowledge using
journal articles, current news trends and other relevant sources.
9. A list of references and a bibliography are expected on the final slides of the presentation.
10. Ensure you follow the submission instructions below!
PART B - Reflection (individual - 10 marks)
Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will understand (Confucius 450
BC). The same principles underlie and are applied to experiential learning for project management in this
unit. Project management today involves people management and this learning journal is activities that will
help you build this skill through the experiential learning process. This process will not only help you work
through each week, but also will be a long term reference for real life roles as project managers.
Not unlike an organisation, in this unit your team has varied backgrounds and members have come from
different cultures. When you join an organisation, you find established teams and individuals that come into
the organisation. These people are also varied in culture, background, knowledge and experience. It is
therefore imperative that you not only understand project management principles, but also understand and
become aware of your environment, its strengths and weaknesses. Your environment however includes your
team, those external to your team in the organisation and yourself. All your experiences, behaviour and
attitude will contribute to the team development/performance, which is critical for project management in
organisations today.
One objective of the exercises is to take you through an experiential learning journey, where you are given a
chance to acquire and apply knowledge from this unit, in a relevant pre-determined setting. The second
objective is that you become aware of inherent qualities, strengths, weaknesses, skills, abilities and
behaviours within your team so that you are able to work with each member. Therefore, throughout the
learning period, you are on a constant experiential learning cycle.
6
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To better understand yourself and your peers, we require you keep a learning journal from day one. This
journal could be a simple diary, where you write personal experiences. You may use (but are not limited to)
these trigger questions to get your journal started:
Why did I enroll in this unit? What did I really learn? Is it in line with the objectives that I set before
commencing the unit?
How did I become part of this team? What is my role?
Do I know the names and brief background about all the team members? (As you go through the
weeks, revisit this question in particular)
What skills and knowledge did I bring to the team?
What are my weak points? How can I overcome these or work around it, to work beneficially in a
team?
What are my overall observations of the day regarding my team and myself? Do I fit in or would I like
to change any aspect of the behaviours within the team and team members? Have I made an
effort/contribution?
Have I been receptive/accommodative or have I been more assertive/ aggressive? What should I
have done? What can I do better next week?
What did my team do at each stage? Were we able to achieve the overall objective of the stage?
What were my key learning points from the team forming, norming, storming, performing and
adjourning (see reference list) process? Which stage is my team at today?
Which stage should our team be next week? Where do I think it will be? What can I do to optimise
the performance?
These and other questions will help you become aware of yourself, your peers and also understand the ways
in which you can manage a team. It is a reflection of your experiences through each week, which will help
you set short-term goals, long-term goals and prepare more effectively for the future.
Your journal
Critically evaluate and complete the Individual Team Work Process Evaluation Form and the Group
Process Evaluation Form (see Individual and Team Work Process Evaluation [Link] on CloudDeakin).
Based on your evaluation and your personal journals use reflection to identify relevant highlights (as you think
useful) and prepare a summarised learning journal informed by your weekly journal. This journal should
relate to the team development process and your individual contribution through the stages, specific incidents
that are relevant and all key learning. Reflect on the team and how each member committed to the team and
your role in the team. Remember that your learning processes and highlights may conflict and be varied.
Document on significant events e.g. how you responded to conflict.
You are encouraged to discuss your observations with your team to inform your individual journal. This is the
forum for you to get to know your peers fully, clear misunderstandings and continue team building - perhaps
to a longer term of professional friendships/alliance.
Further references on experimental learning
Kolb D, 2005, David A. Kolb on experiential learning,
What are the stages of group development.
7
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Part B deliverables
Complete the Individual Team Work Process Evaluation Form and the Group Process Evaluation Form.
Prepare a summarised learning journal (in a format of your choice e.g. a Video, Blog, Word, PowerPoint
slides, etc. equivalent to 1,500 2000 words, let us get creative!) informed by your weekly journal entries,
relating to team development and learning during the process of this assignment. Remember not all stages
would have been relevant or applicable for each team. Use only what actually occurred. If there are e.g. no
conflicts in a team it may be worthwhile mentioning the same in your reflection.
Before submission of the learning journal, undertake a brainstorming session with other team members and
consolidate all your learning.
Once submitted your learning journal is treated confidentially.
Where can I find material?
Deakin library has many electronic databases, which contain the latest information. From the home page
([Link] the menu or search function can help find articles in journals,
newspapers, magazines, books, journals and DVDs available in the library.
Some relevant databases are:
1. Business Source Premier on EBSCOhost
2. Gale CenGage
3. Emerald Plus
4. Factiva news database from around the world.
5. Computer Source
6. Scopus
For this assignment, you will find that much of the information is available in the electronic databases.
Further, relevant web sites of consultancy firms such as McKinsey and Co, etc. can be searched for latest
views and articles. It is recommended not to limit your research to the electronic databases, but rather expand
your search using key words.
There is also always Google, Bing, Yahoo etc.
Much of the background work for the Assignment can be done in parallel with your regular studies but
sometimes one or more members of the team might need to read ahead to decide what aspects to consider
and get ideas etc. It is up to the team to decide. There is no one correct way of proceeding. The assignment
requires independent research.
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Submission instructions
Your work must be submitted according to instructions below:
For Part A
There is no need for a specific requirement to name your files but you should choose a meaningful name. For
example, the file submitted by Team 28 could be named [Link]. If you are unsure of your
team number, refer to your group folder on CloudDeakin. The number of this folder is your team number.
Only ONE member of the team (possibly the project leader) must submit the presentation file and any other
relevant supporting documents via CloudDeakin using the Team Presentation Dropbox. (Use the browse
button to help you locate your files - then click the Submit button).
