Posted: April 1st, 2015

Group Project Management Assignment

Group Project Management Assignment

Assignment Summary
This group assignment aims to put into practice the elements of the taught course which you have learnt thus far and to undertake a group project which mirrors a realistic enterprise project. The assessment comprises a single group project which will enable learners to demonstrate a methodological approach to project management, together with evidence of practical skills deployment, through portfolio development and team working. The work should encompass team development, research, objective setting, and project initiation.

Assessment Strategy
This assignment will be assessed by a summative group portfolio for a given project management scenario, based on a case study (weighted 50% of final assessment), addressing all appropriate group learning outcomes. The group’s portfolio will be assessed per individual group: formal presentation (15%); project report (25%); and, peer assessed teamwork  contribution  (10%).  Group  composition  will  be  decided  and  informed  by  the module leader.

Assessment Criteria
Pass level for this group assignment will comprise documented and effective use of project management and teamwork methodologies, together with demonstrated project definition, planning, evaluation, delivery and communication. Modal level will be demonstrated through understanding and interpretation of the issues in selecting an appropriate project approach, consideration of alternatives, and a high level of synthesis, even original thinking, in the delivery and evaluation.

Learning Outcomes
•    Knowledge and Understanding
a)  Have an understanding of the wide role of the project manager, with respect to project proposal/justification, project control, team-working, motivation, discipline and the selection/control of suppliers and sub-contractors.
b)  Understand the attributes required to be an effective project manager and to be an effective member of a project team.

•    Abilities
c)  Be able to identify appropriate aims/objectives, specification/scope, deliverables, tasks and resource requirements, with respect to practical case material.
d)  Demonstrate the command of appropriate skills to develop, communicate, monitor and control realistic project schedules, resource profiles, budgets and performance indices.
e)  Demonstrate an ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

Assignment Tasks:

1.    To research and deliver a short, but formal business presentation to the class, for the case study below. The presentation will be in the form of a project feasibility study and evaluation; and, to outline the overall timescale in the form of a high-level project plan. This should be delivered as a group, be succinct and last no more than 15 minutes, with
5 minutes for supplementary questions and answers (15%).

2.    To develop a formal Project Initiation Document (PID) and detailed project plan to follow on from management approval of the project outline provided in Assignment Task 1. The document must be in the form of a concise, business focused, report (25%).

3.    To inform the peer assessment of individual contributions to the team portfolio work and to  assess  the  learner’s  ability  to  analyse  the  human  and  organisational  factors associated with team working, together with identification of personal strengths and weaknesses (10%).

Case Study:

You are initially required to undertake a team review of the case study below:

Enviro-Protect Limited is a large UK company which manufactures a range of liquid chemical storage solutions, predominately for use at the commercial end of manufacturing and distribution markets. Typical applications for the products range from bulk storage tanks, through to integrated pipe-work and fluids transfer solutions. The company has experienced a fall in sales over recent years and feels it needs to consider the introduction of new products and services to its range. The Managing Director of the company believes the most promising approach would be to consider the development and launch of an additional, bespoke customer design and manufacture service, aimed at the higher-end of the marketplace. The new service would deliver turnkey and individually customised solutions to the industrial market, providing higher levels of service, quality, technology, performance and, hopefully – profit. The Managing Director would like to launch the new service at a major European trade exhibition in 15 months time.

The company’s current manufacturing strategy centres on the provision of dedicated, and highly effective and efficient assembly systems for the main products. All components and sub-assemblies are bought in from external suppliers.

With the above in mind, you have been given the task of carrying out a feasibility study and evaluation of the Managing Director’s proposals and (on the assumption that the expected return on investment is satisfactory) to develop an outline plan for progressing the project to a successful product launch. The Managing Director regards this as a crucial decision for the company and wishes to be convinced that your approach to the feasibility study and outline planning  is  appropriate. With  this  is  mind,  you  have  been  initially  asked  to  provide  a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, supported by appropriate notes and appendices, which if approved by the Managing Director, will be delivered to the Board within five weeks time.

If the project was then successfully approved, you will then need to place yourself in the position of the assigned project management team and prepare a formal Project Initiation Document  (PID)  to  describe  how the  project  could  be  implemented.  In  essence,  what approach and actions would you take to ensure the project was appropriately initiated?

Assignment Task 1: Presentation Guidance

The presentation will be in the form of a project feasibility study and start-up evaluation and to outline the overall timescale in the form of a high-level project plan. You are  not  required to carry out any detailed market research or detailed design, the  emphasis is on the process of project definition, project planning, project evaluation, project delivery and effective communication.

