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FIT5057 Project Management
Semester 2, 2024
Assignment Two – Team Assignment
Due Dates:
● Group submission (5%): Team Charter. There is a single Team Charter for each team, and one team member submits the file via Moodle as a team, and all the other team members must confirm the student statement in Moodle before the deadline: Week 6, 23.55 Monday 26 August 2024.
● Individual submission (75%): submit everything else as an individual via Moodle before the deadline: Week 10, 23.55 Monday, 30 September 2024.
● Group demonstration (20%): Each team will work collaboratively on Deliverable 3 and conduct a team demonstration in their designated applied classes: During weeks 7 and 8 of the teaching period.
● Optional task- Engagement task. This task will attract up to 5 additional marks if you deliver a research- based presentation of up to 5 minutes in one of the unit workshops or applied classes on selected topics. Conditions apply.
Value: 50% of overall unit assessment
Mode of Submission: Online via Moodle
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The aim of this assignment is to provide students with the opportunity (working as a team and as an individual) to learn and demonstrate their analytical and project management skills through the development of an information technology (IT) project management case study. The assignment aims to assess the following aspects of student learning about project management:
● Skills in communicating projects.
● Skills and knowledge from the Project Performance Domains
● Working in a team.
SPECIFICATION AND DELIVERABLES
This assignment is based on the requirements of the NexaForge Studios. Student teams undertaking the assignment are to play the role of project managers within an IT consultancy that NexaForge Studios has contracted to undertake a portfolio of projects that are intended to extend sales and bring in new customers (see below).
Note: students will not be required to develop a product as part of this process.
While the assignment requires the team to work together and support each other to plan the delivery of these projects, each team member will be responsible for one project. The project could be the one they proposed in their Assignment 1 or, could be a new topic if the students prefer to change their topic. The individual component of the assignment will be assessed based on the work submitted in Assignment 2 and not what was proposed in Assignment 1.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
1. The workshop topics will address different components of the assignment and you should actively participate and engage in the classes, discuss and work on these as a team. Where required, present your progress to the tutor, who will provide support and advice.
2. There are two written submissions:
a. Group submission (Team Charter) due Week 6 (Monday 26 August, 11:55 PM).
b. Individual submission (all deliverables) due Week 10 (Monday 30 September 2024, 11:55 PM).
3. Submissions (group and individual) must take the form of a single PDF document.
a. Group submission should be named: <>_<
b. Individual submission should be named: <>_<
- <> is Assignment 2.
- <
- <> is your unique Monash University student number.
- For example, a file name could be A2_0301_12345678.pdf, where the group number is ‘0301’ and the student ID is ‘12345678’ .
DEMONSTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Each team is required to demonstrate one Gantt chart (Deliverable 3, task 3.4) developed by one of the team members, together with a reflective review of the team’s collaborative approach in developing work breakdown structures and Gantt charts, to their tutors during their allocated applied classes that occur in weeks 7 to 8.
2. Your tutors will book a time for your team’s demonstration and communicate the time to you.
3. All team members are expected to be present during demonstrations however, due to the time constraints, only one team member should conduct the demonstration.
4. You will receive verbal feedback on your demonstration and your assessment is entirely based on the demonstration.
5. You cannot request extensions for the demonstration tasks.
PLAGIARISM DECLARATION
When uploading your assignment on Moodle, you are required to accept the Student Statement (which includes a declaration that you have not plagiarised during the preparation of your assignment solution). You are required to ACCEPT the Student Statement; otherwise, you will not be able to submit your assignment electronically and your assignment will NOT be assessed.
NOTE : Marks may be deducted for any paragraphs or tables containing text which have been inserted into the document as screenshots or images. Any sections created in another word document or spreadsheet must be copied and pasted as text, (with the exception of the Gantt Chart, Risk Register and Stakeholder Registers).
GENERATIVE AI
AI & Generative AI tools may be used SELECTIVELY within this assessment. Where used, AI must be used responsibly, clearly documented and appropriately acknowledged (see Learn HQ).
Any work submitted for a mark must:
● represent a sincere demonstration of your human efforts, skills and subject knowledge that you will be accountable for.
● adhere to the guidelines for AI use set for the assessment task.
● reflect the University’s commitment to academic integrity and ethical behaviour.
Inappropriate AI use and/or AI use without acknowledgement will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
LATE SUBMISSION
1. Submission must be made by the due date. Unless an extension or special consideration has been granted, or otherwise specified in the learning management system, students who submit an assessment task after the due date will receive a late-submission penalty of 5 percent of the available marks in that task. A further penalty of 5 percent of the available marks will be applied for each additional day (24-hour period), or part thereof, the assessment task is overdue.
2. Assignments submitted more than seven days after the due date will not be marked.
3. If you cannot complete an assessment (due to exceptional circumstances beyond your control), you may be eligible for a short extension or special consideration. A short extension is two calendar days and is available once for each eligible assessment. The first short extension for a unit will be granted without a reason given. All subsequent extensions require a reason when the application is submitted. Special consideration is a longer extension (for more than two days). Eligible students must supply a reason and supporting documentation.
