As with all written assignments there are many possible approaches to writing this assignment. It is also intention to test how well the students are at tackling the writing problem. So, we don't want to stifle originality.
However, as PPMP20014 is the last of the project management coursework units then students should be encouraged to follow the standard essay approach and not either use a report format or invent something new.
There are three topics that students need to cover (also see the Unit Profile): -
1. The causes, environments, and properties of complex projects
2. The tools and techniques to aid a project manager manage complex projects
3. The degree and nature of the projects cases discussed in the unit in the context of the theories and ideas related to complex projects
The types of projects that should be used to enable the three topics above to be explained should consist of: -
1. projects with lots of parts and interconnections;
2. projects that contain a great deal of uncertainty;
3. project that are heavily time-constrained.
Therefore, there are three topics with three types of evidence and examples that are used to explore those topics.
A way of tackling the essay based on aword limit of 5,000 words is therefore to do the following (suggested word count in brackets): -
1. Introduction and summary of findings/learnings (500 words)
2. Body: -
a. The causes, environments, and properties of complex projects (1,000 words)
i. Introduction and summary
ii. Evidence and examples
iii. Conclusion
b. The tools and techniques to aid a project manager manage complex projects (1,000 words)
i. Introduction and summary
ii. Evidence
iii. Conclusion
c. The degree and nature of the projects cases discussed in the unit in the context of the theories and ideas related to complex projects (1,000 words)
i. Introduction and summary
ii. Evidence
iii. Conclusion
3. Overall Discussion (1,000 words)
4. Conclusion (500 words)
5. References
6. Appendix if necessary.