The outline should include consideration of the following:

1.  Statement, explanation, and justification of an appropriate set of objectives for the project. This should follow discussion with reference to the overall business case.

2.  Clear identification of the scope of the project, together with a Work or Product
Breakdown Structure (WBS/PBS).

3.  A milestone plan and high-level schedule (Gantt chart) covering the period from now until the completion of the project.

4.  Identification and planning of major resources (internal and external), which are likely be required to complete the project.

5.  Identification of the major areas of cost which will need to be quantified in order to complete the financial evaluation.

6.  An outline cash-flow and cumulative expenditure forecast for the period over which the project will be evaluated (5 years). Experience, judgement and module tutor advice should be used to estimate these figures.

7.  Consideration of the major areas of project risk.

8.  Other information and evidence pertinent to the study.

9.  An  appendix  which  briefly  identifies  the  key  responsibilities  undertaken  by  the individual group members in the provision of the presentation.

The detailed marking criteria are presented below. Extra credit can be gained for taking a novel or innovative approach to making your case PROVIDED the essential elements are also in place. With a short presentation format you need to be focused, specific, making key points only. Consider which methods are most effective for communicating your ideas – the presentation medium (i.e. Microsoft PowerPoint) needs to be bold, illustrative, conveying a message, even using a metaphor. Think about the medium you are using – how will you communicate it all in such a small space – visually?. Higher grades will be associated with presentations which:

•        Provide clear and concise introductions to the background of the project and use this to establish clear and appropriate objectives and scope.

•        Develop and justify an appropriate timescale and budget for the project, taking into account the relevant technical, practical and business related issues.

•    Make effective use of an electronic project planning package, i.e. Microsoft Project.

•    Deliver well structured, concise and informative content to the specified audience.

•    Are well supported by relevant and concise presentation notes and appendices.

Your tutor must be given a copy of the presentation (a hard copy and a PowerPoint file) in addition to your formal PID report.

Presentation Assessment Criteria (Mark out of 100)

Group Name:

For the Group Presentation assessment will be based upon the following:

Quality of Research:

Relevant information accessed – breadth and depth to cover topic. Analysis of case study.
Identification of key issues. Comparison to theoretical concepts.
/ 20
Structure and Content:

Opening – Argument – Body – Discussion – Conclusion. Opening used to establish rapport.
Allow adequate time for discussion. Responds effectively to questions.
Adequately manage individual contributions (each group member).
/ 20
Argument and Evidence:

Introduction makes apparent how the topic is to be approached. Identification and comprehension of main issues and concepts. Development of argument, shape and coherence of analysis. Relevant literature and case information presented.
Integration and comparison of theory and case study.
/ 20
Visuals and Presentation Materials:

Visuals are clear, readable and neat. Quantity of information is right. Method of display is effective.
Colour and content help understanding. Organisation of material is clear.
/ 20
Style and Quality of Presentation:

General organisation of presentation – within time constraint. Clarity and coherence of oral presentation style.
Touch – Turn – Talk is used.
Contact with audience through discussion and questions. Clear conclusion and take home message.
/ 20
Total Marks    / 100

Assignment Task 2: Report Guidance

The aim of Task 2 is to produce a single PID document to provide a foundation for the successful delivery of the approved project.

1. Project background, definition, defined method of approach and business case. Critical analysis of the interrelationship between the business objectives and selected methodology. Even though there many tools and techniques within this field, such as Prince2 and PMBoK, what is a suitable approach for the project and it limitations or assumptions?
[30 marks]

2. Propose the suitable foundations for effective project governance, inclusive of a suitable project management organisation, a communication plan and supporting quality assurance method. How the project will be controlled and delivered on a time-phased basis?
[40 marks]

3. Provide a detailed project plan and evidence of use and implementation of appropriate project management software tools.
[20 marks]

4. Presentation/style of the research report

[10 marks]

Your submission should use a professional business report format and adhere to APA 6th Referencing Style. The word count limit for this assignment is 4000 words. Anything written after this word count limit is reached will not be assessed. This is a School wide regulation and could have a significant impact on your overall mark. The word count will only include the words in your report, with the following items excluded: Title page; Abstract, Contents page; List of symbols used; Lists of figures and tables; Words within equations; Words within figures, including the figure title; Words within tables, including the table title; References; Appendices. Note that figure and table titles should be brief and should not include any information not already present in the main text.