For Part B
There is no need for a specific requirement to name your files but you should choose a meaningful name. For
example, the file could be named username.mp4.
EVERY team member must submit her or his learning journal and evaluation forms via CloudDeakin using
the Learning Journal Dropbox. (Use the browse button to help you locate your files - then click the Submit
button).
For MSC756 no hard copy submissions of assignment or assignment attachment sheets required.
Notes
1. Assessment Tasks not submitted according to the submissions instructions will be penalised.
2. Make sure you do not post more than one submission to the Assessment Dropbox. If you post more
than one, delete any of your extra messages before the due date/time.
3. For files larger than 50MB contact [Link]@[Link] prior to the submission date for
alternative submission arrangements.
4. Any submissions to the Dropbox after the due date will be considered late. If you need to, you can
look up your local time at [Link]
5. Any reference made to time is deemed to be Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT). It is your
responsibility to make provisions for possible time differences.
6. If your Assessment Task is late it will not be assessed. Where an Assessment Task is submitted
within 3 working days after the due date, the reason(s) for late submission including documentary
evidence must be included. A member of the unit team will review these reasons for lateness. If
deemed sufficient, the Assessment Task will be marked without penalty. If the reason is deemed
insufficient, or no reasons are attached, the Assessment Task will not be marked.
7. Where an Assessment Task is not submitted or is submitted more than 3 days after the due date,
zero marks will be awarded for the assessment.
8. After 15 working days your results will be posted on CloudDeakin under 'My Grades'.
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Marking guide
The criterion below summarises the marking criteria for the Assignment. The criteria will be used to mark your
submission. You must follow each criterion (also see assignment structure above) exactly in order to get the
mark. It is paramount you follow the criterion. If you are unsure about a criterion, post a question on
CloudDeakin to get clarification on how to satisfy the criterion.
This strict marking scheme has been designed to ensure that your submission satisfies the minimum
standards expected for work submitted at the postgraduate level. Take note of the criterion on which the
quality of your submission will be assessed. The best way to avoid losing marks: follow the assignment
structure and do not leave your work until the last minute. Allow at least two full days to self review the
submissions using the marking criterion. To a large extent you will be able to assess your own submission
using the marking criterion to maximise your result.
Marking criteria
Project presentation (40 marks in total)
1. Quality presentation of analytical review on the feasibility and suitability of the project for
the organization (5 marks)
2. Quality presentation and justification of corporate requirements for the project organization (5 marks)
3. Quality presentation, justification and recommendation of viewpoints presented on
appropriate management styles and conflict management (5 marks)
4. Quality presentation of suggestions for effectiveness through relevant summaries, variables
of success, best practices etc. (5 marks)
5. Quality presentation of Scope, WBS, and SOW based on existing description and client
requirements (5 marks)
6. Quality presentation of relevant pricing estimates presented with schedule and cost
variances (5 marks)
7. Quality presentation of classified risks and appropriate risk management approaches (5 marks)
8. Quality presentation of appropriate quality standards, quality plan and quality
enhancement recommendation (5 marks)
Marks for individual team members can vary based on performance.
Learning journal (10 marks in total)
1. Structure and expression (2 marks)
2. Team reflection (4 marks)
3. Reflection on the role as a team member (4 marks)
See marking rubrics provided in your assignment Dropbox on CloudDeakin for more detail.
10
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Alternative to real project
If you and your team do not have access to a real organisation you can use the following case scenario as an
alternative for the assignment:
Case scenario
FoodWorld is a takeaway food business in Berlin, Germany. FoodWorld has a reputation to provide high
quality food for home delivery from four commercial kitchens around Berlin. The menu is extensive, offering a
variety of cuisines from around the world. FoodWorld is a home delivery and take away business only with no
restaurants. FoodWorld has been very successful with their smartphone app with 85% of orders processed
through the popular app. At present FoodWorld has a number of employees using scooters, delivering food
all over Berlin but in recent years traffic and the soon to be introduced minimum wage have put pressure on
the business model as deliveries take longer which results in increased salaries and potentially unhappy
customers.
Recently FoodWorld has heard about a company called Flirtey in Australia who are in the process of
launching a textbook delivery system using drones in Sydney. Read the article about this venture at
[Link] and watch the
video on the website.
Based on this model FoodWorld has approached Flirtey with a proposal to start a drone based takeaway joint
venture in Melbourne where both organisations contribute their respective expertise to deliver the first drone
based food delivery service in the World. While the joint venture gets underway FoodWorld is permitted to
also deploy the technology developed for the Melbourne joint venture in Berlin (at cost) to solve some of the
issues above.
FoodWorld and Flirtey have reached an understanding on the joint venture and you and your team have been
commissioned to manage both projects (Melbourne and Berlin). In the first instance you need to develop and
present the joint project plan for both projects to your clients by 26 January 2014. Some of the technology is
still to be developed and you need to make assumptions about the cost and capabilities of the technology but
you have been ensured the technology is up to the job. Make assumptions as necessary to complete the
plan. Ensure you state any assumptions clearly in your presentation. Assume that there are no regulatory
hurdles with regards to the use of drones and food hygiene/safety in both Berlin and Melbourne.
A brief sketch of proposed events
1. A service announcement along with a press event will be hosted in Berlin, Germany and Melbourne,
Australia simultaneously during the first week of June 2014.
2. A trial service launch in Melbourne, Australia will take place on 15 June 2014 to provide a limited
service to test the service and fix any potential problems.
3. The official service launch in Melbourne will take place on 1 September 2014.
4. The official service launch will take place in Berlin, Germany on 1 October 2014 to ensure the
service is available for the Christmas season.
11
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