This assignment requires case responses and data, reports and content to be presented in a business report/presentation format. Students may adopt any form of presentation they prefer (includes Microsoft Work, PowerPoint, PDF format). Typically your plan will reflect the requirements of the parts of the case, however, you can be as creative as you like, adopt a workplace template or other format you prefer. The most important considerations are the communication and understanding of project application and the case. A sample project plan is included along with a range of project templates included in subject resources. Remember, you are presenting a three-part response - strategic approach (task 1), plan (task 2) and then a progress report and recommendations (task 3) to a time-poor sponsor. So how you present this information to obtain "approval" is critical.

References: Essay reference standards are not expected as this is presented as a working project/business plan and status update and in-item referencing isn’t expected. Average expectation is that a bibliography or reference listing should be provided at the end of the assignment and would be from a An effective and meaningful bibliography included. An appropriate bibliography included An appropriate bibliography included. A vague bibliography included. No bibliography included. minimum of three (3) sources - textbook can be considered as one. It is doubtful the assignment can be completed using only the text. Reference list must include online sources and URLs must be quoted. Random checks for efficacy will be made. 1 mark (2%)

Task 3: Case Part 4a: The question asks for specific data (based on table A2.3) as a minimum. Significant marks are lost if not shown and presented in a way that explains understanding. Question is ideally answered in the form of a status report. Form of presentation is at your discretion. Clear understanding of status of the project must be evident as well as Well-constructed and clear conclusion with strong links to main arguments in project plan and specific, outcome- related recommendations. Shows a clear conclusion with links to main arguments in project plan and specific, outcome- related recommendations. Appropriate conclusion with links to main arguments in project plan and generally clear, outcome-related recommendations. Vague conclusion with weak links to main arguments in project plan and limited, outcome- related recommendations. No or poor conclusion with no or few links to main arguments in project plan and vague or no recommendations.

Task 2: Case parts 1-3: Responses to the content of each case question. Specifically direct and clear indications of project process understanding including work/non- work days, format of WBS and Gantt chart, critical path and burst/merge milestones, cost, resource usage, levelling within and outside slack, clear plan direction, presentation of appropriate reports and screen captures to support plan information. Clarity of presentation and showing complex concepts relatively simply. Overall responses need to demonstrate understanding of communication strategy (reflected in presentation), project processes and outcomes. Consistently demonstrates and integrates critical planning and evaluation. Shows superior reflective thinking skills in presenting accurate, informative information, data and responses. Regularly demonstrates and integrates critical planning and evaluation. Shows reasonable reflective thinking skills in presenting accurate, informative information, data and responses.

Task 1: Introduction: Strategic positioning of the project, company strategy and link to plan. Clear link to strategy, defined project objectives and goals, inclusion of key elements such as stakeholders, risks, Exceptionally clear and well-presented introduction inclusive of main topic goals and objectives, other pertinent project information, plan, and line of reasoning. Very clear and well- presented introduction inclusive of main topic goals and objectives, other pertinent project information, plan, and line of reasoning. Clear and well-presented introduction inclusive of main topic goals and objectives, other pertinent project information, plan, and line of reasoning. Includes an introduction inclusive of main topic goals and objectives, other pertinent project information, plan, and line of reasoning. Little or no introduction, with poor or confusing content.

MGT553 201690 High Distinction (HD) Distinction (DI) Credit (CR) Pass (PS) Fail (FL) Assignment is worth 50% of subject assessment marks. Marks are a guide to weighting, but outcomes also based on overall reponse. 85% to 100% High Distinction is awarded for work of outstanding quality in achieving all parts of the assignment together with outstanding integration and understanding of theory and application of concepts. 75% to 84% Distinction is awarded for work of superior quality in achieving all parts of the assignment and a superior integration and understanding of theory and application of concepts. 65% to 74% Credit is awarded for work showing a more than satisfactory achievement of all parts of the assignment and a more than adequate understanding of theory and application of concepts. 50% to 64% Pass is awarded for work showing a satisfactory achievement of all parts of the assignment, an understanding of theory and application of concepts. 0%-49% Pass is awarded for work showing a satisfactory achievement of all parts of the assignment, an understanding of theory and application of concepts.

This assignment will be marked on the basis on the quality, accuracy, presentation and comprehension of the whole project. Simply put, consider the marker as the sponsor for the project and your mark will reflect how "convinced" the sponsor is as to the likely success and value of the project, the data to support your project, as well as the projected ability of the project manager (student) to deliver!

Learning outcomes related to this assessment include: 1. being able to gather information, define project goals and objectives and create a timeline so as to present a completed and comprehensive project plan; 2. being able to monitor progress through measurement of resource usage, timeline performance and actual cost versus budget to measure project progress against plan; 3. be able to provide a comprehensive risk assessment for a project; 4. be able to evaluate project outcomes: 5. be able to utilise project management software as a tool for planning and managing a project; and 6. be able to successfully transfer outcomes to the customer at completion of the project (in the assignment as a project plan and status report);

This assignment is designed to help you understand the issues of Project Management in an organisation and apply the technical principles of Project Management, particularly to develop an integrated information system needed for decision-making and for tracking a project's progress. The project software is a tool to help with this process. Understanding the key linkages and connections of all the tasks of the exercise should be a key objective for the assignment. You will develop a holistic project plan from a project manager's point of view which covers everything from the strategic intent to the technical plan, status report, your observations, and finally, a communication document for management.

These simplifying assumptions are given below (make sure they are included in "default," "preferences," and/or "options" sections of the software used": • Each task will represent a work package. Accept the WBS in table given (page 626) as correct. • Resources will be considered in terms of teams not individuals. Resource information is included in the case study in table A2.1 (page 628). • The public holidays listed in the case should be used. You will need to research those dates and factor them into your plan. • There are no overhead costs included in this project. Use only the costs of people resources stated in costs per unit of usage time in table A2.2 (page 628). This project is designed to take you through the project strategy/executive summary (task 1), design and planning (task 2, case parts 1-3 inclusive) and partly the implementation/execution/control (task 3, case part 4A) phases of the project.

Your assignment will be submitted via EASTS and will be marked online. Attachments to assignments, such as MS Project (.mpp) files, for example on CD/DVD/memory stick/emailed files are not accepted and will not be included in marking. Your presentation has to successfully "stand alone" to your "very busy, time-poor project sponsor"! Often projects are "formulated" as strategy but inevitably implementation is delayed, as in in this case, (from 2012) to 1. Whilst specific reasons are not given, it might be safe to assume that the decision to delay might have related to budget pressures, the requirement to use current equipment until it was obsolete or "written off" either mechanically or financially, for example. Students needn't dwell on this aspect but accept the current project start date and make appropriate date adjustments/assumptions accordingly. Please consider all dates in the text as and note the text uses a US date format, holidays, etc. Use the text data as the basis for your project. You may have to research the specific holiday dates online.