1. Introduction - why your report has been prepared, what project is being analysed, and how your assignment is structured
2. Background and environment of project - enough detail for the reader to understand the nature and objectives of the project and its sponsor
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.
- Structure of the PMP - Discuss how the PMP has been structured, and why the respective sections have been included
4. Contents of the PMP sections
- Discuss each of the major sections of the PMP and provide some theoretical framework for what is included
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?
7. Recommendations - What are your recommendations flowing from this analysis? What changes could or should be made for management of this, or similar, projects.
Guidelines issued to markers in PM coursework courses
To maximise consistency in the marking of PM courses across markers, please note the following guidelines that are adopted within the PM discipline regarding expectations from students and provision of feedback on assignments.
Ampersand
The ampersand '&' is only used in citations (inside brackets e.g. (Wilkinson & Reed 2008, p. 21)) and in the list of references (e.g. Wilkinson, S & Reed, R 2008, Property Development, etc.). Where authors are named in the actual text, 'and' is used between the names (e.g. Wilkinson and Reed (2008, p. 21) suggest that...).
Analysis
At Master's level, you are expected to know the theory relevant to important topics in project management, and to be able to use that theory to 'analyse' your chosen context (your project). Read the Communication Skills Handbook to understand what is expected for 'analysis'. You have to demonstrate an ability to apply recognised theory to reveal the nature and extent of problems, and to provide relevant and practical recommendations to solve those problems.
Conclusions
The focus of the Conclusions is on what is in the report (similar to the ES and the Introduction) and is not on the theory. The conclusions summarise the key findings from the analysis carried out in the main body of the report. They are different to a 'Conclusion' which might simply summarise and 'conclude' the discussion. The conclusions identify any issues that require further action in order to address problems that have been identified. Those further actions will be listed clearly in the 'Recommendations'.
Critical analysis
Critical analysis is a difficult concept for students to understand, and the expectations will vary from lecturer to lecturer. As a PM, you should approach it as one of diagnosis and treatment of an organisational 'ailment'. As an objective PM, you must put aside preconceptions, examine the problem objectively based on rigorous theories as a framework for analysis, diagnose the problem correctly, and put forward a treatment that will lead to a successful cure. There is a strong medical analogy in this viewpoint which might help to understand the process. It will also help to watch the video - see the study desk for the link.
Attachment:- Assignment File.rar