4. For more details of the Special Consideration procedure and rules, and how to apply, visit: https://www.monash.edu/students/admin/exams/changes/special-consideration
ASSIGNMENT TEAMS
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WHAT IS A TEAM PROJECT? |
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A “Team Project” is NOT the same as a traditional “Group Project” . In a “Team Project” the members of a team work on closely related problems (in this case projects within a portfolio of maximum 4 projects). Students submit some work as a team, in this case, (a) the “Team Charter” . Students also submit other work as an individual, in this case, (b) the “Main Submission” (that is, all other components of the assignment). Even though the “Main Submission” is an individual piece of work, you are expected to work alongside the other members of your team in the unit’s applied sessions as a number of elements of the individual “Main submission” depend upon decisions that you make collectively as a team (e.g. how to navigate your projects towards the success of your portfolio). If, after reading the above, you are still unclear about the difference between a “Team Project” and a traditional “Group Project” then contact your tutor and/or Chief Examiner ([email protected]). |
This assignment requires a collaborative effort by a team of students and includes both a team submission and an individual submission. Students must form their teams (from attendees of the same tutorial/applied learning session) and elect a team leader to support the coordination of activities. Students should form their teams in Week 4-5 applied class (no later than Week 6). Once confirmed, no change of team members is permitted without prior approval from the FIT5057 Chief Examiner (Dr. Roisin McNaney). Students should form teams of 4 (if possible) or teams of 3 (if 4 is not possible, discuss with your tutor if this is the case). If you form a team of 3 people then you will still need to assume that you are splitting any budget and resources (if relevant) between 4 individual projects (with the 4th project being a ‘future endeavour’).
Context and Background
YOUR TEAM
You work in a project management consultancy partnership that undertakes contracts from clients and works with them to plan and manage internal service development projects that include IT design and development. The projects that you plan and manage are implemented by a combination of the client’s staff and external contractors that you source through the IT Contractor Rates Guide by HAYS (See the file uploaded to Moodle).
In phase 2 of the project, your client has reviewed the submitted business cases (project proposals) and shortlisted the 4 best proposals. You, as the project manager of one of the successful proposals, are now asked to join forces with up to 3 other successful project managers and form a team to work towards achieving portfolio objectives in Assignments 2. Some of you have already formed a team during phase 1 (assignment 1). You will continue to collaborate with your teams.
* If you do not have a team at this stage please speak to your tutor.
THE CLIENT
NexaForge Studios is a market leader in the Double-A gaming industry. NexaForge specialises in crafting mid- market video games that blend professional development expertise with the creative spirit of indie studios. Their titles resonate with a broad audience, striking a balance between innovation and accessibility. NexaForge’s clients comprise a diverse audience of gamers. They cater to console enthusiasts, PC players, and mobile gamers. Their mid-market games resonate with those seeking engaging experiences beyond AAA blockbusters. NexaForge holds a significant market share in the Double-A gaming segment. Their focus on quality, innovation, and accessible gameplay sets them apart from their competitors including other Double- A studios, indie developers, and some larger non-indie studios. NexaForge competes by delivering polished experiences without the extensive budgets of AAA titles.
Their current annual revenue currently stands at an impressive $120 million. With their strategic push into new markets, they anticipate further growth. Senior management is expecting a 17% increase over the next
3 years. Through innovation and expansion to their game offerings. A diversified portfolio attracts different player demographics and opens new revenue streams Recognising the importance of player retention, they set another KPI to increase their active users over the same period. They expect their user retention to increase: (i) Day 1 Retention (D1) – players who continue playing after the first day increase from the current 30% to 45%; (ii) Day 7 Retention (D7) – players who continue playing after the first week to increase from the current 12% to 30%; and (iii) Three-Month Retention (M3) – players whose interests are sustained over three months to change the current 8% to 16%.
THE CONTRACT
After the recent commercial success of their latest games, NexaForge executives have announced the creation of a portfolio package of up to 4 projects to extend sales and bring in new customers. They have dedicated a budget of $4.5M to spend on a portfolio of up to four projects to enter new markets and achieve their strategic goals of increasing revenue and increasing player retention.
Some technology aspects of the project, such as providing infrastructure and integrating the product into NexaForge’s platforms, are to be implemented by their in-house team of experts. However, all the remaining costs for the projects, and any profit that your partnership intends to make, must come out of the $4.5M budget.
Note that the $4.5M budget is for the entire portfolio of up to 4 projects and not just the one project you are proposing and therefore, it is important to budget carefully where all expected costs and expenses are justified and there are considerations for other potential projects in the portfolio. The portfolio of projects must be completed within 3 years of the contract start date. Your client did not specify the expected schedule for each individual project proposal; however, they expect the schedule, budget and scope of work (requirements, deliverables, delivery approach and cadence) to be balanced and feasible.
