Assignment: Managing Projects
Length: 3,000 words +/- 10%.
Background: The assignment is intended to bring out the benefits and limitations of different approaches to project management (throughout the project life cycle) by relating these to the circumstances listed. It is also intended to allow students to demonstrate their learning and competence in respect of the effective project management with focus on resources, trade-offs among scope, cost and time, as well as key elements of the project life cycle.
Task 1: 700 words (+/- 10%)
A minimum of 5 references is required. References to be listed at the end of Task 1.
1) Identify and discuss any FOUR types of risk response, and the importance of contingency planning.
2) Keep Safe Security Pte Ltd - a well-established market leader in the area of information systems security in Singapore has a core business in cyber security protection for corporate clients. As part of the company's strategic direction, the top management is planning to set up a branch office in Malaysia and another branch office in Indonesia over the next 12 months. Which project structure would you recommend? Write short notes to describe the proposed structure and provide appropriate justifications to support your recommendation.
3) Identify and briefly discuss the FOUR determinants of project success.
4) Briefly discuss the approach of Project Control Process towards ensuring the quality of project outcomes.
5) What is the role of a Project Sponsor? In what ways can the Project Sponsor support your role as a Project Manager?
6) Your organisation intends to participate in an upcoming exhibition with the aim to create brand awareness. As the project manager, you have been tasked to take charge of this exhibition. You have mapped out the activities and durations in the table below:
|
Activity ID
|
Description
|
Preceding Activity
|
Activity Duration
|
|
A
|
Booth Confirmation
|
None
|
3
|
|
B
|
Design & Concept
|
A
|
3
|
|
C
|
Printing of Posters
|
A
|
2
|
|
D
|
Booth Construction
|
B & C
|
7
|
|
E
|
Invitation
|
B
|
5
|
|
F
|
Staff Training
|
D
|
4
|
|
G
|
Product Setup
|
C
|
4
|
|
H
|
Branding Session
|
E, F & G
|
2
|
i. What is the purpose of establishing a Project Network Diagram?
ii. Based on the data provided, develop an AON project network (with calculations of forward pass, backward pass and slack).
iii. How many days will the project take to complete?
iv. Identify the critical path of this project.
v. Draw the Gantt chart of this project.
Task 2:
Case Study: Your University's faculty will be hosting a group of student delegates from overseas for a 2-Day 1-Night exchange program. During the visit, there will be a series of activities/programs from your faculty to engage the delegates. As the Project Manager appointed by your faculty, you are in-charge of planning and organizing the 2-Day 1- Night event.
As the project is currently at the feasibility stage, you are required to draft a plan for the exchange program along with suggested activities/programs and to prepare a project proposal report (2,300 words) for Faculty Dean's approval. From a project management perspective, outline the key areas required to successfully manage this project - e.g. Project Scope Statement, Project Priorities (with a balanced trade-off and justification), Work Breakdown Structure (with brief details of work packages) and Cost Estimation (with time-phase budget).
The report should demonstrate the skills and competencies required by the Project Manager, along with relevant project management perspectives.
A minimum of 5 references is required. References to be listed at the end of Task 2.
Assignment presentation and assessment:
The answers to both tasks are independent and should be addressed separately.
Task 1 answer to six questions (700 words) - completed as an individual task
References for Task 1 to be listed after last question.
Task 2 presented in a report (2,300 words) - completed as an individual task
References for Task 2 to be listed after last section of task.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.