INFS6071 Project Management in Business Semester 1 2024
Individual assignment 1
Part 1 (24%) and Part 2 (6%)
Due date: 11:59 pm 26 Apr 2024
General instructions
There are two parts to the assignment. To undertake the assignment, students should follow the instructions below:
- The maximum length of the assignment is 2000 words comprising 1600 words for Part 1 and 400 words for Part 2. You can exceed the word count by 10% for each part. The length of document does not include cover page, list of references and table of contents.
- For further information, please refer to the business school policies: http://sydney.edu.au/business/currentstudents/policy.
- Final report submission: The report should be submitted via Canvas by due date. Please include course name, title of the report and student ID on the front page (cover page) of the submission. The link for the submission can be found on Canvas in the Assessment section. You should name the submission file as follows: SID.pdf, e.g. 123456.pdf. Please note that you SHOULD NOT provide name (first name or family name) in the assignment document.
- Please submit the assignment as a pdf file.
- Use Arial font, size 11 points.
- Use 1.5 spacing.
- Use A4 paper and portrait orientation.
- Proof-read and sense-check your report before submitting it.
- Use the Business School Referencing Guide (APA 6th or 7th edition is fine).
- Please see marking guidelines on pages 4-6 of this document.
- IMPORTANT: You can submit the assignment only once! Please make sure that the file that you submit is the final version.
Part 1 (24 marks)
Requirements
Download and read the case study (pdf file) found at the following link:
Then analyse the findings on infrastructure projects delivered by NSW Health from the perspective of the formal project management methodology, PMBOK6 (i.e. PMBOK 6th edition).
Based on your analysis, respond to the following questions:
1. Where and how there is evidence of such a methodology being applied and its contribution. Please provide your answer in the form of a table outlining the relevant PMBOK knowledge areas, evidence of application, and contribution. (6 marks)
2. Where and how such a methodology might have helped avoid or mitigate identified problems. Please provide your answer in the form of a table outlining the relevant knowledge areas and PMBOK processes that could have been applied. Give concrete examples of what kind of tools and techniques could have been applied. (10 marks)
3. If there were problems that appear to be outside the scope of PMBOK, discuss these problems. Conduct your own academic research and research about the project to provide ideas on how these problems could have been mitigated. (8 marks)
General requirements:
• Clear, well-structured and written presentation that captures the major aspects of the report in a succinct manner.• Consider all aspects of PMBOK and apply those that are relevant. Please use PMBOK 6 th edition. Do not use PMBOK 7th edition.• Conduct your own research to support your arguments and to understand the project context.• Apply a structure to each section of your report to guide the reader and demonstrate you have applied a comprehensive and systematic approach.• You are required to use third-party references to support your arguments for question 3 above.
A useful starting point for online research is Google Scholar, scholar.google.com. If you are working off-campus you can access Google Scholar from the university library web page and access articles and other resources: http://www.library.usyd.edu.au/databases/
Remember the instructions for scientific writing, particularly referencing!
Part 2 (6 marks)
Application of analytical techniques in professional project management
Critical Path Analysis
MoneyMachine plans to establish an online finance business focused on advancing small value personal loans. A mobile app supported by state-of-the-art analytics will be a key feature of the proposed business. The activities involved in this project are given below.
|
ID |
Activities |
Predecessors |
Duration
(weeks)
|
|
1 |
Establish office premises |
- |
4 |
|
2 |
Undertake detailed market analysis |
1 |
3 |
|
3 |
Employ and train staff |
1 |
4 |
|
4 |
Undertake system development |
2, 3 |
10 |
|
5 |
Complete acceptance tests |
4 |
4 |
|
6 |
Release beta version to select users |
5 |
5 |
|
7 |
Make improvements to the system |
6 |
5 |
|
8 |
Undertake promotion of the business |
7 |
4 |
|
9 |
Hire more staff |
7 |
7 |
|
10 |
Commence normal operations |
8, 9 |
3 |
4(a) Draw a network diagram using the activity on node (AON) notation representing the project. What is the critical path and how long is it? You may use PowerPoint to draw the diagram and then copy it into your assignment document. You should not use Microsoft Project or any other project management software for this part of the assignment. (4 marks)
4(b) In the context of the above project at MoneyMachine, explain possible key challenges in managing projects using critical path. Please use appropriate references to support your explanation. (2 marks)
Presentation requirements for Q4(a)
- Prepare network diagram for the project including identification and measurement of critical path – including evidence of having performed a forward and backward pass (i.e. include your workings, for example, in the form of a table).