THE SUGGESTED PROJECTS
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You can continue working on your proposed project from Assignment 1. However, if for any reason you prefer to change your topic, feel free to do so. You could choose one of the suggested projects. The assessment of your submission will not be affected if you choose one of the suggested projects or change your topic from Assignment 1. Note: If you and a colleague in your team have previously chosen the same topics for Assignment 1, one (or both) of you are required to change their topic for Assignment 2. |
Project 1: Eidolon’s Veil
Eidolon’s Veil has a Surreal exploration and puzzle adventure genre that transports players to a dreamlike dimension where reality blurs with imagination. They awaken in a mysterious, shifting world: a place of forgotten memories, cryptic symbols, and hidden truths. The protagonist can transform into different forms — a shadow, a wisp of light, or even an ancient tree. Each form grants unique abilities. It includes symbolic puzzle solving by deciphering ancient glyphs, manipulating light and shadow, and altering the environment. The emotional explorations uncover fragments of memories tied to love, loss, and identity. Its visual style is hand-
painted landscapes that transition seamlessly between reality and abstraction. Useful references:
- Gris: For its emotional impact, artistic visuals, and symbolic storytelling.
- Journey: A poetic adventure emphasizing exploration and minimalistic narrative.
Project 2: Cipher Protocol
Cipher Protocol is in a Cyberpunk stealth-action genre and drops players into a dystopian metropolis ruled by mega-corporations. As a rogue hacker, they infiltrate secure facilities, manipulate surveillance systems, and expose dark secrets. The Dynamic Level Design enables Vertical exploration: climb skyscrapers, crawl through maintenance tunnels, and hack security drones. It has a morally complex story that includes choices that impact the city’s balance of power—corporate overlords, rebel factions, or anarchy.
Useful references:
- Deus Ex: Human Revolution: A cyberpunk-themed game known for its intricate level design, stealth mechanics, and player choices.
- Watch Dogs: Legion: Another cyberpunk-inspired title with hacking, open-world exploration, and a morally complex narrative.
Project 3: Retro Rivals
Retro Rivals has an arcade racing revival genre and has Nostalgic Vibes. Retro Rivals taps into the '80s arcade racing nostalgia. Players choose classic cars—sleek muscle cars, neon-lit speedsters, and quirky go-karts. Its aesthetics are vibrant, retro visuals reminiscent of arcade cabinets and has an electrifying synthase soundtrack. Tracks pulse with synthwave energy and has time attack challenges e.g. beat ghost cars, set records, and unlock hidden shortcuts.
Useful references:
- Horizon Chase Turbo: A modern take on classic arcade racing, complete with pixel art aesthetics and an '80s vibe.
- OutRun: The iconic arcade racer that set the standard for high-speed, checkpoint-based gameplay.
Project 4: Stellar Nexus
Stellar Nexus is a Galactic Odyssey following a Sci-fi exploration adventure genre. It invites players to captain their starship and explore a procedurally generated galaxy. Each star system holds secrets—ancient ruins, alien artefacts, and cosmic anomalies. Players can land on planets, engage in diplomacy with alien civilisations, and uncover lost technologies. Key features of this game are non-linear exploration where players follow their instincts, artistic visuals (hand-painted environments), and emotional storytelling that unravel personal narratives hidden within dreams. The game doesn’t rely on a linear narrative. Instead, players encounter dynamic events, forge alliances, and influence the galactic balance. Players' decisions on diplomacy, trade, or conflict shape the galaxy’s fate.
Useful references:
- No Man’s Sky: For its vast, procedurally generated universe and exploration mechanics.
- Elite Dangerous: A space sim with realistic physics, trading, and exploration.
ASSIGNMENT TASKS
To formulate a successful portfolio, your team and you (as a project manager for your individual project) will complete the following deliverables following a predictive (waterfall) approach. Discussion of the Team Charter and the deliverables will be the focus of Workshops and Applied Sessions in weeks 5 to 9 of the semester:
● Team Charter [Relevant content: workshop 4; applied 5]
● Deliverable 1: Project Initiation [Relevant content: workshop 5]
● Deliverable 2: Project Scope Management [Relevant content: workshop 5; applied 6]
● Deliverable 3: Project Work Breakdown Structure and Project Schedule Management [Relevant content: workshop 5; workshop 6; applied 5; applied 6]
● Deliverable 4: Project Cost Management [Relevant content: workshop 2; workshop 6; applied 7]
● Deliverable 5: Project Risk Management [Relevant content: workshop 3; workshop 7; applied 8]
● Deliverable 6: Project Quality Management [Relevant content: workshop 4; workshop 6; applied 7]
● Deliverable 7: Project Stakeholder and Communication Management [Relevant content: workshop 2; workshop 7; applied 8]
Please note that here is a writing guide available in the assignment folder in Moodle which contains a range of relevant templates that you can use to structure your report.