Report Assessment Criteria (Mark out of 100):

100 Marks    Fail    Pass    Distinction
Project definition and business case. Critical
analysis of the interrelationship between the business objectives and selected methodology. [30]    Unclear or superficial analysis, restricted by
lack of awareness of the main issues for the project and unfounded critique due to vague references to ideas.    Clear critical analysis, well balanced, with an
overall consideration of the key issues for the project, drawing on the main theories and established
methodologies.    Comprehensive and insightful critical
analysis, informed by consideration of both major and minor issues for the project, drawing on a wide range of
theories and sources.
Propose suitable project management
foundations. [40]    Confused or superficial basis, limited by lack of
understanding of common methodologies. Minimal description of
the failings of such
methods.    Chosen foundations are appropriate to the
context. Major/minor weaknesses and strengths are explained. Some consideration of
alternatives.    Chosen foundations are appropriate to the
context and evaluated well. Rationale is fully considered. Chosen methods applied
meticulously.

Evidence of use and implementation of project management software.
[20].    Poorly developed project planning approach. Little evidence of viable use of
tools. Little evidence of logic or clarity of thought demonstrated in plans.    Well-developed and logical planning, justified and considered with
clear links between project objectives and plan outcomes.    Very well developed and logical planning, fully justified and considered,
with clear evidence of creative links between project objectives and plan outcomes.
Overall report
presentation and style. [10]    Confusing written style,
with lack of fluency. Inaccurate referencing.    Clear written style,
appropriate for the audience. Accurate referencing.    Clear, fluent and
effective written style, done to a professional standard. Accurate referencing.

Assignment Task 3: Peer Assessment Guidance

The objective of this element of the assignment is to inform the assessment of individual contributions to the group Presentation and Report elements, and to assess the learner’s ability to analyse the human and organisational factors associated with team working, together with the identification of personal strengths and weaknesses.

1.  Provide  a  short  report  (max  1000  words,  with  same  criteria  to  the  Group  report), describing and evaluating the content and experience of group working provided by Assignment Tasks 1 and 2. What you have learned with respect to group work and your own style of working and how you may use it to advantage. Was the organisation of the Group effective, did the Group operate as a team, was there a good balance between members, was there conflict, how were disputes resolved, and did the Group success in its objectives.

The report should focus on Continued Professional Development (CPD) and reference the
UK Engineering Council’s UK-SPEC CEng competencies and professional code of conduct.

2. Using the form below, provide a carefully considered peer assessment of the individuals in your group. Include a detailed description of your own contribution in terms of the work and team dynamic. Expand sections or use an extension sheet if required. Use the concept of
‘Team Roles’ as defined by Belbin, in consideration of your own and other Group member’s
performance.

Peer Assessment Criteria (Mark out of 100):

Good assignments will be concise and demonstrate an ability to critically review, objectively, the performance of all Group members and show understanding of issues and principles associated with team working. Self assessment should be honest, objective and should be ties in to CPD.

•    Critical review of Group performance and implications for CPD                        50%
•    Critical personal review, peer review and application of Belbin’s Team Roles  50%

An appropriate form is provided below and is to be handed (in confidence) to your Tutor.

The information you provide will remain confidential, but may be used to moderate (move up or down individual grades) if any student contribution issues occur.

Timescale

Presentations to be held during the module’s final week of sessions, with all normal tutorial
and lecture sessions to be allocated to presentations on a random group presentation order.

Three Marking Schemes are present that each follow distinctive elements with individual marks assigned, making 100 percentages points in total for each.

These marks will then be pro-rated to represent the three parts of the total coursework and combined to give a final figure from the 50% total for this assignment component.

This percentage will then be added to the further Individual Examination (marks from 50%)
to give the final total for the module.

Module Code:                         NMM3530
Module Title:                           Project Management

Summary Peer Assessment for the Project Management Group Assignment

Your Name:                                                                 Group No:
(BLOCK CAPITALS)

You are required to complete the following peer assessment.   Failure to comply will be penalised.  The assessment may be used by the Tutor as one of the inputs in deciding upon individual weightings awarded for the group assignment.

Your assessment should be completed in private, placed in a sealed envelope or stapled together and handed to your tutor in person.   The contents of your peer assessment will remain confidential.

How do you rate the contribution of the other members of your group to the assignment?

Name    Contribution    Grade (1 to 10)
1  =Lowest
5  =Equal effort
10= Highest

Hand  in:    Same  day as  group  presentation  and  report  hand-in  (no  marks  will  be disclosed until  all peer assessment forms have been returned. Students returning forms after
5 days will suffer the school penalty – max 40% up to a week late, zero after a week late.

Hand to your Module Tutor – who may wish to discuss your performance and your assessment of other group members.