- Make sure you identify the critical path and its duration in your answer.4
MARKING GUIDELINES
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Part 1 |
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|
|
|
|
|
Q1 (6 marks) |
<3 marks |
3-4 marks |
4-4.5 marks |
4.5-5 marks |
>5matks |
|
Where and how there is evidence of such a methodology being applied and its contribution. |
Major weaknesses in justifications for selecting PMBOK area/process. The evidence provided is limited and does not adequately support the arguments. Weak analysis of the contributions. Major weaknesses in clarity of the presentation. |
PMBOK area/process selections need more justification. More analysis and supporting evidence are required. Contributions require more specific details. The explanations are provided but lack clear focus and structure. |
Justification of the PMBOK area/process selections is provided. The justification of the evidence used requires more analysis and more analysis. Arguments to support the contributions require more critical analysis. The presentation requires some more clarity or structure. Overall good analysis. |
Good justification of the PMBOK area/process selections. The justification of the evidence used is clearly provided, but more specific evidence will be useful. The contributions are analysed, but some more specific details will be helpful. Overall, a very good analysis. |
Excellent justification of the PMBOK area/process selections and succinct presentation of evidence. The justification of the evidence provided is well-argued. The contributions are critically analysed and articulated with specific details. Overall, a very clearly structured analysis that is well presented. |
|
Q2 (10 marks) |
<5 marks |
5-6.5 marks |
6.5-7.5 marks |
7.5-8.5 marks |
>8.5matks |
|
Where and how such a methodology might have helped avoid or mitigate identified problems. |
Major weaknesses in justifications for selecting PMBOK area/process. The evidence provided is limited and does not adequately support the arguments. Weak analysis of the benefits. Major weaknesses in clarity of the presentation. |
PMBOK area/process selections need more justification. More analysis and supporting evidence are required. The selection of tools requires more specificjustifications.Arguments to support the benefits need more specific details. Moderate level of weaknesses in presentation or structure. |
Justification of the PMBOK area/process selections is provided. The justification of the evidence used requires more analysis and more analysis. Arguments to support the benefits require more critical analysis. The presentation requires some more clarity or structure. Overall good analysis. |
Good justification of the PMBOK area/process selections. The justification of the evidence used is clearly provided, but more specific evidence will be useful. The tools and techniques are appropriately selected, but some more specific details to justify them are required. Benefits are analysed clearly;some more specific details are required. Overall, a very good analysis. |
Comprehensive justification of the PMBOK area/process selections and succinct presentation of evidence. The justification of the evidence provided is well-argued. The selection of tools and techniques is well justified. Benefits are critically analysed and articulated with specific details. Overall, a very clearly structured analysis that is well presented. |
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Q3 (8 marks) |
<4 marks |
4-5 marks |
5-6 marks |
6-7 marks |
>7matks |
|
If there were problems that appear to be outside the scope of PMBOK, discuss these problems. |
Major weaknesses in justifications in identifying the problems. The evidence provided is limited and does not adequately support the arguments. Weak analysis of the ideas to mitigate the problem. Major weaknesses in research, clarity of the presentation or structure. |
Identified problems need more justification. More analysis and supporting evidence are required. Arguments to support the ideas to mitigate the problem need more specific details. Moderate level of weaknesses in research, presentation, or structure. |
Justification of the identified problems is provided. The justification requires some more analysis/evidence. Arguments to support the ideas to mitigate the problem require more analysis and some more research. The presentation requires some more clarity or structure. Overall good analysis. |
Good justification of the identified problems. The justification of the evidence used is clearly provided, but more specific evidence will be useful. The ideas to mitigate the problem are argued clearly and supported by good research. Overall, a very good analysis.
|
Comprehensive justification of the identified problems and succinct presentation of evidence from the case. The justification of the evidence provided is wellargued. The ideas to mitigate the problem are well-argued and supported by excellent research. Overall, a very clearly structured analysis that is well presented. |
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Part 2 |
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Q4(a) (4 marks) |
<2 marks |
2-2.5 marks |
2.5-3 marks |
3-3.5 marks |
>3.5matks |
|
Draw a network diagram using the activity on node (AON) notation representing the project. What is the critical path and how long is it? |
Major errors in the network diagram or the presentation requires major improvement in clarity. Some major errors in the correct identification of the critical path/the calculations of the critical path show major errors. |
A moderate level of errors in the network diagram or the presentation requires significantly more clarity. Some errors in the correct identification of critical path. The calculations of the critical path show errors. |
Minor errors in the network diagram or the presentation requires more clarity. Correct identification of critical path. The calculations of the critical path lackclarity. |
The network diagram is accurately drawn, and the presentation requires some improvement. Correct identification of critical path. Some improvement is needed in presenting the calculations of the critical path. |
The network diagram is accurately drawn and presented in an excellent fashion. Correct identification of critical path. Calculations of the critical path are clearly presented. |
|
Q4(b) (2 marks) |
<0.5 mark |
0.5-0.75 mark |
0.75-1.0 marks |
1-1.5 marks |
>1.5 marks |
|
In the context of the above project, explain key challenges in managing a project using critical path. |
Discussion of the challenges requires significantly more research and significantly more clarity in understanding the concepts and applications of project management. |
Discussion of the challenges requires more research and more clarity in understanding the concepts and applications of project management. |
Discussion of the challenges demonstrates very good research and a clear understanding of the concepts and applications of project management. |
Discussion of the challenges demonstrates good research and a clear understanding of the concepts and applications of project management. |
Discussion o of the challenges demonstrates excellent research and an excellent understanding of the concepts and applications of project management. |