Reference no: EM133784518

Assessment

Learning Outcome 1 Describe the Project Management landscape to compare and understand business organisations in broad fields.

Learning Outcome 2: Discuss the fundamentals and basic theory of Project Management and critically evaluate a range of applications for IS.

Learning Outcome 3: Examine and design contemporary Project Management applications and methodologies.

Learning Outcome 4: Investigate and explain the process for execution, verification and validation of Project Management and define specifications including technical, economical and operational feasibility.

Learning Outcome 5: Evaluate Project Management related techniques required to ensure the reliability, availability and integrity of digital business processes and analyse.

Assessment Description
In this project, you will work in groups of 4-5 students. You have to do a critical analysis of the "Keflavik Paper Company" situation in the penultimate page of this guide. You were invited as consultant to provide analysis and solutions for the case.

Assume that you are responsible for maintaining Keflavik's project portfolio. Name the key criteria that should be used in evaluating all new projects before they are added to the current portfolio.

If you were the project manager, what expertise would you like from the sponsor, stakeholders, or core team members to create a milestone schedule with acceptance criteria?

Write pertinent risks. Assess them to determine which you believe are major risks and develop at least one response for each major risk.

Who are the key stakeholders for this project and what is the interest of each? Which stakeholders have the most power?

Which recommendation you suggest for higher performance achievement?

What does this case demonstrate about the effect of poor project screening methods on a firm's ability to manage its projects effectively?

Process, structure, and content:
The process of the project is the development a critical thinking report for Kimble College organisation. Students are advised to conduct an audition in this organisation. You will analyse the company and make recommendations including the strengths and weaknesses that were revealed.

The structure of the project is a 3000-word report, the contents of which are detailed below. It is the report that requires submitting as the finished piece of work. It is the report that will be marked. Ad hoc work in whatever form will not be marked if submitted.
The wordcount is 3000 words. The wordcount does not include the executive summary, the table of contents, the list of references or any appendices. However, please note that appendices should be used for supplementary information only: they will NOT to considered for marking.

The report content will comprise of the following sections:

Title page: this must contain the title of the report (e.g. ‘Project Plan for Acme Airlines'), names and student numbers of each group member, unit name, unit number and date of submission.

Table of contents (TOC): ideally, but not necessarily, constructed using the hyperlink functions in Word. Lists of figures and tables are not required.

Executive summary: an executive summary provides an overview of the ENTIRE report. It is NOT an introduction section. It is NOT a background section. The purpose of an executive summary is to provide an understanding of the Project plan without having to read the complete report. Ideally, half to on page in length (but no longer), the executive summary will contain a summary sentence or two on each section of the report; reporting on process (what the group did - e.g. a SWOT analysis), content (what the group found - e.g. ‘there were two major strengths and three major threats identified' ) and outcomes (what the group determined should happen - e.g. ‘a new targeting strategy was recommended'). Do not use headings or titles in the executive summary; it should be written in essay narrative format and read seamlessly.

Introduction: the introduction informs the reader of the aims and methods the group will use in the project. It also defines the scope of the project (what is included and what is not). Whilst it may mention the chosen organisation by name, the introduction DOES NOT talk in detail about the chosen organisation or its industry.

Background and project situation: a background and Project situation section informs that reader of the context to the project. Here the organisation and its industry are described. Information about the organisation's past and present project performance is presented along with any notes about major milestones in its Project history. It is easy to ‘go overboard' with this section and consume much wordcount; one page is all that's needed to set the scene for your Project plan project.

More, in this and other sections, too many students often over-rely on company websites. Most times, these websites present an organisation's promotions (advertising) or opinions masquerading as facts. Because of the convenience and profusion of this type of information, it is too easy for students to ignore the authoritative sources of data that can be reached through AIH library databases: however, the use of AIH library databases is the way to higher marks!

SWOT analysis: Mapped out as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The SWOT analysis forms the basis for Project objectives and strategies.

Segmentation, targeting, differentiation and positioning: this section presents and justifies new or improved segmentation, targeting, differentiation and positioning strategies.

Conclusions: through logical reasoning, this section should summarise how the Project objectives and subsequent strategies offer feasible, suitable and acceptable solutions to the Project issues generated by the analysis.

List of references: this should be formatted in Harvard style.

The use of AI should only be undertaken if an assessment clearly states that it is permitted. Penalties will apply if AI is used intentionally without permission.

Research expectation:
The submission needs to be supported with information by credible sources.

Credible sources should be varied and include, but not limited to, the Textbook, Government reports, Industry reports, Newspaper articles, Books, and Journal articles.

Use the EBSCO Databases accessed through the Library and Learning Support page on Moodle to find journal articles, case studies and more to help you prepare your assessment. Speak with the library assistants or email ([email protected]) if you require further assistance.