Reference no: EM132401479

Assignment - Managing Projects

Assessment tasks - In this Assignment there are four assessment tasks.

Assessment task 1 -

Use the Learner Resource, the Internet or any other reference works to research these concepts and techniques. Your answers to the following should be brief and to the point, averaging 400 to 500 words for each question (or part thereof).

1. Outline the role of a project manager. What are their main objectives? Make a list of their duties in your workplace.

2. Find five different tools or techniques (e.g. SMART goals), that are used to help determine project requirements. Explain how each one is used.

3. Some communication strategies are listed below. Outline the advantages and disadvantages of each one when managing projects: Meetings, Feedback, Reporting and Liaising.

4. Locate three examples of management documents or checklists that are used to organise or monitor various project processes. Include a copy of each one and then: explain what it is used for and comment on whether you think it is effective or not.

Note: These documents can be blank 'template' ones. If releasing completed versions of them this might breach privacy or other legislative or contractual concerns.

5. A list of problems that may arise within the project team is shown below. How would you deal with each of these? What coaching or mentoring technique would you use to minimise the risk to the project outcomes?

An unplanned or sloppy presentation to a project sponsor or stakeholder.

Inability to solve day-to-day problems.

Providing 'truthful' but 'hurtful' feedback to another team member.

6. Identify three different methods for gathering data that can be used in the evaluation of projects. Include a sample of each type, as used in your workplace. Briefly explain how these are used.

Assessment task 2 -

Develop a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates your participation in the project management process in your workplace. You are encouraged to apply this assessment to projects that relate to your work as a Facilities Manager.

Include the documentation that supports the process and provides evidence of what took place. Your portfolio should contain evidence that contains or addresses the following key activities and areas.

Determine project parameters -

1. Include the project brief.

2. Describe how the project objectives and timelines were negotiated and agreed on. Who was the client? List all of the stakeholders.

3. What were the main roles and responsibilities associated with the facilities management project? How was this documented?

4. Differentiate between the deliverables and the desired outcomes for the project. How are the outcomes measured? How do you identify whether the desired outcome is better, more cost-effective etc.?

5. What quality assurance goals and strategies were established for the project? How was this documented?

6. What monitoring and reporting arrangements were established for the project activities? How was this documented?

7. Was there a risk management plan for this project? If so, briefly describe. How was this incorporated into the project plan?

8. What legislative requirements (if any), did the project have to meet?

9. Include a copy of the project plan.

Organise support processes -

10. How were the resources for the facilities management project identified and organised? What organisational requirements had to be met?

11. What targets and milestones were established?

12. What communication strategies were established within the project? Were they successful? Why or why not?

13. What documents and checklists were used throughout the project? Include a copy of each one.

14. What contingencies were encountered during the project? How were they overcome?

Monitor project processes and outcomes -

15. How was progress monitored? How were the variations documented in the project plan?

16. How was expenditure and resource usage controlled throughout the project? Include any documentation.

17. Did the project manager need to coach or mentor any of the project team? Describe the situation. Did it resolve the issue or problem? Why or why not?

18. Include a copy of a progress report.

19. What systems, records and reporting procedures were maintained during this project?

Evaluate project outcomes -

20. Which processes and outcomes were assessed in this project? What evaluation methods where used?

21. How were the evaluation results prepared? What was the required format and style? Provide an example.

22. Were there any recommendations for improvement from this project? How were they reported and to whom?

23. What documentation was involved in the sign off of this project? List the documents and briefly describe the process.

Note: You may refer to more than one project to complete this activity.

Assessment task 3 -

Develop a project schedule for an existing project. Prepare your schedule according to the format and style requirements of your organisation.

Follow these steps.

1. Include a task list or work breakdown structure (WBS) that shows the tasks and activities that make up each deliverable.

2. Use a PERT chart to organise and coordinate the tasks within the project.

3. Use a Gantt chart to develop a timeline that shows the: different stages in the project, duration of each task, dependencies between tasks and resources required to carry out each task.

4. Use the critical path method to show which activities are critical to maintaining the schedule and which are not.

Note: Word count for this report is less important than adequately addressing the requirements listed in the bullet points above.

Assessment task 4 -

Develop a progress report for an existing project in your workplace. (If you are not currently working on any projects, you can submit a progress report you have developed previously.)

Prepare and structure your report according to the template (e.g. format and style) requirements of your organisation, or you can create your own.

The report should:

- address quality assurance goals and strategies

- outline the achieved milestones and targets

- report on expenditure and resource usage

- document variations to the project plan

- provide an example of evaluation results

- incorporate feedback.

While the word count for this report is less important than adequately addressing the six areas listed in the bullet points above, your report should be approximately 1,500 words in length.

Attachment:- Managing Projects Assignment File.rar