Unit learning outcomes
- 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.
Hurdle and PART A - Project plan report
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 about the suitability of your proposed project or if you cannot find a suitable project, email the unit team. If a suitable project cannot be secured, use the ‘Developing Case' on CloudDeakin as the basis for your project plan.
You need to demonstrate your learning in this unit (topics 1 to 7), i.e. tools and techniques, use appropriate templates and apply learning to prepare a feasible project plan which the organisation would accept. Use the components of the project plan 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 need 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 (see deliverables and Team work Plan Hurdle below).
Possible components for the project plan
The components below should only be used as a suggestion. Not all aspects will be relevant for every project and additional aspects will be required. Choose the most suitable structure and content 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. Consider a SWOT analysis based on any available information, assumptions and research. Consider 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. Consider the relevance of interdependencies, economies of scale, organisation size etc. in selecting the suitable mixture.
How many locations are required by the proposed project. Reflect on location specific factors in recruiting personnel. Determine typical outsourcing processes and analyse how the recruiting process can occur.
Present with an analytical summary of the overall corporate requirements in the project organisation with justifications for your choices.
3. Management issues & effectiveness
Teams will likely be culturally diverse, often headed by teams from different geographic locations. Consider the various schools of management thought. In your viewpoint, which of these would apply to this venture? There may be a need for a particular management style. When people or teams come together, conflict is likely. Reflect on possible conflicts that may arise and if conflict occurs. Should there be an overarching corporate policy? Or will there be a need for multiple approaches? Consider performance measures that can apply. E.g. consider the relevance of a 360-degree appraisal or a common code of ethics. Provide an analytical summary with justifications. If outsourcing project components is an option, how is this controlled? What are possible variables for success for this project? Consider types of best practices. Justify your stance in an analytical summary.
Present this section by justifying your viewpoints regarding management styles and conflict management approaches as well as providing recommendations. Present effectiveness by providing relevant summaries, best practices justifying them e.g. supported by tables.
4. Plan (schedule)
Prepare a Statement of Work (SoW); specifications for the project; and work break down structure (level 3 is sufficient). Identify the schedule, milestones and dependencies. Identify slack time, earliest start and latest finishing for the/each project.
Prepare an overview and use Microsoft Project 2016 (available to you on ). If you prefer other tools such as Smartsheet, ProjectLibre, Project.net, etc. feel free to use these instead of MS Project. Present only a short
summary and submit your full plan as a separate file.
5. Resource and cost plan
What types of estimates are relevant for this project? Prepare relevant pricing estimates. Allocate cost against schedule for the project(s) under 4 above. Consider the risks that would affect costing and schedules. Explain and justify how you propose to monitor performance in the project.
Prepare a short summary or/and use e.g. Microsoft Project 2016 (see above). Include high-level
pricing and exemplary resource allocation.
6. Project risk assessment
Select an appropriate risk approach. There can be a combination of strategies or only one. Prepare a risk assessment. Identify and classify the project risks associated with the project. Recommend exemplary 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.
7. Contracts & quality management plan
Describe the procurement strategy. What types of contracts are relevant for the project? List the possible requirements for the project to meet the proposed quality standard(s). Prepare another list with possible strategies for the project to excel, rather than just meeting the requirements.
Prepare a short exemplary quality management plan providing key policies, objectives, assurance, control methods and audit methods.
Prepare an analytical summary and recommendations based on this to the stakeholders.
Part A deliverables - Project plan (5000 words)
Prepare a consultancy format summary report of your project plan with relevant and concise information based on detailed analysis and research. Only present the outcomes of your work. This requires detailed background work and preparation to identify and develop all required outcomes, present this background work as an appendix to your report (not included in word count). In your appendix include any relevant attachments you wish to include, including e.g. your project schedule, WBS, MS Project file etc. to demonstrate your background work. Ensure your report strongly and convincingly relates to the project (client requirements) in an applied fashion and does not reiterate any theory. Your audience knows the relevant theory.
Notes
1. You are not expected to provide technical background on the domain of your project. Focus on the project management aspect of the assignment only.
2. Make any assumption necessary, the focus is the demonstration of Project Management knowledge.
3. You are expected to supplement the theoretical concepts learnt in the topics via wider research
e.g. into current trends and apply these to your project context.
4. The team has to work together to develop the project plan. Ensure parts relate and are consistent.
PART B - Reflection
"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 reflection is an activity 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.
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.
Your reflection
Critically evaluate and complete the Individual Team Work Process Evaluation Form and the Group Process Evaluation Form (see Individual and Team Work Process Evaluation Form.doc on CloudDeakin). Based on your evaluation, the Team Work Plan submitted in week 3 and your notes and observations throughout the trimester use reflection to identify relevant happenings (as you think useful) and prepare a reflection.
Your reflection 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. Reflect and evaluate each team members contribution against the Team Work Plan and reflect on your and others role in the team. Remember that your learning processes and highlights may conflict and are varied. Reflect on significant events e.g. how you responded to conflict or late deliverables etc. What did you and the team do to achieve the desired outcome and what you would do differently etc.
You are encouraged to discuss your observations with your team to inform your individual reflection. This is the forum for you to get to know your peers fully, clear misunderstandings and continue team building - perhaps lead to a longer term professional friendships/alliances.
Part B deliverables (4-5 minute reflection)
Complete and submit the Individual Team Work Process Evaluation Form and the Group Process Evaluation Form. Prepare a 4-5 minute reflection (in a format of your choice e.g. a Video, Vlog, Voice over PowerPoint, etc). informed by your observations throughout the trimester, relating to team development and reflection on your role as a team member and the Team Work Plan. Not all stages of your project would have been relevant or applicable for each team. Use only what actually occurred and what was relevant. If there are
no conflicts in your team it may be worthwhile mentioning how this was achieved.
Words : 1100
Attachment:- Developing Case.rar